World Gym was started in 1977 by Joe Gold, who had originally founded Gold’s Gym in the 1960’s. Joe sold Gold’s Gym thinking that he would retire. After a few years, his love for the gym brought him back into the business – World Gym was born. Joe was one of the most famous bodybuilders of the original Muscle Beach in Santa Monica. As such, he became a father figure of sorts to such bodybuilding greats as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lou Ferrigno, Dave Draper, Franco Columbu, Frank Zane and hung out with many other Muscle Beach luminaries such as Eddie Giuliani, Harold Zinkin, Irvin “Zabo” Koszewski – many of whom worked out religiously at the original World Gym in Venice Beach, California.

Today, the World Gym network is one of the largest and most recognized in the world – with over 200 locations where the spirit of Joe Gold and Muscle Beach lives on through our members’ dedication to their own physical fitness and wellness.