JERRY ROSS at age 20, Ht 5' 9 1/2 176 pounds, neck 15 1/2, biceps 15 1/2 cold, 16 1/4 pumped, waist 29, thighs 23, calf 15,. At the time this early photo was taken by AMG Jerry had only been training two months on a really active basis and yet he had already acquired proportions most of us would be quite happy to possess. Jerry's interest in barbell work came through the physique magazines he used to read back in Milwaukee Wisconsin. Prior to barbell work, he had been (and for that matter still is) interested in such sports as swimming, basketball, horseback riding and many others.
In preparing the above copy we consulted an information card Jerry filled out for us over four years ago when he first visited AMG studios. We note on the card that he mentioned he might plan to go into physique contests if he should 'develop sufficiently." Indeed he did develop sufficiently as the photo below (taken about six months ago) will attest, and he won many physique titles as listed in the last (Winter 55) edition of PP. Yet he did all this while maintaining a supple, streamlined build, not developing grotesque exaggerations as so often happens.
AMG offers 79 different early photographs of Jerry which may be selected individually at 25c each from his catalog pages which are pages 4, 5, and 6 of catalog YC13 (30c for the three pages). This photograph was also taken in color and is one of the six slides in AMG's Variety Color Set #5 $3 which is made of Jerry Ross and five other models. AMG 1834 W 11 St. Los Angeles 6, Calif. Page 26
JERRY ROSS at age 23, 5'10, 180 lbs, chest relaxed 46, expanded 48, biceps 17, waist 29, hips 36, thighs 24, calves 17, Persistent training really produced results, didn't it? While the first gains such as Jerry had made in the top picture are usually not very difficult, the extra super inches are the ones hard to come by--and there just isnt any shortcut. Most of us would (and really should) be quite content to Jerry's first achievement, as such a build would put us far above the decrepit norm, and the wonderful part about it is that the first gains are so darned easy, that no matter whose system you tollow or how you goof-up, you're almost certain to make notable progress in the beginning, just so you're eating a sensible diet, and progressively requiring the muscles of your body to work a little harder (thus causing them to hypertrophy, or enlarge). While we think it's shameful the way some of the barbell people and others exaggerate in their advertising to try to con you into believing they can turn you into Mr. America on six hours of training a month, the truth is that almost everyone of them could change you to the point you wouldnt recognize yourself if you would follow their courses religiously for about two months. But after that the going would get tougher, and at this point most of the weaker willed fellows drop out. While at the beginning inches of muscle fairly leaped onto the arms with only modest weights being used, the bodybuilder finds it necessary to do tremendous amounts of work to gain just another part of an inch after that. The important lesson for us is that if like Jerry Ross we feel the super physique is worth the cost, it is almost always obtainable if we are persistent enough, and yet at the same time if we just want that degree of development which will let us stand out from the crowd, would probably never score in a great physique contest, the moderate build is attainable at a very low cost in energy and time.
While few bodybuilders are ever able
realize financial "profit"
from their training, Jerry is an exception. He has done some film work, written and illustrated a number of magazine articles, and is currently engaged in the sale of his own inspirational physique photos.
The photo on this page, as well as all of Jerry's latest photographs were taken by the favorite photographer of Muscle Beach, Herb Dixon. Jerry offers his own personal Catalogs A & B at $1 each. Albums A & B made up of 4x5 inch prints $4 per album. Jerry gets all the.mail personally, and will be glad to autograph one or more prints if you so specify. Write Jerry Ross at Box 2112, Ocean Park California. Page 27