Hi, just checked out the website and what a trip down memory lane- Sam and my father (Gino Quilici) started lifting together when in their teens. Dad went on to represent the MAC, his picture still hangs there. We loved all the Loprinzi’s, Joe spoke at Dad’s funeral. I worked out there 50 years ago and had the great pleasure of having Sam there then.
Keep up the good work! Nice to see the place is still a “real” workout club.
My dad is Pedro in this picture. Dad changed his name to Gus when entering into World War II. My dad, his siblings, and all the Loprinzi cousins where an awesome generation. I have only great memories of this family.
Dad used to take me to the gym to see family. This generation served as real example to me and the rest of their family. They are missed and loved by their family and friends.
The Loprinzi’s don’t run the gym any more, and the current owner is not sure. There were at least 3 Gus’ in the family all different generations. Gus was Joes brother. We will look into this and if we find out we will post it here.
Was your mom named Erda? Erda was my grandmother’s sister and my dad, Dennis, I believe is your cousin. He talks to me about good memories of his Uncle Gus and the great food at family get togethers.
I think these gym shots are great–I am 62–have had my own home gym for years–used to have a small gym I ran for a few years devoted to bodybuilding/powerlifting–I am a collector of physical culture items , so I am well aware of Loprinzis Gym–there was a shot of the gym in the book Business is great by Stan Mann–it is great to still see a gym like this around –the solid dumbells are great along w/ the equipment that has been used for years–Sam was a great bodybuilder when he competed–true physical culture in its day–Keep It Up !!!
What a joy to see my late father-in-law, George Pavlich, on the far right in this photo. I remember meeting several Loprinzis at George’s daughter’s wedding…their shirts were open to show their beautiful & earnest bodies. You should look at this photo of the Herculean Trio on Walter Pavlich’s book cover. George is facing the camera, and I think at least one of the other men is a Loprinzi. The photo is pre-WWII. –Sandra McPherson, Davis, CA
The portrait of the Herculean Trio can be found on maximumbook [dot] org. The book is ONGOING PORTRAITS by Walter Pavlich. There are several poems in it about George Pavlich. George’s own home gym is also described in Walter’s RUNNING NEAR THE END OF THE WORLD, in the poem called “In the Basement of Weights.” Both books can be found used on Amazon. –Sandra McPherson
Brilliant old school awesome collection of machines, benches free weights. Inc to go to a place like this that does not have PC tv sets full of CNN etc everywhere and some dude one legged balancing on a ball doing one armed curls with 5 lb dumbell next to a squat rack, Ala 24hr fatness ctr
My brother Robin and I spent many hours in Loprinzis gym beginning in the late 60s. Sam would tutor us if he thought we needed help on technique and Bantam was always around as well. Two of the nicest guys we ever met. Still working out today because of the inspiration from the Loprinzi brothers. It was an honor knowing them.
Just stopped by for a trip thu a PDX landmark/time machine. The presence of Shag Thomas, Jesse Ventura, Bill Walton, Lloyd Neal and many Portland wrestling stars and civic leaders is heavy the air! Many hours spent here in the ‘70s-80s with my brothers-in-iron. Long live the Loprinzis!????????????
San Loprinzi owned the gym and lived in the house upstairs. Sam died in 1996. I saw Sam when I was a dancer at the Oriental Theater on Grand & Morrison Dump Ted Wheeler
Sam and Helen were great people. Freddy Greco-Roman, Ron Bachman, Ray Hetlidge, Jerry Dunn, Jerry Inman, Pat Carni, Wayne Olson and Tim Merrihew were just a few of the Loprinzi Gym individuals. Also remember Joel, who posted above..I knew his dad.
Always heard of Loprinzi’s when in SW Portland as a teen. I trained at Orian’s in Raleigh Hills. Orian originally trained at Sam’s before opening his own gym. Glad to see old-school still exists.
Hi… My husband is a Loprinzi! Phillip is his grandfather in this picture. I’d love to purchase a print of this picture if at all possible to keep in our home gym!
Hi, just checked out the website and what a trip down memory lane- Sam and my father (Gino Quilici) started lifting together when in their teens. Dad went on to represent the MAC, his picture still hangs there. We loved all the Loprinzi’s, Joe spoke at Dad’s funeral. I worked out there 50 years ago and had the great pleasure of having Sam there then.
Keep up the good work! Nice to see the place is still a “real” workout club.
Don Quilici
My dad is Pedro in this picture. Dad changed his name to Gus when entering into World War II. My dad, his siblings, and all the Loprinzi cousins where an awesome generation. I have only great memories of this family.
Dad used to take me to the gym to see family. This generation served as real example to me and the rest of their family. They are missed and loved by their family and friends.
I spent hours in the gym with Gus in the 1970’s. Truly a fine man and a good friend.
Joe:
Did your dad live at 30th and Grant?
We have an inscription in our concrete foundation that reads, “Gus + Oona”
JJ
The Loprinzi’s don’t run the gym any more, and the current owner is not sure. There were at least 3 Gus’ in the family all different generations. Gus was Joes brother. We will look into this and if we find out we will post it here.
Was your mom named Erda? Erda was my grandmother’s sister and my dad, Dennis, I believe is your cousin. He talks to me about good memories of his Uncle Gus and the great food at family get togethers.
I think these gym shots are great–I am 62–have had my own home gym for years–used to have a small gym I ran for a few years devoted to bodybuilding/powerlifting–I am a collector of physical culture items , so I am well aware of Loprinzis Gym–there was a shot of the gym in the book Business is great by Stan Mann–it is great to still see a gym like this around –the solid dumbells are great along w/ the equipment that has been used for years–Sam was a great bodybuilder when he competed–true physical culture in its day–Keep It Up !!!
What a joy to see my late father-in-law, George Pavlich, on the far right in this photo. I remember meeting several Loprinzis at George’s daughter’s wedding…their shirts were open to show their beautiful & earnest bodies. You should look at this photo of the Herculean Trio on Walter Pavlich’s book cover. George is facing the camera, and I think at least one of the other men is a Loprinzi. The photo is pre-WWII. –Sandra McPherson, Davis, CA
The portrait of the Herculean Trio can be found on maximumbook [dot] org. The book is ONGOING PORTRAITS by Walter Pavlich. There are several poems in it about George Pavlich. George’s own home gym is also described in Walter’s RUNNING NEAR THE END OF THE WORLD, in the poem called “In the Basement of Weights.” Both books can be found used on Amazon. –Sandra McPherson
Ken Patera trained there. ‘NUFF SAID!!
4491 Gordon Scott( who was from Portland), Sam, and Steve Reeves!
Brilliant old school awesome collection of machines, benches free weights. Inc to go to a place like this that does not have PC tv sets full of CNN etc everywhere and some dude one legged balancing on a ball doing one armed curls with 5 lb dumbell next to a squat rack, Ala 24hr fatness ctr
My brother Robin and I spent many hours in Loprinzis gym beginning in the late 60s. Sam would tutor us if he thought we needed help on technique and Bantam was always around as well. Two of the nicest guys we ever met. Still working out today because of the inspiration from the Loprinzi brothers. It was an honor knowing them.
Just stopped by for a trip thu a PDX landmark/time machine. The presence of Shag Thomas, Jesse Ventura, Bill Walton, Lloyd Neal and many Portland wrestling stars and civic leaders is heavy the air! Many hours spent here in the ‘70s-80s with my brothers-in-iron. Long live the Loprinzis!????????????
Spent many hours in this gym, some of the best memories of my life!
San Loprinzi owned the gym and lived in the house upstairs. Sam died in 1996. I saw Sam when I was a dancer at the Oriental Theater on Grand & Morrison Dump Ted Wheeler
My uncle was a personal friend of Sam. I have pencil sketches and a photo. Let me know if you’re interested.
Sam and Helen were great people. Freddy Greco-Roman, Ron Bachman, Ray Hetlidge, Jerry Dunn, Jerry Inman, Pat Carni, Wayne Olson and Tim Merrihew were just a few of the Loprinzi Gym individuals. Also remember Joel, who posted above..I knew his dad.
Always heard of Loprinzi’s when in SW Portland as a teen. I trained at Orian’s in Raleigh Hills. Orian originally trained at Sam’s before opening his own gym. Glad to see old-school still exists.
Hi… My husband is a Loprinzi! Phillip is his grandfather in this picture. I’d love to purchase a print of this picture if at all possible to keep in our home gym!
Thank you!