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Champion of the “Golden Era” Bob Gallucci

By on Dec 8, 2008 in Spotlight on Champions

Natural Body Building Champion Bob Gallucci joins host John Hansen to discuss his long, successful career; beginning with “Mr. Teen America” competitions in the late ’60′s to his Natural America titles in the early ’80′s.

Bob was Natural at a time when “natural wasn’t cool”; and certainly before modern “nutrition and sports science” was born. What was his workout; what did he eat? It’s a fascinating interview with one of our favorites!

Today, Bob lives in Florida in a great adult community with his wife of 35 years. He retired from education as a Superintendent of Schools in Connecticut in 2006 and earned his doctoral degree in education in 1998. He competed in bodybuilding contests from 1968 (age 16) until 1981 (age 30). He is commited to a life-long pursuit of drug free bodybuilding and has never taken any form of anabolic/androgenic steroid or growth hormone. He worked with approximately 22,000 students in a 32 year career and has always encouraged his students to remain drug free. He believes he and his wife are two of the few adults who grew up in the 1960′s who have never used any form of recreational drug.

Here’s what Bob has to say about his long career:

I was fortunate enough to compete against a wide number of people including Mike Mentzer, Boyer Coe, Chris Dickerson, Ken Waller, Paul Grant, Albert Beckles, Steve Michalik, Mike Dayton, Greg Deferro, Kalman Scalik, Dave Johns, Tom Platz, Ken Covington, Bill St. John, Will Witaker, Bill Seno, Bob Birdsong, Pete Grymkowski, Anabol Lopez, Charlie Buzer, Curt Haywood, Tyrone Youngs, Ed Corney, Carl Smith, Ellington Darden, Jim Morris, Casey Viator and more. Many of these people were friends of mine including Dennis Tinnerino and John Grimek. I also met Larry Scott, Bill Pearl, Leo Stern, Dan Lurie, Scott Wilson, Ralph Kroger, Arnold, Sergio Oliva, Earl Maynard, Joe Nista Jr. Bob Hoffman, and more. In short, I had a wonderful career in bodybuilding which included three national wins (1969 Teenage Mr. America, 1974 Collegiate Mr. America and 1981 Natural Mr. America). I also won contests such as Mr. Connecticut, Mr. New England, Mr. East Coast, Mr. Atlantic Coast, Mr. Eastern America, Mr. Eastern USA, etc.

I wrote a number of articles published in Iron Man and MD which suggested the healthy lifestyle and not to use drugs. I saw so many people whose lives were destroyed via the use of steroids. Luckily I never lost my focus and bodybuilding was only a part of my life and not my entire focus. I was able to balance raising my family (two children; both married and successful), love and grow with my wife, Patty, for 35 years, earn four college degrees, work in education as a teacher, high school principal, superintendent of schools and university assistant dean, run a gym business (Gallucci’s Gym) for 10 years, and train with weights from 1966 until the present.

Today, I train in my home gym which I recently built (I added a 506 square foot facility to my home and equipped it with 30 weightlifting machines. I train with a passion and still love the results and the “pump” of the muscles.

Was it difficult to compete in the 1970′s and watch so many bodybuilders use drugs. Yes! I saw many friends of mine use both orals and injectibles and gain 25 lbs in one year. During that same year, I would never miss training and work to failure each day and I might gain 4-5 lbs at a national level. Most of these users also would vehemently state that they never used any steroids but they would admit to me privately what they were using and how the cycle affected them. One former Mr. Olympia told me that I could win it all in 1973 if I would simply visit his doctor once per month and “get on the same prescription steroids” which he was using. He stated that I had all of the genetics and had great muscle size and shape and symmetry but simply needed the steroids to gain the last 15-20 lbs of size to win both the Mr. A. and the NABBA Universe in 1973. It was tempting but I would never take any form of steroid because of the health issues and because of the strong values which my dad taught me. I told this Mr. O. “no”  and we parted as friends and have never spoken since. That is just one story in my career which I would be glad to share with listeners.

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  1. 16 Comment(s)

  2. By Anibal Lopez on Dec 10, 2008 | Reply

    Glad to hear Bob’s interview, was always a wonderful friend with a grate sense of humor, he loved imitating John Wayne. We share many great moments during our competition years.

  3. By Anibal Lopez on Dec 10, 2008 | Reply

    Glad to hear Bob’s interview, was always a wonderful friend with a grate sense of humor, he loved imitating John Wayne. We share many great moments during our competition years.
    I lost touch with him and would love to contact him,I also leave in Florida.

  4. By Don Muller on Jan 26, 2009 | Reply

    I just found this article on Bob Gallucci today, January 26, 2009. For several years I trained in Bob’s gym in East Hartford, Ct. I even participated one year in his annual gym physique contest. I was the oldest contestant in the contest. I was 43 years old at the time. I came in second for best arms. Following the contest Bob said that he thought I had the best arm but he said, “Who am I to know” with a big grin on his face. His father, Joe, is a very interesting character to say the least. I also live in Florida now and would love to know how to contact Bob.

  5. By Bryan Leone on Jan 27, 2009 | Reply

    I trained at Gallucci’s Gym, East Hartford, during the 1970s, and entered Gallucci’s Gym contests twice. (I placed second in one of the contests.) Bob and his father kept me off of steroids (they were legal in those days) and Bob personally wrote my routines and advised me on nutrition. Today, I am an ordained Lutheran pastor, still train with weights at the age of 62, and was recently appointed as Wellness Coach for all the pastors in New England. Bodybuilding gave me the confidence and courage to pursue my career, and Bob and his father were instrumental in changing my life for the better. It’s great to read about him, and to reconnect.

  6. By Lee Heckerd on Jan 28, 2009 | Reply

    Don,
    I also trained at Gallucci’s. I was in the same contest as you. I placed 5th place tall. I still have a lot of pictures from the show including ones of you. I live in the Tampa area. Let’s get together and look at our glory days.
    Lee

  7. By Bob Gallucci on Jan 28, 2009 | Reply

    Don and Lee:
    Good to hear from both of you and I am thrilled that both of you live in Florida. Maybe we could all meet for lunch sometime at my home in Leesburg (Central Florida). I would love to discuss the old Gallucci’s Gym and the wonderful memories I have of so many of the members. I have often thought of creating a website in honor of so many great members of that gym. I am unable to contact you (Due to a server problem). However, please contact me at my e-mail address: galluccijoepat@yahoo.com Thanks.
    Bob Gallucci

  8. By How to Get Six Pack Fast on Apr 15, 2009 | Reply

    After reading this article, I just feel that I need more info. Could you share some resources ?

  9. By Antique Ring on Apr 16, 2009 | Reply

    I usually do not comment on blog posts but I found this quite interesting, so here goes. Thanks! Regards, P.

  10. By Lois on May 2, 2009 | Reply

    There is no question that there is a lot to know about this and I feel you made some great points.

  11. By Sunforce 50044 on Jun 23, 2009 | Reply

    Good points, now go write some more :)

  12. By Dan "Le Pig" Cormier on Jul 23, 2009 | Reply

    I was one of the very first patrons of Gallucci’s Gym in East Hartford. My “Le Pig” moniker was given to me when I was 17 years old by Bobby. He was a great role model to have growing up. Bob and his father Joey “The Rat” (he was a professional exterminator) were quite a combo running the gym. Many of good times training hard and laughing harder. Joey, RIP, we still miss you. My best to Bobby, Patty and “Bear”. Thanks for the lessons on life.

  13. By Tom Kerrigan on Nov 20, 2009 | Reply

    HEY BOB !!
    I just recently found this particular web page after searching thoroughly for you. Your name came up recently at a Golds gym and how several of us working out had trained at your gym. I’m still competing in both powerlifting and olympic lifting at age 60 – I retired 12 yrs ago from the CT State Police.

    Hope you’re doing well Bob, Next time I’m in FL – I’ll try to catch up with you for lunch ( if you buy ! )
    Tom Kerrigan

  14. By Gangsta on Jun 9, 2010 | Reply

    i love your blog,really nice

  15. By Michael Carluccio on Jul 27, 2010 | Reply

    Hello Mr Gallucci. I just picked up the August, 2010 issue of Iron Man mag. Your name caught my attention and I started to read the article. Although I have not had the competitive experience that you have, I felt that we have a great deal in common with our fitness goals. We must be very close in age as well. My birthday is, December 6th, 1951. I would very much like to stay in touch with you. Thank you for be a great inspiration to so many over the years. Young people need to have "REAL" role models! Respectfully, Michael Carluccio.

  16. By Franco on Dec 21, 2010 | Reply

    Mr. Gallucci taught our elementary school computer class in the mid eighties at Burr School in Hartford CT. A great teacher and very kind person..how great at age 12 or so to have Mr. America as a teacher..Great to see you're doing well..thanks for the laughs in class..Merry Christmas..best wishes.

  17. By Bobby on Jun 15, 2011 | Reply

    Nice post. Thank you.

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  2. Jul 20, 2010: Bob Gallucci: A Witness of the End of the Golden Age of Classic Physique Building!

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