Mr Bodybuilding lived here
The Father of BodyBuilding Eugen Sandow lived here.
Location: 161 Holland Park Avenue, W11 4UX
Description: Fitness pioneer Eugen Sandow lived here from 1906 until he died aged 58 in 1925. He devised the first major body-building contest, which was held at the Royal Albert Hall in 1901 and is known as the Father of Bodybuilding.
He also opened a gym, the Institute of Physical Culture, and performed on the stage all over the world.
Before Sandow arrived in London in the 1880s, he was famous thanks to his legendary music hall performances, world tours and constant self-promotion.
He was born in Friedrich Wilhelm Muller in the region of Konigsberg in East Prussia, although later research show his origins may have been in the remote borderlands of Poland.
He left in 1895 to avoid military service and in 1889 he made his first appearance on a London stage.
He was a huge success and wowed audiences with feats such as his finale act, 'Tomb of Hercules', in which he balanced a board on his shoulders carrying not only weights but also his manager.
His celebrity was enhanced by Henry Van der Weyde's studio photographs of him in a variety of poses, the most memorable of which captured him clad only in a fig leaf.
Health
|
The Father of BodyBuilding Eugen Sandow lived here. |
Ranking This Month: 1328/3085
Pages Hit This Month: 103
Your Comments:
Other places nearby:
The Home of Cricket», 2.2km
Arsenal's Old Ground», 5.8km
Henry VIII's tennis court», 8.8km
The 2012 Olympic Stadium», 8.6km
Martin Peters born here», 10.km
Swimming prodigy Beckwith born», 4.4km
Teddy Sheringham lived here», 11.km
Simpsons: Home of Chess», 3.8km
Arsenal's Emirates Stadium», 5.9km
The Royal Oak», 11.km
Location Pinpointed:
Open Street Maps», Google Maps»
pinpointing the forgotten and lost history of London
Shady Old Lady »» Car Reviews »» Classic Telly »» Peckish © 2026 The Shady Old Lady, Privacy Policy
