Arnold Schwarzenegger - how it all began

At the first major competition in which Arnold participated in London,
Charles "Wag" Bennett served as one of the judges. Schwarzenegger
made such a strong impression on him, that Wag offered to coach him.
At 19 years, Arnold did not have a much money, thus Bennett invited
him to stay in his small apartment on the top floor of one of his two fitness
centres in Forest Gate. The Bennetts had six children and thus
there was not much space in the apartment. Arnold ended up sleeping
on a sofa in the living room.
Wag Bennett and his wife Dianne helped and supported Arnold and
played an important role in his life Arnold Schwarzenegger referred to
Wag and Dianne often as his "English parents."
Chester Yorton was chosen as the winner of the Mr. Universe competition
mainly because of his leg muscles and their definition. Bennett
worked with Arnold to target these muscles specifically.
In his new home, the East End of London, Arnold Schwarzenegger
worked to improve his English language skills. In the same year, he was
able to meet his idol Reg Park. Reg and Arnold developed a deep
friendship and Reg became his mentor.
The training programme of Wag Bennett paid off in a big way, when
only one year later, Arnold Schwarzenegger became the youngest ever
to receive the title Mr. Universe.
When he returned to Munich as Mr. Universe to train four to six hours
every day, he continued to go to school and kept working in Rolf
Putzinger's fitness centre as a trainer.
In the year 1968, Arnold Schwarzenegger returned to London and
earned his next Mr. Universe title, this time in the category "professionals."
When he spoke to his friend and English tutor Roger C. Field in
Munich, he often said, "One day, I will be the greatest movie star!"
The studio of Wag Bennett was at 353 Romford Road. Dianne owned
and managed a fitness studio for women, "Dianne Bennett's Glamour
Girls," at the corner of Green Street and Romford Road.
Over the door of Wag's fitness centre a sign proclaimed "Here we build
men" and "Quitters NEVER Win .... Winners never quit!"
Besides Arnold Schwarzenegger, there were other great bodybuilders
who worked out with Wag Bennet: Reg Park, Robby Robinson and
Lou Ferrigno.
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