Charles Gaines, whose book Pumping Iron helped to popularize bodybuilding, dies at 84
Author Charles Gaines, who co-wrote the influential book 'Pumping Iron,' has died at 84. His work was instrumental in bringing bodybuilding into the mainstream and launching the career of Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Why it matters
Gaines played a pivotal role in the cultural shift that transformed bodybuilding from a niche interest into a global fitness phenomenon.
Charles Gaines and actor Ethan Hawke support the call for a moratorium on oil and gas exploration in the Gulf of St Lawrence in October 2015. Photograph: Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press/AP Charles Gaines and actor Ethan Hawke support the call for a moratorium on oil and gas exploration in the Gulf of St Lawrence in October 2015. Photograph: Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press/AP Books Charles Gaines, whose book Pumping Iron helped to popularize bodybuilding, dies at 84 1974 book led to making of seminal documentary and introduced Arnold Schwarzenegger to the world
Prefer the Guardian on Google Charles Gaines, the author whose book and documentary Pumping Iron helped bring professional bodybuilding into the mainstream and introduce Arnold Schwarzenegger to the world, has died. He was 84.
Gaines died on Tuesday, according to Greta Gaines, the author’s daughter. She did not reveal a cause.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in