Harold Zinkin was a pioneer in the fitness industry. So instrumental was he as part of a group that started the building movement in Muscle Beach in the 1930’s, that Arnold Schwarzenegger named Zinkin the “father of modern body building”. 

Born in San Francisco, Zinkin was the son of Russian immigrants who as a young man sculpted his body into a specimen of strength. During World War II, he served in the Navy as a physical therapist.

Harold won the first "Mr. California" title in 1941 and in 1945 he was first runner-up in the Mr. America bodybuilding competition. In 1953, Zinkin moved to Fresno and opened gyms.  

He invented the Universal Gym Machine, which became a standard piece of equipment in fitness centers. It offered a complete workout with one piece of equipmentt and axpanded the possibliites for weight training. 

Later, Zinkin became a successful businessman, developer and community leader.  

In 1999, Harold authored and published "Remembering Muscle Beach" a historical book examining the birthplace of the physical fitness boom of the 20th Century, Muscle Beach, Santa Monica, California.  The book chronicles the 1930’s and the 1940’s, and luminaries like Steve Reeves, Jack LaLanne, the Tanny Brothers and Joe Gold. With firsthand knowledge and historic detail, Harold Zinkin masterfully tells the story of this historical icon.

DeWayne Jr.'s father DeWayne Sr. is a successful real estate developer and attorney, and former California State Athletic Commissioner.

According the the MMA Hall of Fame, "DeWayne Zinkin Jr. comes from generations of greatness."