Bob Mizer

[Woman balancing on parallettes], Santa Monica, c. 1946

9.5 × 7.5 ″ Framed: 14.75 × 12.625 × 1.25 ″ vintage large-format black and white negative selenium-toned gelatin silver print USD 1500

The original Muscle Beach, located in Santa Monica, California, was a popular spot for acrobatics in the 1940s. The beach was known for its outdoor gym equipment and gymnastics area, which attracted a community of bodybuilders, acrobats, and fitness enthusiasts. Acrobatics on Muscle Beach included feats of strength, balance, and agility, such as handstands, flips, and human pyramids.