Located above Ridley Road Market’s finest Afro-Caribbean hair and beauty store in east London, Legends Gym is the testosterone-fuelled, muscle-pumping fitness farm for bare brawn.
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Legends owner and local charmer Hanza Ozkan, affectionately known as Oz, has kindled a unique community, frequented by gentle giants. A former national champion Olympic lifter and winner of both the UK Bench Press Championships in 2009 and 2010, Oz bludgeoned open Legends’ doors to the general public just over ten years ago, in our Summer 2012, The Lights, Camera, Action Issue we headed through the keyhole.
From left:
Hanza Ozkan, 42, owner of Legends Gym
What can you bench? 232 ½ kilos. Proudest achievement? I am the current British record holder for power lifting. How often are you down the gym? I work at the gym and workout five days a week.
Dervis
, 19 , Hackney, sales/marketing executive
How big are your biceps? 13.5 inches. What did you have for breakfast? Three eggs, shake (protein), toast.
Vincent, 40, London, handyman
What can you bench? 30 kilos. What are you wearing? A green string vest and jeans.
Romeo, 17, North London
What can you bench? 50 kilos. What did you have for breakfast? Porridge.
Kayode, 27, London, security guard
How big are your biceps? 19 inches. How long have you been pumping iron? Seven years.
Ina Gutowska, 28, personal trainer/ fitness model
What did you have for breakfast? Five egg whites and one whole egg scrambled. Who are your heroes? Ara Cowan, Larissa Reis, Kai Green.
Pick up a copy of The Lights, Camera, Action Issue right here, for much more where this came from!
Text: Milly McMahon
Photography: Bella Howard
