Bodybuilders over 45 years-old compete during the "Mr. and Mrs. Muscle Beach" event on July 4, 2008 in Venice Beach, California. Fun and fitness have long been the focus of attention at Muscle Beach. In the 1930?s 40?s and 50?s young men and women would gather at the original Muscle Beach site in Santa Monica to practice and demonstrate acrobatics. While the crowds gathered, they built human towers, turned summersaults and took pleasure in tossing each other around. Muscled men bench-pressed bathing beauties instead of dumbbells. In 1959 Muscle Beach Santa Monica was closed and the City of Los Angeles Parks and Recreation Department moved Muscle Beach to it?s current site on the Boardwalk in Venice. Shortly after the move ?The Pit? was open and resulted in a world renowned explosion of bodybuilders including such greats as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Franco Columbo and Dave Draper. Since it?s inception the events at Muscle Beach have always been open to the public at no charge. This practice continues to make Muscle Beach Venice one of the largest amusement attractions in the Los Angeles area. The focus remains exercise and nutrition and the site continues to be the grassroots soul of bodybuilding famous throughout the world. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS