Bob Gruskin, Coach to Chris Aceto and Legendary Bodybuilding Guru, Has Passed Away

One of the legendary trainers of bodybuilding, Bob Gruskin has passed away.

Described by Chris Aceto and Justin Miller as the original bodybuilding guru, Bob Gruskin had trained many prominent competitors during his tenure. While Bob Gruskin wasn’t Widely known to the general public, the Bronx based trainer was highly regarded in the bodybuilding world.

In many interviews, Chris Aceto, considered a bodybuilding guru himself, noted that he learned a great deal from training under Bob Gruskin. Aceto went so far as to state that Bob Gruskin was “the one and only real guru of bodybuilding.”

Trainer Justin Miller also paid tribute to his former coach in a lengthy Instagram post.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Today the sport of bodybuilding lost a Legend! Was very sad to learn of the passing early this morning of my old coach. Bob Gruskin ? ? This is the only photo I have of us. . . . Bob was the original guru of this sport. He wasn’t big on notoriety or fanfare but he was the best there was. I was introduced to Bob from my old friend Doug Wentz back in the early 90s. I was grateful Bob took an interest in helping me as I knew there were many top pros…even Mr Olympias that Bob wouldnt work with…so I was honored. All of us who learned him (the list is too vast to name) Would never have become the athletes or coaches we became if not for Bob Gruskin. Any and all success that I have had as a bodybuilding coach was only because at one time I was lucky enough to stand on the shoulder of a Giant…a little older man whom you would never know by looking at was the greatest there ever was. In that unassuming house in the Bronx lived a man who didnt look like a bodybuilder in any way…yet he was the greatest bodybuilding coach of all time. . . . When I was 21 my mom died of a brain aneurysm at the age of 43…my world crumbled…I lost my business, dropped out of school (never to return) and almost lost my mind. Only thing that kept me focused was entering and winning my first bodybuilding show…the biggest show I could pick.. the 1994 Bev Francis Atlantic States. Bob helped me more than words can say, in fact without Bob there is NO WAY that I could have won. Nobody thought I could win (not even Bob lol) He gave me tough love and it drove me to be my best. He peaked me just right and I beat many older better & more experienced guys that day…and i KNEW my mom was there with me…I just FELT her presence, there was no question!! It gave me peace. ?❤ Without Bob that moment never would’ve happened. I had 2 angels on my shoulder that night. My mom and my buddy Bob Gruskin. The TRUE Yoda of the sport of bodybuilding. He always holds a special place in my heart. Rest In Peace Bob ❤ Thank you for everything you did for me and for special moments in my life I will never forget. ?

A post shared by Justin Miller ?? (@astrongspirit) on Apr 14, 2020 at 4:03pm PDT

Bob Gruskin may not have been popular with the mainstream, but he certainly left his mark on the sport. Rest in peace to a truly influential coach who transformed so many lives in bodybuilding.

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Managing Editor at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.