Reinhard Smolana Gallery & Bio

Reinhard Smolana was trained as a carpenter. He began bodybuilding in the mid-1950s with Poldi Merc, who founded the second bodybuilding studio in Germany after Harry Gelbfarb in Berlin. Smolana completed a three-year training course as a trainer at Merc. In 1958 he won the title of Mr. Berlin. In 1960, Smolana won the title of Mr. Germany. He prevailed against around 100 competitors in the Munich Bürgerbräukeller. This made Smolana the first German bodybuilding champion. In the following years, Smolana helped organize the German championships. He won other national and international titles, amongst which were:

1961:  3rd place Plus bel athlète d’Europe 
1962:  2nd place NABBA Pro Mr. Universe 
1963:  Class winner Mr. Europe
1964:  3rd Place NABBA Pro Mr. Universe 
1965:  3rd Place NABBA Pro Mr. Universe

The German Bodybuilding and Fitness Association inducted Smolana into its Hall of Fame in 2010.

In 1965, Smolana ended his sports career as a bodybuilder and began powerlifting, in which he became German champion. In 1981 he made a comeback in bodybuilding when he became Mr. Germany in the “over forty” class. In May 1961, Smolana founded his own bodybuilding studio in Munich, which he described as the “mother of all gyms”. His customers included Roy Black and Raimund Harmstorf. 

Smolana  paid for Arnold Schwarzenegger’s trip to the NABBA Universe in 1966.

With an area of ​​220 m² and around 300 members, Smolana’s studio was one of the largest in Germany in 1968. In 1972, Smolana opened a second studio in Munich and later established the first women only bodybuilding studio. Smolana sold this second studio in 1988 and the original studio at the beginning of 2000.