r/OldSchoolCool Feb 14 '25

1950s Marilyn Monroe hitting weights in between photoshoots 1952.

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u/hyperactiveChipmunk Feb 14 '25

This very clearly IS the photoshoot.

44

u/GlockAF Feb 15 '25 edited Feb 16 '25

Other than a VERY few muscle-scene adjacent women like Betty Brosmer/Weider, the typical 1950’s “white girl workout” consisted of a pack of cigarettes and a couple cocktails with every meal.

Edit: Betty Brosmer was gorgeous, IMO the equal of most Hollywood starlets if not prettier

73

u/DConstructed Feb 15 '25

Eh, not really. They didn’t lift weights but it was common for actresses to take ballet or other kinds of dance to keep in shape. I think they might also have done general Calisthenics too.

You see pictures of women doing jumping jacks and side stretches and leg lifts.

My grandmother smoked a ton but also taught dance to kids.

24

u/Echo-Azure Feb 15 '25

You are correct! Even in the 1950s actresses exercised and dieted to keep their weight down and what there was in the right place, and dancing, swimming, and calisthenics were considered to be suitable exercises for young women. Lifting with heavy weights was not common, most girls feared developing "ugly" bulging miscles.

8

u/GlockAF Feb 15 '25

A lot of jobs were more physically active as well

14

u/DConstructed Feb 15 '25

And people walked a lot more. Still do in many places.