Founded in the golden age of body building in 1983.
Our History
Olympus Gym Australia was founded in the Golden Age of bodybuilding on 18 February 1983. During the 1970’s and 80’s, Bodybuilding grew to become one of the most influential sports in the world. Olympus helped lay the foundation for this fantastic sport and welcomed people from all walks of life. Olympus became the ultimate iron paradise for Australians beginning their lifting career or for those who just want to have fun and connect with the community.
Our Founder
Olympus Gym was founded by Maurice, a man with a passion for bodybuilding. Maurice started training after finding inspiration in an American bodybuilding icon, Steve Reeves.
He started his training in Canterbury in 1968 at Fred Moran Gym, which was completely centred around the weight training community. Fred Morans gym incorporated bodybuilding, weightlifting and powerlifting into members training, which increased Maurice’s passion for the sport. Unfortunately, Fred fell ill and asked Maurice to take over the gym while he was recovering, this prompted Maurice’s first steps into gym management. Shortly after this, Fred passed away and the gym inevitably closed so Maurice ventured to a gym in Enmore to continue his pursuit in bodybuilding. From here, Maurice moved to Georges Hall and began training at Steve’s gym in Cabramatta, Steve was an old friend of Fred Moran who shared the same passion of bodybuilding.
After training for 14 years, Maurice decided to delve into working as a trainer himself at the Fitness Factory in Liverpool. It was here that Maurice learnt that building his own gym was on the cards.
Maurice then moved to Bradbury and opened up the first iteration of Olypmus Gym in Rosemeadow in Campbelltown in 1983. After 6 years at the Rosemeadow location, Maurice purchased and renovated the squash courts in Ingleburn and turned it into Olympus Gym Australia as we know it today.
In 1993, while Maurice was running the Bradbury gym, his mate John Terilli came home from America while he was competing internationally in the IFBB. Discussions began and the pair opened up a second location of Olympus Gym Australia in Newtown.
During all of Maurice’s time in Bradbury, he was constantly making additions to the gym to adjust to the gym’s growth and the volume of members. Maurice would design and create equipment on a weekly basis and eventually added extensions such as the aerobics room, swimming centre and martial arts room. A permanent masseuse and children’s creche were also added to help Olympus Gym members.
What Maurice is Doing Now
Maurice is still training full time and is constantly sharing his bodybuilding knowledge to members within the gym. He lives by the words of his first trainer, Fred Moran, “Always share your knowledge, don’t be afraid to share it because someone may be bigger or better than you, pass it on”.
Maurice continues altering and creating new pieces of gym equipment to keep taking training to the next level. He is currently overseeing our head coach’s training, STEALTH conditioning, otherwise known as Coach Nick within Olympus Gym Australia.