On May 29, longtime La Jolla resident Robbie Roberts was inducted into the California Power Lifting Hall of Fame in Venice Beach. “He’s given back so much to the sport of power lifting,” Hall of Fame chairman Bill Ennis said. “This is just a small way of recognizing his accomplishments. It was long overdue.” Roberts was honored as both a lifter and a promoter in helping grow the sport. He first became interested in weight lifting as a 14-year-old growing up in Long Island. “My best friend’s brother-in-law lifted weights and rode motorcycles,” Roberts said. “I thought that was pretty cool and those are two things that have remained a big part of my life.” After joining the Marines, Roberts searched for places to work out and lift weights whenever he had free time. Since he didn’t have money to join a gym, he looked for equipment on the base but resources were limited in those days. “You had very little equipment, there were a set of parallel bars, a trampoline, a high bar and maybe a set of rings somewhere in the corner of a basketball court,” Roberts said. “I thought, ‘I’m going to try and do something,’ and that was my incentive.” Roberts retired from the Marines in 1968 and pursued a career in real estate for several years. Eventually, his heart took him back to what he loved and he found a way to incorporate his lifelong passion for physical fitness into a notable career. With the help of special services, Roberts spent his time acquiring workout equipment to provide the Marines with a place to lift weights. He was an active member at the gym and met many other weight-lifting enthusiasts in the area. Eventually, Roberts decided to start hosting power-lifting competitions in San Diego. He helped finance the meets and took care of the logistics. This often meant scrambling to find equipment and a usable space to set up. But for Roberts, it was all worth it in the name of physical fitness. Over time, the competitions grew in popularity and prestige. Lifters came to compete from all over the state and many came from beyond. He even hosted an all-military services meet. “He put power lifting on the map in San Diego,” Ennis said. Despite the demands of organizing meets, Roberts always kept working out and he decided to compete with the other lifters in his age and weight group. Roberts then embarked on a successful career in power lifting. In fact, Roberts was so good he brought home multiple national titles and even made it as far as runner-up at the world championships. Roberts’ son, Lee, who also lives in La Jolla, said it was exciting growing up with a father who was the strongest guy in the neighborhood. “He was an excellent role model,” Lee Roberts said. “Whenever our neighbors needed something really heavy to move, my dad was the guy they would come ask for help, so that was neat.” These days, Roberts likes to ride his motorcycle as he did to his induction at the famed Muscle Beach. He doesn’t hit the weights too often anymore, but after the ceremony he was feeling pumped up and went for a good workout. With his energy and enthusiasm for fitness and life, it’s easy to see why so many people have gotten to know and respect Robbie Roberts.
