Ralph Gaxiola, 48, of Riverside prepares for the annual Muscle Beach Championship bodybuilding, figure and bikini competition in Venice. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
Bishoy Hanna, 23, of Hollywood gets his game face on before the bodybuilding contest. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
The annual contest takes place at the Venice Beach Recreation Center. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
Lauren Powers of Laguna Beach does some finishing touches before competing. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
Men older than 40 line up and flex. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
The crowd takes in the contest. For more bodybuilding capers, check out this Muscle Beach photo from exactly 56 years earlier. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
