During the 1930s, 40s and 50s physical fitness boom, muscle men and bathing beauties gathered at the original Muscle Beach located just south of the Santa Monica Pier. The area had exercise equipment and was a popular place for gymnastic and acrobatic exhibitions. After this area closed, the spartan weight pen was built on Venice Beach. It is a gated area that encloses weight lifting equipment with a second area with a sand box with gymnastic, rope climbing, and acrobatic bars.