New Eagle along the Monongahela River in Washington County Pa is one of those sleepy river towns with not much going on typical antique shops and small business except for one business where a statue is out of place .
A full size statute of Atlas holding a globe all in gold tone at Eddie Volkers Body Shop on Main Street .
Meant as an eye catcher advertisement many wonder where did this statue come from?
Well back in the 1970's Pittsburgh saw the opening of 3 high end health clubs known as European Health Spas. which where owned by Fitness Guru at the time Jack La lane
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_LaLanne
Who had a morning exercise show which was nationwide on TV I remember watching it in 60s when i was a little kid.
So investors approached Jack about opening health clubs with a European Spa touch across the country and Pittsburgh was lucky to get 3 .
One in Wilkins Twp on Business 22 where Shop n Save now sits on Clairton Blvd. Pa 51 in White Hall and one in North Hills near former North Way Mall
They where ahead of their time and very popular and helped popularize the athletic wear movement . We had a couple guys in my High School Gym classes that would come in wearing the classy tracksuits to class.
They where eventually bought out in 70s by Ballys and all 3 went out of business in 80s
The clubs had a unique round shape and a statue of Atlas holding a Globe on his back
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