Dean Tornabene made waves as a bodybuilding and powerlifting champion during his career.
The fitness community has suffered a loss of former champion Dean Tornabene. The native of Brentwood, CA is a former bodybuilding and powerlifting champion who found great success in many avenues. Tornabene’s, born in 1958, cause of death has not been revealed at this point.
Tornabene was one of the early trainers at Gold’s Gym who turned his passion for fitness into a full-time career. Along with being a champion on stage, he helped others build the best versions of themselves in the gym, using many products that he invented himself.
Dean Tornabene left a huge mark on the fitness world in many ways. Along with becoming a champion bodybuilder and powerlifter, he was able to help others improve while also creating many different products to use in the gym. His legacy will live on in the fitness community for a long time.
The Career of Dean Tornabene
Dean Tornabene grew up in Pittsburgh with a passion for fitness and bodybuilding. After meeting Jim Manion, Tornabene began getting pointers about training and nutrition. He began competing as a teenager and found immediate success.
Tornabene won the Teenage Mr. Pittsburgh at 19 years old and finished in the top three at the Mr. Pittsburgh competition that same year. He eventually moved Los Angeles, where he went to school and continued his quest toward bodybuilding. In 1982, Tornabene placed second at the NPC Nationals.
Tornabene became a staple at Gold’s Gym in Venice, where he would often train. He then became one of the first personal trainers at the gym in the 80s along with writing for Weider publications.
The bodybuilding community has seen an unfortunate string of deaths this year. This includes Fabiano Andrade, who passed away just weeks after competing in the Musclecontest Brasil Pro. Fabiano Andrade turned into a competitive bodybuilder at a young age. He was able to build a physique that was able to stand up on stage with the best in the world. This includes NPC appearances in 2019 along with a fourth-place finish at the Arnold Amateur South America.
Just weeks prior, it was reported that IFBB Women’s Physique Pro Jessica Rivera passed away. Rivera put together an impressive bodybuilding career that earned her a Pro Card nearly a decade ago. She became known in Women’s Physique for her impressive conditioning and muscle tone. Rivera was able to become a strong competitor in the division over the course of her career.
Generation Iron sends condolences to family and friends during this time. For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.