WESTERN PHOTOGRAPHY GUILD
Box 2801
Denver, Colo. 80201

SERIES 66: DUANE KNAUS

The stereotype of the bulging muscled athlete who cuts a wide swath as he strides along the beach with his backspread in full sail, kicking sand in the face of 98-pound weaklings and generally acting obnoxious, still exists. And it is not without foundation. There still are inwardly insecure, outwardly braggart types who believe their muscles entitle them to the obeisance of the multitude. Fortunately, they are becoming scarce and difficult to find -- truly a vanishing breed.

More typical of the current crop of body builders is Duane Knaus, who has all the physical equipment to become one of the offensive types if he wanted to use it that way. However, far from acting in this manner, Duane is quiet, soft-spoken, extremely polite and considerate of others, not in the least loud or show-offish, and by his example an effective proselytizer for the healthy physical and mental life of the dedicated bodybuilder.

Duane Knaus by Don Whitman / Western Photography Guild

Duane didn't set out to be an evangelist. By nature he's inclined to stay out of the affairs of others. But his experience as a youth so impressed him with the manner in which bodybuilding can change a life that his attitude toward it expresses, perhaps subconsciously, such enthusiasm that the listener cannot help but be affected in a positive fashion.

Born 22 years ago on April 19th in Fort Collins, Colo., seat of Colorado State University and center of a large farming region, he started life as a healthy youngster with sturdy parents of German descent and had an uneventful childhood until he was six. Then in the space of a year he had chicken pox, a tonsillectomy and measles. The onslaught left him with considerably less strength and endurance than his playmates, and the fact worried not only Duane, but also his father, who set out on a program of bringing Duane up to the physical level of his peers.

Patiently and progressively, with basic exercises such as push ups, pull-ups, deep knee bends and running, his father guided the rebuilding of Duane's body and, in the process, his spirit. They would jog along together, first around the yard and then around the block. During all this, Duane's diet was carefully supervised with emphasis on eggs, milk, cheese, whole wheat bread and cereals and citrus juices. Through this diet Duane acquired good eating habits which have remained with him ever since.

In little more than a year of his father's regimen, Duane not only caught up with others his age, but began to surpass them, and, fired with the possibility of leaving his physical deficiency far behind, became interested in bodybuilding with weights after reading a physique magazine which featured photos of Steve Reeves. His father bought him a small set of weights when he was eight, and by the time he was 12 Duane had a fine 180-pound set and a regular area in the basement where he worked out with his brother Don, two years older, who at first scorned weights because he had a fine natural build and normal health but was attracted to them by the transformation that took place in Duane.

Together, with the encouragement of their folks, they spent many hours in the basement and both benefited from having a handy workout partner and trying to outdo each other. In effect, their natural sibling rivalry was sublimated on the weights in a manner which other parents might find useful for their sons. They played football with the fellows on vacant lots, wrestled together in the backyard, and splashed and swam days on end in the municipal pool.

As a result, by the time Duane got to high school he was proficient enough to make the teams in all these sports, playing a running back, winning second in the conference wrestling meet and being chosen for both diving and relay competition on the swimming team. At the same time, he didn't neglect his studies, and had a B-plus average over his four years in high school.

Since he was not only one of the best athletes in school but also one of the best-looking boys, Duane was, according to his brother, very popular with both the girls and the fellows. Proof of this was his election as junior class president and king of the senior prom. He also sang baritone in the glee club and was vice president of the Latin club.

When Duane finished high school, his parents moved to Denver, where most of their relatives live, and Duane got a job driving a delivery truck. He also signed up at Keith Lewin's health studio, and commenced a serious, scientific program under the direction of Keith, with whom he became close friends.

We first met Duane at Keith's, and were much impressed by his intelligent and determined efforts and also by his friendly, unpretentious, quiet-spoken manner. He was interested in posing for us, but suggested waiting until he had accomplished a few of his goals, and six months later, true to his word, he let us know he thought he was ready. Working with him in the first of many sessions, both in the studio and on location, proved to be a joy. He responded well to direction, had many good posing ideas of his own, and proved to possess loads of that mercurial element, photogeneity.

Don Knaus, Duane’s brother, by Don Whitman / Western Photography Guild

By nature Duane shied away from entering physique contests, but Keith talked him into entering one Mr. Colorado contest, which Duane would surely have won if it hadn't been the year two other excellent athletes were making their supreme effort. As it was, he came in third to Ray McGuire's first and Dale Gilbert's second, but his overall development, stylish posing, beautiful tan and handsome appearance elicited stormy applause and many comments.

Soon afterward Duane was offered a job with a large gym organization, which, it developed, limited the amount of time he could spend on his own workouts. However, he managed to get in enough time to maintain his physique and still develop into one of the chain's best managers. He was transferred to Milwaukee to open a health studio, but after a short time his love for the mountain country brought him back to Denver, where he is now owner and manager of his own elegantly equipped studio.

As a successful young businessman, Duane is still the friendly, unspoiled person he has always been. At 5' 10 ½” and 183 pounds, with a handsome head of naturally curly light brown hair and hazel eyes, Duane is a physically prepossessing young man, who could have a successful career as an advertising model if he chose. In almost any kind of clothes he stands out, but he prefers casual slacks, Banlon slip-overs and cardigan sweaters. He is well-proportioned throughout with an outstanding chest, excellent abdominals and a Grecian waist, beautifully articulated deltoids, a broad and deep back and strong legs. His measurements: neck 15 ½, chest normal 44 ½, expanded 47, biceps 15 ½, forearm 14, waist 29 ½, hips 36, thigh 24 ½, calf 15 ½, and ankle 10. Incidentally, he pronounces his name "Kuh-nouse".

Because he is good-looking and glowing with health, many expect Duane to be conceited and are surprised when they discover instead that he is disarmingly modest, genuinely concerned with others and an effective apostle of happiness through strength and health.

Model Profile: Duane Knaus

SERIES 66: DUANE KNAUS