The Diamond Gym Story
There are many gems in bodybuilding, but there is only one Diamond – Diamond Gym, that is. Far from the sunny climes of Muscle Beach and Venice, the Maplewood, New Jersey, iron palace is gaining a national reputation for producing an astonishing number of national titleholders. Owned by John Kemper (now Dwayne McDaniel), NPC vice-president and a former competitive bodybuilder, Diamond is the house that built not only former Ms. O Carla Dunlap but such current notables as North American champ Johnnie Morant; Carmella Cureton, the 1994 National middleweight champ; USA middleweight champ Guy Ducasse; Renne Johns, Junior Nationals lightweight champ; and Derrick Whitsett, 1994 National light-heavyweight champ.
Literally hundreds of Diamond’s members have qualified for national contests since Kemper opened the gym in the mid-‘70s. When asked to explain its successful track record, most of Diamond’s regulars cite its mystique and magnetism.
