Physique Magnifique, gym owner, Jimmie Wilson, shares his passion in South City

By Jeffrey Grabble

Before the massive weightlifting arms, Jimmie Wilson was grounded by church-going grandparents. He learned to navigate right from wrong in the Bay View district in the late 60s. In those days, finding something to do as a child meant just that – Go outside and be creative, just get out of the house. His love for fitness, family, and community would later inspire him to open a gym, Physique Magnifique, in South City of San Mateo County, with his wife Futaba Takashima.

A Weighted Dream

When Jimmie Wilson worked at McDonald’s, he was known as the 16-year-old with the 16-inch arms.  Little kids would come into the restaurant, wanting to see the worker who doesn’t have regular shirts like everyone else because his arms were too big. 

All the sneaking into Joseph Lee gym to roller derby, hanging out with the older guys to lift weights, playing and taking drum lessons would set him up for success. This is where seeds are planted, dreams are born, leaders are made, and where Wilson found his passion to one day be Mr. USA. After being sidelined with asthma as a teen, Wilson learned from listening to pro wrestler Rock Johnson, the father of “The Rock”, that building chest muscle helps breathing. The dedication was born! Wilson was inspired by Johnson because “there weren’t many Black people on TV and I looked like him.” Equipped with a set of 110-pound weights, Wilson’s Mother asked what he wanted for Christmas. He replied, “Another set of 110-pound weights!” Soon, Wilson entered a teen bodybuilding contest and was warned by a seasoned friend to have a routine together.

Filled with confidence, he went to the competition and let’s just say on the way home, his Mother said in a supportive and loving voice, “ It’s ok baby, it’ll be better next time.” She then asked, “What could she do to help?” His answer would come in whole chickens and big plates of food every day.

Victory At Last

Filled with desire, Wilson went on to win the Mr.USA National Bodybuilding Contest in 1992. There, he found the love of his life, “Futaba” who was from Japan and into fitness, health, and training. Together, they built bonds with people by being partners and training people in their garage at their home. This allowed the pair to be closely involved with the community. 

Wilson’s desire to reach the younger generation led him to become a rapper as his desire for music had never left from the days of his drum lessons as a youth. He wanted to reach the youth because it was like a war zone in the streets, where people were dying daily from gangs and drugs. Wilson remembered saying, “Man, I have to do something.”

He started using rap as a way to reach kids in his community. His first stage name was 12 Gauge, because he wanted his positive lyrics to hit his listeners hard and be impactful. His next name was AK Black where he entered the Eco rap contest and won second place. With his history of working with youth, he was selected to be the Artistic Director of ECO Rap, where he spoke at schools in the Bay Area. Eco Rap was popular and educational. Some of Wilson’s lyrics were about “contaminated fish from chemical oil spills, and a toxic trip through the neighborhood he was living in. He couldn’t believe the disease he was swimming in.” With informative and localized environmental lyrics, it was a sensation.

Happily Ever After In Love and Service

They say good things come in 3’s! Wilson shared that he married, “the love of his life, His partner and friend Futaba, in 1997.” After marriage, the couple bought a house, had their first child, and purchased a gym, all in the same year! As life was born, seeds were planted, and many other lives would be changed because of this union.

Their gym Physique Magnique fitness and Boxing in downtown South San Francisco, in San Mateo County, would become ground zero for the couple, where a new community was also born due to their efforts.

Continuing the mission, Wilson soon worked with children and adults in the area. He went on to be on the board of directors at the Boys and Girls Club in South City. The pair opened their gym doors to at-risk children who were involved in gangs and anyone who wanted to get off the streets, Wilson understood the environment of these kids.

However, the message was clear that when you come in to train, “come in with respect for everyone.” His tone was with respect and love to show youngsters another way and share a positive message.

There were people who came to the gym as I was writing this article. They were once in baby strollers with their parents at Physique, and now they are there with their children. Physique is making a generational impact.

Jim and Futaba are currently fully engaged in their work in the community, hiring people in the neighborhood, mentoring, providing a home atmosphere, and, most importantly, engaging in fitness and health training. 

South San Francisco is lucky to have Physique Magnifique as a cornerstone of the community, changing lives forever.