A literary outdoorsman, he helped popularize bodybuilding and co-created paintball
Charles Gaines, the literary outdoorsman whose career ranged from chronicling the rise of bodybuilding to inventing the sport of paintball, died July 21 at age 84. A writer with an restless curiosity, Gaines spent his life in the woods and on the water. His work often explored human nature through the lens of fitness and sport, leaving a mark on popular culture that extended far beyond his published books.
Gaines gained wide recognition for his 1974 book and subsequent 1977 documentary, Pumping Iron. By capturing the charisma of Arnold Schwarzenegger during his early weightlifting career, Gaines helped bring bodybuilding into the mainstream. Schwarzenegger later credited Gaines with finding him and providing a platform that launched his trajectory into film and politics. The two maintained a lifelong connection, with the actor noting that Gaines always pushed those around him to think deeper.
Beyond his literary and fitness contributions, Gaines sparked a global industry by chance. During a debate with friend and stock trader Hayes Noel about survival skills, the pair decided to settle their dispute in the New Hampshire woods using tree-marking guns. That backyard duel evolved into the first official game of paintball in 1981. Gaines co-founded a business around the concept, witnessing it grow into a multi-billion dollar pursuit before he stepped back to focus on his writing and fly-fishing.
Despite his success in Hollywood and the sports world, Gaines prioritized his family and his connection to the natural environment. After a period of intense work in the entertainment industry, he relocated to a homestead in Nova Scotia to focus on his craft and his relationships. He remained a dedicated angler until the end of his life, often describing fishing as a way to pose fundamental questions to the universe. He leaves behind an expansive body of work that challenged the boundaries between high-brow literature and the gritty reality of outdoor life.