A reoccurring phenomenon when researching the IFBB or the Weider brothers is the presence of controversy. As previously discussed in a different post, the establishment of the International Federation of BodyBuilding was not without its conflicts and controversies. Naturally, it seems, as founder of the federation and as, we must acknowledge it, kingpin of bodybuilding, … Continue reading Would the Real Joe Weider Please Stand Up
Your Physique
Santé et Force
As some of you might recall from a previous article, Joe Weider, later assisted by brother Ben released Your Physique magazine in 1940 out of Montreal. Although their first attempt was modest, the (soon-to-be) Weider brand grew quite steadily to reach exponential heights. However, the Weiders were not alone in the francophone Iron Game (without going into … Continue reading Santé et Force
Build Muscle, Win the War
While deep in bodybuilding research, rummaging through dated copies of Your Physique, Muscle Builder, and Santé et Développement Physique hoping that the yellowed pages stay intact (one must not forget, these are sacred items), it became clear to me that, in the early establishments of muscle magazine, one can easily find messages of nationalism and nation pride … Continue reading Build Muscle, Win the War
Your Physique #1
In August 1940, the first issue of Joe Weider's Your Physique hit the shelves. According to some sources, Weider began working on the magazine when he was 17 years old, only to complete it 3 years later. With the little money he had - considering that he worked during the Great Depression - Weider purchased a … Continue reading Your Physique #1
