In the first instalment we looked at the controversial beginning of Vince McMahon’s World Bodybuilding Federation. The WBF promised to revolutionise the way bodybuilding conducted itself and when June 15th was chosen for the first ever WBF show, people waited anxiously to see what would happen. Creating a buzz In the build up to the… Continue reading Come one come all to the WBF Show!
In the first of a three part series, we look at the brief life of the World Bodybuilding Federation, an organisation financed by wrestling mogul Vince McMahon that tried to take on Joe Weider's formidable stronghold on the sport. While the WBF ultimately failed, its influence on the sport cannot be underestimated.  Part One: Kicking Ass and Taking… Continue reading The Curious Case of the World Bodybuilding Federation
In December of 1955, Joe Weider published the first issue of Junior Mr. America magazine. Aimed at teenagers and young men between the ages of 12 to 21, Junior Mr. America highlighted the importance of the younger community for bodybuilding entrepreneurs. Packed with training, dating and general life advice, the magazine was viewed by many teenagers as a godsend.… Continue reading Joe Weider’s Weight Gain Contest (1955)
Published by Joe Weider in 1974, the following interview with Iron Guru, Vince Gironda, details the influential trainer's thoughts on the then growing popularity of Nautilus Machines. Unsurprisingly given that Weider was in direct competition with the Nautilus machine's founder, Arthur Jones, the interview proved to be negative at best. In any case, it highlights… Continue reading Vince Gironda on the Nautilus Machines (Muscle and Fitness, 1974)
Joe Weider is undoubtedly a divisive figure in the history of bodybuilding. Influential to the nth degree regarding the modern climate of the sport, Weider has been continually criticised for selling snake oil supplements to a naive public. Today's post briefly examines Joe's 'Hell-Bent for Leather N'Lead' product, a set of bracelets brought out by… Continue reading Joe Weider’s Power Bracelet
Looking to workout like it's 1960? Well come no further. Published in the mid-twentieth century, 'The Weider System of Progressive Barbell Exercise' was one of Joe Weider's first attempts to introduce body-split training to the bodybuilding community. Divided into six different levels, from beginner to advanced, the Weider System adorned the walls of many old-school… Continue reading The Weider System of Progressive Barbell Exercise
In the first instalment we looked at the controversial beginning of Vince McMahon’s World Bodybuilding Federation. The WBF promised to revolutionise the way bodybuilding conducted itself and when June 15th was chosen for the first ever WBF show, people waited anxiously to see what would happen. Creating a buzz In the build up to the… Continue reading Come one come all to the WBF Show!
In the first of a three part series, we look at the brief life of the World Bodybuilding Federation, an organisation financed by wrestling mogul Vince McMahon that tried to take on Joe Weider's formidable stronghold on the sport. While the WBF ultimately failed, its influence on the sport cannot be underestimated.  Part One: Kicking Ass and Taking… Continue reading The Curious Case of the World Bodybuilding Federation
Chest/Triceps, Back/Biceps and Legs/Shoulders. The Holy Trinity of bodybuilding split routines. Nowadays the idea of split routines is so ingrained in the fitness community that the idea of whole body training for anyone other than a beginner is scoffed at. This is despite the fact that men like Eugen Sandow, George Hackenschmidt right up to Reg Park… Continue reading The Rise of Split Training in Bodybuilding
From Eugen Sandow to Charles Atlas, physical culturists have long made a living through mail order ads. Check out this old Arnie one from the late 1960s flogging the latest Weider product. So next time you grow weary of the hyperbole from today's modern advertisements, just remember that such ads are a time honoured tradition… Continue reading Bodybuilding and the Mail Order Ad
