JOE Weider was hailed by Arnold Schwarzenegger as the “Godfather of Fitness".
He was also the mastermind behind some of bodybuilding's biggest competitions and publications — here's everything you need to know about the legend.
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Who was Joe Weider?
Known as "The Father of Bodybuilding”, Joe Weider was a legendary figure who revolutionised the fitness industry.
He changed the understanding of the connection between exercise, nutrition and good health for a great many people.
Joe also played a pivotal role in shaping the career of probably the most famous bodybuilder of all time — Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Early life and career
Joe was born in Montreal, Canada, but his date of birth is somewhat of a mystery.
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The man himself always gave his birth date as November 29, but the year sometimes changed, ranging from 1919 to 1923 — his official website states it as 1920.
According to reports, the year he was born is unknown because the records were lost in a fire.
Joe’s journey began as a skinny teenager who was bullied in his tough Montreal neighbourhood.
Inspired by a magazine called Strength, he crafted his own weights from scrap parts found in a railway yard and began an intense training regimen.
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At just 17, Joe won his first bodybuilding contest, which marked the beginning of his influential career in the fitness world.
Soon after, he launched his first magazine, Your Physique, laying the foundation for his future media empire.
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Contributions to bodybuilding
Joe’s impact on bodybuilding has been profound and far-reaching.
Competitions
In 1965, Joe created the Mr Olympia competition, which has become one of bodybuilding's most prestigious events.
He later expanded the Olympia brand by introducing Ms Olympia in 1980, Fitness Olympia in 1995, and Figure Olympia in 2003.
Joe and his brother Ben founded the International Federation of Body Builders, which sponsored the Mr Universe and Mr Olympia contests, as well as a host of other competitions for men and women.
Ben was the federation’s president from 1946 to 2006, establishing affiliates in 170 countries.
Publications
Joe spread the message of health and fitness worldwide through magazines including Muscle & Fitness, Men’s Fitness and Flex, as well as the women’s publications Muscle & Fitness Hers, Shape, Fit pregnancy and Natural Health.
These periodicals became cornerstone resources for bodybuilding enthusiasts and fitness aficionados alike, with a peak readership of 25million.
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Training and Equipment
"The Father of Bodybuilding" created training principles and equipment that revolutionised the sport, including:
- The Weider Multi-Gym: One of the first all-in-one home gym systems, allowing users to perform multiple exercises using a single piece of equipment
- Weight benches: Joe designed and manufactured various types of weight benches
- Dumbbells and barbells: Of course he didn't invent this type of equipment, but Joe produced and popularised high-quality free weights for use both at home and in the gym
- Preacher curl bench: Joe's specialised bench for bicep curls became a staple in gyms worldwide
- Leg extension and leg curl machines: These isolation machines for quadriceps and hamstrings training were part of Joe's equipment line
- Cable crossover machines: These versatile machines allowing for a wide range of exercises were part of Joe's equipment innovations.
- Power racks and squat stands: Essential for heavy lifting and safety, these became standard in all gyms carrying Joe's equipment
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Weider principles
Joe Weider developed numerous training principles throughout his career.
Here are five of the most well-known and influential, which have made a significant impact on bodybuilding and fitness training:
- The Forced Reps Principle: This involves reaching failure on a set — as in doing reps until you can no longer continue — and then having a spotter help you complete a few extra repetitions, pushing the muscles beyond momentary failure to stimulate growth.
- The Pre-Exhaustion Principle: This method champions training single-joint or isolation exercises first in your workout, followed by multi-joint exercises, wit the goal being to exhaust the targeted muscle group before moving on to compound movements.
- The Muscle Confusion Principle: This involves constantly changing workout variables — such as the number of sets, reps, exercise choice, order and rest periods — in an effort to prevent plateaus and continually challenge muscles.
- The Priority Principle: This principle suggests training lagging muscle groups first in your workout when you're strongest and not yet fatigued, allowing for heavier weights and higher intensity.
- The Superspeed Principle: This advocates working as quickly and explosively as possible through the positive portion of a rep to build explosive power, speed, strength and muscle size.
These principles, as well as many others developed by Joe, have been widely adopted in bodybuilding and strength training community.
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Mentor to Arnold Schwarzenegger
Perhaps Joe’s most famous protégé was Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Their relationship began when Joe discovered the young Austrian weightlifter at a European contest in 1967.
Recognising Arnie's potential, Joe invited him to the United States to pursue his bodybuilding career.
He supported his career development by relentlessly promoting Arnold, and helped him on his way to winning seven Mr Olympia titles.
Joe became somewhat of a father figure to Arnie, advising him on training, business ventures and personal matters.
He even helped launch the Austrian's acting career, famously passing him off as a German Shakespearean actor to land him his first role in Hercules in New York (1969).
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Legacy and impact
Joe's influence extends far beyond bodybuilding — he was a visionary who popularised the concept of fitness and helped make it accessible to the masses.
His "Be Somebody with a Body" slogan inspired countless individuals to pursue healthier lifestyles.
Joe’s publications and competitions played a crucial role in transforming bodybuilding from a niche subculture into a mainstream sport and lifestyle.
His emphasis on health, fitness and self-improvement has resonated with people all over the globe.
Personal life and final years
Joe was married to Betty Weider for over 50 years.
He continued to be active in the fitness industry well into his later years, serving as a mentor and inspiration to many.
Joe passed away at the age of 93 on March 23, 2013, due to heart failure.
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His death was mourned by many in the fitness community, with Arnold Schwarzenegger leading the tributes.
Arnold praised Joe as the “Godfather of Fitness" and credited him for making his dreams come true.
