Joe Weider dies at 93; bodybuilding pioneer and publisher

WOODLAND HILLS, CA - Joe Weider, a true pioneer in the field of bodybuilding who created a multimillion-dollar fitness publishing empire and mentored a young Arnold Schwarzenegger died on March 23^rd at the age of 93.

(photo credit: Los Angeles Times)

He was an entrepreneur and promoter with a rags-to-riches story. He revolutionized the sport worldwide  and created publications such as Muscle & Fitness, Flex, Men's Fitness and Shape.

"When you push yourself to the limit in the gym, you begin to get feelings of vigor and power and self-esteem," he told a visitor in 1989, as quoted in the New York Times. "Body builders don't walk on their powerful legs — they float. They actually feel a little sorry for the average person, struggling to feel worthwhile, wasting his vitality, watching his body deteriorate."

Schwarzenegger mourned the loss of a man he called a father figure. “Weider was the godfather of fitness who told all of us to ‘be somebody with a body,’ and that through hard work and training we could all be champions."

Read entire article by Rebecca Trounson, Los Angeles Times by clicking HERE