Since its inception a century ago, the bodybuilding sport progressed steadfastly, and today, it enjoys a wide fan base worldwide. Among the notable people who worked for the development of the sport, Joe Weider’s name resonates with the current bodybuilding scene. The co-founder of IFBB introduced many bodybuilders to the stage of Mr. Olympia, including Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Recently, the 81-year-old bodybuilding legend Frank Zane and Mike O’Hearn spoke about Joe Weider in their latest podcast as the 3x Mr. Olympia confessed a sad truth after a decade of Weider’s demise. 

Frank Zane and Mike O’Hearn remember Joe Weider

Joe Weider’s contribution to bodybuilding started in the 1950s and continued until the 1990s when he set up the foundation for Mr. Olympia and other prestigious events. He invited many bodybuilders across the globe to participate in the competition, bringing name and fame to the bodybuilding stage.

The Master Blaster’s lifelong efforts have translated into Mr. Olympia as being a popular event in the present era. Mike O’Hearn recently sat with Frank Zane to discuss the sport, and they touched upon Joe Weider’s legacy. Zane, known for his aesthetic physique, recalled how Weider was curious to see the biceps of Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

Describing the funny incident, Zane narrated how Arnie asked Weider to kiss his biceps. Becoming nostalgic, the 54-year-old Titan confessed, “I love my lunches with Joe Weider.” The Chemist instantly added, “We miss him.” Weider also once advised Zane to help him get the elite title.

The IFBB co-founder’s advice to The Chemist

The 1970s Mr. Olympia stage is dominated by only one name, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Despite building an aesthetically pleasing physique, Frank Zane and other bodybuilders couldn’t win the Sandow Trophy during the dominant years of the Austrian Oak. However, when Arnie retired from the competing stage in 1976, the gates were open for other bodybuilders to win the prestigious event.

During this time, the co-founder of IFBB, Weider, advised Frank Zane to train with heavy weights to build up more muscle, and the 81-year-old obliged. Soon, Zane earned the coveted title in 1977 and is revered as the Father of Aesthetics by the bodybuilding community. 

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Despite his demise from the world, his legacy in the bodybuilding arena will live till Mr. Olympia’s events are organized every year. Not just Zane, but every bodybuilding enthusiast would miss Weider for his contributions. What do you think of this? 

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