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Having fostered the development of a strong and growing fitness and strength conditioning enterprise, from its beginning, the International Federation of Bodybuilders and the Weider group are the pioneers of the Fitness boom around the world, as well as having been instrumental in largely developing the vitamin, mineral, protein and sports nutrition industry.

It all began in the city of Montreal in 1942 when Joe Weider began to produce a small magazine about weight training titled Your Physique. Word about the magazine quickly spread and the publication developed a readership throughout Canada and the United States.

Ben Weider and Yassar Arafat

Joe Weider's brother, Ben, after having served in the Canadian Army during World War II, joined Joe to help, and soon the attention of the two brothers turned to the manufacture and marketing of fitness equipment as well. Soon thereafter, the two brothers decided that Joe would move to the United States and Ben would stay in Canada and build the international base of operations from there.

Realizing the need for an official organization, in 1946 the Weiders launched the International Federation of Bodybuilders (IFBB). Expanding from its first two member countries, Canada and the United States, the Federation has served to promote and regulate the sport of bodybuilding, in its dedication to preserving the health of athletes and sharing the benefits of a bodybuilding health and fitness lifestyle with people around the globe.

Antonio Samaranch and Ben Weider

As the Weider empire grew at an astounding pace, the next foray was in nutritional food supplements. Selling protein, vitamin and mineral formulas that were specially designed for athletes, the corollary role to fitness of a healthy diet and lifestyle was emphasized.

Overseeing the publishing arm of the Weider enterprises, Joe Weider directed the growth of Weider Publishing's Your Physique into the internationally renowned monthly magazine, Muscle and Fitness, with over seven million readers in 16 countries. Furthermore, the company now also offers such award winning fitness and health magazine titles as Shape, Men's Fitness, Flex, Jump, and Natural Health.

Ben Weider receives the Order of Canada

Currently, the International Federation of Body Builders boasts 171 member nations and is a member of the General Association of International Sports Federations. The fifth largest sports organization in the world, the IFBB hosts such prestigious events as the World Amateur Bodybuilding Championships. In January 1998 Ben Weider had his impossible dream become a reality when his federation received Olympic recognition in accordance with Rule 29 of the International Olympic Body.

For his work in promoting fitness around the world and especially for helping improve the health of Canadians, Ben Weider was awarded the Order of Canada in 1975. In addition, he was also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and has received several honorary degrees, including the Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Concordia University, Montreal and an Honorary Doctorate in Humaine Letters from Florida State University, Tallahassee. In September of 1999, Ben Weider was nominated Honorary Lieutenant - Colonel of the 62nd Field Artillery Regiment of Shawinigan. 

Ben Weider and sons at St. Helena

Furthermore, Ben Weider is a  Napoleonic historian who founded The International Napoleonic Society, with headquarters in Montreal. There are presently over 300 Napoleonic historians in 25 countries who are members. Ben Weider, together with his colleague, Sten Forshufvud of Sweden, through the use of eyewitness reports and nuclear science, discovered that Napoleon was poisoned on St. Helena instead of the accepted thesis that he died of cancer. His book, entitled "The Murder of Napoleon," has been translated into 39 languages and has sold over 1 million copies.

Ben Weider's sons are now both involved with the company. Eric Weider, an MBA graduate from the University of Toronto, is President and Chief Executive Officer of Weider Health and Fitness and resides in Los Angeles. Mark Weider, recently graduated from Concordia University in Montreal, has also joined the Weider organization.

Ben, Eric and Joe Weider

From a small home office to one of the leading international manufacturers and marketers of home fitness equipment in the world, and the largest health and fitness publishing and nutritional supplement company in the world, the Weider organization was established and grew because of the personal dream of Ben and Joe Weider. That dream defined a culture, now practiced by millions of persons throughout the world and known as personal fitness. And it will be that same vision of fitness for everyone that will lead the organization as it continues to aid people to becoming stronger and healthier individuals.