Flex (magazine)

Last updated
Flex
Flex magazine Nov07.jpg
Cover of the November 2007 edition
Editorial DirectorZack Zeigler
Categories Bodybuilding
FrequencyMonthly
Total circulation
(December 2011)
77,180 (2011) [1]
First issueApril 1983
Final issueMay 2018
Company JW Media
CountryUS
Based in New York City
LanguageEnglish
Website www.flexonline.com
ISSN 8750-8915

Flex is an American bodybuilding magazine published by American Media, Inc. [2] The magazine is based in New York City. [2]

Contents

History

Founded in 1983 [3] by Canadian entrepreneur Joe Weider, local versions (essentially the U.S. content with local advertisements) are now published throughout the world, in countries such as the UK and Australia. The premier issue was dated April 1983, and featured Chris Dickerson on the cover. [2] Flex centers more on "hardcore" and professional bodybuilding, as opposed to its companion publication Muscle & Fitness , which has a more mainstream fitness focus.

American Media purchased the Mr. Olympia event, as well as the Flex, Muscle & Fitness, and Muscle & Fitness Hers titles in 2003.

In March 2018 it was announced that Flex magazine would merge with Muscle & Fitness to become one magazine. Flex also combined with the Muscle & Fitness website as well. The last print issue was published in May 2018. [3]

In February 2020, longtime bodybuilding enthusiast Jake Wood acquired Flex, Muscle & Fitness, and Muscle & Fitness media brands and Joe Weider's Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend from American Media (now A360 Media). [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bodybuilding</span> Control and development of musculature

Bodybuilding is the practice of progressive resistance exercise to build, control, and develop one's muscles via hypertrophy. An individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. It is primarily undertaken for aesthetic purposes over functional ones, distinguishing it from similar activities such as powerlifting, which focuses solely on increasing the physical load one can exert.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mr. Olympia</span> Recurring sporting event

Mr. Olympia is the title awarded to the winner of the professional men's bodybuilding contest in the open division at Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend—an international bodybuilding competition that is held annually and is sanctioned by the IFBB Professional League. Joe Weider created the contest to enable the amateur Mr. Universe winners to continue competing and to earn money. The first Mr. Olympia was held on September 18, 1965, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York City, with Larry Scott winning his first of two straight titles. The equivalent female title is Ms. Olympia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Weider</span> Canadian sports businessman (1923–2008)

Benjamin Weider, was a Canadian soldier, author, historian, fitness proponent, benefactor of the arts, and entrepreneur. He co-founded the International Federation of BodyBuilders (IFBB) alongside his brother Joe Weider. The Weiders also founded many successful businesses including gyms, nutritional supplements and magazines such as Muscle & Fitness.

Shawn I. Ray is a former professional bodybuilder and author.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Zane</span> American bodybuilder

Frank Zane is a retired American professional bodybuilder and author. He is a three-time Mr. Olympia, and his physique is considered one of the greatest in the history of bodybuilding due to his meticulous focus on symmetry and proportion. He was inducted in the IFBB Hall of Fame in 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Scott (bodybuilder)</span> American bodybuilder (1938–2014)

Larry Dee Scott, nicknamed "The Legend" and "The Golden Boy," was an American IFBB professional bodybuilder. He won the inaugural 1965 Mr. Olympia competition and defended the crown at the 1966 Mr. Olympia contest before retiring.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sharon Bruneau</span> Canadian female bodybuilder

Sharon Leigh Bruneau is a model and retired professional Canadian female bodybuilder and fitness competitor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bill Pearl</span> American bodybuilder (1930–2022)

William Arnold Pearl was an American professional bodybuilder and athlete. During the 1950s and 60s, he won many titles and awards, including winning the Mr. Universe contest five times, and was named "World's Best-Built Man of the Century". He later became an expert trainer and author on bodybuilding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Weider</span> Canadian bodybuilder and businessman (1919–2013)

Josef Weider was a Canadian bodybuilder and entrepreneur who co-founded the International Federation of BodyBuilders (IFBB) alongside his brother Ben Weider. He was also the creator of Mr. Olympia, Ms. Olympia, and the Masters Olympia bodybuilding contests. He was the publisher of various bodybuilding and fitness-related magazines, most notably Muscle & Fitness, Flex, Men's Fitness, and Shape, and the manufacturer of a line of fitness equipment and fitness supplements. In 2014, he was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame.

Female bodybuilding is the female component of competitive bodybuilding. It began in the late 1970s, when women began to take part in bodybuilding competitions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jay Cutler (bodybuilder)</span> American bodybuilder (born 1973)

Jason Isaac Cutler known professionally as Jay Cutler is an American retired professional bodybuilder. An IFBB Pro League bodybuilder, Cutler is a four-time Mr. Olympia winner, having won in 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2010; and a six-time runner-up, the most in history. He also won consecutive Arnold Classic titles in 2002, 2003, and 2004. In 2021, he was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ms. Olympia</span> Professional bodybuilding competition

The IFBB Professional League Ms. Olympia is professional bodybuilding's most prestigious competition and the title of the winner of the competition in female bodybuilding. It was first held in 1980. It was held as part of the Joe Weider's Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend from 2000 to 2014 and since 2020.

Bill Dobbins is an American photographer who specializes in bodybuilding, physique and fitness photography. In particular, Dobbins is well known for his work in photographing female bodybuilders and has published two books of images on the subject, The Women and Modern Amazons.

<i>Muscle & Fitness</i> American fitness magazine

Muscle & Fitness is an American fitness and bodybuilding magazine founded in 1935 by Canadian entrepreneur Joe Weider. It was originally published under the title Your Physique, before being renamed to Muscle Builder in 1954, and acquiring its current name in 1980. There is also a companion magazine called Muscle and Fitness Hers, oriented toward women.

Lynn Conkwright was a professional female bodybuilder from the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Pearson (bodybuilder)</span> American bodybuilder

Tony Pearson is an American bodybuilding champion. His bodybuilding championships include individual and couples competitions.

The 2014 Mr. Olympia contest was an IFBB professional bodybuilding competition and part of Joe Weider's Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend 2014 that was held on September 18–21, 2014, at the South Hall in the Las Vegas Convention Center in Winchester, Nevada and in the Orleans Arena at The Orleans Hotel and Casino in Paradise, Nevada. It was the 50th Mr. Olympia competition celebrated. Other events at the exhibition included the 212 Olympia Showdown, Ms. Olympia, Fitness Olympia, Figure Olympia, Bikini Olympia, Women's Physique Showdown, and Men's Physique Showdown contests.

The 2018 Mr. Olympia contest was a weekend long IFBB professional bodybuilding competition that was held on September 14 to 15, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada. This was the 54th Mr. Olympia competition celebrated. The weekend competition is also known as the Joe Weider's Olympia Fitness and Performance Weekend. While the main event was the competition for the title of Mr. Olympia, several other events were held which includes the Amateur competition and sports expo.

<i>Bigger</i> (film) 2018 film directed by George Gallo

Bigger is a 2018 American comedy-drama film by director George Gallo about the life of real life bodybuilders Joe and Ben Weider.

Jake Wood is owner of the Olympia Fitness and Performance Weekend, Wings of Strength, LLC, Muscle & Fitness, Flex, Hers Magazine and Digital Muscle.

References

  1. "eCirc for Consumer Magazines". Audit Bureau of Circulations. Archived from the original on July 24, 2012. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 "Flex Magazine". Customer. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
  3. 1 2 "The end of an era". Generation Iron. March 5, 2018. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  4. "American Media, LLC Announces Sale of Mr. Olympia and Muscle & Fitness" (Press release).