Magazines have been one of the pillars of the old-school bodybuilding. Muscular Development, Iron Man, and Muscle & Fitness editions brought much joy to bodybuilding enthusiasts. Many were inspired by the ripped pictures of the athletes on the covers and desired to pursue the sport. However, the digital era has taken over the excitement for print magazines. 

The recent development in bodybuilding media has left many fans and elite bodybuilders emotional. Muscular Development magazine announced stopping print editions, and the uncrowned Mr. Olympia Flex Wheeler is disheartened by the news. 

Flex Wheeler bids farewell to Muscular Development magazines

Before social media invaded every mobile phone on earth, bodybuilding lovers would wait for months for their favorite magazine to be published. On the other hand, bodybuilders took pride in being featured in elite magazines. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ronnie Coleman, Flex Wheeler, and other elite bodybuilders were in the magazine business. 

So, when the news of Muscular Development ending print editions reached the Sultan of Symmetry, he became nostalgic. Sharing the August 2005 edition of the Muscular Development, which featured him on the cover, Wheeler joined fans to bid final goodbye to one of the cherished bodybuilding print magazines. 

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“So sad to hear that Muscle Development magazine and website has come to an end. Thx you Steve what an amazing run,” wrote the 58-year-old bodybuilding icon. Another renowned bodybuilder, Victor Martinez, shared a similar note on Instagram thanking the person behind MD’s successful run. 

Victor Martin pays heartfelt tribute to Steve Blechman

One of the bodybuilding media moguls, Steve Blechman, bought Muscular Development in 2001. Martin honored Blechman for allowing him to feature in multiple editions of the Muscular Development magazine. Martin shared a carousel of vintage print editions of him flexing on the MD covers over the years. 

“He loves bodybuilding and the ones doing it. He put you on a cover when no one would,” Martin credited Blechman in a long, emotional Instagram post. He bid farewell to the elite magazine, calling it the “end of an era.”

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With the onset of social, the print media is wrapping up its play in the media arena. But the older copies of bodybuilding magazines still find their place in the treasure safe as the memories are fresh in hearts. Though it’s the end of the era, it will be celebrated forever.