Muscular Development Magazine: The end of an era.
The bodybuilding industry is going to lose one of the last print edition magazines that was still circulating. Muscular Development has decided to cease publication of its print edition.
Rick Collins has been writing articles for Muscular Development for the past 22 years, as he confirmed in a post published on his official Facebook page.
According to Rick Collins, the decision was taken to end the print edition, meaning one of the last historic bodybuilding magazines will shut down.
“It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to Official Muscular Development Magazine. After 250 monthly columns spread out over 22 years, touching on all things fitness, hormones, law, and culture, I have been advised that the magazine is closing up shop and will print no further issues. So sad. When I started, print was still a powerhouse and social media didn’t yet exist. It’s a different world now. I will deeply miss working with the members of Team MD, and I wish them well in all their future endeavors. What’s next for me? I’ll keep my day job lawyering my butt off and maybe see what else looks interesting!” – Rick Collins.
Ron Harris, the face of Muscular Development, has also confirmed that the publication will be shut down, in a long post on his official Facebook page.
“Nothing lasts forever.” That being said, I had an incredible run with MD. I wrote my first article for the magazine in September of 2001, and would go on to write thousands more articles and columns. In January of 2017, I was offered the dual roles of Senior Writer and Online Editor. I didn’t want the Online Editor job at first, but I soon embraced leaving my comfort zone and began producing video content. The late Peter McGough was so helpful in my moments of doubt, as was Giles Thomas. Peter was the one who came up with the name for my interview show, The Ronline Report, of which I did over 600 editions. I also went on-site to cover contests all over the USA and a few in Canada. Though I’m sad to see it all end, I thank MD owner Steve Blechman for the opportunities he gave me. Most of all, it was the team I worked with that made it all so special: Jen Giresi, Giles Thomas, Alan Dittrich, Alan Golnick, and Angela Frizalone. I also met so many amazing athletes, promoters, photographers, supplement company owners, and fellow bodybuilding fans. Where do I go from here? I can’t say for sure right now, but I’ve been working in this industry for nearly 33 years and I don’t plan on going away. Thanks to all of you out there who supported MD’s magazine, website and forums, and of course the YouTube channel. I’ll be seeing you all again soon! On to the next chapter of my life.” – Ron Harris
Muscular Development was first published in 1964, by Bob Hoffman. According to online sources, John Grimik was the editor until the magazine was sold to Twin Labs in 1986.
In 2001, Twin Lab’s sold Muscular Development to the current owner Steve Blechman.
Steve offered a platform for numerous athletes and journalists, to make a name for themselves in the bodybuilding industry.
“I have been advised that the magazine is closing up shop and will print no further issues. So sad.”- Rick Collins
Bodybuilding pundits such as Dave Palumbo, Ron Harris, John Romano, and many more popular figures in the sport, all worked at Muscular Development in the past. At the time of publishing this article, Ron Harris was still working at Muscular Development.
A number of sources close to Evolutionofbodybuilding.net, have alleged that not only the print edition is shutting down, but the entire company, which includes the website, forum, and even the YouTube page. Ron Harris’ post confirms even further that the entire Muscular Development franchise is closing.
At the time of publishing this article, the subscription link has already been shut down, and the popular Muscular Development forum is also offline.
The forum was a popular space for a number of bodybuilding pundits, discussing the sport of bodybuilding. The forum would also cater to minute-by-minute contest coverage, but with the growth of other types of media, the bodybuilding fan would rather watch pay-per-view.
Unfortunately, the forum allegedly did not let its members speak freely, as a number of controversial posts would be deleted immediately.
Muscular Development at one time, was a publication that was controversial and offered the opportunity for its journalists to vent their frustration or criticize the industry freely.
In 2006, Muscular Development was put under a lot of pressure to apologize, after former journalist, John Romano, had a falling out with former Olympia Weekend Chairman, David Pecker.
The result would be press passes being declined, and requests for a printed apology.
Fast forward to 2023, we have Olympia LLC President Dan Solomon, a former journalist, and a person who listens to constructive criticism and appreciates bodybuilding journalism.
“Nothing lasts forever.” That being said, I had an incredible run with MD” – Ron Harris
Unfortunately, some people in the industry still can’t handle criticism, and rather than try to listen, they put a number of media outlets in their bad books.
The modern version of Muscular Development preferred to stay away from criticism, making sure they would be in the good books of certain promoters, guaranteeing their press passes.
Evolutionofbodybuilding.net wishes all the best to the staff of Muscular Development for their future endeavors.
