The Vintage Bodybuilding Magazine library is dedicated to sharing complete copies of select Bodybuilding Publications.
Currently we are in the process of presenting the ENTIRE run of Rocco Oppedisano’s Muscle Australia, Paul Graham’s Muscle & Fitness Australia and Wag Bennett’s Peak Muscle Maker. These publications will be released on an ongoing basis until the COMPLETE COLLECTION’S of all these magazines are uploaded. Additional magazines from other publications will also be featured for your reading pleasure.
We will be periodically releasing high resolution, electronic copies of these precious gems for all to view, going to great lengths to make your reading experience as pleasurable and as close to having the magazines in your own hands as possible.
Enough said. It’s now time to enjoy these magazines and other significant items IN FULL at your own leisure. Remember to check in every month for NEW RELEASES.
Monthly Featured Magazine
The next of our featured International Magazines has an iconic cover and is much sought after by the bodybuilding magazine collector!
What we present in the JULY 1970 EDITION of PEAK MUSCLE MAKER (VOLUME II NUMBER 2). The cover captures the cream of the IFBB bodybuilders at the 1970 IFBB Mr WORLD contest. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dave Draper, Rick Wayne, Franco Columbu, Chuck Collara and Frank Zane present a cover that can’t be matched.
Click on any magazine image to start reading
Rocco Oppedisano’s Muscle Australia
Muscle Australia was the very first Bodybuilding magazine published in Australia. It ran between 1979 and 1987 and was the brainchild of Rocco Oppedisano, a winner of numerous bodybuilding contests, who went on to be a successful promoter of physique events. He also was a publisher of hundreds of books on bodybuilding, health, and fitness.
Muscle Australia was initial produced exclusively by Rocco and his brother Sammy. In what was considered a risky venture, both Rocco and Sammy pooled their funds, found a distributor and were on their way. They both did everything initially, focusing there their writing on the local scene. In fact they would only feature Australian bodybuilders on the magazine cover throughout its existence. No international bodybuilder ever graced the cover of Muscle Australia. The publication would primarily featured photographs and reportage of Australian physique events, Australians competing abroad, and other articles of interest pertaining to the sport.
Initially the magazine ran at a loss, it wasn’t until the 7th edition, that featured Graeme Lancefield and Kim Rogers on the cover, that the magazine turned profit. The magazine sored in popularity soon after. By the 20th edition the interest expanded to the United States. Ultimately it would be distributed to 18 nations across the world. In all there were 35 editions published and in time we will share them all with you.
Muscle Australia Issue 1
Muscle Australia Issue 2
Muscle Australia Issue 3
Muscle Australia Issue 4
Muscle Australia Issue 5
Muscle Australia Issue 6
Muscle Australia Issue 7
Paul Graham’s Australasian Muscle & Fitness
Paul Graham’s Australasian Muscle & Fitness made its debut in 1979 and in total had a run of 4 volumes. I believe the publication ceased in 1986 and there were upwards of 25 editions in total (a number still to be validated).
The publication started with a special edition that promoted the 1979 IFBB Mr Universe that was held in Sydney Australia. In time the magazine would become something special. It would be a platform for communicating and promoting the 1980 Mr Olympia that Paul Graham promoted. In the aftermath the the controversial contest it would also be used as a tool to justify the outcome through cleverly worded articles that were accompanied by favorable supporting photographs. The magazine would evolve greatly and feature a number of the international stars. It also strongly promoted female bodybuilding with Carole Bennett (Graham) being its centerpiece.
In time it became an avenue for Paul Graham to publicly engage in a “war of words” with his many “rivals”. The greatest target being fellow publisher and promoter Rocco Oppedisano. Rocco was not shy in his return and the magazines would often go “tit for tat” with each other in their quest for supremacy. Both magazines would definitely give as much as they got, great stuff to look back on. Australia’s own version of “Muscle Wars”!
Muscle & Fitness Vol 1 Num 1
Muscle & Fitness Vol 1 Num 2
Muscle & Fitness Vol 1 Num 3
Muscle & Fitness Vol 1 Num 4
Muscle & Fitness Vol 1 Num 5
Muscle & Fitness Vol 1 Num 6
Muscle & Fitness Vol 1 Num 7
Peak Muscle Maker
Peak Muscle Maker Magazine was a product of the United Kingdom and was first published in June 1969. Its run was short and there were only 28 editions published in total, the last being in September of 1971. It was published by WAG BENNETT, and through his strong association with Arnold Schwarzenegger, it would constantly feature fascinating articles and photos of Arnold’s early years in London. Wags wife DIANNE BENNETT, with the help from a young RICK WAYNE, would stumble and tumble blindly through each month producing what would be an ICONIC BODYBUILDING PUBLICATION. FRANK RICHARDS adventures would also be featured prominently in the magazine and account for some fascinating reading. The issues were approximately 39 pages long and contained some great articles, features, advertisements and photos. The magazine is quite RARE and many of you would not have had the chance to see them. I would like to take this opportunity to thank both ARMANDO BUTTIGIEG and SAMMY IOANNIDIS for their time and donations in my endeavours to present you in time with the full collection of this magnificent magazine.
Peak Muscle Maker Vol 1 Num 1
Peak Muscle Maker Vol 1 Num 2
Peak Muscle Maker Vol 1 Num 3
Peak Muscle Maker Vol 1 Num 4
International Featured Magazines
This section of the library will be dedicated to presenting different publication from a wide range of countries.
Health & Strength July 27th 1950