My Association with Weider

by John Farbotnik
"Mr. America" 1950

John Farbotnik , the 1950 "Mr. America", explains in a frank and straight forward manner the deliberate distortions and unethical tactics Joe Weider was guilty of in trying to exploint him. His disclosures should serve to better acquaint the public with Weider's commercial methods. The exercise poses of Farbotnik were taken during his stay at York when he did his final training for the "Mr. America" contests.

I WAS never more shocked in my life than when I received the latest Weider publication, the November issue of Muscle Power, with the misleading "Good News For You!" stamped boldly on the envelope. Within I found over two dozen photographs taken supposedly during one of my workouts. This is not true! Anyone can see that each picture was posed for with a weight much too light for an advanced body builder. These photos were posed for over six months ago to be used only when I would write an article after proper compensation could be agreed upon. I was not then training for the "Mr. America" contest for at the time I had no intention of entering. Proper compensation was not agreed upon and I decided to remain an amateur and compete in the A.A.U. "Mr. America" contest later.

Now for the honest record, a term so carelessly used in the Muscle Power publicity, I have never seen or used a Weider barbell or Weider course. My first training equipment consisted of York super cables and cable courses written by Bob Hoffman. At Fritshe's Gym we use nothing but Milo weights which Bob Hoffman had bought out some time earlier. If my course is so similar to that of Weider's then Weider is using York training methods. York methods have predominated in my training from my first workout to the present time.

Readers will please note that in the Muscle Power article the name Weider and "we", in reference to Weider systems, is mentioned almost twice as many times as the name John Farbotnik. This is one of the most commercial propaganda advertisements I've ever read.

Commercial linkage of my name is not new with Weider publications. Four years ago I wrote an article, my first and only one for Weider, by request, on how I developed my chest. This article was not commercial enough in value for Joe Weider and was never published. Instead, Weider took the liberty of substituting a propaganda article without my consent. Never again have I submitted another article to further such misrepresentation.

Again my name was linked to that of several Weider shows without my consent. These were unsanctioned shows and some athletes lost their amateur status there.

Now, in this recent infringement a smooth sales of Weider systems is injected into a personal "slap on the back" of how Joe Weider pushed and aided me on to further training to win the A.A.U. "Mr. America" title. I have received no noticeable aid from Joe Weider. I spent eighty hours a week for months on a bakery route to replay my debts and expenses incurred when I foolishly spent months idle, doing nothing but training and competing in shows. I've worked for everything I've ever gotten and now I see Joe Weider boldly pointing out how he has helped me to get to my present success. It is hoped that this brief article will serve its purpose in preventing Weider from associating my name or training methods for selfish reasons with his own in a distorted manner.