The International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) is a not-for-profit international amateur sport governing body, founded in 1946. 

Brothers Ben and Joe Weider were the founding fathers of the IFBB in Montreal, with the former becoming the first President of the organisation.

Ben and Joe Weider were the founding fathers of the IFBB ©IFBB
Ben and Joe Weider were the founding fathers of the IFBB ©IFBB

The IFBB now has over 199 affiliated nations and since 2006 has been led by Spain’s Dr. Rafael Santonja.

Santonja is currently serving his fourth term as President, having been re-elected at the IFBB Congress in 2010, 2014 and 2018. 

Under his leadership, the IFBB is striving to be one of the most active Federations in the world.

Ben, left, and Joe Weider, centre, founded the IFBB in 1946 and Spain's Dr. Rafael Santonja, right, is now President of the world governing body ©IFBB
Ben, left, and Joe Weider, centre, founded the IFBB in 1946 and Spain's Dr. Rafael Santonja, right, is now President of the world governing body ©IFBB


Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of the sport's most-recognised figures ©Getty Images
Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of the sport's most-recognised figures ©Getty Images

The IFBB holds competition at its World Championships for junior, senior and masters athletes in a variety of categories.

This includes men’s bodybuilding and classic bodybuilding, men’s and women’s physique and fitness, and women’s body fitness, bikini fitness and athletic fitness.

During the IFBB's 73-year history, it has participated in several regional Games. 

This includes the Panamerican Games, the Asian Beach Games, the South American Games, the Central American Games, the Arab Games, and the Bolivarian Games.

More than 2,000 local, national, regional, continental and World Championships are organised by the IFBB each year, while over 100 million people are regularly thought to train in gyms and fitness centres across each of the continents.

Dr. Rafael Santonja has been President of the IFBB since 2006 ©Getty Images
Dr. Rafael Santonja has been President of the IFBB since 2006 ©Getty Images

The IFBB became a member of the Global Association of International Sports Federations in 1969. 

It is also a member of the Olympic Council of Asia, Panam Sports, Association of African Sports Confederations, the International World Games Association and several other international and regional sport bodies.

The IFBB is a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Agency Code and actively discourages the use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs.

It strongly believes in sport as an universal language for health and education, and also sees it as a great tool to integrate people, without any kind of discrimination, in the best spirit of understanding and respect, and in fairness and solidarity.