John Balik Publisher, Iron Man Magazine Promoter, Iron Man Pro

JOHN BALIK
Publisher, Iron Man Magazine
Promoter, Iron Man Pro

Compiled by Tony Blinn
*All photographs courtesy of John Balik except where otherwise noted.

BIOGRAPHY

When I started training with weights in 1956 at the age of 14, I was five feet tall and weighed 100 pounds. By the time I was 17, I was competing in Olympic-style weightlifting in the 132-pound class and in teenage bodybuilding contests at the local YMCAs in Chicago.

I continued to train and compete in contests through my college years – I was fortunate to train with and learn from Bob Gajda and Sergio Oliva during those years.

After college I moved to Southern California and continued to compete in both weightlifting (181-pound class) and bodybuilding while working full time as an engineer. During that time, I also got involved with staging and promoting events through the AAU. That is when I started to learn about stage lighting for bodybuilding. A well-known photographer, Al Urban, suggested that I add rim lighting to enhance the presentation of the physique. I wanted the contest lighting to look like great studio lighting, so from then on every contest I ever promoted benefited from that chance meeting with Al Urban. Over the years I have refined that look, and today one of the hallmarks of the Iron Man Pro is its unique lighting.

John Balik Photo taken under the skylight at Vince’s Gym Circa 1969, Photographer: Steve Downs

My move to Southern California put me in the right place at the right time – I met Joe Gold, Vince Gironda and Bill Pearl and trained at their gyms with all of the stars of the period, including Larry Scott, Don Howorth, Arnold and Franco to name a few. I also met renowned physique photographer Art Zeller and, through him, Joe Weider. All of these men became lifelong friends.

In 1970 Bill Pearl and I co-produced the AAU Mr. America contest in Culver City at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium. I stopped competing at this time, but I continued to train as I do to this day.

By 1979 I was a freelance photographer for both Flex and Muscle & Fitness. I created about 40% of the photos for those two magazines over the following seven years.

In 1980 I promoted my first IFBB pro event, the California Grand Prix at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium.

Over the years I had talked with Peary and Mabel Rader, the founders of Iron Man, about buying the magazine when they were ready to sell. In 1986 I got that call, and I have been the Publisher of Iron Man since then.

I started the IFBB Iron Man Pro in 1990, and this is its 19th year.

As you can tell from the above, bodybuilding has been at the core of my life.

John Balik Photo courtesy of MUSCLEMEMORY.com

[Editor's Notes]

John competed in the 1965 AAU Mr. America, alongside Jerry Daniels (‘63 AAU Teen Mr. America, ‘65 AAU Junior Mr. America), Bob Gajda (‘65 AAU Mr. USA) and future IFBB Hall of Famers Sergio Oliva (IFBB Mr. Olympia ‘67, ‘68, ‘69) and Dennis Tinerino (‘65 AAU Junior Mr. USA, ‘65 AAU Mr. North America, ‘65 AAU Teen Mr. America).

The September 1965 edition of IRONMAN magazine, reporting on this event, stated, "John Balik Jr., had been training for 5 years and has a very nice physique at a height of 5′7" and a bodyweight of 170 lbs. He is an engineer by occupation, and a good lifter, with a 250-lb press, a 215-lb snatch, and 300-lb clean and jerk to his credit."

John also competed in the following events:

- 1966 IFBB Mr. International (winning the "Most Muscular" award);
- 1967 AAU Mr. California (winning first place in the "Junior" category and competing alongside future Mr. Olympia and IFBB Hall of Famer Chris Dickerson);
- 1968 AAU Mr. California (competing alongside future IFBB Hall of Fame Ed Corney);
- 1969 AAU Mr. Los Angeles (competing alongside future IFBB Pro Bill Grant);
- 1969 AAU Mr. California; and
- 1971 AAU Mr. Los Angeles (competing alongside future IFBB Pro Dave Johns).

In memory of the founders of Iron Man Magazine, John created the "Peary and Mabel Rader Lifetime Achievement Award", which has been bestowed on such luminaries as Joe and Ben Weider, Jack LaLanne, Vince Gironda, Jim Lorimer, Jim Manion and posthumously to Mickey Hargitay.

In 2000, John created the "Art Zeller Award" for excellence in physique photography. Notable recipients are Chris Lund, Leo Stern, Jimmy Caruso, Gene Mozee, the late Russ Warner, Albert Busek, and Bob Gardner.

John Balik presenting Ben Weider with the Peary and Mabel Rader "Lifetime Achievement Award" (2004) *Photo courtesy of Weider Publications

In 2004, IFBB Founder and then-President Ben Weider presented John with the IFBB Gold Medal in recognition of his dedication and commitment towards the growth and development of bodybuilding and fitness.

In 2005, John created the "Vince Gironda Award" for excellence in the art of muscular display, awarded to the Best Poser at the Iron Man Pro. Also that year, John was inducted into the Muscle Beach "Hall of Fame".

In 2007, John received a bronze plaque along the Muscle Beach "Walk of Fame", alongside such notables as Dave Draper, Cory Everson, Joe Gold, Joe Weider, Frank Zane and Rachel McLish.

Also in 2007, John received a Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Los Angeles for outstanding citizenship and activities enhancing community betterment.

John is a valuable member of the IFBB Professional Committee.

Said IFBB Professional League President Ben Weider, "I have the distinct pleasure and honor to have known John for over 30 years.  He is a true gentleman of sport. Since 1986, John has been publisher of Iron Man, a leader in hardcore bodybuilding magazines and very popular among bodybuilding practitioners and supporters.  As promoter of the Iron Man Pro, now in its 19th season, John is an invaluable asset to the IFBB Professional League.  I have found John to be a decent, hardworking, honorable friend who I respect and admire."

IRON MAN PRO HISTORY

This entry was posted on Monday, February 4th, 2008 at 1:51 pm and is filed under Features.