• by Erik Sass  @eriksass1, March 1, 2013

Arnold Schwarzenegger is rejoining American Media Inc. as group executive editor for Muscle & Fitness and Flex magazines, renewing a relationship which began in 1968, when Muscle & Fitness founder Joe Weider chose the 21-year-old Austrian to be the face of bodybuilding.

In addition to appearing on the covers of the magazines over 60 times, Schwarzenegger served as executive editor for both titles from 2003-2005, when he gave up the job because of criticism that it represented a conflict of interest with his position as governor of California.

Back in his old role at AMI, the world-famous fitness icon, movie star and moderate Republican politician from Thal bei Graz, Austria will contribute monthly columns to the magazines and their Web sites, as well as providing strategic and creative input.

Schwarzenegger, who is still the youngest man ever to hold the Mr. Universe title, has remained active in the bodybuilding world throughout his other careers, and now promotes fitness-related causes, including the fight against childhood obesity and the Special Olympics.

“It was in these magazines that I found the spark that inspired me to start lifting weights, and eventually move to America and realize my dreams, and I'm proud to return as executive editor," Schwarzenegger stated. AMI chairman, president and CEO David J. Pecker said his "contributions will enormously benefit our print and digital readers, while driving value for our advertisers.”

Also this week, AMI announced that David Zinczenko, formerly the high-profile editor in chief of Rodale’s Men’s Health, is joining the company as a consulting editorial director. Among other things, Zinczenko will help AMI -- which publishes Men’s Fitness, Fit Pregnancy, Natural Health and Shape -- develop its branded book-publishing business. While EIC of Men’s Health, Zinczenko launched several well-known lines of diet and fitness-related books, including “Eat This, Not That!”