Shape (magazine)

---

title: "Shape (magazine)" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["lifestyle-magazines-published-in-the-united-states", "ten-times-annually-magazines", "women's-magazines-published-in-the-united-states", "english-language-magazines", "fitness-magazines", "german-language-magazines", "magazines-established-in-1981", "magazines-published-in-california", "iac-inc.", "multilingual-magazines", "2002-mergers-and-acquisitions", "2015-mergers-and-acquisitions"] description: "Fitness magazine" topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shape_(magazine)" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Fitness magazine ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox magazine"]

Field	Value
image_file	Shape Tisdale.jpg
image_size	210px
image_caption	A cover of Shape, featuring Ashley Tisdale, January 2009
editor	Elizabeth Goodman Artis
previous_editor	Tara Kraft
frequency	10 issues per year
total_circulation	1,568,055{{cite web
work	Audit Bureau of Circulations
circulation_year	December 2011
company	People Inc.
founded	1981
country	United States
based	Woodland Hills, California
language	English
website
issn	0744-5121
::

| title = | image_file = Shape Tisdale.jpg | image_size = 210px | image_alt = | image_caption = A cover of Shape, featuring Ashley Tisdale, January 2009 | editor = Elizabeth Goodman Artis | editor_title = | previous_editor = Tara Kraft | staff_writer = | frequency = 10 issues per year | total_circulation = 1,568,055{{cite web|url=http://abcas3.accessabc.com/ecirc/magtitlesearch.asp|title=eCirc for Consumer Magazines |work=Audit Bureau of Circulations|access-date=April 28, 2012}} | circulation_year = December 2011 | category = | company = People Inc. | publisher = | founded = 1981 | firstdate = | country = United States | based = Woodland Hills, California | language = English | website = | issn = 0744-5121 Shape (stylized in all caps) is an American monthly fitness magazine started by Weider Publications in 1981, founded by Christine MacIntyre (a pioneer in women's free weight fitness) and became the number one women's fitness magazine. At that time, Weider Enterprises consisted primarily of the bodybuilding magazine Muscle & Fitness. Joe Weider and Christine MacIntyre had differing views of how to present Shape, Weider endorsing a less journalistic and more commercial approach to articles, MacIntyre endorsing a more academic, doctor-based magazine.

Weider also endorsed a sexier approach to editorial while MacIntyre endorsed a healthier look for women, eschewing sexiness in the models and the copy. MacIntyre largely won that battle, editing a magazine that required that every byline have an advanced medical degree, that cover models should look healthy rather than sexy, and that sexist language be avoided. Christine MacIntyre was the editor-in-chief until her death in 1987.

Weider was purchased by American Media in 2002. A German version of Shape is available in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The magazine is also edited in Romania.

Elizabeth Goodman Artis was named Editor-in-Chief in 2014 and held the position until 2021.

On January 28, 2015, it was reported that Shape would be acquired by Meredith Corp. and Fitness, published by the company, would cease publication in May 2015 and be combined with it.

Content

Sections in the magazine include Features & Cover Stories, Shape Your Life, Look Great, Live Healthy, Get Fit, Eat Right, You In Shape, and In Every Issue, which includes From the Editor's Desk, Contributors, Readers Speak Out, The Hot List and Fit & Famous.

Other topics include sex, mind/spirit, beauty, travel, fashion, work, home and style.

References

References

1. "Magazines in Alphabetical Order". Radcliffe Institute.
2. "Top 100 U.S. Magazines by Circulation". PSA Research Center.
3. (2002-11-28). "Enquirer Owner to Buy Weider Publications".
4. Kathryn, Brooks. (July 19, 2018). "CEO Interview with Editor-in-Chief of SHAPE Magazine, Elizabeth Goodman Artis".
5. "Senior Mentor Program".
6. "Shape Magazine: May 2021 by Artis, Elizabeth Goodman (editor): (2021) Magazine / Periodical {{!}} Kayleighbug Books, IOBA".
7. Tess Stynes, ''The Wall Street Journal''. [https://www.wsj.com/articles/meredith-to-acquire-shape-magazine-brand-1422458384 "Meredith to Acquire Shape Magazine Brand"] January 28, 2015. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
8. (January 28, 2015). "Meredith to Acquire Shape Magazine from American Media". AdAge.
9. "Archived copy".

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::