Tag: Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger Announces A Historic $500,000 First Prize For The 2025 Arnold Classic
Arnold Schwarzenegger announced a historic increase in the 2025 Arnold Classic prize money. The announcement came right after Hadi Choopan’s win at the 2024 Arnold Classic. Established in 1989, the Arnold Classic is the second most prestigious professional bodybuilding competition after the Mr. Olympia. Former Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan bounced back from the 2023 Olympia […]
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Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Timeless Bodybuilding Advice For Building Muscle and Strength
Born on Jul. 30, 1947, in Austria, Arnold Schwarzenegger is the undisputed GOAT of bodybuilding. “The Governator’s” rise to fame in the 1970s propelled bodybuilding into the mainstream. Schwarzenegger started weight training at the age of 14 and won the Mr. Universe title at 20. The Austrian Oak won the first of his seven-consecutive Mr. […]
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Lee Priest Shows Off Favorite Tricep Exercises Learned from Arnold Schwarzenegger
Bodybuilding veteran Lee Priest learned from the best during a career lasting decades. In a recent IFBB AMA video, Priest walked fans through Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s favorite tricep-building techniques that he’s kept in his arsenal. Even though Priest didn’t boast a tall stature, he proved himself against some of the biggest names in the sport. Having […]
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Ronnie Coleman and Arnold Schwarzenegger Join Hands for Legendary Training Session
Legendary bodybuilder Ronnie Coleman is widely regarded as one of the greatest competitors of all time. His unmatched dedication to lifting heavy weights made him stand out from the crowd. In a recent post made on Instagram, Coleman pushed bodybuilding icon Arnold Schwarzenegger to his limits in an intense outdoor workout.
Ronnie Coleman first rose to prominence for his mass, size, and granite conditioning as a Men’s Open competitor in the late 90s. After the departure of six-time champion Dorian Yates, the mass monster found glory at the 1998 Mr. Olympia by defeating the likes of Kenneth ‘Flex’ Wheeler, Kevin Levrone, and Shawn Ray. Coleman proved to be a commanding champion as he warded off future titleholders Jay Cutler and Dexter Jackson to win Mr. Olympia shows eight years in a row.
Besides his insane physique, Coleman was known for his incredible feats of strength, earning him the title of the strongest bodybuilder of all time. He recorded a huge 800-lb deadlift and squat for two reps each and pushed a 2,300 pounds leg press for reps. However, the heavy lifts came with a cost. Coleman picked up several injuries which required multiple surgeries. Despite the troubles, he continued to train regularly and made it clear he has no regrets.
Coleman attributes his injuries to his days of playing football instead of bodybuilding. He admits he dealt with back problems and partially herniated a disc in college before competing on stage. Lately, Coleman got stem cell therapy and reported positive updates to his health.
His pain has almost subsided completely and while he may not be at his best, he never lets it hold him back from training. The 59-year-old revealed he cut down on painkillers by 50 percent after staying consistent with the stem cell treatments. As for his nerve damage, improvements are expected to happen over the next two years.
‘The King’ lauded former 212 Olympia champion Derek Lunsford for his immense potential in the game after he shocked the world with a runner-up placing in the Open class at 2022 Mr. Olympia. Then, he ranked Lunsford as his favorite bodybuilder of this generation.
Ronnie Coleman’s impact on the sport can be felt to this day. Fellow bodybuilding legend Jay Cutler and renowned coach Milos Sarcev praised Coleman and argued he could hold his own in any generation with his prime physique. Cutler went as far as to say no other competitor came close to Coleman’s level.
Arnold Schwarzenegger remains fit after stepping away from professional competition. He likes incorporating both cardio and weight training to improve skin health. He also offered a fan-favorite circuit workout using a weighted bag that could fit in with any schedule.
Ronnie Coleman Pushes Arnold Schwarzenegger to His Limits in Intense Outdoor Workout
In a recent Instagram post, Ronnie Coleman helped motivate Arnold Schwarzenegger to push beyond his limits in an intense outdoor workout session.
“We all need training partners to help us reach our potential,” wrote Schwarzenegger. “I know Franco was looking down on @ronniecoleman8 pushing me today and smiling.”
“Franco is smiling down from heaven,” said Schwarzenegger. “He’s saying, ‘Finally, Arnold found a good replacement for me.’ That’s what Franco’s saying right now, ‘finally, a good replacement, a good training partner.’”
“Yep, c’mon. Light weight baby!” Coleman said.
Ronnie Coleman struggled with walking unassisted due to some surgery complications. While he does feel less pain since getting on stem cell therapy, he hasn’t experienced a significant improvement in his mobility and expressed concerns about atrophy in his lower body recently.
RELATED: Ronnie Coleman Teams Up w/ Panatta Equipment to Build The ‘World’s Greatest Gym’
Coleman’s undying passion for weight training and perseverance through health challenges is an inspiration. Given their respective careers, fans were thrilled to see Coleman and Schwarzenegger link up for a workout.
Published: 4 August, 2023 | 1:04 AM EDT
Arnold Schwarzenegger on Protein: “The Quality Isn’t As Important As You’ve Been Led to Believe
Bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger’s attention to nutrition and dieting remain top priorities at the age of 76. In the latest Arnold’s Pump Club Newsletter, Schwarzenegger discussed protein intake and whether or not quality matters when choosing which sources to consume.
Given his star power and name recognition, fans listen when Arnold Schwarzenegger talks about his nutritional options. Having dominated the most prestigious stages in the sport, Schwarzenegger is no stranger to the protein demands of a top-tier bodybuilder. He’s a seven-time Mr. Olympia winner, a reign he made possible with popping biceps, a slim waist, and towering height.
In retirement, Schwarzenegger admits his diet has changed drastically. In 2022, he credited an 80% plant-based diet he’s followed for the last five years. ‘The Austrian Oak’ was dealing with cholesterol issues, which eventually led him down this ‘green diet’ path. While he accepts animal-based protein sources have richer amino acid profiles, Schwarzenegger believes the diet he follows has helped improve his life.
Hoping to make fitness more mainstream, Arnold has used his newsletter to inform the masses. To shed more light on diet hacks, the bodybuilding icon went over a healthy checklist he uses to stay fit despite his hectic schedule. Now, he’s back to highlight the differences between eating protein for quality versus quantity.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Weighs Up Protein – Does Quality Matter?
According to the seven-time Mr. Olympia, if you’re eating enough protein, quality isn’t as important.
“The debate about protein superiority usually focuses on the speed of digestion, rate of absorption, amino acid content, or being “clean.” But all of these claims might be a distraction from what really matters.
New research suggests that if you’re eating enough protein, the quality isn’t as important as you’ve been led to believe.
Many people believe that if you want to grow muscle, you need a fast-absorbing protein with high digestibility. But there hasn’t been much research asking a more practical question — if you eat more protein, can you worry less about the quality?
However, he says for those who want to consume less protein, quality options are preferred due to their absorption qualities.
The new study — which reviewed existing protein research — found that the quantity of protein you consume determines the need for quality. In other words, if you want to eat less protein, it’s best to focus on more premium protein. But, if you prefer eating a higher protein diet, then it’s OK if you’re not always consuming the highest absorbing options.
This is because protein consists of amino acids, the building blocks of your cells and muscle. And you need essential amino acids because your body can’t make them. Low-quality proteins have fewer essential amino acids or can be missing some of them completely. And that’s why some proteins really are “better” than others.
Schwarzenegger shared that the body will compensate with amino acid ‘gaps’ if the person eats excessive protein daily, which is good news for bodybuilders, who must consume staggering amounts of protein to maintain their muscle mass.
“But if you eat more protein (a minimum of 1.6g/kg per day of protein, according to the research) — even if it’s not the best option — the quantity compensates for the lower quality, your body fills the amino acid gaps (assuming you’re eating a variety of protein sources), and your body gets what it needs to build muscle, help you recover, and support your overall health
Of course, there are other considerations when choosing protein. Calories still matter, so if selecting a “lower quality” protein source means loading up on unnecessary calories, that could impact your results. But the protein itself — as long as you eat enough — will not hold you back.
If you want some guidelines or count your macros, here’s a simple example to show how it works. Let’s say you’re 175 pounds. If you’re eating only high-quality options (such as whey, beef, egg, soy, or milk — all have high digestibility), you could see results with only 80 grams of protein per day. But, if you eat roughly 175 grams of protein daily, you can eat some lower-quality forms of protein such as peanuts, wheat, or beans.” Arnold Schwarzenegger shared in his newsletter.
Aside from his nutrition, Schwarzenegger continues to dedicate himself to training but he’s also eager to help others discover fitness. In a recent collaboration with fellow FUBAR actors Bert Kreischer and Fortune Feimster, Schwarzenegger turned back the clock pumping iron and offered tips on maximizing contractions during each movement.
RELATED: Arnold Schwarzenegger Unveils His 3-Tier ‘Hierarchy of Muscle Gains’
Schwarzenegger believes adequate protein consumption is critical to a happy, healthy, and fit lifestyle. Regardless of its quality, “it will not hold you back.”
Published: 3 August, 2023 | 5:43 PM EDT
Frank Zane Reveals His Secret That Helped Him Bag Three Mr. Olympia Titles
Legendary bodybuilder and fitness icon Frank Zane has captivated the bodybuilding community with his sculpted and symmetrical physique. His journey to the top started during the 1960s, and he retired with three Olympia titles under his belt. In a recent episode of ‘The High-Performance Life’ podcast, which was hosted by Scott Danner, Zane spoke in detail about his illustrious career and revealed his most cherished moment of competitive bodybuilding.
Joe Weider gave birth to the Mr. Olympia competition in 1965, which soon became the ultimate battleground for professional bodybuilders globally. Winning on the Mr. Olympia stage was not an easy nut to crack by any means. Opening up about this, Zane shared that the most satisfying moment of his career was the day he lifted the Sandow trophy for the third time. He revealed that the win was a result of sheer determination and consistency.
Disclosing the secret behind the victory, Zane stated:
“I continued doing what worked for me in the past, training on what’s called a three-way split routine…three different workouts usually done three days in a row and resting the fourth day, I just went by what has always worked for me and I retain that and kept doing it”
What got Zane into competitive bodybuilding?
The allure of outdoor activities like weight training and hiking surrounded Zane since he was just 14 years old. The dopamine release that Zane experienced while being in the Boy Scout led him slowly to the road of wellness and fitness. As Zane matured, he discovered a profound sense of fulfillment in setting goals and then working toward them. His hunger to achieve excellence was a top motivator for achieving greatness in his life.
RELATED: Frank Zane Discusses Competing vs Sergio Oliva & Longevity Tips: “Don’t Stay Peaked”
“I was good at school, and I just like challenges and working toward completing them,” Zane stated.
Zane shares his views on beating the legendary Arnold Schwarzenegger –
Frank Zane’s approach to the sport of bodybuilding focused entirely on achieving perfect symmetry and balance. These were the factors that helped him distinguish himself from the rest of the lineup. His attention to detail laid the foundation for one of the most symmetrical physiques ever displayed on a professional stage. Arnold Schwarzenegger, on the other hand, when first arrived in America, had a big muscular frame but lacked conditioning. According to the standards of American bodybuilding, Schwarzenegger was considered out of shape.
“We didn’t know each other at the time. It was 1968, and I just won Mr. America the week before and I was in great shape whereas he wasn’t in his best shape,” Zane recalled.
Beyond the stage, Zane’s influence on the realm of fitness and bodybuilding is unparalleled. (unparalleled) Apart from managing his own newsletter, Zane has also written numerous books on bodybuilding, optimum nutrition, and training practices. His focus on aesthetics has inspired countless lifters and aspiring bodybuilders to pursue a balanced approach to their craft.
You can check out the full podcast here:
Published: 3 August, 2023 | 3:38 PM EDT
Chris Bumstead Compares Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Era to Now, Teases Open Show: “Definitely Have Thought About It”
Classic Physique star Chris Bumstead has made it clear he plans to defend his title at Olympia later this year but refuses to discount a future move to the Men’s Open division. In a recent interview with Chris Williamson, Bumstead discussed what it would take to switch categories. He also compared the standards of today’s Classic Physique division to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s bodybuilding era.
In 2019, Chris Bumstead seized the Classic Physique throne at the Olympia show after defeating his rival, two-time champ, Breon Ansley. Since taking the honors, Bumstead has been on a roll at bodybuilding contests. His display of muscle striations and dry conditioning combined with his tall frame make him an incredibly dangerous competitor.
Cbum is a four-time Classic Physique Olympia, a successful reign he has made possible with hard work, dedication, and grueling training sessions. His last win came at the 2022 Olympia competition. The victory left fans speechless as Bumstead conquered the stage with a torn bicep.
Previously, Bumstead teased a potential move into the Men’s Open. In 2022, before they started training together, Bumstead told Hany Rambod that if he did try out the Open, it would be for a ‘one-off’ contest. In 2023, Bumstead approached the subject again. In a podcast with Rambod, Chris said if the Arnold Classic was two or three weeks after Olympia, he’d consider competing at the show as an Open Bodybuilder.
The 28-year-old has also discussed competing against a prime Arnold Schwarzenegger. Bumstead mentioned on the Full Send Podcast that he would defeat Schwarzenegger today if the Austrian legend presented the physique he won Olympia with. Since making the claim, a number of bodybuilding veterans have disagreed, like Lee Priest.
“Everything Progresses Over Time” – Chris Bumstead Compares Classic Physique of Today to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Golden Era
Bumstead believes the Open and Classic Physique categories have progressed over time with more ‘efficient’ diets, nutrition, and PEDs.
“Everything progresses over time, we get more efficient with nutrition, with dieting with PEDs, with rest, with recovery, everything just gets more efficient and everything excels. You just push the limits further and further. So, now, I mean… Open Bodybuilding just you look at it and you don’t even question if it’s the same sport, pretty much.
No weight limits, dude’s are on stage at 300 pounds like 3% body fat just fucking monsters. Like huge. Stuff you can’t even fathom. When I see them in person still I’m like wow, that’s a real person which is insane. But back in the Arnold days, it was purely like bigger upper bodies, legs weren’t massive, you weren’t shredded, it was more about being full and round and aesthetic, which is what Classic Physique was brought in for.”
The main difference between Arnold’s era versus modern Classic Physique is the level of leanness required to be competitive today.
“Even still, the contrast from Classic Physique versus the Arnold era, it’s way leaner now. It’s getting just as lean as the Open bodybuilders. It’s like shredded glutes, your ass is striated at the end of the day, feathered quads, just looks like you have no body fat on you. And probably about the same weight. I think Arnold was 240 on stage approximately and my weight cap is 240, I’m 239 when I weigh in,” said Chris Bumstead.
While Cbum would have loved to test himself against Schwarzenegger, he’s happy to be competing in the current era.
“No. I never really thought of that honestly. I really think this era right now fits perfectly where I’m meant to be and obviously it’s working out pretty fucking great so far. I don’t tempt fate with that I’m just grateful for where I’m at.”
Bumstead on Move to Open: “I Would Love to Just See What It Looks Like On Stage”
According to Bumstead, he’s been thinking about testing his resolve in the Open but said there are no shows after the Olympia that he’s interested in competing at.
“Definitely have thought about it [competing in the Open]. But there’s no Open shows after the Olympia there’s like one in Japan but I would want to do like a decent show. I’d rather stack up against a top-ten Olympian.”
It depends on the show. If you were to put me in the Olympia, if you put me in the Olympia the way I look in Classic right now I don’t think I would hit the top ten but I think if I was able to be a little bit less leaner and fuller because I always have to diet down five pounds of muscle just to make weight so if I was able to be full as fuck, sometimes I’m in my check in pictures four weeks out and I have a high-carb day, I’m like, ‘I look like a bodybuilder right now this is crazy.’
With one year of preparation, Bumstead is convinced he could finish in the top 15 at the Mr. Olympia.
“I would love to just see what this looks like on stage, give me a year and I could be top 15 at the Mr. Olympia,” said Bumstead.
If he were to attempt a move to the Open class, Bumstead said his training wouldn’t change but his food and PEDs would.
“I’ll cycle my calories, if I start to get too fat I pull it back down. I would just have to lean into that fat. I wouldn’t be fat-fat but I like being lean consistently, lean enough so I feel good. I’d have to put on a lot of weight and eat consistently, my training would be the exact same it would mainly be food and little more PEDs of course.”
Bumstead revealed that he tried to increase his height for Classic Physique by purchasing an inversion table. He believes Classic Physique is essentially a battle to be taller for added weight.
“I tried [to buy an inversion table to increase my height]. Yeah, I did, but I didn’t put it together. I went to a chiropractor consistently, and they have a machine that stretches your spine. It pulls it. It looks like it [a torture device]. You like sit in this machine upright and then it tilts you down and you have a thing around your waist that pulls your spine. I did that for a while, I’m just over 6’1″ so I’d have to grow a full inch to be over 6’2″ I would never do it but I also don’t want to shrink.”
“Classic Physique is just a battle to be taller essentially, to make your weight.”
Lastly, Bumstead commented on his lowest body fat percentage. He’s not certain but believes the range is between 4-5%.
“I haven’t [checked my body fat] no. I haven’t even tried to guess because everyone on the internet is like, ‘Oh!”
“If I had to guess I think it would I would be around four or five percent if I had to be conservative,” said Bumstead. “Yeah, a little bit. My structure would kind of make up for it [lack of conditioning and more fullness].”
Bumstead has been open with fans ahead of his anticipated title defense at 2023 Olympia. In preparation for the event, Bumstead has shared diets and has even gone into detail about common morning routines he utilizes in the off-season versus contest prep.
Given his impact on the industry, many are curious about which exercises Bumstead uses to build his Olympia-caliber body. In a prior interview with Chris Williamson, Bumstead revealed the ten exercises he would utilize for the rest of his life if he had to. His list ignited discussions online, which prompted others to offer their top 10 lists, such as Jeff Cavaliere and Nick Walker.
In three months, Bumstead will aim to solidify himself as a five-time Classic Physique Olympia. Despite his commitment to the division, Bumstead continues to tease a possible move over to the Open class.
READ MORE:
Watch the full video from the Chris Williamson YouTube channel below:
Published: 28 July, 2023 | 12:41 AM EDT
Arnold Schwarzenegger Unveils His 3-Tier ‘Hierarchy of Muscle Gains’
Arnold Schwarzenegger is a living legend who credits much of his success to health and fitness. He’s a former seven-time Mr. Olympia champion who graced bodybuilding’s biggest stages throughout the 1970s and 80s. In a recent edition of his newsletter, Arnold’s Pump Club, Schwarzenegger shared a ‘hierarchy of muscle gains’ which consisted of three tiers.
As one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time, Arnold Schwarzenegger still carries a deep passion for the sport. In retirement, he hosts the Arnold Sports Festival every year, an invite-only bodybuilding event, exclusive only to the most famous names in the IFBB Pro League. In addition to hosting these huge competitions, Schwarzenegger maintains an exceptional level of fitness at 75 years old.
Schwarzenegger was widely respected for his size, symmetry, and proportions throughout his bodybuilding career. He possessed huge arms, a slim waist, and a commanding chest, which helped him stand out on stage against competition. Before calling it a career, Schwarzenegger pushed himself against greats Franco Columbu, Frank Zane, and Sergio Oliva.
Given his status as one of the world’s best-built men, Schwarzenegger admits it’s been difficult to accept his physique as he’s gotten older. He’s also been more open about other sensitive aspects of his career, such as performance-enhancing drug use. According to Schwarzenegger, he utilized a two-compound cocktail of Dianabol and testosterone for most of his Olympia reign.
From governing the state of California to philanthropy and acting, Schwarzenegger has done it all. His love for working out and bodybuilding has persisted for decades despite his busy schedule. One of the last tips he offered fans was suggestions on achieving more youthful skin. This time, he’s teaching us how to extract the most out of consistent training sessions.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Breaks Down Hierarchy of Muscle Gains
When mapping out a workout plan, Schwarzenegger emphasized the importance of locking down a goal. The bodybuilding legend also underlined that consistency and compliance are most crucial for those aiming to build muscle or strength by working out.
“Scientists found that if you’re stressing about optimizing the number of workouts, days per week, or specific exercises, you’re missing the forest from the trees. Consistency and compliance are the most important variables for building more strength and muscle.
The researchers found that the weight you can lift and the number of sets you perform are not the main drivers of muscle growth. First, it’s consistency, and then it’s total volume. In other words, if you did ten sets of 10 reps using 20 pounds (10 reps x 20 pounds x 10 sets = 2000 pounds of total volume), it would be more effective at building muscle than three sets of 3 reps using 100 pounds (3 reps x 100 pounds x 3 sets = 900 pounds of total volume)…assuming the ten reps at 20 pounds was near failure.”
While glorifying heavy weights is easy, consistency is most important, and volume pushes your muscles to their limit. If ten reps of 20 pounds are easy, then that won’t force your muscles to work towards their capacity, which means even though you have high volume, you won’t grow. So if you wanted to create a hierarchy of muscle gains, it would be
1. Build consistent habits for training.
2. Push your body as hard as possible at each training session (most people don’t push themselves hard enough, and that’s why they don’t grow).
3. Focus on total volume.
Schwarzenegger mentioned that the frequency of training sessions can also have a dramatic impact on gains, whether for strength or muscle growth.
“If your goal is increasing strength, the variables change. You’re ability to become stronger is determined by progressively using more weight, the frequency of your training sessions (three times per week appears to be the sweet spot), and exercise order influences muscular strength.
Focus on your habits, make them automatic, and then you can figure out how to push yourself hard enough to see the desired results.”
Schwarzenegger’s impact on the sport is undeniable. Olympia judge Terrick El Guindy recently assessed his legacy on a special YouTube appearance. During the video, El Guindy called Arnold an ‘icon of modern times’ with a legacy that will last forever. El Guindy also examined Schwarzenegger’s physique before and after he became a Mr. Olympia winner.
READ MORE:
Similar to Joey Swoll’s mission, Arnold Schwarzenegger wants to see the world embrace fitness. He hopes to inspire and motivate people around the world with his workouts, recipes, techniques, and personal stories from his newsletter.
Published: 27 July, 2023 | 11:03 PM EDT
Arnold Schwarzenegger Details Anti-Aging Secret for Youthful Skin & Fan-Fav Workout of the Week
Arnold Schwarzenegger is on a mission to reverse the aging process at 75 years old. In recent excerpts from his Arnold’s Pump Club Newsletter, Schwarzenegger revealed a free and easy skincare solution and detailed his latest circuit workout of the week.
With a colossal chest, wide shoulders, and huge biceps, Schwarzenegger was a visionary in the 1970s, who sculpted a physique ahead of his time. Building one of the best résumés in the sport, Schwarzenegger pushed himself to the brink in the pursuit of excellence, having shared the stage with rivals such as three-time Mr. Olympias Frank Zane and Sergio Oliva.
Schwarzenegger was near unstoppable in his prime and would ultimately collect a total of seven Mr. Olympia trophies. His final victory was not without a fight as he returned after a five-year hiatus for the 1980 Mr. Olympia. This contest saw him narrowly take first place even though some thought the late fifth-place finisher Mike Mentzer deserved the nod. In the aftermath, a frustrated Mentzer decided to retire from the sport.
Aside from a life of competition, Schwarzenegger broke barriers in the 1980s after he became famous following his roles in action-themed films. His contributions to the Terminator franchise has stood the test of time and is still appreciated today. And while he served as the governor of California and a philanthropist, it appears Schwarzenegger’s focus is health, wellness, and longevity as he gets older.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Shares Study-Supported Anti-Aging Strategies for Better Skin Elasticity
Despite its simplicity, Arnold credits sweating as one of the best methods for improving skin health.
The Anti-Aging Secret
“A little bit of sweat might be the skincare solution you didn’t realize you needed.
Recent research suggests that the best way to have more youthful skin might be a consistent workout routine.
In the study, participants performed 16 weeks of either aerobic workouts or weight training. The scientists found that both forms of exercise resulted in skin improvements, such as better skin elasticity, dermal structure, and skin tone.
Schwarzenegger noted that a combination of cardio and weight training helps produce an inflammatory response that defends the skin against the natural aging process.
Exercise is likely so effective because does so much more than burn calories and build muscle. Both cardio and weight training help an inflammatory response that defends your skin against the natural aging of the cells in your skin. And, while supplementation gets all of the hype, exercise can also help increase your natural production of collagen, which is a key protein that supports healthier skin.
And for the record, you don’t need to train like Mr. Olympia to see the benefits. Both groups trained twice per week. The people doing cardio trained at a moderate intensity (about 65 to 75 percent of their maximum heart rate) for 30 minutes and performed a 5-minute warmup and cooldown. And the weight training group performed a 6-exercise full-body workout consisting of 3 sets of 10 reps each.”
Workout of the Week
In his latest ‘Workout of the Week’, Schwarzenegger revealed a circuit of seven exercises performed with a weighted vest or backpack of 30 pounds.
“This was such a fan-favorite in The Pump app, that we had to share it here.
We talk a lot about making workouts that fit into your life. And you guys ask for workouts you can do while traveling. Daniel was recently short on time, so he grabbed his ruck pack, put a 30-pound weight in it, and then did an amazing workout.
If you don’t have a ruck pack, you can put a few books in a backpack. Load up your backpack and then give it a try.
Each exercise is performed for a single set of eight reps each. Once completed, rest for 1-2 minutes and then repeat the circuit.
How to do it: Perform this workout as a circuit, which means you’ll do one set of each exercise. For each exercise, you’ll perform 8 reps. Do all reps of the first exercise, then with as little rest as possible, move to the next exercise. Continue this until you complete all 7 exercises. Rest for 1 to 2 minutes, and then repeat the circuit again.
Stiff legged deadlift
Bent-over row
Clean
Front squat
Press
Curl
Overhead triceps extension
If you want to see what the workout looks like in action, Daniel filmed himself doing “the backpack workout.”
If you’re a beginner: aim for 2 to 3 rounds.
If you’re intermediate: perform 4 to 5 rounds.
If you’re advanced: complete 6 to 7 rounds.
Give it a try, and let us know what you think!” Arnold Schwarzenegger shared.
Schwarzenegger has prioritized health and longevity in retirement. On top of offering fans unique training plans on a weekly basis, Schwarzenegger also tackles other important barometers for health such as grip strength, endurance, recovery, and dieting.
He’s one of the most famous actors/bodybuilders of this generation, but it wasn’t always that way. Schwarzenegger has kept true to his roots and is known for looking back on his illustrious career. He admits his participation in 1977’s hit Pumping Iron with Lou Ferrigno set him and the sport up for long-standing success. He also credits the film for helping change the negative perception of bodybuilding at the time.
Just like his bodybuilding career, Arnold faced struggles in acting as well. In a recent interview with Academy Museum, the 75-year-old said he was discouraged initially because some industry pros mentioned his huge build and German accent would get in the way of landing roles. In the end, Schwarzenegger said those liabilities became strengths as he went on to achieve worldwide fame with a number of acting projects.
RELATED: Terrick El Guindy On Arnold Schwarzenegger’s ‘Forever Legacy’: ‘He’s an Icon of Modern Times’
Schwarzenegger encourages anyone to try his seven-exercise circuit workout routine. As for skin health, Arnold stressed that strength training, cardio, and a good sweat are among the best weapons for reversing the aging process.
Published: 4 July, 2023 | 9:03 PM EDT
Terrick El Guindy On Arnold Schwarzenegger’s ‘Forever Legacy’: ‘He’s an Icon of Modern Times’
Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s overall impact on bodybuilding is tough to measure given his accolades, but Olympia judge Terrick El Guindy gave it his best shot. In a recent Olympia TV YouTube video, El Guindy recapped Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career, evaluated his physique, and named him the most iconic bodybuilder of all time.
No one can deny that Arnold Schwarzenegger is the most famous and recognizable figure in bodybuilding today. But he didn’t achieve that status overnight. He had to work diligently, stay disciplined, and maintain consistency in his pursuits both on and off the stage.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Schwarzenegger dominated the sport with his unique and impressive physique highlighted by his massive biceps and full chest. These features set him apart from the rest of the IFBB Pro League competitors at the time.
En route to winning seven Sandow trophies, Schwarzenegger faced some cutthroat opponents during his tenure, such as Frank Zane and Sergio Oliva, who both won the Mr. Olympia title three times. He also had a close call with Mike Mentzer, who many think should have beaten Schwarzenegger in the controversial 1980 Mr. Olympia comeback, like Samir Bannout. Looking back on his career, Schwarzenegger mentioned that Oliva was his toughest opponent by far.
Aside from bodybuilding, Schwarzenegger has enjoyed great success as an actor, philanthropist, and politician. He continues to take part in TV shows and films, many of which have gained considerable traction over the last few months. To honor one of the greatest talents of this generation, bodybuilding judge Terrick El Guindy took a closer look at Schwarzenegger’s career and accomplishments.
Terrick El Guindy Reviews Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Documentary, Physique, and Legacy
El Guindy named Schwarzenegger the greatest icon in bodybuilding.
“I loved this documentary. Arnold Schwarzenegger is the greatest icon in bodybuilding and for many of us, the greatest icon in the acting world. Who doesn’t love his movies? Arnold Schwarzenegger is a legacy and will be a legacy forever.”
Then, El Guindy shared his thoughts on Arnold’s physique before he went on to become a dominant champion.
“This guy has very very large clavicle bones, huge structure, he’s massive. But he needed to be more conditioned to overcome the winner Frank Zane. Now, Arnold is a younger competitor he has all the potential but in order for him to beat some of these smaller more experienced bodybuilders, he’s going to have to work on his conditioning.”
El Guindy said Arnold’s initial goal was to be like his idol Reg Parks.
“His hero was Reg Park. Yes. Hercules. He was always always thinking about him. He wanted to be like him. He saw him in the movies, he saw him in the magazines, and eventually, he met him in London. He was the Arnold for Arnold Schwarzenegger. And yes, Reg Park is one of the greatest bodybuilders of all times and he was Arnold’s hero. Like everyone else, Arnold always, and like us, had a hero.”
El Guindy took a closer look at the physique Schwarzenegger brought to 1968 Mr. Olympia where he lost in second to Frank Zane.
“He came to America to compete in 1968 against Frank Zane. He thought – he was convinced – that he was going to win that competition. He was the big shot in Europe. Everybody knew him and he did not win. He came in second. He was huge but he wasn’t conditioned. He lost to Frank Zane who eventually became a great friend along with Franco Columbo and helped him become more conditioned for the future. Frank Zane and Franco Columbo are the two bodybuilders that truly helped Arnold become better,” said Terrick El Guindy.
Lastly, El Guindy underlined Arnold’s courage and said he continues to ‘carry the legacy of bodybuilding for all of us.’
“Arnold was very courageous in this documentary, opening up to all his great victories but also some of the mistakes that he has made in life. He has succeeded after all. He has managed to have a great career and a great family life. And I commend Arnold because all of us make mistakes and Arnold just like any other human, has made mistakes but he has survived. He has survived from the beginning to the end to become this icon of modern times. Arnold Schwarzenegger lost many friends like Franco Columbo, he lost his hero Reg Park, but he continues to carry the legacy of bodybuilding for all of us.”
Schwarzenegger recently looked back on the struggles he encountered during his acting career. In an honest interview with Academy Museum, ‘The Austrian Oak’ talked about an ‘unbelievable turnaround’ in acting despite some in the industry suggesting that his muscles and accent would get in the way of procuring movie roles.
Bodybuilding hasn’t always been as mainstream or accepted as it is nowadays. Schwarzenegger has discussed this at length before. However, he believes the turning point for the sport’s popularity came following his role in the popular docudrama Pumping Iron in 1977.
Having built his name with seven Mr. Olympia titles, acting projects, politics, and philanthropy, Schwarzenegger’s story shows what is possible from someone who started from very humble beginnings.
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You can watch the full video from the Olympia TV YouTube channel below:
Published: 4 July, 2023 | 9:34 AM EDT