Table of Contents
Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of the most well-known and successful bodybuilders in history. His story is an interesting one, and his life has been filled with many highs and lows. In this biography, we’ll take a look at Arnold’s life from beginning to end. We’ll explore his early years, his bodybuilding career, and his time in politics. Arnold has had a fascinating life, and there are sure to be some stories that you haven’t heard before. So, if you’re interested in learning more about Arnold Schwarzenegger, then keep reading!
Arnold Schwarzenegger Biography
Arnold Schwarzenegger was born on July 30, 1947. He hails from Thal, Austria, which is located near Graz. It’s worth noting that his last name has been spelled many different ways throughout history. Arnie himself has used “Schwarzenegger” and “Schwarzenegger” at different points in his life.
In any case, he was born as a “crowned” or legitimate son of Maria and Gustav Schwarzenegger. In all, Arnold has five older siblings. However, only three of them are from his mother’s side: Meinhard, Roy and Ida. The others were Maria’s children from a previous marriage.
His father, Gustav Schwarzenegger, worked as a police chief. However, little else is known about his early life in Thal. At the age of two years old, Arnie and his family moved to the small town of Weiz in Styria. This is located about 100 or so miles north of Graz.
Read also about Kai Greene is 47 years old
Arnold Schwarzenegger as A Child
When Arnold was a child, he didn’t exactly have the greatest home life. His father worked long hours—often all night—and his mother took off for days at a time to take care of her other children. She would often leave Arnie under the watch of his older siblings. While his mother was away, Arnold enjoyed playing with his friends in the woods.
Arnold’s physique went through a dramatic change during his mid to late teens. He bulked up significantly thanks to weightlifting and bodybuilding. This helped him develop the musculature that he would become famous for later in life. By the time he was 18 years old, he was already one of the strongest men in Austria.
See also info about Muscle Gain Cycle
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Career Beginnings
Arnold’s first organized bodybuilding competition came at age 15. He competed against his friend, Gerhard Zemann. Arnie weighed in at only about 155 pounds compared to Gerhard’s 180. Despite weighing 40 pounds less, Arnold won the competition.
His career didn’t get started right away, though. He actually applied to join the Austrian Army in 1965. However, he was rejected because of a regulation that said all soldiers had to be at least 5’11” tall. At just 6′, Arnie couldn’t meet this requirement.
Since the army didn’t pan out, Arnold decided to move to Germany. He told friends and family that he planned on becoming a car mechanic in the German town of Munchen. In reality, this was just a cover story for his new plan—one geared towards his long-term goals.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Early Bodybuilding Career
Early in his bodybuilding career, Arnold had some help getting his name out there. He befriended Joe Weider, the president of the International Federation Of Bodybuilders (IFBB). Together, they formed an alliance that would last for many years to come.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s biggest break came in 1966 when he won Mr. Universe at just 20 years old. This was a huge accomplishment for a man of his size and age. Arnold would dominate the Mr. Universe competition from 1966 to 1970 thanks to his massive physique and unbeatable strength.
After completing another year in Germany, Arnie returned to Austria as a national hero. His title as Mr. Universe earned him free drinks at bars and nightclubs. It got him all sorts of free publicity and helped him meet girls (more on that in a bit).
However, Arnold’s new bodybuilding fame also created tensions back at home: His father was none too pleased with his son’s success. He didn’t think this was something to be proud of and tried pushing Arnie to get a real job. However, Gustav’s efforts were for naught—Arnie was in this for the long haul.
Read also about anabolic steroid pills
Arnold Schwarzenegger Bodybuilding Training Routine
Arnold Schwarzenegger has always been known as a hardcore bodybuilder. He pushes himself to work harder than most men can even imagine. Perhaps no workout routine of his is more famous than his bodybuilding workout at Gold’s Gym in Venice, California.
Arnold Schwarzenegger was one of the first people to work out at Gold’s in 1969. It was here that he befriended a man named Franco Columbu—a fellow bodybuilder who would go on to win the Mr. Olympia contest in 1976 and 1981. Arnold and Franco would have a lifelong friendship and work together on several projects.
Arnold’s workout routine at Gold’s typically included a combination of intense weightlifting and intense bodybuilding training. Lifting heavy weights was a huge part of his workouts, but he wasn’t just lifting weights to get big. Arnold focused on getting stronger as well as gaining muscle.
One of his favorite workouts was to lift 275 pounds off the ground and hold it for as long as possible. The idea behind this was simple: By lifting such a heavy weight, Arnold could get stronger without bulking up too much.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Daily Workout Regimen
In addition to his daily workouts in Gold’s Gym, Arnold Schwarzenegger also did cardio training throughout the day. His favorite type of cardio was to ride an exercise bike for 30 minutes straight.
When it comes to bodybuilding exercises, Arnold favored many of the same ones that he still favors today: lateral raises, overhead presses, dumbbell curls and benches are just a few examples. However, he also did some more modern exercises such as the T-bar row and lat pulldown.
Arnold Worked Out for Nearly 2 Hours Every day!
About Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Workout Routines: When Arnold returned to Austria after his first stint in Germany, he got back into doing gymnastics for fun. This work came in handy when he eventually moved from doing bodybuilding training to doing powerlifting training—Arnold was always a naturally strong man.
Due to Schwarzenegger’s desire to get stronger, he also did a lot of Olympic lifting during the 1970s. One of his favorite exercises was bench pressing 275 pounds—three times in a row! He credits this for helping him gain a lot of muscle and strength.
Arnold Ate a Lot of Fresh Vegetables & Fruit
When it came to food, the Austrian Oak was never known to be a picky eater. He ate whatever he wanted whenever he wanted. However, that changed as he got older and his bodybuilding career progressed.
As far as food goes, Arnold Schwarzenegger is definitely no stranger to eating healthy. He ate a lot of vegetables and fruits in his day—and still does today!
Early on in his lifting career, he would often eat raw steaks for quick protein boosts. However, as time passed by, Arnold realized that steaks were not the healthiest option available. Today he eats a lot of lean meats including chicken and fish, as well as a ton of fruit and vegetables.
What You Can Learn from The Austrian Oak’s Training Regimen
The key to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s training regimen is his ability to workout intensely with heavy weights while still incorporating bodybuilding training. This is something that most people overlook—they think that in order to get bigger, you have to lift heavy all the time. However, the Austrian Oak knew how to mix it up and do many different kinds of exercises which is why he’s considered one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time!
About Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Workout
Arnold Schwarzenegger workout is an example of a typical bodybuilding training regimen and weightlifting routine. Although there was some variation in his workouts (weightlifting, bodybuilding, powerlifting) they all followed the same basic principles: Lift heavy weights and do low reps. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s workout also included exercises to increase flexibility and balance.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Workout Regimen: The Success Principles
1. Follow a Systematic Approach
The one thing that separated Arnold Schwarzenegger from the other bodybuilders was his ability to develop muscle without adding fat. Most guys who trained hard ended up gaining both muscle and fat, but not Arnold. He was able to build a lot of muscle while keeping his waist relatively small—therefore, his abs were always visible.
This is because Arnold Schwarzenegger followed a systematic approach and used the right system for his body type. One size definitely does not fit all in bodybuilding or lifting weights in general!
2. Stretch Every Day
Arnold Schwarzenegger workout routine was not complete without stretching. He felt that it was important to stretch every day after lifting weights, because it increased his flexibility and minimized his risk of injury. Furthermore, he noticed that it also allowed him to lift heavier weight during his workouts—because he could move with more ease.
3. Do Cardio Every Day for 30 Minutes
In addition to stretching, Arnold Schwarzenegger workout included cardio exercises every day for at least half an hour. He did a variety of aerobic exercises such as running on the treadmill and jumping rope, but he also would use different pieces of equipment in his home like his stationary bike. He believed in doing cardio every day and for many years, it helped him keep his body fat low while adding muscle!
4. Follow a Nutrition Plan that is Specific to You
Arnold Schwarzenegger nutrition plan was all about eating healthy fresh whole foods and staying away from junk food. This meant that he often ate steaks, chicken and fish and avoided foods like pizza, donuts and other pastries.
Although Arnold Schwarzenegger was not a nutritionist or dietician, he did have a very extensive knowledge about the right kinds of foods to eat in order to get huge. Follow his example and do your own research on high-protein low-carbohydrate diets that will maximize your muscle building potential.
5. Workout with a Friend or Two
Although some people prefer to work out alone, Arnold Schwarzenegger was always in the gym with at least one training partner. He believed that this helped him stay more motivated and pushed him harder during his workouts. Moreover, having company is very important so you don’t skip your workout—we all have days when we’re just not feeling it, but if you work out with someone else, chances are that you’ll go to the gym anyway.
6. Don’t Skip Your Workout—Ever!
One thing that separated Arnold Schwarzenegger from the others was his ability to never miss a workout. He even commented that he was often tempted (especially when he was at his peak) to skip workouts, but it never even crossed his mind because he knew that the results were in the gym.
Arnold Schwarzenegger always kept track of everything in a daily workout log and it didn’t matter if the routine changed or not, he was always consistent with his workouts!
7. Stay Disciplined and Motivated
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s workout regimen was not easy and even though he liked to push himself hard in the gym, he also wanted to enjoy his life outside of it. That is why it was important for him to stay disciplined and motivated so that he could balance work, training and having fun. Do your best to stick to your workout plan and you will see results!
8. Don’t Overtrain
Arnold Schwarzenegger believed that it was important to give the body time to recover from a strenuous workout. He also realized that rest days or lighter workouts could be just as productive as heavy training, if not more. Arnold Schwarzenegger workout schedule often included light cardio and resistance training for one or two days and then he would do intense training on the other days.
9. Always Focus on Technique Instead of the Number of Repetitions
Arnold Schwarzenegger wanted to make sure that he was always doing his exercises properly instead of mindlessly going through the motions. If you focus on your technique, you will be able to lift more weight and you will also train your muscles better. Do the movements slowly and do not let momentum take over, try 3 seconds up and 3 seconds down on each repetition as this is a good rule of thumb for maintaining proper form!
10. Arnold Schwarzenegger Workout Summary
Arnold Schwarzenegger worked out intensely six days a week and here is a general outline of his workout schedule:
- Monday: Chest, shoulders, and triceps
- Tuesday: Legs
- Wednesday: Back and biceps
- Thursday: Chest, shoulders, and triceps
- Friday: Legs
- Saturday: Off
Sunday: Off
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Accomplishments in Politics and Entertainment
Arnold Schwarzenegger was the 38th Governor of California (2003-2011). He is also an American actor, filmmaker, businessman, investor, author, philanthropist, activist and former professional bodybuilder. Since 1980 he has served primarily as a Republican (initially member of the NIPPS – New Austria Party)
Schwarzenegger began lifting weights at the age of 15 years. He won the Mr Universe title at age 20 and went on to win the Mr Olympia contest seven times, remaining a prominent presence in bodybuilding and writing many books and articles on the sport. Schwarzenegger gained worldwide fame as a Hollywood action film icon.
He is widely considered to be one of the greatest and most influential athletes of all time. He was nicknamed “the Austrian Oak” in his bodybuilding days, “Arnold Strong” and “The Governator” during his political career, and more recently the “Austrian Oak” in his acting career. Schwarzenegger’s film debut occurred in 1973 in the movie Hercules in New York.
In 1977 Schwarzenegger played a minor role in the film Pumping Iron. This was followed by a leading role as Frank Bretschneider in Conan the Barbarian in 1982. Schwarzenegger became famous internationally for his depiction of the ruthless, virtuous, and highly quotable barbarian king, Conan. The 1980s brought him to stardom as he starred in several successful films, including Commando (1985), Raw Deal (1986), The Running Man (1987) and Predator (1987). Schwarzenegger’s acting career was fueled by his success in bodybuilding.
His strength allowed him to move up into larger roles that went well beyond the action-movie stereotype. He was cast as the eponymous hero in the sword-and-sorcery epic Conan the Barbarian, as he portrayed a tough, wily character who was nonetheless devoted to the welfare of his tribe. His role in The Terminator earned him another nickname, “The Governator”, which later became one of his most popular aliases while still governor of California. Schwarzenegger has engaged in other projects since then, including a more than 10-year stint as a pitchman for the exercise machine company NordicTrack.
Schwarzenegger married journalist Maria Shriver in 1986 on April 26. The union produced four children: Katherine Eunice Schwarzenegger (born December 13, 1989), Christina Maria Aurelia Schwarzenegger (born July 23, 1991), Patrick Arnold Shriver Schwarzenegger (born September 18, 1993), and Christopher Sargent Shriver Schwarzenegger (born September 27, 1997). On December 9, 2011, news broke that Schwarzenegger had fathered a child with his housekeeper over a decade ago. Schwarzenegger admitted publicly to fathering the child. In May 2012 Maria Shriver filed for divorce from Arnold Schwarzenegger after 25 years of marriage. The divorce was finalized in May 2013.
Schwarzenegger has been a longtime supporter and campaigner for environment and wildlife causes, such as his appeals on behalf of the United Negro College Fund and breast cancer research charities. He received an award from the Alliance for Animals and the Environment (now Animal Saves) in 1991 “for his commitment to animal rights.”
Schwarzenegger also hosted the show “Pumping Iron”, which gave him a great deal of exposure. Schwarzenegger has long been an avid user of both creatine and human growth hormone (HGH). He first used HGH in 1991, before it was publicly available, helping him to recover from his shoulder surgery. He openly admitted in the March 1994 issue of Muscle & Fitness magazine that he has been using HGH since then. Schwarzenegger justified his use of anabolic steroids, testosterone and other banned drugs, for his entire career by saying that they were necessary to achieve his ultimate goal, winning Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia, which made him famous. He said they have not hurt him, and he does not feel that he owes any apologies or explanations for his use of them.
Arnold’s Life and Career Today
After Schwarzenegger left office, many companies in the fitness industry were disappointed. He helped to usher in a new era of acceptance for “experimental” sports nutrition products when he admitted in the March 1994 issue of Muscle & Fitness magazine that he has been using HGH since before it was made public. After leaving office, Schwarzenegger realized his dream of opening a private, for-profit sports and fitness club called “24 Hour Fitness” with the world’s largest weight room of 25,000 square feet (2,300 m²). The gym is located in Santa Monica. Schwarzenegger is an extreme couponer and has made several media appearances touting his skill at saving money this way. He also enjoys investing at the stock market.
Schwarzenegger continued to work in Hollywood following his departure from office. He appeared with Danny DeVito in Twins, a crossover success that became Schwarzenegger’s most successful film financially at that time, grossing over $157 million domestically. The sequel to Twins was later released on video with “Junior”, although it was not as financially or critically successful as the original. Schwarzenegger has a cameo appearance in Jingle All the Way, his only non-crossover film during this period. He then reunited with director James Cameron to make True Lies, a blockbuster released during the summer of 1994 and considered the last of Schwarzenegger’s big-budget films.
What’s he doing today?
Schwarzenegger still lives up to his reputation as a successful and wealthy actor. He is still remembered as a legendary body builder and proven politician. He will always be an example to many generations of young people striving for success. In Schwarzenegger’s own words: “What would happen if not one single person ever did anything? Nothing. Nothing would happen, nothing would get done.”
Today, Arnold Schwarzenegger aged 74 years old is working hard in the gym and he is a true motivation for many people. He remains active in social media, looking to inspire his fans with latest news about training and life in general.
He often workout at home or do cycling. His wife also has a beautiful body which can be seen from her photo album. In an interview Schwarzenegger said: “You’ve got to stay in shape. You’ve got to eat right. You’ve got to have the right mental attitude and be optimistic, and you’re going to make it happen.”
But he is not only training for himself, but also his fans! He looks like a real motivation machine: “My advice: Never give up and never let anyone else tell you what you can do or not do. You go for it.”
He is still the man who made his dreams come true and he believes that you also can achieve your goal-if you work hard!