Arnold Schwarzenegger is a bodybuilding legend who made a successful transition to Hollywood. In his latest newsletter, the 75-year-old movie star celebrated his birthday and reflected on his dream of bodybuilding and fitness going mainstream.
“My dreams, really. They started with things like “Beat Mr. Universe,” Schwarzenegger said.
Schwarzenegger rose to fame in the mid-1970s, thanks to his large and aesthetic physique. The Austrian native sported an incredibly full chest and spectacular biceps. His work ethic led him to success on bodybuilding’s most prestigious stage on seven separate occasions between 1970 and 1975, and again in 1980. His seven Olympia wins are tied with the former Mr. Olympia. phil heath for the third-highest number of Sandow trophies ever won, behind Ronnie Coleman Y lee haney.
Despite his appreciation for bodybuilding, Schwarzenegger sees sport as the most dangerous in the world. He believes that athletes in the current climate have taken things too far and that sometimes “it kills people”. However, the retired professional can remember a time when bodybuilding and fitness were not as common as they are now.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Reflects on Bodybuilding’s Changing Reputation and Going mainstream
Before bodybuilding was as popular as it is now, Schwarzenegger said famous action heroes refused to acknowledge the sport because of its bad reputation.
“Back in the Pumping Iron days, I used to tell people that my goal was that one day exercise would be so common that there would be more gyms than supermarkets. They thought he was CRAZY. Back then, famous action heroes pretended not to lift weights, because bodybuilding had a terrible reputation. Gyms were dungeons that normal people avoided at all costs. But remember, my specialty is being crazy and proving people wrong.” arnold schwarzenegger wrote in your newsletter.
One of Arnold’s dreams was to see more gyms and fitness centers in the United States than grocery stores, which he said was achieved.
“Today there are 106,000 gyms in the United States and 63,000 supermarkets. We did it.”
According to the former Governor of California, fitness and bodybuilding are now mainstream. More than 200,000 people attend the Arnold Sports Festival every year. The annual event features a variety of talents in various sporting competitions.
“Fitness is completely mainstream now. 200,000 people come to our Arnold Sports Festival every year. The Arnold Classic began as a bodybuilding contest. Then he added weightlifting and strongman. But as our audience has grown, I’ve realized that there are hundreds of ways to get fit and active, and I don’t want anyone to get the impression that I believe the only way to be fit is my way.”
While the festival started with bodybuilding, powerlifting, and strongman, Schwarzenegger revealed that he has been open to hosting other specialty sports such as medieval wrestling, martial arts, and ninja warrior courses.
“That’s why we now show 80 sports and have people take part and watch everything from bodybuilding to medieval wrestling, martial arts, futsal, wheelchair tennis, ninja warrior courses and Scottish Highland games, literally all of them.” physical activities you can imagine. ”
“We welcome all sports and treat everyone equally at our sports festival because I want the message to be, ‘There’s something here for you. You choose. You find something you fall in love with. But do something.
Schwarzenegger celebrates turning 75: “I feel the urgency that drove my relentless dreams when I was young”
Schwarzenegger may have retired from bodybuilding, but he has maintained his physique for decades. The retired professional bodybuilder do not miss the opportunity to lift weights.
“People love to hear about my wish lists and they always ask me about the ritual. I think it gives them hope. They want to know that their dreams are also possible. And they always want to know what I write now that I’ve won world championship titles, become a leading actor in Hollywood, and served as governor of the great state of California.
This year I turn 75.
I feel the urgency that drove my relentless dreams when I was young once again, and now I have three-quarters of a century of experience to go with my drive.”
Arnold helped elevate the sport of bodybuilding to where it is today. Of course, like everyone else, Schwarzenegger deals with adversity but says that managed that stress tackling one problem at a time. His divide-and-conquer attitude helped him through some of the most competitive stages of the sport.
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Having recently turned 75, Schwarzenegger is more determined than ever to continue pursuing his dreams and encourages his fans to do the same. Arnold is happy that the reputation of fitness and bodybuilding has changed for the better.
