I worked out with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Why I made him mad - USA Today
VENICE, CALIFORNIA — I broke a sweat before I even entered Gold's Gym in Venice, California, the gym where Arnold Schwarzenegger built himself from scratch long before he was the governor, the "Terminator" and seven-time Mr. Olympia champion.
An hour before he pulled up on a sunny late October morning, I explored the fitness center dubbed the "Mecca of Bodybuilding," which was filled to the brim with titans of all ages. As a scrawny 25-year-old, I'm used to feeling out of place at my local gym. This was next level. A colleague of mine saw a woman who appeared to be in her 70s doing handstand push-ups.
The "Commando" actor, 79, who had arrived at the gym on a bike, was surprised to learn I'd be his gym partner. I'm not sure what he was expecting, but I doubt he planned on lifting weights with someone who could pass as a first-timer. Schwarzenegger seemed thrilled, though, like he knew that I needed this.
I often leave the gym feeling unsatisfied — happy I went, but knowing I could've pushed myself harder. This session was different.
Before the workout began, he introduced me to his 29-year-old son, Joseph Baena, who looked like a carbon copy of his father at that age. Schwarzenegger called Baena "Mr. Natural," adding that he is training for a bodybuilding competition with "no steroids, no drugs, no enhancers" after he scored gold at the NPC Natural Colorado State competition earlier this year.
Schwarzenegger and I started at the tricep extension machine. As he started a set of 20, I asked him what the perfect weekly workout split is, and he ignored me. He later explained that when he's in a set, he pictures himself as the muscle he's working. Tuning out all distractions is key, he said.
During my set, he asked what I did for work, and I answered, failing his test. With each rep, he scolded me when I wouldn't go "all the way" up and down with each motion. I didn't have any lousy sets after that.
"That is important in your entire life. Whatever you do, you have to do full motion. Meaning don't start something and not finish it," he told me.
He introduced me to a pec deck machine and encouraged me to "get mad" to finish a set strong when it gets tough. I was actually in a great mood at the moment, so I started thinking about all the moments I didn't give it my all at the gym.
"I always find something," Schwarzenegger told me. "I get mad about my past, my upbringing or my dad or some failure that I had or someone that was in my way. It could be someone who was cutting you off in traffic. You can just make it up."
We continued with the workout with a lat pulldown machine before finishing with bicep curls. I'm thrilled to brag that he praised my form with each set.
Schwarzenegger, who already has a gym at his home, still takes it upon himself to ride his bike to Gold's Gym about six days a week, as his busy schedule permits.
"I need contact with human beings, with people. I need to have fun every day," he said. "To me, life is about 'work hard and play hard.'"
It's impossible to leave that building not feeling pumped. Not just because of the relentless energy oozing from each station but because of the sense of community. Despite looking physically intimidating, the members were very welcoming and enthusiastic. Many were working out together in pairs or groups, engaged in conversation yet locked in during their sets.
To no surprise, Schwarzenegger is regularly noticed, even without a video team following him around. It wasn't just the gaze celebrities are used to, but the satisfaction one gets from seeing a good friend. He knows many members by name, easily recounting their stories and why he admires them. He introduced me to longtime friend, Heide Sutter, 85, known for being the first woman allowed inside the bodybuilding gym.
Schwarzenegger says it's easy to identify people who come for a quick pump and those with the ambition and dedication they set their mind to, often with an "entrepreneurial spirit."
In honor of October being Bone and Joint Health Awareness Month, Schwarzenegger gave advice to aging gymgoers in need of physical therapy or surgical procedures.
Schwarzenegger, who is the chief movement officer at orthopedic medical tech company Zimmer Biomet, said many people don't know they can get replacements for most body joints. Instead, they just go through the pain or stop exercising entirely.
Those curious about such procedures should speak with their health care provider for individual guidance.
After our workout, we grabbed breakfast at a spot in Santa Monica, where we discussed what's next for him.
Schwarzenegger plays the first ripped Santa Claus in Netflix's "The Man with the Bag" (out Dec. 2), drops his next book "Better Every Day: An Action Plan for a Full Life" (out Jan. 12) and is having conversations about returning to the "Predator" and "Commando" movie franchises.
Though I wish I could train with him every day, I do feel changed and more confident in my fitness journey. Now when I go to the gym, I hear Schwarzenegger scolding me anytime I lose focus or don't give each set everything I have.
With so much noise in the fitness world from content creators preaching the perfect routine to build muscle, I come back to Schwarzenegger's old-school approach to exercise. Tune out all the noise and really focus on each motion. Push yourself with each rep and enjoy the burn.
