HIGHLIGHTS
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s bodybuilding past set the foundation for his successful film career, becoming an iconic action movie star.
The Terminator star struggles with aging and changes in his physique, feeling powerless to prevent these physical transformations.
Despite facing multiple health challenges, Schwarzenegger maintains a positive and enthusiastic outlook on life in his later years.
Long before becoming the Terminator, Arnold Schwarzenegger was a successful bodybuilder. After winning the Mr. Olympia title seven times.
It’s no wonder why he’s considered one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time. Later on, he gained worldwide fame thanks to his appearances in popular films such as Conan the Barbarian (1982), The Terminator film franchise, Twins (1988), and Kindergarten Cop (1990).
There’s no doubt that Schwarzenegger’s incredible physique played a crucial role in his run as a successful action movie star. However, even the Terminator isn’t immune to aging.
While Schwarzenegger has kept in shape through an intense workout routine and diet, the actor admits that his body doesn’t look the same anymore.
In a recent interview, the actor admitted that looking at himself in the mirror has become harder and harder as time has gone by.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Hates The Way His Body Has Changed As He’s Grown Older
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s physique is quite impressive even today at age 76. However, the seven-time Mr. Olympia winner has admitted that aging has taken a toll on his self-esteem to the point where he doesn’t want to look at himself in the mirror anymore.
“I kind of smile because every day I do look in a mirror and I say, ‘Yep, you suck,’” the Terminator star admitted during an interview on The Howard Stern Show.
“Look at this body. Look at the spectral muscles that used to be firm and perky and really powerful. Now they’re just hanging there.’ I mean, what the hell is going on here?”
Arnold Schwarzenegger did not hesitate to change his physique or wince when he had to put a dead vulture in his mouth to become a movie star.
While Schwarzenegger knows most people feel the same way about aging, he argued that his case is unique because he went from being ‘Superman’ to just an average man.
“It’s one thing to see yourself get older and more and more out of shape but most of the people have never been in shape. So what does it mean getting out of shape?” he said.
“When you’ve been hailed for years as this supreme body, and you have the definition and you see the veins coming down your abs, and you see veins on top of your chest and then … you roll the clock 50 years and you’re standing there and you don’t see that anymore,” Schwarzenegger continued.
“I never, ever thought about that when I was 30 years old or 40 years old that this [was] going to happen.” He then added, “It just sucks.”
In Addition To Losing His Bodybuilding Physique, Arnold Schwarzenegger Has Struggled With Many Health Issues As He’s Aged
In addition to the changes to his physique, Arnold Schwarzenegger has had a hard time dealing with the health issues associated with growing older. The actor admitted that he felt like “damaged goods” when he had to undergo his first heart surgery before the age of 50.
“That was the first time where I felt kind of vulnerable,” the Predator star told Howard Stern. “Where all of a sudden the doctor says, ‘You shouldn’t lift that heavy anymore.’”
Schwarzenegger has since had two more heart surgeries, including a heart valve replacement operation at 74. But rather than stop lifting weights, the former governor of California switched up his eating habits to a more predominantly vegan diet.
“Now all of a sudden you have to think about these things, to warm up for this, warm up for that,” he revealed. “But am I upset about it? No. Because there’s nothing that I can do about it. I just feel like as those challenges come my way, I take them on. It’s the only choice we have.”
All in all, the Terminator star is trying to keep a positive outlook on life. “The bottom line is, I’m 76 years old, I’m full of energy, I’m full of enthusiasm; I’m as enthusiastic and excited as I was when I was 30 years old,” he concluded. “I just see mountains in front of me to be climbed.
And as long as I see those mountains, I keep my enthusiasm, and I keep my excitement, and that fire in my belly to keep climbing and climbing and climbing.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger spends his $450 million net worth on many luxuries from watches to yacht rides.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Decided to Become a Bodybuilder When He Was A Teenager
However, he was inspired to pursue a bodybuilding career when he first saw a poster for the 1961 film Hercules and the Conquest of Atlantis, which starred Mr. Universe winner Reg Park.
At the time, Schwarzenegger was in a complete “trance” over Park’s physique in the movie.
Shortly after, Schwarzenegger found an American muscle magazine that featured a story on Park’s role in the movie, as well as his exercise plan.
Arnold Schwarzenegger had a rough assessment of Donald Trump’s self-reported weight during his interview with Jimmy Kimmel.
Schwarzenegger began bodybuilding at age 15, working out in the basement of his parents’ house.
He would go on to win the Mr. Junior Europe contest in 1965 and, two years later, he became the youngest-ever winner of the Mr. Universe title.
Schwarzenegger would then go on to become one of the most successful bodybuilders of all time.
