Apart from being one of the biggest action stars of all time, who has been attached to several genre-defining movies throughout his career, Arnold Schwarzenegger is also an icon in the bodybuilding landscape. Before cementing his name as an accomplished Hollywood star through James Cameron’s The Terminator, the actor initially found success through the release of 1977’s Pumping Iron.
The sports documentary revolved around the rivalry between Arnold Schwarzenegger and his fierce competitor Lou Ferrigno for the Mr. Olympia title. And in the documentary, Schwarzenegger would express the satisfaction of pumping his body.
Arnold Schwarzenegger expressed his love for bodybuilding
Pumping Iron focused on the lifestyle and the extrovert nature of Arnold Schwarzenegger, who would express his love for the sport of bodybuilding. Following his fierce rivalry with Ferrigno for the Mr. Olympia title, the Total Recall star would share the benefits of bodybuilding and express the satisfaction of pumping muscles and attaining a God-like structure. The actor stated,
“The most satisfying feeling you can get in the gym is the pump. It’s as satisfying to me as coming is, as in having s*x with a woman and coming … So can you believe how much I am in heaven?.”
Apart from being highly successful, Schwarzenegger’s Pumping Iron was able to bring bodybuilding into the mainstream light and popularize its culture, which was considered niche at the time. But despite garnering extreme success in both the realms of bodybuilding and Hollywood, The Terminator star hasn’t shifted away from his roots over the years. The actor also commended his former mentor Joe Weider and stated him as the reason for his enormous success.
Arnold Schwarzenegger shared his appreciation for Joe Weider’s contribution to his life
After flying from Austria to America under the supervision of his mentor and friend Joe Weider to live his dreams, Arnold Schwarzenegger has been pretty outspoken about Weider’s contribution to his life. The actor expressed that ever since his initial footing in the industry, Weider was always there to guide him in every aspect of his life, including bodybuilding and even Hollywood. The Terminator star later opened up about his appreciation for his late fitness mentor and stated,
“He’s one of the reasons I refuse to be called self-made. Joe was a jewel. He treated me like the son he never had, and after sending me my plane ticket, never stopped giving me advice on business, on bodybuilding, on family, on everything. My life wouldn’t be what it is without Joe.”
Even though Arnold Schwarzenegger eventually drifted away from the world of bodybuilding to acting, he remains an inspiration for the community for his immense contribution to the field.
Pumping Iron is available to stream on Apple TV.
Source: The Atlantic
