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Arnold Schwarzenegger

He picked up his first barbell in 1960, when his football coach took his team to a local gym. At the age of 14, he chose bodybuilding over soccer as a career. A choice that would bring him fame and world-wide acclaim. He was referred to, by the Guinness Book of World Records, as "the most perfectly developed man in the history of the world”.

Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger was born on 30 July 1947 in Thal, Austria. As a boy, he played many sports, but after his first visit to a gym at age 14 he knew what he wanted to do with the rest of his life, though his father wanted Arnold to follow him into a career as a policeman and his mother wanted him to study towards a trade.

He began weightlifting in earnest at the age of 15, with only one thing in mind: capturing the Mr. Universe title. During his teenage years he frequented the local movie theaters to see bodybuilding idols such as Reg Park, Steve Reeves, and Johnny Weissmuller on the big screen, all of whom had a phenomenal influence on what he was to become.

In 1965 he enlisted in the Austrian army, where he served as a tank driver from October 1, 1965 until the end of September 1966. But during his service he had to go AWOL so that he could compete at a competition in Stuttgart, for which he was jailed when he returned. It was however worthwhile as he won the competition and was awarded the title of Junior Mr. Europe. By the age of twenty he was named Mr. Europe. He also has the honour of being the youngest Mr. Universe titleholder in history. Later in his career he won many other titles and he decided to try his luck somewhere else. The obtaining of the Mr. Universe title seemed to be a good reason to go to Hollywood. He arrived in America in 1968.

After a brief stint as a road worker in Santa Monica, California, he competed with his boyhood idol, Reg Park in 1970 and won the Mr. Universe title again. In 1970 he won his first Mr. Olympia title, going on to win his second one in 1971.

After a very successful bodybuilding career, including the wins listed below, and after winning his 6th Mr. Olympia title in 1975, Arnold retired from the sport of bodybuilding, apart from a comeback in 1980 when he won his final title.

Title Wins:
•    1963 Steirer Hof Competition in Graz, Austria (runner up).
•    1965 Junior Mr. Europe in Germany
•    1966 Best-Built Athlete of Europe in Germany
•    1966 International Power-lifting Championship in Germany
•    1966 Mr. Europe - amateur in Germany.
•    1966 NABBA Mr. Universe - amateur in London, England
•    1967 NABBA Mr. Universe - amateur in London, England
•    1968 German Power-lifting Championship in Germany
•    1968 IFBB Mr. International in Tijuana, Mexico
•    1968 NABBA Mr. Universe - professional in London, England
•    1968 IFBB Mr. Universe in Miami, Florida (tall class winner)
•    1969 IFBB Mr. Universe in New York
•    1969 IFBB Mr. Olympia in New York (2nd place to Sergio Olivia)
•    1969 NABBA Mr. Universe - professional in London, England
•    1969 IFBB Mr. Europe - professional in Germany
•    1970 NABBA Mr. Universe - professional in London, England
•    1970 AAU Pro Mr. World in Columbus, Ohio
•    1970 IFBB Mr. Olympia in New York
•    1971 IFBB Mr. Olympia in Paris, France
•    1972 IFBB Mr. Olympia in Essen, Germany
•    1973 IFBB Mr. Olympia in New York
•    1974 IFBB Mr. Olympia in New York
•    1975 IFBB Mr. Olympia in Pretoria, South Africa
•    1980 IFBB Mr. Olympia in Sydney, Australia

 

Some interesting facts about Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger:

•  Nicknames:  The Oak, The Austrian Oak, The Olympian Oak, The King, Champ, Arnold Strong
•  Height:  6'2"
•  Arms:  22"
•  Chest:  57"
•  Waist:  34"
•  Thighs:  28.5"
•  Calves:  20"
•  Off Season Weight:   Around 235 lbs.
•  Competition Weight:   Around 260 lbs.
•  Favourite Exercise:   Bent-Over Rows