In his unwavering dedication to longevity, Arnold Schwarzenegger exemplifies resilience. Having navigated heart surgeries, his life, particularly his approach to training, has undergone a profound shift from his illustrious bodybuilding era. In a recent YouTube video, Arnold Schwarzenegger delves into his current workout routine, shedding light on why heavy lifting is no longer part of the regimen at the age of 76.
With a storied bodybuilding career boasting seven Mr. Olympia titles, Schwarzenegger’s physique was hailed for its quality muscle definition, towering structure, and massive biceps. Seamlessly transitioning into acting and achieving Hollywood success, he later ventured into California governance, consistently showcasing his ability to forge personal connections and maintain a relentless work ethic.
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Even with the passage of time, Schwarzenegger remains an exemplar of determination, refusing to let age impede his commitment to fitness. His training regimen, though adjusted for his current age, underscores an unwavering dedication to a healthy and active lifestyle.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Discusses Shift in Workout Routine, Emphasizing, “I Want to Look Half-Decent At My Age”
Highlighting the importance of an active lifestyle and moderation, Schwarzenegger shares his perspective on living a fulfilling life.
“I think it’s very hard to do [lose weight] because I can tell you for myself, I have to go on bike rides every day, I work out every day because it’s very hard to kind of stop eating and go on severe diets like some people do, I’ve never done that.
Of course, you develop a little bit of stomach because of that but I think the key is to keep it in moderation and not to gain too much weight because otherwise it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your heart, health, and everything.”
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Concerning Schwarzenegger’s workout routine, he engages in daily biking sessions lasting 45 minutes to an hour. Additionally, he dedicates 45 minutes each day to weight training at Gold’s Gym. Notably, heavy lifting ceased following doctors’ advice, cautioning against potential damage to his aortic and pulmonary valves post-heart surgery.
“I go on a bike ride, I ride the bike around 45 minutes to an hour a day. I work out with weights at Gold’s Gym, I would say around 45 minutes a day. But very light. Nothing heavy because I had heart surgery in 1997 and then the doctors were telling me that I should stop the heavy heavy lifting because it’s not good for your valves.”
“They get kind of wiped out sooner and so therefore I just instead of lifting less weights, more reps and stuff like that but I work out regularly but as you know when you get older, it’s kind of like how the hell do you hold on to some of the stuff that you once had? It’s really tough.”
“No not for normally for hearts, but it is when you have valve surgery, aortic valves, and pulmonary valves, you don’t want to put that much pressure on it. When you really bench press heavy or do heavy deadlifts of squats, and you put a lot of pressure on that valve and it’s necessary. Their idea is to use less weight therefore you don’t have to switch the valve.”
Despite his diligent efforts, the 76-year-old ultimately underwent surgery on his aortic valve.
“After 23 years later I still had to exchange it anyway and had another surgery and all that stuff but the bottom line is you don’t want to abuse it.”
Schwarzenegger reveals that witnessing others train and push their physical boundaries serves as a profound source of inspiration for him.
“I get a lot of energy when I go to a gym and I see everyone else working out and sweating and training hard it makes me inspired and then I want to work out too.”
Drawing a metaphor, Schwarzenegger likens life to a black-and-white movie. However, post-workout, he expresses the transformative experience of seeing things in color.
“It’s not that intense, it’s not that intense [my workout schedule]. First of all, I love working out. I’ll tell you what, it just makes me feel good when I work out I feel good. I always say to people when I get up in the morning and I bicycle down to the gym I feel like I’m bicycling through a black-and-white movie and then all of a sudden when I’m finished working out and bicycling back, it’s a color movie.”
In essence, working out transforms Schwarzenegger’s perspective on life, infusing it with optimism. He acknowledges this as a healthy addiction, emphasizing the positive impact it has on his overall well-being.
“I feel more positive,” said Schwarzenegger. “it’s addictive. I’m addicted to working out. To me, it’s not kind of a chore because I know why I’m doing it. I want to look half decent at my age. Even though it’s pitiful.”
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Beyond his affection for the gym, Schwarzenegger displays a fervor for his nutritional choices. Recently featured on a podcast, the bodybuilding icon shared insights into his ‘70%’ plant-based diet, a lifestyle he’s embraced for the past five years. Motivated by concerns about cholesterol levels, he notably reduced his consumption of red meat.
Despite a unique and storied career, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s commitment to fitness and exercise endures. Notably, he has made substantial adjustments to his daily training routine, prioritizing heart health.
View the full video on the SmartLess YouTube channel:
Overview
At 76, Arnold Schwarzenegger demonstrates resilience post-heart surgeries, reshaping his workout routine and embracing a ‘70%’ plant-based diet for five years. His commitment to fitness remains unwavering, emphasizing moderation, and adapting to prioritize heart health. Schwarzenegger finds inspiration in others’ workouts, expressing the transformative impact of exercise on his outlook and well-being.
Featured Image @schwarzenegger (Instagram)
