It’s been decades since Arnold Schwarzenegger stood on top of the fitness world as a dynastic Mr. Olympia. In the time since, he’s earned a Hollywood reputation as the famed “Terminator,” become the governor of the state of California, and generally morphed into a larger-than-life personality. However, even at the age of 75, he still knows what it takes to rip your body up in the gym.
On May 24, 2023, Schwarzenegger appeared in a video partnering with Men’s Health. The clip features the fitness legend dispensing a short arm workout, shoulder workout, and some of his favorite training secrets.
While working out at the famous Gold’s Gym in Venice Beach, CA, Schwarzenegger broke down an arms and shoulders routine typical of what he does every day.
“This is what I do every morning. I come in here [Gold’s Gym] and do 25 to 30 sets in a half an hour,” Schwarzenegger said. “In the old days we did 30 sets for shoulders. Now I do 15 sets.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger | Arm and Shoulder Workout May 2023
Here is an overview of both of Schwarzenegger’s arm and shoulder workouts:
Arm Workout
- Machine Preacher Curl: One set of 30 reps, four sets of 10-12 reps
- Machine Dip: One set of 30 reps, four sets of 10-12 reps
Shoulder Workout
- Machine Overhead Press: Five sets of 10-12 reps
- Machine Lateral Raise: Five sets of 10-12 reps
- Machine Rear Delt Fly: Five sets of 10-12 reps
Schwarzenegger explained he ends every set with a five-second hold on the last rep.
As for Schwarzenegger’s advice on a proper approach to training, he maintained it’s about consistent dedication and all the benefits that it can provide. Provided an athlete stays committed to their routine, Schwarzenegger says they’ll eventually see results. He told an anecdote about his peak fitness days to use as proof.
“When you train it is not just that your body gets pumped up and gets stimulated with blood but it’s also your mind and you have a much more positive kind of outlook on the day and on life when you’ve had a pump behind you,” Schwarzenegger started. “I was in good shape [in the 1980s]. I worked out two hours a day. Because after having had several heart surgeries and then having had surgeries on my shoulders and knees and all those kind of things, it’s important to protect my body and do therapy training at the same time.
In other words, Schwarzenegger said not to overthink it and keep chugging along in the gym, no matter your adversity.
“If you want to go to the gym every day and do your bike ride, train every day, then you roll out of bed and you don’t think,” Schwarzenegger said. “The important thing is don’t think, just do.”
Featured image: Men’s Health on YouTube
