Arnold Schwarzenegger: Bodybuilder

          Arnold Schwarzenegger is a very popular face, to a majority he is Terminator, or to the fitness world he is the face of bodybuilding, even today, many years after he last competed in 1980. His popularity in acting aided in bringing popularity to bodybuilding as a sport, and some radicals border on worship towards his figure. Some history on Arnold is he was born in Austria in 1947 under a tough household with dreams of being a bodybuilder in America. According to biography.com, in a piece written about Arnold, his father rejected his dreams and abused him, as well as encouraging Arnold’s elder brother to beat him as well. By 1968 Arnold left Austria and Immigrated to the U.S. This is where his real legacy begins. Arnold climbed to a high status in bodybuilding, making a name for himself through good humor and an extraordinarily aesthetic figure. A documentary following Arnold’s progression towards his last ever competition, Pumping Iron, highlighted the use of the gym he and his close friends, and Mr. Olympia running mates, trained at. This gym is known as Gold’s gym, it is now one of the most infamous gyms around the world for bodybuilders who hope to one day train at. Gold’s gym is located in many states in the U.S, but the original one that Arnold used to train at is in Venice Beach, California.

Arnold’s muscular prowess aided in his developing acting career. Starting with his role in Hercules extending even to the present day. One of the most memorable roles Arnold played was Terminator. Coming from a difficult life and rising to obtain five Mr. Universe titles and six Mr. Olympia crowns, proceeding to gross millions from an acting career, becoming the governor of an American state, and finally rekindling his acting yet again after his step down from politics. Arnold Schwarzenegger is truly an iconic and inspirational figure for the bodybuilding community also including overall success, his overcoming of struggles to reach multiple social class heights prove that hard work can accomplish many things.
          Arnold today is still involved in the community for extreme fitness, he hosts the Arnold classic convention globally every year. This convention is where many of the famous bodybuilders, athletes, and other physical activities that fall in different categories of fitness go to promote themselves by meeting fans and giving out free supplements. I envy his dedication and hard work ethic to overcome abuse and poverty to make a name for himself with a positive attitude as well to still have an impact on people's lives today through the promotion of fitness.