Days after undergoing open-heart surgery and receiving a pacemaker, Arnold Schwarzenegger shared his candid thoughts on Hollywood stars and their use of ster**ds. Despite the surgery, Schwarzenegger hasn’t slowed down in his involvement in various endeavors, whether advocating for silent health hazards in California or engaging with members of his newsletter, the Arnold’s Pump Club.
In a Q&A session on the Pump app, Schwarzenegger was asked about his views on actors rapidly gaining muscle for movie roles. With his straightforwardness, he replied, “I can’t tell you whether different actors are natural or not.” However, while acknowledging that some actors may resort to various methods to achieve their on-screen physique, he emphasized the importance of not comparing oneself to Hollywood standards.
Arnold Schwarzenegger opens up on Hollywood’s fitness tricks
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Schwarzenegger highlighted the illusions of movie magic, including digital enhancements, doubles, and expert stunts, which can distort perceptions of reality. The bodybuilding icon emphasized, “Don’t go and compare yourself to the movie world. It’s not even worth worrying about what they took. They got paid to workout and eat well. They might have a chef and a trainer from the studio.”
He further explained that in Hollywood, actors undergo various cosmetic procedures to enhance their appearance for roles. This includes dehydrating themselves to look more defined, getting tans to appear more toned, and having makeup artists spray oil on them to make their muscles stand out. Additionally, they use dumbbells and bands to quickly pump up their muscles before filming a scene. He referred to these practices as “movie magic.” This shows that what you see on screen is not just natural; it’s a mix of artificial changes rather than just someone’s natural body.
Furthermore, Arnie encouraged people that improvement should be measured against oneself rather than against the fabricated standards of the silver screen. According to him, one should not, however, feel discouraged by the accomplishments of Hollywood celebrities.
Get inspired by the celebs, says Arnie
Schwarzenegger suggested using celebrities as sources of encouragement rather than standards to measure oneself against. “Use those screen idols for inspiration, not comparison,” said the 76-year-old. Schwarzenegger shared his personal experience of finding inspiration from magazines featuring workout routines of Hercules portrayed by like Reg Park.
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READ MORE: Arnold Schwarzenegger Raises Voice Against California’s Silent Health Hazard
He further mentioned that if somebody wanted to compare themselves no matter what they should “pick a real-world competition like weightlifting or powerlifting or any sport”. According to the Austrian Oak, by focusing on getting better personally and setting rational goals, people can find fulfillment and success in their fitness journeys without worrying about “movie magic”.
That being said, did Arnold Schwarzenegger subtly defend Hollywood stars despite his past confession about his own use of ster**ds? Let us know in the comments below.
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READ MORE: Everything You Need to Know About Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Rare Heart Illness