Not Having a Weight Rack Growing Up, Arnold Schwarzenegger Did the Inclined Press in the Most Injury-Risking Way

In the iron-pumping realm, legends are forged not only in the clanging of weights, but also in the innovation born out of necessity. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the seven-time Mr. Olympia, has recently shared a tale from his early lifting days, shedding light on a time when racks were a luxury, and creativity was the key to progress.

During a podcast interview with Jocko Willink, Schwarzenegger fondly remembered hitting the gym with his buddy, Franco Columbu. These muscle legends once tackled a serious deadlift challenge, with Arnie conquering 710 pounds and Franco blowing minds with a staggering 730 pounds. But beyond the heavy lifting, what took center stage was their clever approach, especially when it came to the incline press.

Drawing inspiration from the teachings of mentor Reg Park, Schwarzenegger shared, “It said three sets of incline press with dumbbells then three sets of incline press with a barbell.” Here’s where the plot thickens – lacking the conventional weight rack, the duo resorted to an avant-garde approach.

“I didn’t have a rack so we had to kind of put a board against the wall then clean the way and fall back to that incline to that abdominal board so to speak and then we did the the incline press,” shared Schwarzenegger. In addition, the Austrian Oak reflected on this unconventional training, stating, “We kind of improvised a little bit, but it all worked out fine.” The improvised incline press not only chiseled his physique but also fortified his cleaning and lifting prowess.

The absence of sophisticated equipment became a canvas for creativity, where the lack of resources birthed innovation, and he emerged as a sculptor of strength. Meanwhile, while discussing his innovative incline press, he shared the story of how and when he met his idol, Reg Park, whom he used to “copy.”

Meeting Reg Park was a dream come true moment for Arnold Schwarzenegger

Schwarzenegger reminisced how he was with his friend Wag Bennet in a gym hidden beneath the night sky when this place became the stage where dreams and reality came together. According to Arnie, Park had traveled from South Africa to England, where he occasionally visited due to his marriage to a South African woman. It was late at night, around 1:00 AM, when he arrived at Arnie’s friend’s house for a workout.

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Despite the late hour, Park’s dedication to fitness was evident as he made his way to the gym located below, reminiscent of a dungeon. It was there, in that unconventional setting, that Schwarzenegger had the privilege of meeting his idol, Reg Park. Just two months prior, Schwarzenegger had achieved second place in the Mr. Universe contest, and now he found himself working out alongside the legendary Reg Park. To Arnie, the experience felt surreal, like

“It was like a dream come true,”  and a moment that solidified his passion for bodybuilding.

Both experiences remind bodybuilding enthusiasts that nothing is beyond their reach. All that matters is the effort that they put into their fitness journeys. What do you think about Arnie and Columbu’s incline press without a rack? Let us know in the comments below.

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