46 Years After His Controversial Statement in Pumping Iron, Arnold Schwarzenegger Provides a Valid Justification

“I’ll be back,” is arguably the most famous Arnold Schwarzenegger one-liner. However, the 75-year-old didn’t just say that in The Terminator (1984) but also lives by it. The former Mr. Olympia has returned to the limelight with FUBAR and his upcoming Netflix docuseries. And to promote both series, Arnold has been giving many interviews, the latest being with Men’s Health. During the interview with Ebenezer Samuel, Schwarzenegger discussed his career and justified a controversial comment he made 46 years ago.

The seven-time Mr. Olympia became incredibly popular when Pumping Iron was released in 1977. In the film, the bodybuilding legend showcased his charisma that would turn him into a global action movie icon. However, his controversial monologue in Pumping Iron has also stood the test of time. 

Arnold Schwarzenegger based it on a simple rule of success

In the 70s, bodybuilding was still on the fringes of the mainstream. People harbored misconceptions about the sport and those who participated in it. According to Samuel, Schwarzenegger realized he, like other bodybuilders, needed to grow the sport. The personal trainer and report implied that the seven-time Mr. Olympia could be one of the first influencers.

What better tool to influence and clear misconceptions about the sport than a documentary? So in 1977, Arnie starred in Pumping Iron which documented the bodybuilding legend’s journey to winning the 1975 Mr. Olympia title. In the docu-drama, Schwarzenegger compared working out in the gym with s*x. “It’s as satisfying to me as cum**ng,” explained the Austrian bodybuilder.

46 years later, the 75-year-old told Ebenezer Samuel why he made such a statement. “I was much more casual, much more fun,” he said. However, there was another reason. “How do you make the people know about your product?” he told Men’s Health. Hence, the bodybuilding icon chose to say something that would catch everyone’s attention and make them think. However, promoting himself wasn’t Arnie’s only motivation.

The impact the seven-time Mr. Olympia had on bodybuilding

Further in the interview, Arnold talked about how he used media to his advantage. He said, “I always tried to use the media to spread my message.” Throughout the 70s, Schwarzenegger appeared on numerous TV spots, interviews, and radio shows, talking about bodybuilding. And due to his popularity, people listened to what he had to say. While in one of the interviews, the five-time Mr. Universe busted a big myth about muscle turning into fat.

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With the bodybuilding champion leading the charge, the sport emerged as a mainstream phenomenon. Even today, the 75-year-old promotes his beloved sport, providing a platform for competitors through the prestigious Arnold Classic contest.

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