“I just use my muscles as a conversation piece, like someone walking a cheetah down 42nd Street”.After undergoing three heart surgeries, Arnold Schwarzenegger—known for his seven Mr. Olympia titles and pioneering the vacuum pose—revealed that he can no longer lift heavy weights because of health concerns. He admitted that accepting his physical limitations wasn’t easy. He shared that he sometimes feels envious of others who have endured similar surgeries but continue to push their limits. However, the ‘Terminator’ star has adapted to his routine to suit his current health.

On the ‘Smartless’ podcast, Schwarzenegger discussed how his surgeries affected his fitness routine. After his first heart surgery in 1997, doctors advised him to stop heavy lifting to avoid putting strain on his heart valves. Now, his regimen primarily includes 45-minute bike rides and light exercises. “I had heart surgery in 1997, and then the doctors were telling me that you should stop the heavy lifting because it’s not good for your valves.”

Despite his health issues, Schwarzenegger has remained committed to regular workouts. He explained, “I just started lifting less weights more reps, and stuff like that, but I work out regularly.”

Schwarzenegger candidly spoke about the challenges of aging and maintaining his former physique. “But this you know, as you get older it’s kind of like how the hell do you hold on to some of the stuff that you once had, and it’s really, it’s tough,” he said.

At 76, Schwarzenegger is careful not to put unnecessary pressure on his heart, particularly when it comes to exercises like bench presses, deadlifts, and squats, which he has now avoided.

Earlier, Schwarzenegger had talked about how his replacement valves affected the way he worked out.

Arnold Schwarzenegger talks about working out post-surgery

Schwarzenegger explained that his replacement heart valves made heavy lifting impossible. “My replacement heart valves made lifting heavy impossible. I have friends who kept training but had to adjust and do some exercises light for injuries… It is really a person-to-person question. If you can keep training with full intensity at heavy weights, I’m jealous.” 

At the peak of his bodybuilding career, he would train twice a day for hours and would engage in endless numbers of exercises and sets. The Governator is still passionate about working out. But owing to medical problems and old age, he sticks to the basics.

The ability to adapt and get back to one’s old regime after surgery may vary from one individual to the other. Even as he has found it difficult to hold on to the kind of workout regimes that were a part of his past, Schwarzenegger continues to ensure that he does what he can at the gym, inspiring countless others to do the same.