“You Can Be Worse, Not Better”: Years After Earning the Title ‘God of Aesthetics’, 80-YO Bodybuilding Veteran Reveals How He Stays Motivated

80-year-old bodybuilding veteran Frank Zane is among the greatest bodybuilders of all time. From beating Arnold Schwarzenegger to winning the Mr. Olympia title three times, Zane has done it all. Now he uses his immense experience to help others achieve their bodybuilding goals. In his latest Instagram post, the former Mr. Universe addressed an important aspect of fitness and bodybuilding many people struggle with.

In his post, Zane wrote about motivation. While many people start their bodybuilding journey, they find it hard to continue. In fact, staying motivated is so difficult everyone from Arnold Schwarzenegger to Frank Zane’s friend Mike O’Hearn has talked about it. Here’s what the God of Aesthetics former Mr. Olympia had to say about it. 

Failure cannot be a catalyst for sustained motivation

Earlier today, Zane uploaded an image from his prime. He also added some text to the throwback image that described the truth behind motivation. “There is no magic fix,” read the text on the photo. However, that didn’t mean the bodybuilding legend didn’t offer advice. In fact, the former Mr. Olympia told people to change their perception.

“The only way most people can get motivated is through deficiency, and that’s not how you stay motivated,” Zane wrote in the caption. While people might get motivated after reaching a low point in their lives or physical health, it’s not the recipe for success. “You can always be unhappy. You can go backwards,” said the veteran bodybuilder.

If failure is the only catalyst for someone to change then “You can be worse, not better.” However, the God of Aesthetics had an answer to this problem. “Become motivated through success,” stated Zane in his Instagram post. Instead of looking had how bad things were one must recognize the progress they make in the gym to make further improvements. Zane’s advice matches that of his old rival-turned-friend Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Arnold Schwarzenegger on the power of positivity

In his daily fitness newsletter, Arnold Schwarzenegger recently talked about a scientific study. The study included 60,000 participants and 15 universities were involved with it. According to Arnie, the study found that people who have difficulty returning to the gym got motivated to do so when a positive change was made.

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“Paying people the equivalent of $1.75 per workout boosted compliance,” wrote the seven-time Mr. Olympia. While the money was negligible the positive reward system helped people return. Even those who missed a workout got paid, instead of a punishment. The study showed that paying only 9 cents helped those who missed a workout get back in the gym. Since two of the greatest bodybuilders agree on the same thing, one shouldn’t discount the power of positivity to provide motivation. 

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