Bodybuilding Legend Lou Ferrigno Once Confessed He Created His Own Gym as He Couldn’t Afford One: “Made My Own Makeshift Barbell”

Lou Ferrigno, the former bodybuilder turned actor, is the recipient of the IFBB Mr. America title and two Mr. Universe titles. He rose to stardom for his appearance in the documentary film Pumping Iron, alongside the bodybuilding legend, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The 71-year-old retired professional bodybuilder is popularly known as The Incredible Hulk of 1977. Driven by passion and spirit to learn, he made the best use of the resources available then, to pursue the sport.

The 6 ft. 5′ former Mr. America also has the credit of competing in the first annual World’s Strongest Man competition in 1977; he stood fourth among the eight competitors. In a throwback interview, the legend opened up on the effort he put to build his equipment, as he couldn’t afford them.

Lou Ferrigno made DIY equipment for bodybuilding

Fascinated by the many wonderful things one can do with their body, Lou was awe-inspired to venture into bodybuilding. Significantly, it is undeniable that there is no alternative to following a workout regime and lifting heavy to build a body suitable to compete on the world stage.

In a 2016 interview, he said, “I couldn’t afford weights.” However, he didn’t give up and came up with a plan. With some cement, he took a broomstick and put it up in the middle of the hard cement. “I made my own makeshift barbell,” he said.

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Fair to say, by finding an opportunity despite adversities, the former bodybuilding champion is a testimony to the saying, ‘where there is a will there is a way.’

As fit as a fiddle at 71

Lou is a person of discipline and consistency. In an Instagram post last month, he was seen flaunting his abs and clicking a mirror selfie. He captioned the post with the message, “I’ve been training for 58 years.” Furthermore, he said he was proud to still be able to maintain his physique by “staying dedicated at almost 71 years old!”

In a 2021 interview, he stated his strict approach to training. He said he was neither at a bar nor a nightclub nor a boardwalk on the beach. “I’m at a gym,” he said. In addition, emphasizing the sanctity of the gym for a bodybuilder, he said the gym is the place where one fixed their body, gets in shape, and takes care of oneself.

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