Despite Being Fairly Fit at 80, the Bodybuilder Who Defeated Arnold Schwarzenegger Admitted His Journey Could’ve Had “Less Pain” in 2008

While Frank Zane’s training helped him defeat Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1968, it also gave him horrible injuries. Experiencing shoulder injury and trouble with his back while training, Zane struggled during his bodybuilding career. In a 2008 interview, the bodybuilding legend reflected on the mistakes he made during his bodybuilding career. He also explained how he would train differently if he got a second chance.

Zane’s revelations are important as Zane not only defeated Arnold Schwarzenegger but also won 3 Olympia titles, along with the Mr World and Mr America titles. Not only this, but he also received the Arnold Schwarzenegger Lifetime achievement award in 2003 at the Arnold Classic. Despite his achievements, in the 2008 interview, Zane indicated that he was dissatisfied with his training. The reason was that his physique got bulky due to his training. He also told how his training had changed post-retirement from bodybuilding. So what was Zane’s confession about what he would like to do differently?

Bodybuilding champion Frank Zane who defeated Arnold Schwarzenegger makes an honest admission about how he would train differently and his present training

Frank Zane recalled how he trained with heavy weights during his career to win bodybuilding competitions. Continuing, he remarked, “So if I could do it over again I’d train with lighter weights, higher reps, no sets below 10 reps, with negatives slower than positives, and avoid injury.”

Further, he admitted, “If I had done that, my physique wouldn’t be quite as bulky, but with more definition and less pain.” This shows how the bodybuilder has regrets about the way he trained during his bodybuilding days.

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Afterwards, he also indicated that after retiring from bodybuilding, he trained with lighter weights. His perspective was, “I don’t have to train that much anymore to say in decent shape, which is good because my joints couldn’t handle a lot of this work now.” This wasn’t the only time Zane spoke about the mistakes he had made during his bodybuilding career. Once, ‘The Chemist’ admitted a harmful practice that spoilt his physique during his bodybuilding days.

‘The Chemist’ discloses a grave mistake that affected his physique before the 1972 Mr Universe competition

During an interview with Muscle and Strength, Zane expressed, “I tried bulking up a few times and it was always a disaster.” Bulking is the practice of eating a massive amount of food to put on weight. Later, he elaborated that due to bulking, he weighed 210 pounds before the 1972 Mr Olympia competition.

Continuing, Zane spoke about how it dawned on him a month prior to the contest that he had to reduce weight. He then recounted how he managed to reduce 10 pounds, later winning the 1972 Mr Universe contest. However, despite this, Zane was not content since he realized that his physique wasn’t as good as it was in the earlier year. Post this, ‘The Chemist’ quit this practice of bulking.

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Zane’s statements point out how he has learned from his mistakes and applied the learnings in his life. Can you relate to the mistakes Zane made during his bodybuilding career? Share your stories in the comments section.