Despite Different Backgrounds, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Franco Columbu Had an Unlikely Cardio Friendship

The iconic Arnold Schwarzenegger and Italian bodybuilding prodigy, Franco Columbu shared a great bond of friendship. From moving to California together in 1968 to supporting each other through thick and thin, the Austrian and the Italian covered it all. However, they both brought distinctive personalities to the table. If Schwarzenegger came from a soccer background, then Columbu hailed from a boxing backdrop. Nevertheless, the roots of their friendship were established on the common grounds of their favorite sport – bodybuilding.

After meeting for the first time in Germany in 1965, the Terminator and the Sardinian became close-knit acquaintances. Since then, they began their journey toward the pinnacle of bodybuilding in conjunction. Now, if one’s interest in building deltoids got piqued by soccer, then another’s passion for building a ripped physique was sparked by boxing. However, while working out together, they both found themselves impelled by one common exercise. Let’s find out Schwarzenegger and Columbu’s favorite workout routines.

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Franco Columbu’s shared interest in cardiovascular routines

In an interview with OOFA fitness, the Terminator pulled off the curtains from the workout regimen that he and Columbu followed during their prime. The Austrian stated, “there was a lot of cardiovascular work we’ve done because I come from soccer and Franco came from the boxing background so he always loved the jumping rope and to do all those kind of exercises and a lot of running”.

Read More: “Pumping Bricks”: How Arnold Schwarzenegger Made His First Million With Franco Columbu in America

The 7x Mr. Olympia then opened up about their unique way of commuting to the gym back in the 70s. “We would drive down the Sandy Blvd on the way to the gym and he would just pull over on the side. He’d say, ‘Oh! let’s just run 10 blocks down and 10 blocks back’”, added the Austrian. 

The bodybuilder further recalled, “That was just kind of like on the way to the gym, and then when we were finished working out we would always go and say ‘hey! Let’s go down to the beach and run in the sand’. We did it all the time. I think it’s absolutely essential”. They indeed found a great way to pursue their favorite cardiovascular regimen. However, it was not the only exercise that both enjoyed doing together. The Austrian and the Sardinian also took a keen interest in heavy weightlifting.

Schwarzenegger and Columbu shared a fondness for heavyweights

In a 2019 interview, the Austrian Oak revealed his and Columbu’s fascination for heavy workout routines. Schwarzenegger expressed, “Friday was my favorite day. Because Friday, Franco and I went to the gym and lifted heavy”. He further added, “we were moving big weight, like 500 on the bench, 545 on the squat, and 700 on the deadlift”. He also made a confession that Columbu was stronger and more meticulous than him.

Clearly, despite hailing from different backgrounds, they both found their solace in building deltoids and a stringent physique by following a pedantic workout regimen. Though the Italian legend left the world for his heavenly abode in 2019, Schwarzenegger and Columbu’s friendship will still be reminisced in the golden pages of bodybuilding. If they haven’t migrated from their native roots to the States, then the world of bodybuilding would seem a lot more different than it is now, don’t you agree?

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