“Muscles Never Can Turn to Fat”: Arnold Schwarzenegger Debunked the Biggest Myth Around Leaving Workouts in 1975

One can make a good argument that no one has done more for bodybuilding than Arnold Schwarzenegger. The ‘Austrian Oak’ took over bodybuilding in the early 70s. He won the Mr. Universe title five times and the Mr. Olympia title seven times.

Arnold rose to popularity because of bodybuilding and gave back to the sport that made him with open arms. However, the champion bodybuilder also worked hard to improve the image of bodybuilding and the ones who took part in bodybuilding.

Arnold often spoke about the misconceptions surrounding the sport. During a 1975 interview, the former movie star debunked one of the biggest myths around bodybuilding.

Arnold Schwarzenegger cleared some misconceptions

Schwarzenegger gave an interview right before the 1975 Mr. Australia. During the interview, the then-reigning Mr. Olympia debunked one of the biggest myths surrounding bodybuilding. In the 70s, people viewed bodybuilders in a different light. People thought that bodybuilders who stopped working would become overweight. However, Arnold said, “That’s obviously wrong because muscles never can turn to fat.”

Arnold also debunked some other myths. The former Mr. Universe said, “In some countries, people think that if you’re a bodybuilder, you’re narcissistic because you look in the mirror.” However, he also said, “They don’t understand that the only way you see your progress of your physique is by checking in a mirror.”

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The former governor clarified that in some parts of the world, like America, the sport was more popular. Hence, people had a slightly better idea about bodybuilding. However, misconceptions still existed. In the same interview, an Australian promoter, Frank Burwash, said, “I think the attitude of the average Australian is that, you know, bodybuilders are a different type of person than anybody else.” 

Schwarzenegger won the 1975 Mr. Olympia contest. He’d won the title six times in a row. However, after the title, Arnold announced his first retirement. In 1977, Arnold starred in the documentary Pumping Iron. Both the film and the seven-time Mr. Olympia played a pivotal role in bringing bodybuilding out of obscurity. 

Proving himself correct

In 2020, the former action hero underwent major heart surgery. However, only a couple of years later, Arnold is back to working out regularly. Even at 75, the former governor is buff with bulging biceps. One can say that Arnold is living proof of what he said in 1975. Not only did he not “fall apart” but his muscles also didn’t turn into fat, even after heart surgery at 73.

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The seven-time Mr. Olympia has been a hard worker who did everything in his power to bring bodybuilding into the mainstream. Even if it meant addressing almost every myth personally. One might even say bodybuilding wouldn’t have come as far if it wasn’t for Arnold.