Giant NBA Legend Who Lifted Arnold Schwarzenegger Like a Baby, Left Him Blown Away by His 180 Pounds Lifting Strength in the 1980s

Arnold Schwarzenegger does not restrict himself to the world of bodybuilding. His passion for sports traverses beyond bodybuilding. Having participated in countless projects and collaborations, the Terminator star is friends with many celebrities. One such friendship that travels beyond the professional world was with Wilt Chamberlain.

Though many think that Arnold and Chamberlain met for the first time in the sets of ‘Conan the Destroyer,’ but that isn’t the case. Their friendship dates back to their workout days at the Gold’s Gym. It was the mutual love of staying fit that helped connect the two.

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Wilt Chamberlain’s unique friendship 

Going down the memory lane, Schwarzenegger recalled the time he first came across Wilt. Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, he revealed that while working out at the Original Muscle Beach in Santa Monica, Wilt came to play volleyball. During the said time, Wilt used to play for the Lakers, and the two would later work at the Gold’s Gym.

Praising his strength, Arnie said, “he was the only basketball player in those days I saw working out with weights. He did triceps extensions with 180 pounds, which blew us all away.” His insane strength completely shocked Arnold. However, he got to taste it after a few years, when the NBA legend lifted him with just one hand.

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Wilt never shied away from showing his talents. Thus, when he got the chance to show Arnie his strength, he did not back off. He paired with the former wrestling great André René Roussimoff to lift Schwarzenegger off the ground. Taken aback, Arnold exclaimed, “He [Wilt] lifted me up with one hard like nothing.”

What prompted Wilt and Andre to lift Arnold?

Andre the Giant, Wilt Chamberlain, and Arnold got to work together in the cult-classic movie ‘Conan the Destroyer.’ Being friends in real life, the three shared a great vibe and would go for dinner several times. In one instance, Andre and Wilt, as Arnold recalled, “were joking about who could pick me up and make me look lighter and like a little fly.”

However, as it turned out later, the two were not joking, as they effortlessly lifted the 6 feet 2 inches Arnold. The 7-time Mr. Olympia winner later said, “they were so powerful it was ridiculous.” Despite such recollections of Wilt’s strength, many claim that such stories are mere exaggerations. However, when the seven times Mr. Olympia title winner, Arnold Schwarzenegger, calls his strength insane, you can’t question the credibility of Wilt’s powerful physique.

What was your first reaction when you saw the picture of Andre and Wilt lifting Arnold? Let us know in the comments.

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