Arnold Schwarzenegger is a bodybuilding icon. While his heyday was in the 1970s, even today, the seven-time Mr. Olympia graces the walls of gyms across the globe. The first man to win seven Mr. Olympia titles, the ‘Austrian Oak’ still gives back to the sport that made him famous. Every bodybuilding fan unanimously agrees that the five-time Mr. Universe winner is among the best to ever do it. While fans consider Schwarzenegger’s genetics as elite, the late Rich Piana once had a different opinion.

Rich Piana was among the most famous bodybuilders on social media in the last decade. From the late 2000s until his untimely passing in 2017, Piana had amassed a massive following on social media. However, eight years ago, he made a controversial statement that didn’t go down well with fans.

Rich Piana gave props to Arnold Schwarzenegger?

In the resurfaced video that Piana uploaded in 2015, the bodybuilder addresses the statement he made on Facebook. The bodybuilding influencer revealed he “got blasted” for questioning the seven-time Mr. Olympia’s genetics. However, according to the late bodybuilder, he didn’t mean to downplay the former champion’s achievements or legacy.

“Let me clarify what I meant by that,” Piana explained in the video. He said the ‘Austrian Oak’ didn’t have the most elite genetics, especially when it came to his legs. Piana believed bodybuilders like Jay Cutler, Dexter Jackson, Phil Heath, and even Schwarzenegger’s rival Sergio Oliva had better genetics than the seven-time Mr. Olympia.

However, the Austrian bodybuilding legend beat them in one aspect. “His mental strength, I believe, still far exceeds anyone else’s,” said the late bodybuilder. “When I say he didn’t have the best genetics, I’m not taking away from him. I’m giving him more props basically,” said Rich Piana.

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Piana also gave an example of how Schwarzenegger exceeded his genetic potential to become one of the greatest champions in history.

Doing whatever it takes

In the video, Rich Piana said it “took him (Arnold Schwarzenegger) years to develop his legs to the point that he did.” The late social media bodybuilding star talked about the bodybuilding legend’s loss to Frank Zane at the 1968 Mr. Universe contest. Piana said Schwarzenegger lost because his legs were not up to the mark.

However, after the loss, the five-time Mr. Universe “killed himself for a year,” in the gym, said Piana. By the time he became Mr. Olympia, Schwarzenegger’s legs had fought up to his upper body. He had also developed some of the best calves of his era.

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What did you make of the late bodybuilder’s opinion of Arnold Schwarzenegger? Write your thoughts in the comments.