“Seen Them Gain Four or Five Inches”: Arnold Schwarzenegger Debunked the Biggest Myth Around Women’s Bodybuilding

Arnold Schwarzenegger is among the most prominent names in bodybuilding. And with seven Mr. Olympia and five Mr. Universe titles, he ought to be. Therefore, following his victories in these prestigious contests, he published a series of books related to the sport.

However, one book that stood out among the others was the one on the female physique. The book, named ‘Arnold’s Bodyshaping for Women,’ hit the shelves in November 1979.

Which myth did Arnold Schwarzenegger address?

Schwarzenegger appeared in several TV shows following the book launch to promote it. Among these shows, he also appeared in the one hosted by Johnny Carson. He attended the show shortly after its release.

In the show, the former Governor California answered various concerns and myths that were circulating at the time regarding female bodybuilding. One of the things that stood out during the interview was a misconception regarding weight training. During the period, people were under the impression that lifting weight always enhanced muscle mass.

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So when Carson inquired about it, Arnie patiently broke down the myth and helped make people aware it was not always the case. The actor provided a research-based answer to elucidate the matter.

Schwarzenegger said, “Women are afraid of getting muscular and so which they don’t because like Johnny just said that women are built differently in a way of.. that they carry 25 percent more fat cells than men, and 25 percent less muscle cells than man. So there will always be a layer of fat over it.”

“So what you do when you exercise as a woman, you really just firm up the muscles underneath that layer, and you will get firm, and you lose weight in the area. I mean, women can do amazing things, I have seen women lose five-six inches around the thighs within a few months. I have seen them gain four or five inches on the top,” the Terminator star added.

A brief history of female bodybuilding

Female bodybuilding as a sport started to gain prominence during the late 70s. Therefore, the sport was still at a nascent stage. And numerous rumors and misinformation were circulating at the time concerning women’s physique.

Schwarzenegger wanted to address these concerns that women had regarding the sport. So, the Austrian Oak felt it best to answer these questions in a book. However, the sport has come a long way since then.

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Now, many of these misconceptions doing the rounds back then have been eradicated. And the bodybuilder-turned-actor has helped to eliminate some of these myths.