Arnold Schwarzenegger Once Got Brutally Honest About Steroids During His Bodybuilding Era: “If You Weren’t Doing It You Would Fall Behind”

Arnold Schwarzenegger is considered one of the greatest bodybuilders in history. From 1970 to 1975, he won six consecutive Mr. Olympia titles and dominated the field. His fame in Hollywood, along with his role in the film Pumping Iron, boosted the popularity of bodybuilding and launched it into the mainstream.

After he retired from the sport, Schwarzenegger continued to promote the sport and started the Arnold Classic in 1989, now known as the Arnold Sports Festival. But, when reports of his doping came to light, his astounding victories as a bodybuilder came under question.

Arnold Schwarzenegger opens up about steroid use

In the past, Arnold Schwarzenegger has admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs during his prime as a bodybuilder. Talking to Men’s Health in 2018, he expanded on his perspective on the issue. 

In the early 70s, steroid use had been a fairly new concept. Consequently, limited knowledge regarding the same posed health risks. Schwarzenegger stated had he been aware of these risks, he wouldn’t have continued using them. “I have acknowledged using drugs when I competed, but at that time, it wasn’t against the rules and it was with a doctor,” he said.

He also explained the circumstances under which they had administered the drugs. “If you weren’t doing it, you would fall behind. So we limited it to a couple months before competition so that we wouldn’t be on it at all times and get hooked,” Schwarzenegger stated. Despite doping in his time as an athlete, Schwarzenegger now stands against the use of performance enhancers in sports.

READ MORE: “People Were Laughing at Me”: Arnold Schwarzenegger Had a Wild Dream That No One Took Seriously Until It Became a Necessity

Schwarzenegger feels it’s unrealistic to eradicate doping

According to the bodybuilding legend, the use of steroids will remain prevalent as it is “human nature”. He told the magazine, “People always want the easier way out to become better.” Moreover, it involves all spheres of life, not just sports.

“People take drugs to focus more, to sleep better, to feel better mentally, to feel less pain, to build muscle, to lose fat—you name it,” he said.

In 2005, Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill that would have required high school coaches in California to teach about the dangers of steroids and illegal substances. His reasoning for voting against explained that it lumped natural food supplements with dangerous drugs. 

In turn, he claimed that selling performance-enhancing drugs in California schools was already illegal.

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