I worked out with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Why I made him mad

I worked out with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Why I created him mad.

Key points

• Schwarzenegger plays the first ripped Santa Claus in Netflix's "The Man with the Bag" (out Dec.
• In honor of October being Bone and Joint Health Awareness Month, Schwarzenegger offered advice to aging gymgoers in need of physical therapy or surgical procedures.
• Before the workout began, he introduced me to his 29-year-old son, Joseph Baena.
• The "Commando" actor, 79, who had arrived at the gym on a bike, was surprised to learn I'd be his gym partner.
• Arnold Schwarzenegger has a home gym, but comes here 6 days a week.

I worked out with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Why I created him mad. Anthony Robledo USA TODAY. Spend a day working out with Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Arnold Schwarzenegger reveals why he likes going to Gold's Gym in Venice, California every day rather than his home gym while he demonstrates a USA TODAY reporter how to work out.

VENICE, CALIFORNIA – I broke a sweat before I even entered Gold's Gym in Venice, California, the gym where Arnold Schwarzenegger built himself from scratch long before he was the governor, the "Terminator" and seven-time Mr. Olympia champion.

For context, an hour before he pulled up on a sunny late October morning, I explored the fitness center dubbed the "Mecca of Bodybuilding, " which was filled to the brim with titans of all ages. As a scrawny 25-year-old, I'm applied to feeling out of place at my local gym. This was next level. A colleague of mine saw a woman who appeared to be in her 70s doing handstand push-ups.

For context, the "Commando" actor, 79, who had arrived at the gym on a bike, was surprised to learn I'd be his gym partner. I'm not sure what he was expecting, but I doubt he planned on lifting weights with someone who could pass as a first-timer. Schwarzenegger seemed thrilled, though, like he knew that I needed this.

I often leave the gym feeling unsatisfied – happy I went, but knowing I could've pushed myself harder. This session was different. Arnold Schwarzenegger wants me focused and angry.

Before the workout began, he introduced me to his 29-year-old son, Joseph Baena. This person looked like a carbon copy of his father at that age. Schwarzenegger called Baena "Mr. Natural, " adding that he is training for a bodybuilding competition with "no steroids, no drugs, no enhancers" after he scored gold at the NPC Natural Colorado State competition earlier this year.

Schwarzenegger and I began at the tricep extension machine. As he began a set of 20, I asked him what the perfect weekly workout split is, and he ignored me. He afterwards explained that when he's in a set, he pictures himself as the muscle he's working. Tuning out all distractions is key, he remarked.

During my set, he asked what I did for work, and I answered, failing his test. With each rep, he scolded me when I wouldn't go "all the way" up and down with each motion. I didn't have any lousy sets after that.

"That is significant in your entire life. Whatever you do, you have to do full motion. Meaning don't start something and not finish it, " he informed me.

He introduced me to a pec deck machine and encouraged me to "get mad" to finish a set solid when it gets tough. I was actually in a great mood right now, so I began thinking concerning all the moments I didn't offer it my all at the gym.

"I always find something, " Schwarzenegger informed me. "I obtain mad concerning my past, my upbringing or my dad or some failure that I had or someone that was in my way. It could be someone who was cutting you off in traffic. You can just create it up."

We continued with the workout with a lat pulldown machine before finishing with bicep curls. I'm thrilled to brag that he praised my form with each set.

As his busy schedule permits, schwarzenegger, who already has a gym at his home, still takes it upon himself to ride his bike to Gold's Gym regarding six days a week.

"I need contact with human beings, with individuals. I need to have fun every day, " he remarked. "To me, life is about 'work hard and play hard.'".

It's impossible to leave that building not feeling pumped. Not just since of the relentless energy oozing from each station but as of the sense of community. Despite looking physically intimidating, the members were particularly welcoming and enthusiastic. Plenty of were working out together in pairs or groups, engaged in conversation yet locked in during their sets.

To no surprise, Schwarzenegger is regularly noticed, even without a video team after him around. It wasn't just the gaze celebrities are applied to, but the satisfaction one gets from seeing a good friend. He knows plenty of members by name, easily recounting their stories and why he admires them. He introduced me to longtime friend, Heide Sutter, 85, known for being the first woman allowed inside the bodybuilding gym.

Schwarzenegger notes it's straightforward to identify individuals who come for a quick pump and those with the ambition and dedication they set their mind to, often with an "entrepreneurial spirit." Arnold Schwarzenegger has advice for aging gymgoers.

Schwarzenegger, who is the chief movement officer at orthopedic medical tech firm Zimmer Biomet, stated plenty of residents don't know they can obtain replacements for most body joints. Instead, they just go through the pain or stop exercising entirely.

Those curious regarding such procedures should speak with their health care provider for individual guidance. Arnold Schwarzenegger's voice is with me forever.

After our workout, we grabbed breakfast at a spot in Santa Monica, where we discussed what's next for him.

Schwarzenegger plays the first ripped Santa Claus in Netflix's "The Man with the Bag" (out Dec. 2), drops his next book "Better Every Day: An Action Plan for a Full Life" (out Jan. 12) and is having conversations regarding returning to the "Predator" and "Commando" movie franchises.

Though I wish I could train with him every day, I do feel changed and more confident in my fitness journey. Now when I go to the gym, I hear Schwarzenegger scolding me anytime I lose focus or don't offer each set everything I have.

With so much noise in the fitness world from content creators preaching the perfect routine to build muscle, I come back to Schwarzenegger's old-school approach to exercise. Tune out all the noise and really focus on each motion. Push yourself with each rep and enjoy the burn. Share your feedback to support improve our site!

In short, I worked out with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Why I made him mad is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.