Arnold Schwarzenegger, the man who once lifted weights like his life depended on it, is now making significant adjustments to his fitness routine. The former bodybuilder and Hollywood star is now focusing on preserving his aging bones and joints after years of pushing his body to its limits. Let’s dive into how he's rethinking his approach to staying fit.
Decades of Pushing His Body to the Edge
“He’s put his body through the torture system during his bodybuilding days and his Hollywood heyday,” an insider exclusively tells Closer. “He’s paid a hefty price, and the damage was done, resulting in injuries and several surgeries.”
At the age of 77, Arnold has faced numerous health challenges. Earlier this year, he opened up about his extensive medical history in the special "TMZ Presents: Arnold & Sly: Rivals, Friends, Icons." He revealed that he's endured "an endless amount of heart surgeries, back surgery," and more, including work on both shoulders, both knees, and a hip replacement.
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A Kinder Approach to Fitness
According to the Closer source, "The aches and pains still linger to this day. But now, he's taking better care of himself and has adapted a workout regime that's kinder to his aging body, ensuring he doesn’t overexert himself." Arnold understands that his body isn't as resilient as it once was, so he's shifting gears to prioritize longevity over intensity.
Because the Terminator star's body is "a lot less mobile than it used to be," he's incorporating physical therapy into his workouts. This includes resistance bands and exercises that utilize his own body weight. It's all about efficiency and sustainability rather than brute force.
Less Is More: A New Philosophy
The source adds, "He realizes he doesn’t have to lift a ton of weights to get results. It’s the less-is-more philosophy, and he’s feeling better because of it." Arnold has come to understand that quality trumps quantity when it comes to fitness in his later years. He's proving that you don't need to go all-out every day to maintain strength and vitality.
And it’s not just about himself. The former governor of California, who founded the Pump Club—a daily newsletter focused on nutrition, fitness, and wellness—has become "virtually obsessed with health and helping others," according to a separate source who spoke to Closer in July.
“He’s up early every day working on his Pump Club newsletter, preaching what he knows, like the benefits of reducing alcohol intake before bedtime and consuming two tablespoons of olive oil daily to lower the risk of heart disease,” the insider shared. Arnold is walking the walk and talking the talk, leading by example in his mission to inspire others.
Kicking Bad Habits for Good
Arnold, who started lifting weights at 15 and went on to win the Mr. Universe title at 20 and the Mr. Olympia title seven times, is now focused on kicking bad habits. The source revealed, "He used to be blasé about it, but he's finally trying to kick bad habits, including cigars, because he's feeling the effects at long last." He's also cutting back on wine and pasta, even though he didn't indulge excessively—just once a week at most. "He just feels better without the sugar and carbs," the insider noted.
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Setting His Sights on Longevity
The source emphasized that Arnold is serious about his health in his late 70s. “Arnie isn’t just blowing hot air; he’s doing these things to increase his own longevity. Arnie wants to live to 100 or more and he’s determined to make it happen no matter how extreme the process,” the insider revealed.
In March, during an episode of his "Arnold’s Pump Club" podcast, Arnold announced that he had received a pacemaker. “First of all, I want you to know I’m doing great! I had my surgery on Monday, and by Friday, I was already at a big environmental event with my friend and fellow fitness crusader Jane Fonda,” he told listeners. “Nobody would ever have thought I started the week with a surgery.”
