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Apr 26, 2026, 4:30 PM CUT

Arnold Schwarzenegger Once Revealed Why Gym Owners Didn’t Invite Women to Train in the 60s

Arnold Schwarzenegger revealed why legendary gym owners like Joe Gold barred women in the 1960s. Speaking on Theo Von’s podcast, Arnie explained that the exclusion was driven by a lack of facilities.

During his appearance on This Past Weekend with Theo Von in June 2025, Arnold Schwarzenegger said, "Gym owners like Joe Gold. He would not let women train."

"Not because it was against women. No, we love women coming in there. But he figured I don't have the room for another bathroom here. I have 3,000 square feet. I have only for a man the shower and the bathroom," added the 7x Mr. Olympia.

However, things changed fast as the IFBB strived to become more inclusive. In time, with popularity, the federation introduced Ms. Olympia. Phil Schinder was the promoter of the competition.

84th Hahnenkamm Races in Kitzbuhel KITZBUHEL, AUSTRIA - JANUARY 20: Arnold Schwarzenegger is seen at the 84th Hahnenkamm Races at Kitzbuhel, Austria on January 20, 2024. Austria World. Editorial use only. Please get in touch for any other usage. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxTURxUSAxCANxUKxJPNxITAxFRAxAUSxESPxBELxKORxRSAxHKGxNZL Copyright: x2025xAnadoluxMinexKasapoglux

"When we did the Miss Olympia and all of the girls really enjoyed that they were able to go on stage and to also compete... the federation then woke up, and they said, 'Okay, we're going to get involved in that,' and since then it has been booming," added Arnie.

What was the first Ms. Olympia like?

The IFBB organized the first Ms. Olympia competition in 1980 in Philadelphia, and Rachel Mclish was the first winner. The competition was judged on the IFBB criteria, similar to Mr. Olympia, including quarter turns (relaxed posing), six compulsory poses, free posing routine, and an evening posedown for final evaluation.

McLish wasn't the most muscular on stage, but what helped her win the title was her balanced look with symmetry, definition, and overall presentation.

Another contestant, Auby Paulick, had a better stage presence, with the posing routine standing out. But the decision to crown Mclish was defended by the judges.

"Auby did a fantastic job of entertaining the audience, but we weren’t there to judge a popularity contest. A lot of what [Auby] did onstage had nothing to do with bodybuilding,” they said as per Muscle & Fitness.

Today, the women's division of the Mr. Olympia and Arnold Classic consists of 6 sub-divisions, including:

Ms. Olympia/Ms. International
Fitness Olympia/Fitness International
Figure Olympia/Figure International
Bikini Olympia/Bikini International
Women’s Physique Olympia/Women’s Physique International
Wellness Olympia/Wellness International

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Written by

Ruwa Javed

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi