Multiple figures have shaped Arnold Schwarzenegger. But none had a greater influence than his bodybuilding inspiration, Reg Park.

Joining John Hansen for episode #348 of the Bodybuilding Legends podcast, the Austrian Oak discussed how 1 a.m. graveyard training sessions with Reg Park helped him build confidence for a charismatic stage presence.

Charles 'Wag' Bennett, who brought Schwarzenegger to London and mentored him through the amateur Mr. Universe title, also introduced him to his idol, Reg Park. "Reg Park was a very good friend of his," the 78-year-old explained.

In one of Park's trips from South Africa, the Silver era bodybuilder came over to Bennett's gym, training with Schwarzenegger, oftentimes at odd hours at night. That's how the then-aspiring bodybuilder met his idol.

But it was more than just co-sessions; Schwarzenegger learned numerous valuable bodybuilding lessons that later helped him become a 7x Mr. Olympia champion.

"He was doing like triceps extensions with the lying on a decline bench, which I've never seen before. So I learned a lot of things from him, dumb presses and all of this kind of things, and it was really wonderful," the Austrian Oak explained.

But their relationship went even beyond the gym sessions.

Reg Park's influence on Arnold Schwarzenegger

For Arnold Schwarzenegger, still new to the bodybuilding world, Reg Park opened the community to his untapped potential. He not only helped sculpt his muscles, but Park also sharpened Schwarzenegger's confidence.

"I stayed up to one in the morning and then trained with him, and we hit it off really well, and he was a you know wonderful idol and someone that was very helpful," Schwarzenegger appreciated the irreplaceable role Park played in his career.

In fact, the English bodybuilder even invited the Austrian Oak to South Africa on a bet of him winning the amateur Mr. Universe title in 1967.

The idol still lives on in Schwarzenegger's heart, and the brown cashmere cardigan in which Park used to train before gifting it to the bodybuilder. The heartwarming gesture only displays the deep bond the two athletes who sculpted the Silver and Golden eras shared.

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Written by

Proma Chatterjee

Edited by

Ashvinkumar Patil