Is bodybuilding an American sport or a European sport? Well, according to Arnold Schwarzenegger, the sport was rooted in American ambition and opportunity.

Last year, the 7x Mr. Olympia, Schwarzenegger, sat down with Theo Von to discuss his life, his career, and the lessons he has learnt so far. During the interview, their conversation shifted to Schwarzenegger's bodybuilding origins, and he said something interesting about it being an American sport.

The 78-year-old said, "What brought me to the US was what was kind of my dream. Someone would notice me in bodybuilding, and they would take me to [America] because bodybuilding was an American sport. It was not a European sport."

Schwarzenegger grew up in post-war Austria, where sports like soccer and track and field dominated. Parents expected their kids to choose jobs with long-term security in mind, but Arnie had other plans. His choice of bodybuilding was different. It wasn’t part of the cultural fabric.

Schwarnegger's words about bodybuilding not being popular in Europe at that time might be true, but something to note here is that bodybuilding actually originated in Europe.

The key figure behind modern bodybuilding, as we know today, is Eugen Sandow, a Prussian-born strongman who is widely known as the “father of modern bodybuilding” and is the man after whom the Mr. Olympia trophy is named. In the 1890s, he shifted focus from strongman competitions to physique display, which is basically modern bodybuilding.

He even organized one of the first bodybuilding competitions in London in 1901. It was after World War II that bodybuilding became popular in the United States, with gyms, magazines, and competitions turning it into a global industry.

The young Schwarzenegger developed an interest in bodybuilding through these magazines, competitions, and watching icons like Reg Park and Steve Reeves. Not only was he fascinated by the sport, but he also caught a glimpse of an entirely new world in the United States. He associated America with possibility and recognition.

The Austrian Oak finally had the opportunity to come to America after Joe Weider, a pioneering figure in bodybuilding, invited him to compete in the States, and his dream could be fulfilled.

How were Arnold Schwarzenegger's initial days in America?

Theo Von asked Schwarzenegger how his experience was when he first arrived in the States, particularly his first day.

"I went to Miami, and I was competing there in a competition. And uh then after that I came out to California, and I was picked up in California at the airport by a bodybuilding photographer by the name of Adriella and D*** Tyler, who wrote for the Muscle magazines."

Schwarzenegger credited his success to the support he received along the way, especially during his initial days in the U.S. Besides Joe Weider, who rented an apartment for him, fellow bodybuilders also helped him with essentials like blankets, utensils, and silverware to help him get going.

Now, he tries to do the same for others. So, do you also find his journey inspiring?

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Written by

Ruwa Javed

Edited by

Souvik Roy