Arnold Schwarzenegger is a name that everyone, even those who don’t have an interest in bodybuilding, knows. The ‘Austrian Oak’ was just a boy when he showed up for his first-ever bodybuilding competition in 1963 at the age of 16. He entered a local championship in Graz, Austria.
Speaking to Bodybuilding Legends Podcast, Schwarzenegger had some time to look back on his good old days.
“It was just literally like a month or two after the Mr. Austria competition and Mr. Styria competition and local competitions, and then everyone was talking about the next year when I joined the club,” he said.
Arnie was just 15 when he entered a local weightlifting gym, and the aspirations of competing were a very quick thought in his mind. The gym’s environment made him obsessed with competing.
“Somehow, I mean, I was just a beginner, but I was kind of like asked to go into this competition, which I did.”
And what happened in his first competition is what carved his entire path.
“I think I placed third in a Mr. Austria competition,” Schwarzenegger told host John Hansen.
The results alone were enough to turn heads, but what followed them is what he still remembers most clearly.
Schwarzenegger Talks About Getting Fame at 16
Schwarzenegger obviously drew press attention, being the youngest competitor on the stage. Placing well in those early Austrian contests was one thing. Getting press attention at 16 was another entirely.
“Because I was the youngest competing there, the press paid attention to me,” he said on the same podcast appearance. “So they asked me to come out into a hall and pose with these two girls, who were performers at a nightclub. They were singers. Asians.”
The photo of a 16-year-old Schwarzenegger ran in the newspapers the next morning.
“So here I was, 16 years old, and already was getting publicity in, you know, I mean, in a newspaper.”
The newspaper photo was the first proof that the 16-year-old didn’t come to compete; he came to conquer! Schwarzenegger’s maturity was well beyond belief for that age. And he went on to conquer the bodybuilding world.
What inspiration would you take from the 16-year-old Schwarzenegger, if you could? Let us know in the comments!
Trending slideshow: 15 Times Arnold Schwarzenegger Displayed Peak Physique and Action Abilities On Hollywood Screen
Anushka Bhaduri
15 Times Arnold Schwarzenegger Displayed Peak Physique and Action Abilities On Hollywood ScreenArnold Schwarzenegger has wowed us time and again with his epic physique and action-packed moves on the big screen. Dive into 15 unforgettable moments where Arnold proved he’s the ultimate action hero and fitness icon rolled into one. via 1996 WARNER BROS. PICTURES A TIME WARNER ENTERTAINMENT COMPANYArnold Schwarzenegger built his iconic cyborg physique through intense weight training focused on density and strength, perfect for the relentless killer robot. A futuristic assassin travels back to murder Sarah Connor, mother of humanity’s savior, in this sci-fi action thriller packed with tension and one-liners like “I’ll be back.” His form embodied mechanical menace. via Orion PicturesSchwarzenegger achieved a rugged, functional soldier build by emphasizing endurance and power training for jungle warfare demands. He leads an elite team hunted by an alien predator in Central America, delivering suspenseful cat-and-mouse action with lines like “Get to the chopper!” The physique supported non-stop intensity. via 20th Century Fox, Davis Entertainment, Lawrence Gordon Productions, Silver Pictures, & Gordon CompanyFor this role, Arnold combined muscle mass with agility drills to handle explosive fights and stunts. A man questions if his Mars memories are real after implants go wrong, sparking a violent sci-fi adventure full of twists and quips like “Giv’ dese peepol AIHR!” His build shone in every scene. via Carolco PicturesArnold refined his physique to be more agile yet muscular via targeted lifting and cardio for the protector role. The cyborg now guards young John Connor from a liquid-metal foe, featuring groundbreaking effects and “Hasta la vista, baby.” Peak action hero form. via Carolco Pictures, Pacific Western Productions, Lightstorm Entertainment, & Le Studio Canal+Schwarzenegger developed explosive power through compound lifts and HIIT as a Special Forces dad rescuing his kidnapped daughter. This high-octane rescue mission overflows with bravado and lines like “I lied!” His massive frame drove the testosterone-fueled chaos. via Silver Pictures, SLM Production Group, & Twentieth Century FoxArnold had maintained a charismatic, heroic physique blending strength and fitness for a meta action star pulled into reality. A kid’s magic ticket blurs movie and real worlds with chases and humor like “Take his shoes?!” Underrated showcase of versatility. via Columbia Pictures & Oak Productions,Functional training crafted Arnold’s athletic spy build for global stunts and combat. A secret agent faces family drama amid nuclear terrorists, mixing thrills and laughs with “Here’s my invitation!” The form nailed every high-stakes moment. via Lightstorm Entertainment & 20th Century FoxDrawing from bodybuilding roots, Arnold sculpted massive warrior mass for avenging his clan’s destruction by a snake cult. Epic fantasy revenge tale with raw power and “Crush your enemies” vibes. His physique defined the barbarian legend. via Pressman Film, Visual Concept Engineering (VCE), & Joe Dunton & CompanyLean muscle and stamina from combat conditioning suited the dystopian game show fighter battling for freedom. A wrongfully convicted man faces killers on TV, delivering “Here’s Sub-Zero… now Plain Zero!” Strong, enduring presence throughout. via Taft Entertainment Pictures, Keith Barish Productions, & Braveworld ProductionsArnold balanced size with flexibility for his undercover cop-teacher role, tracking a criminal. Posing in kindergarten leads to laughs and action with “I’m a COP, you IDIOT!” The approachable yet powerful build fits perfectly. via Imagine Entertainment
