Before becoming a legendary bodybuilder, Arnold Schwarzenegger had his eyes set on the powerlifting stage, but how much success did he have in this field? Let's take a look.

Schwarzenegger’s powerlifting stint was brief but somewhat memorable. He competed from 1966 to 1968, participating in three meets over 18 months. During that period, he significantly improved his standing, from 1,290 lbs to 1,600 lbs. It's pertinent to note that he began when he was still a teenager. 

Although he did not stay long enough to become a legend, his statistics, given that he was still young, place him among strong competitors.

A Full Breakdown of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Strength Career

• 1963 Olympic Lifting Competition (placing unknown, early 1963, Graz)
• 1964 Styrian Junior Weightlifting Champion (1st, Autumn)
• 1965 Austrian Olympic Lifting Champion (1st, Heavyweight, Summer)
• 1966 International Powerlifting Champion (1st, 80+ kg, 30th Oct, Stuttgart)
• 1967 German Powerlifting Championships (2nd, 80+ kg, 2nd Apr, Munich)
• 1967 Graz Paradise Keller Lifting Championships (2nd, Dec)
• 1968 German Powerlifting Champion (1st, 80+ kg, 5th May, Munich)

His competitive record shows that he focused on three main lifts: Weightlifting, Powerlifting, and Gym lifts. 

1968 German Powerlifting Championships

• Squat: 474 lb (215 kg)
• Bench press: 441 lb (200 kg)
• Deadlift: 683 lb (310 kg)
• Total: 1,598 lb (725 kg)
• Result: First place (heavyweight class) 

1968 was his peak in powerlifting; the deadlift set a German record at the time. Throughout his tenure, Schwarzenegger demonstrated a strong distribution of strength. Outside competition, Schwarzenegger posted higher gym numbers:

• Squat: 545 lb (247 kg)
• Bench press: 500–525 lb (227–238 kg)
• Deadlift: 710 lb (322 kg) 

They weren’t officially recorded in meets, but they laid the foundation for his illustrious bodybuilding career. Schwarzenegger also competed in Olympic weightlifting, and his best results were recorded in 1965 at the age of 18:

• Snatch: 243 lbs (110 kg)
• Overhead press: 264 lbs (120 kg)
• Clean and jerk: 298 lbs (135 kg)
• Total: 805 lbs (365 kg)

Despite strong numbers, Schwarzenegger couldn’t reach the levels of elite powerlifters at that time. However, his youth played a considerable role in this; he recorded these lifts at 20, before most strength athletes reach their peak in their 30s.

After his 1968 win, Schwarzenegger retired from powerlifting to focus on bodybuilding, choosing physique development over maximal strength.

And that was probably the best decision he ever made in life? Don't you agree?

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Written by

Ruwa Javed

Edited by

Souvik Roy