Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno shared one of the greatest rivalries in bodybuilding. The on-stage rivalry at the 1974 and 1975 Mr. Olympia competitions became an on-screen rivalry shown in Pumping Iron. During that time, they both made headlines.

However, over time, their rivalry has settled down, and on many occasions, they are seen respecting each other.

Now, decades later, on June 13, at The Howard Stern Show, Schwarzenegger was again seen talking about Ferrigno when the host asked him whether, during the filming of Pumping Iron, the Austrian Oak had secretly thought Ferrigno could have beaten him on stage.

In response, the 7-time Mr. Olympia said, “I think that he needed another two, three years.”

When the host asked him whether Ferrigno competed too early, Schwarzenegger said,

“No, he didn't compete too early. He competed at the right time. The only thing is, you have to wait for your turn. Remember, when I came to the United States, I was already a two-time Mr. Universe. And then I won the third Mr. Universe.

But that very same night, when I won the third Mr. Universe, I was beaten in the Mr. Olympia by Sergio Oliva. Sergio was more mature. I was not quite there yet.”

Schwarzenegger is talking about 1969, when he earned his 3rd Mr. Universe title, but that same year, he failed to secure the Mr. Olympia title. However, in 1970, he competed again with greater effort and defeated the reigning champion, Sergio Oliva.

According to Schwarzenegger, Ferrigno lacked maturity. After being defeated 2 times by the Austrian Oak, Ferrigno did not compete at Mr. Olympia in 1975.

However, the 1977 movie Pumping Iron made him famous. In 1977, he began focusing on his acting career, and the movie The Hulk was released that year.

Although Ferrigno returned to Mr. Olympia in 1992 and 1993, he finished 12th and 10th, leaving his hopes for the title behind.

Despite Schwarzenegger's belief that Ferrigno lacked maturity, he also praised the bodybuilder for his hard work.

Arnold Schwarzenegger on Lou Ferrigno's hard work

On February 23, 2025, Muscle Mind Media shared a short reel on its YouTube channel, featuring Schwarzenegger praising Ferrigno.

In the video, the 7-time Mr. Olympia said, “I really got to appreciate Lou because he was one of the very few bodybuilders to work his a** off, you know, not only in the gym.

I mean, he was a sheet metal worker. He was a weightlifter; he was playing football up in Canada. He went into professional wrestling and weightlifting, and then into the movies. You know he played the Hulk. He did a really great job there. Then, after that gig was over, he became a personal trainer, and he was training celebrities here in Hollywood.”

Ferrigno worked as a sheet metal worker around 1971 and prepared for his IFBB Pro titles. In 1976, the bodybuilder played for the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League.

Schwarzenegger admitted that for Ferrigno, work matters most. He never stopped or went backward because of his stardom. And for Schwarzenegger, that is what needs to be appreciated.

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Written by

Supradeep Dutta

Edited by

Ashvinkumar Patil