A rare clip of Arnold Schwarzenegger's 1975 prison visit has resurfaced online. Posted by Iron Masters Archives, the footage shows the bodybuilding legend motivating inmates during the filming of 'Pumping Iron'.

Filmed exclusively for the iconic 1977 documentary, two years before it premiered, the January 29, 2025, showed the Austrian Oak and his best friend Franco Columbu performed an exhibition posing session.

Even today, it remains one of the most unique interactions from back when bodybuilding was an extremely niche sport. Arnold Scharzenegger and Columbu did the posing session at Terminal Island Federal Prison in California, which housed both men and women.

While a primarily filmed for the documentary, the session was intersting social experiment. In fact, Arine didn't just pose for the inmates; he even worked out with them.

He first tried to boost positivity among the inmates by complimenting their strength. The 7-time Mr. Olympia was seen counting reps for the prisoners while they lifted weights.

However, Schwarzenegger himself once faced sever penalty for his passion for bodybuilding, finding himself on the other side for a few days.

The Austrian army disciplined Arnold Schwarzenegger

Schwarzenegger was no exception to the mandatory military service in Austria. In fact, it was during his training in the army that Arnie learned how to drive a main battle tank.

At the same time, the seven-time Mr. Olympia didn't want to give up bodybuilding. So even during his military service, the bodybuilding legend continued training, but trouble came when he wanted to compete.

Schwarzenegger knew he couldn't compete in the Mr. Europe contest during the mandatory service. Despite knowing the penlaty he went AWOL to compete in 1965.

While he did win the contest, the Austrian army didn't make any expectations. As per the Washington Post, he spent "two or three days in army jail" for insubordination.

Yet what do you think of the old footage? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Supradeep Dutta

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi