Arnold Schwarzenegger has been the poster child for fitness for many decades, but he has had some famous help along the way.

During his appearance on This Past Weekend with Theo Von, the former Governor of California highlighted that over the years, several influential figures helped him promote fitness globally, especially Hollywood star Jane Fonda, who helped champion women's fitness.

"This is why I felt really proud of that we were able, with the help of Jane Fonda and other kind of characters that were, you know, helping women with the fitness movement, and so we really elevated the fitness sport to something really also a huge economic uh uh you know contribution."

During the early days of Schwarzenegger's career, bodybuilding or fitness as a whole wasn't as popular. In fact, bodybuilding was viewed as a niche activity centered on aesthetics and stage performances. Schwarzenegger, however, helped change the narrative, promoting weight training as a foundation for overall health, strength, and performance across sports and daily life.

Over time, people started seeing fitness in a different light. It evolved from being a niche interest into a mainstream lifestyle. Today, gyms are a must in hotels, schools, military facilities, and sports institutions.

And Jane Fonda played a significant role in popularizing fitness, especially among women. Schwarzenegger stated that her contributions helped diversify the movement and make it more accessible.

Years later, The Terminator returned the favor by inducting the Barbarella actress into the California Hall of Fame at The California Museum in December 2008. She was honored for her contribution to the arts and activism.

Besides Fonda, the then-Governor Schwarzenegger and First Lady of California, Maria Shriver, also inducted Ansel Adams, Joan Didion, Amy Tan, Frank Gehry, and legendary director George Lucas.

Arnie and Jane Fonda teamed up to save the oil well buffer zones

And their collaboration didn't stop there. Two years ago, the bodybuilding legend joined forces with Jane Fonda and California Governor Gavin Newsom to enforce stricter regulations on oil drilling. 

The event was held in Los Angeles and centered around California’s Senate Bill 1137, a law that mandates buffer zones to be created between oil and gas wells and nearby communities.

The existing regulation allowed a minimum distance of 3,200 feet between drilling sites and areas such as homes, schools, and hospitals. But it was under threat of a veto referendum.

The team reiterated the importance of protecting the bill as it reduces the exposure to harmful pollutants that cause respiratory issues and other health risks.

Their efforts paid off when the oil industry eventually withdrew its ballot referendum in late June 2024, resulting in the law going into effect.

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Written by

Ruwa Javed

Edited by

Ashvinkumar Patil