Joseph Baena is stepping into the bodybuilding spotlight, and he credits a familiar face for helping him stay disciplined. The rising athlete recently opened up about how his father, Arnold Schwarzenegger, continues to shape his fitness journey and mindset.
Joseph Baena shares how dad, Arnold Schwarzenegger, helps him in bodybuilding
Baena shared that Schwarzenegger plays a direct role in his training routine. “He’s the best training partner,” he told “GQ”. “He pushes me. He makes sure that I don’t slack off in the gym,” Baena added.
The 28-year-old bodybuilder continued that his father steps in during the toughest moments. “When the carbs are low and the calories are low and I start getting tired, he pumps me up,” Baena said.
The results have already started to show. Baena entered his first bodybuilding competition on March 28 and won three gold medals at the NPC Natural Colorado State Championships. Shortly after, he secured another win at the INBA Iron Gladiator competition on April 4, building strong momentum early in his competitive career.
Meanwhile, Baena has also shared glimpses of their training sessions online. In one Instagram post from Gold’s Gym in Venice, Schwarzenegger stood nearby, clapping and offering guidance as his son lifted heavy weights. “You have to shock the muscles!” Baena wrote, echoing one of his father’s well-known training philosophies.
Beyond physical training, Schwarzenegger’s influence began years ago. Baena revealed that his father introduced him to bodybuilding through a training encyclopedia. “I was flipping through that, trying to learn how to grow the biceps, and I fell in love with weightlifting,” he explained.
That early inspiration helped him transform his lifestyle. Baena said he became passionate about nutrition, training, and understanding the body. Now, as he continues to win competitions, he credits both discipline and his father’s guidance for his success.
Originally reported by Samridhi Goel for Mandatory.
