Arnold Schwarzenegger Paves the Way for Son Joseph Baena’s Bodybuilding Debut
Legendary bodybuilder and former Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has been spotted in the gym, imparting his considerable knowledge to his son, Joseph Baena, as the 28-year-old gears up for his first professional bodybuilding competition. The iconic seven-time Mr. Olympia, now 78, was seen working closely with Baena, guiding him through classic poses and refining his technique.
The father-son duo were captured flexing their muscles at the renowned Gold’s Gym in Venice, California, drawing a crowd of onlookers. While Baena showcased his impressive physique, shirtless and highlighting his developing biceps, Schwarzenegger, dressed casually in a black t-shirt, shorts, and knee-high socks, appeared every bit the seasoned mentor, meticulously correcting his son’s form.
Joseph Baena is set to make his competitive debut at the upcoming NPC Natural Colorado State competition. This event, scheduled to take place at the Pinnacle Performing Arts Centre in Denver, Colorado, adheres to strict regulations. Athletes competing will undergo rigorous drug testing, including a 30-minute polygraph examination, to ensure fair play and a level playing field, free from performance-enhancing substances.
Baena, who boasts a significant following of nearly one million on social media, revealed earlier this year that he had successfully gained 18 pounds of muscle in just eight weeks, a testament to his dedication and training regimen.
A Father’s Support and a Son’s Gratitude
The bond between Arnold Schwarzenegger and Joseph Baena appears to be exceptionally strong, built on mutual respect and shared passions, particularly fitness. Joseph has openly expressed his admiration for his father, describing him as an “amazing father” and a “great person to look up to.” In a 2023 interview, he told ET, “He’s the smartest man I know. It’s been a great journey and he’s always been so supportive of whatever I do. So, I’m just really grateful to have a dad like him.”
This unwavering support was also evident in 2022 when Baena participated in the popular television show Dancing with the Stars. Schwarzenegger, a former Governor of California, expressed his astonishment at his son’s dancing prowess, remarking to ET, “Jesus Christ, I can’t even believe that you can move like that.” He humorously added that his family is “not known for dancing, especially on my dad’s side.”
Following in Footsteps, Forging an Identity
Joseph Baena is arguably the child who has most closely followed in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s footsteps, particularly in the realm of bodybuilding. Despite growing up primarily with his mother, Mildred ‘Patty’ Baena, a chef, in Bakersfield, California, the connection with his father has become increasingly prominent.
The revelation of Joseph’s existence came in 2011 when Schwarzenegger, then 13, publicly acknowledged fathering him as a result of a “one-night stand” with his former housekeeper. This confession ultimately led to the dissolution of Schwarzenegger’s 25-year marriage to journalist Maria Shriver, with their divorce finalised in 2021. Maria Shriver has since spoken candidly about the profound impact of the divorce, describing it in her 2023 poetry book, I Am Maria, as something that “broke my heart, it broke my spirit, it broke what was left of me.” She further elaborated on the emotional upheaval, stating, “Without my marriage, my parents, a job, the dam of my lifelong capital-D Denial just blew apart.”
The initial connection between Joseph and his father was forged through their shared love for fitness. Schwarzenegger gifted his son a copy of The Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding, a seminal work he co-authored in 1985. This gift underscored a philosophy that Joseph deeply resonates with. As he told Men’s Health in 2022, “My dad is old-school; he doesn’t believe in handouts. He believes hard work pays off, and so do I.”
Baena’s commitment to earning his achievements independently is clear. “I love the word honour, and I’m very prideful in the sense that if I use my dad’s contacts or ask him for favours, I wonder what honour is that gonna bring me?” he stated, highlighting his desire to build his own legacy.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is a father to five children. Alongside Joseph, he has Katherine, Christina, Patrick, and Christopher, all from his previous marriage to Maria Shriver.
