Baena competed in the NPC Natural Colorado State Championships over the weekend.
Joseph Baena has teased the idea of making his bodybuilding debut for years now. Over the weekend, he officially stepped on the stage and, just like his father, did a lot of winning.
Baena competed at the 2026 NPC Natural Colorado State Championships on Saturday in Denver. He was able to finish in the top two of each division he competed in while winning gold in three. Baena finished first in the Men’s Open Bodybuilding Heavyweight class, Men’s Classic Physique True Novice, and Men’s Classic Physique Novice. He finished as the runner-up in Men’s Classic Physique Open Class C.
Baena completed a successful bodybuilding debut in Colorado. He shared multiple posts on social media during this journey, which caught the attention of many bodybuilding greats. He received comments on Instagram from the likes of Phil Heath, Lee Priest, Hany Rambod, Wesley Vissers, and more.
Baena has been interested in fitness for many years now. The 28-year-old has worked hard to craft an impressive physique and has taken it to the next level to step on stage. He has worked with many fitness greats, including Robby Robinson and Mike O’Hearn, in the gym to aid in his prep over the years.
Joseph Baena’s Journey Into Bodybuilding
It seemed like only a matter of time before Joseph Baena burst onto the bodybuilding scene with his incredible genetics coming from his father, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Early in his life, this was not the case.
In a 2022 appearance with Bradley Martyn, Baena admitted that he was the “chubby kid” among his friends and did not start lifting weights until college.
“It was until I joined swim my sophomore year and I only joined swim because I didn’t make the soccer or basketball team. I got cut because I was too chubby.
I didn’t really start hitting the gym until my junior year of college. I started lifting, and my pops, Arnold Schwarzenegger, if you don’t know, so he gave me the Bodybuilding Encyclopedia, his bodybuilding encyclopedia.“
Once Baena began lifting, he was able to transform his physique in a big way. Baena has found success in many lanes during his career. He has appeared on the big screen in multiple pictures while also being featured on the cover of magazines. Baena also took part in a season of Dancing With The Stars and this enhanced his physique as well, sharing his progress and weight loss while competing on the show.
Joseph Baena has expressed interest in competing naturally, which he was able to do during his debut. He has not done a steroid cycle yet and has “never felt like he needed to.” His first natural competition was a success and now Baena can begin preparing for his next goal.
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