Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s son won big in his first bodybuilding competition.
On Saturday (March 28), Joseph Baena won his debut bodybuilding competition at the NPC Natural Colorado State Championships, taking first place in the Men’s Open Bodybuilding Heavy Weight Class, Men’s Classic Physique True Novice, and Men’s Classic Physique Novice categories, according to TMZ.
The 28-year-old also earned a silver medal in the Men’s Classic Physique Open Class C.
On Instagram, Baena shared photos from the competition showing his stage poses.
According to TMZ, Schwarzenegger, who had a legendary bodybuilding career before becoming a Hollywood star, supported his son throughout his training and was present during preparation sessions, including working with him in the gym and offering guidance.
Baena had previously expressed a desire to follow in his father’s footsteps, inspired by Schwarzenegger’s record of winning seven Mr. Olympia titles.
According to Men’s Health, Baena began training as a teenager after Schwarzenegger gave him a copy of The Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding, and he has committed to staying natural while building muscle through intense workouts lasting about two hours a day, six days a week.
“One of the big things I learned from Dad was not to have the 10-rep mentality,” Baena told Men’s Health in 2022. “It’s pushing yourself to the limits and going that extra mile, getting those extra reps and half-reps till you’re basically dying.”
That approach is reflected in a nine-move push day workout he recently shared on Instagram that targets his chest and shoulders while also incorporating bicep exercises.
