Few bodybuilders have left a mark on popular culture quite like Lou Ferrigno.
While Arnold Schwarzenegger may be the most famous bodybuilder of all time, Ferrigno isn’t far behind. The two-time Mr Universe champion became a household name after playing the original Incredible Hulk in the late 1970s, but his achievements extend far beyond Hollywood. Ferrigno was also one of the competitors in the inaugural World’s Strongest Man contest and remains one of the most recognisable figures in bodybuilding history.
Now 74, Ferrigno continues to train regularly – and judging by a recent social media post, he’s showing little sign of slowing down.
In a video shared on Instagram, Ferrigno can be seen working through a series of machine exercises in the gym before offering a simple message about healthy ageing.
‘Stay active and feel young,’ he said. ‘What do you do to feel young?’
The clip quickly attracted praise from fans, many of whom were impressed by the actor’s continued commitment to training well into his seventies.
How Bodybuilding Changed Ferrigno’s Life
Ferrigno has often spoken about the impact bodybuilding had on his life long before it led to acting success.
In an interview with Men’s Health US several years ago, he revealed that he grew up without access to gym equipment and had to improvise his own training tools.
‘When I was very young, we were poor. I didn’t have gym equipment,’ he said. ‘I remember going to a scrapyard and building my own barbell.’
That determination quickly developed into an obsession with training.
‘The best thing about bodybuilding and fitness is that it gave me the discipline to do whatever I wanted. Nothing stops me. It made me a warrior and a fighter.’
Ferrigno says he became fascinated by the process of transforming his physique:
‘I wanted to know how to get the most out of my body. Then I started training and experienced the feeling of lifting weights. It felt fantastic. The more I saw my body changing, the more obsessed I became.’
‘Be the Best Version of Yourself’
Despite spending decades at the top of bodybuilding and entertainment, Ferrigno says he has never viewed fitness as a competition with other people. Instead, he believes the goal should always be self-improvement.
‘I don’t compete with other people,’ he said. ‘It’s about competing with yourself. Be the best version of yourself. Because when you’re the best version of yourself, your personal power is immense.’
More than 50 years after beginning his bodybuilding journey, that mindset appears to be serving him well. At 74, Ferrigno is still doing exactly what he’s preached throughout his career – showing up, staying active and continuing to train.
