Schwarzenegger’s son Joseph Baena wins bodybuilding competition
Watch out, Arnold Schwarzenegger, there’s a new champion in the family.
Joseph Baena, the “Terminator” star’s youngest son, made his amateur debut at the National Physique Committee Natural Colorado State Championships last month and swept the competition, taking first place in three categories: men’s open heavyweight, true novice men’s classic physique and novice men’s classic physique.
Then last week he won big in Corona at the International Natural Bodybuilding Assn. Iron Gladiator Competition, where he came first in the Classic Physique division and earned his professional card, paving the way for him to compete in the natural equivalent of his father’s famous competition, the Professional Natural Bodybuilding Assn. Natural Olympia.
“Moments I will never forget!” Baena posted on social media. “What an incredible experience these last 3 months have been. My first bodybuilding prep and shows. I have learned more about myself, training and diets in these few months than I have since I started lifting weights. Getting on stage has always been a scary feat for me, but creating a goal and achieving it is one of the best decisions I have ever made.
“I’m grateful for this experience and thankful for everyone in my corner who supports and encourages me! I can’t wait for what’s next. My message to you is to take this chance and pursue your goals and dreams!”
Joseph Baena enjoyed a trip to In-N-Out Burger after winning first place at Iron Gladiator.
(Ryan O’Connor)
Schwarzenegger won the Mr. Olympia title seven times with the International Federation of Fitness and Bodybuilding, including during his six-year streak from 1970 to 1975. He famously won again in 1980. Although Baena can now compete as a professional in the natural league if he continues, he will still need to place highly in future PNBA shows to land a spot in the Natural Olympia competition, which will be held at Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas in November.
Denise Kakos-Rivas, a representative for INBA and PNBA, told The Times in an emailed statement that Baena’s performance was “powerful and inspiring.”
“From the moment he stepped on stage, Joseph demonstrated confidence, charisma and a true passion for the sport,” she said. “The audience reaction was electric, reflecting the impact of his presence and performance.”
Kakos-Rivas said that off stage, Baena made himself available to fans and athletes.
“Winning the Open Classic Physique title and achieving her PNBA Pro status marks an exciting milestone in her journey,” she continued. “Although his lineage is well known, Joseph establishes his own identity through discipline, dedication and respect for natural competition. »
Like his father, Baena, 28, is a regular at Gold’s Gym in Venice Beach where he trained until his debut as a competitive bodybuilder. Unlike her father, who was outspoken about his past steroid use, Baena approached the sport naturally.
The father and son strongmen have often teamed up to train together and have been spotted repeating the stylish poses that made Schwarzenegger a star. Baena told “Entertainment Tonight” last summer that her father was at the gym early and if he wasn’t there at 7 a.m., Schwarzenegger wouldn’t hold his tongue.
“I’m there every day, or at least I try to be there every day,” he said. “We train together. We love training together. And he’s a great training partner.”
Joseph Baena won the INBA Iron Gladiator bodybuilding competition, held on Saturday and Sunday, earning his professional card.
(Ryan O’Connor)
Baena, who openly struggled with his weight when he was younger, said before the competition that his fitness journey had been a long one. “I started swimming and lost a lot of fat,” he said. “It wasn’t until my freshman year of college, about eight years ago, that I started lifting weights and fell in love with bodybuilding, seeing the improvement, the muscle gain, the strength gain, and I fell in love with the sport, even watching it.
“But this year is the year I said, enough of being afraid, enough of overthinking, it’s time to commit. Just put on a show.”
Baena, who is a luxury real estate agent when he’s not at the gym or eating burgers in his Speedo, shared part of his prep journey online. He frequently posts cooking tutorials focusing on proteins as well as ease of preparation.
In 2022, Baena competed on season 31 of “Dancing With the Stars” and used her bodybuilding skills to perform difficult lifts, primarily by bench pressing her partner, Alexis Warr, mid-tango. He was eliminated five weeks into the season, ultimately placing 11th out of 16 competitors.
