ActiveWorkoutsArnold Schwarzenegger used this classic bodybuilding exercise to sculpt his colossal back70s archive footage of Arnie provides excellent insight into the 3x Mr Universe’s back workout routineWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
ActiveWorkoutsArnold Schwarzenegger used this classic bodybuilding exercise to sculpt his colossal back70s archive footage of Arnie provides excellent insight into the 3x Mr Universe’s back workout routineWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
70s archive footage of Arnie provides excellent insight into the 3x Mr Universe’s back workout routine
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Harry Langdon/Getty Images)
(Image credit: Harry Langdon/Getty Images)
Looking at old footage of Arnie working out, you won’t see any fancy machines or music blasting from the speakers. Those guys worked out old school, usingbarbellsladen withweight plates, cast-irondumbbellsand the most basic cable machines you’ve ever seen. You won’t see anyPeloton Bike+orWaterRowerin those gyms, onlyweight benchesand mirrors. No wonder everyone was so macho those days, with all that testosterone coursing through their veins!
Take, for example, the back exercise Anrie used to build his magnificent V-taper. He didn’t dopull-upsor use other fancy callisthenics moves such as muscle-ups. No, Schwarzy used lat pulldowns,heavylat pulldowns, to build muscle. Have a look at the video below to see the man himself pulling what looks like a semi-truck-worth of weight.
The main reason why I like this video is that it contradicts everything people are being told about how to work out right now. Most PTs will encourage you to use lighter weights and focus on completing each rep using a full range of motion. On the other hand, Arnie goes as heavy as he can and indeed uses other muscles than just his lats to pull the bar towards his chest.
Now, it’s worth mentioning that Schwarzenegger was a professional bodybuilder. He made a living out of sculpting his body and spent hours every day in the gym lifting weights, so he knew full well what he was doing. I don’t recommend anyone trying to replicate his moves, especially not beginners. You’ll need years of lifting experience to be able to perform bench press to such perfection as how Arnie does it in the video.
As one person on Youtube commented under the video, “For anyone [who says] he was half repping: [Arnie’s workout technique] is a perfect example of time under tension. Arnold is seen here performing each exercise while constantly keeping his chest under tension. Experts say that it not only works the chest a lot better but also keeps the joints safe. Hell, the pump always feels good, especially when hitting the incline.”
How to master lat pulldowns
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
First, you need to practice the movement with lighter weights, so your muscles and joints get used to it; only then can you start experimenting with performing exercises differently.
To be able to do this, you’ll have to pull the bar down slightly, and you also have to tuck the knees under the knee pad. Once you’re 100 per cent sure your grip is secure, and your legs are in the correct position, it’s time to pull the bar towards your chest. Lean back slightly, pull with the lats – the large muscles at the top of your back – and focus on keeping the movement under control.
Once the bar hits the chest, return to the starting position but make sure the bar avoids the chin on the way up.
PS5 could finally be getting Gears of War and Halo after game-changing decisionThe age of exclusives is coming to an end
The age of exclusives is coming to an end
Samsung’s latest laptops changed my mind about AI – here’s whyThe Galaxy Book 5 Pro and Galaxy Book 5 360 are AI wunderkinds
The Galaxy Book 5 Pro and Galaxy Book 5 360 are AI wunderkinds
Arnold Schwarzenegger shares his Golden Era chest and back workout and it’s insaneIt even took Arnie two hours to complete
It even took Arnie two hours to complete
Arnold Schwarzenegger shares his top two techniques for building muscleAnd it doesn’t require lifting more weight.
And it doesn’t require lifting more weight.
New Netflix documentary takes a deep dive into Arnold Schwarzenegger’s lifeFrom his bodybuilding days to his personal life, we’ll get a closer look at it all
From his bodybuilding days to his personal life, we’ll get a closer look at it all
Arnold Schwarzenegger shares 15-minute full-body workout you can do at home"All you need is a pair of dumbbells for a great workout"
“All you need is a pair of dumbbells for a great workout”
Arnold Schwarzenegger shares what he eats in a day and it may surprise youIncluding his breakfast, lunch, dinner and cheat meal
Including his breakfast, lunch, dinner and cheat meal
What’s the “suicide grip”, and why did Arnold Schwarzenegger use it for bench pressing?There are many Arnie workout techniques you should copy – the suicide grip isn’t one of them
There are many Arnie workout techniques you should copy – the suicide grip isn’t one of them
How I grow my pecs with an exercise Arnold Schwarzenegger said helped him build his enormous chest musclesThis is an exercise I would never leave out from my push workouts; all you need is a pair of dumbbells and a weight bench
This is an exercise I would never leave out from my push workouts; all you need is a pair of dumbbells and a weight bench
The Arnold Schwarzenegger Blueprint to Mass workout plan builds muscle all over your body in 8 weeksTake on the world with the muscle-building, 8-week Arnie workout plan. It’s as brutal as you expect!
Take on the world with the muscle-building, 8-week Arnie workout plan. It’s as brutal as you expect!
