Arnold Schwarzenegger had to switch his workout routines following his heart operation.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of the all-time greats in bodybuilding and he continues to work out to this day. Of course, his training sessions have changed drastically since his competition days. He had to adjust his lifting habits following his heart surgery and he recently discussed what this was like.
After coming over from Austria, Schwarzenegger caught eyes because of his insane physique and turned it into a legendary career on stage. On his way to seven Olympia titles, Arnold did great things for the sport of bodybuilding as a whole. He continues to be an influential figure in the sport.
Now, Schwarzenegger uses his platform to share different workout and diet tips. This includes writing about some dietary swaps during a recent edition of his newsletter, Arnold’s Pump Club.
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During a recent interview on the SmartLess podcast, Schwarzenegger explained what his workouts look like today.
“I go on a bike ride. I ride the bike around 45 minutes to an hour a day and I work out with weights at Gold’s Gym about 45 minutes a day but light, nothing heavy.”
Schwarzenegger continued to talk about how doctors told him to maneuver the gym following his heart operation.
Arnold Schwarzenegger: “How Do You Hold Onto The Stuff You Once Had?”
Arnold Schwarzenegger became known for his work ethic in the gym and his superhuman strength. In retirement, this continued but it changed once he underwent his first heart operation.
“I had heart surgery in 1997 and then the doctors were telling me that I should stop the heavy, heavy lifting because it’s not good for the valves. They could kind of wipe out sooner so therefore, instead lifting less weight, just more reps.”
“I workout regularly but you know, as you get older, it’s kind of like how do I hold onto the stuff that you once had? It’s tough.”
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Schwarzenegger then pivoted to workouts that include lighter weight with a lot of reps. This has been another successful method as the 76-year-old continues to keep himself in great shape using the gym and his diet.
As the interview continued on, Arnold discussed how lifting heavy weights impact heart valves, especially ones that have been repaired.
“Everything is like a tire. It has a certain amount of miles and then you have to switch it.”
When you have had the valve surgery, you don’t want to put that much pressure on them, when you do the bench press heavy or do heavy deadlifts or squats. You put a lot of pressure on the valve and it’s unnecessary. The idea is let’s use less weight and you don’t have to switch the valve. After 23 years later, I still had to exchange it anyway with another surgery but the bottom line is, you don’t want to abuse it.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger continues to be one of the biggest names in the fitness world. He is as influential as it gets and many continue to follow and listen to his words on how to improve themselves.
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