Arnold Schwarzenegger’s legacy is coming full circle, and this time it’s personal. The bodybuilding icon is now training his son, former “Dancing with the Stars” contestant Joseph Baena, as the 28-year-old prepares for his first-ever competition, stepping into the same world his father once dominated.
Baena recently shared a carousel of gym photos featuring Arnold by his side at Gold’s Gym in Venice, California, offering fans a glimpse into their intense training sessions. Alongside the post, he included a quote that summed up his father’s approach: “You have to shock the muscles!” The moment quickly caught attention, not just because of their striking resemblance, but because it marked a major milestone in Baena’s fitness journey.
According to TMZ, Baena is set to make his debut at the NPC Natural Colorado State competition, officially entering the bodybuilding arena after years of preparation. And while his last name may be different, the influence is undeniable.
Training With a Seven-Time Mr. Olympia
Leading up to the competition, Baena has been putting in serious work, training up to two hours a day, six days a week, per Men’s Health. His workouts focus on pushing past limits rather than sticking to standard routines, embracing the kind of intensity his father is known for. “It’s pushing yourself to the limits… getting those extra reps and half-reps till you’re basically dying,” he said.
Arnold has been hands-on throughout the process, offering guidance and coaching as Baena prepares to step on stage. According to the Daily Mail, the two have been training together regularly, with Arnold encouraging him to adopt that classic bodybuilding mindset of constantly challenging the body.
Baena has also been documenting his journey online, sharing updates on his diet, posing practice and physique progress. He even revealed he gained 18 pounds of muscle in just eight weeks, showing how committed he is to the transition from fitness enthusiast to competitor.
Despite growing up in the shadow of one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time, Baena has made it clear he wants to earn his place on his own. “My dad is old-school; he doesn’t believe in handouts. He believes hard work pays off, and so do I,” he previously told Men’s Health.
From ‘Chubby’ Kid to Bodybuilding Stage
While Baena’s current physique reflects years of discipline, his journey did not start that way. In a previous social media post, he opened up about struggling with his weight as a kid, admitting he was once “chubby” and couldn’t keep up with other children.
He shared that he was cut from basketball and soccer teams because of it, calling it a difficult time in his life. “I couldn’t keep up with the other kids,” he wrote, adding that the experience impacted his confidence early on, per his social media post.
Things began to shift when he joined the swim team, which he described as life-changing. “Swim didn’t have tryouts thankfully and completely changed my life forever,” he said, noting it was his introduction to fitness and training.
Baena also revealed he faced bullying growing up, even from close friends, calling it “a big struggle” that ultimately pushed him to change. “That was really a big struggle for me in finding myself and figuring out and creating that ambition to change my weight and my physique,” he said.
Now, as he prepares to step onto the bodybuilding stage for the first time, Baena is embracing the journey that got him there. “Everyone starts somewhere, but starting is the most important.”
