Arnold Schwarzenegger Height and Weight

By: Jeremy Fox, CNC, CPTPublished: August 22, 2023

Arnold Schwarzenegger is a name that is synonymous with bodybuilding and fitness. He is a legend in the industry and is widely regarded as one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time.

In his prime, he was known for his incredible size and strength, and his physique was the gold standard for years. So many people wonder about Arnold’s height and weight measurements.

This blog post will delve into Arnold Schwarzenegger’s height and weight in his bodybuilding prime compared to other bodybuilders. Plus, how his height and physique have changed over the years.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Height and Weight

Arnold Schwarzenegger Bio

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Austrian Oak, is best known as a bodybuilder that became a world-famous actor and politician. He was born in Austria in 1947 and had a difficult childhood due to his strict father.

He began weightlifting at 15 and quickly became a successful strength athlete and bodybuilder. He moved to the United States in the 1960s to pursue his bodybuilding career and won the prestigious Mr. Olympia title 7 times.

Eventually, Arnold transitioned to acting, becoming a Hollywood icon with roles in films such as The Terminator and Predator. In 2003, he was elected Governor of California and served two terms before returning to his acting career.

Throughout his life, Schwarzenegger has been known for his physique but also his uncanny ability to set and achieve goals. He has inspired many with his incredible achievements in multiple fields.

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Netflix US (@netflix)

Arnold Schwarzenegger Height and Weight

Let’s start by discussing Arnold Schwarzenegger’s size during his peak bodybuilding career, including his height and weight compared to other bodybuilders. We will also examine his current height as he is in his 70s.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Height and Weight In Prime

Arnold Schwarzenegger was known as a towering figure in golden era bodybuilding, standing at 6 feet 2 inches tall (188 cm) and weighing around 235 lbs (107 kg) on stage. In the offseason, he would often bulk up to over 250 lbs (113 kg).

Table 1. Arnold Schwarzenegger Height and Weight

Measurement  
Birth Date July 30, 1947
Height 6’2″ (188 cm)
Weight 235-250 lbs (107-113 kg)
Body Fat 5-10%

Schwarzenegger towered over nearly every other bodybuilder of the time, including his friend, Franco Columbu (5’5″). Even a young Arnold stood taller than other champions, like Bill Peal (5’10”).

However, he looked less impressive compared to bodybuilding giant Lou Ferrigno (6’5″).

Arnold Schwarzenegger Height vs Franco Columbu

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s height compared to his best friend, bodybuilder Franco Columbu.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Height vs Lou Ferrigno

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s height compared to Lou Ferrigno, one of the biggest bodybuilders of all time.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Height vs Bill Pearl

Young Arnold Schwarzenegger’s height compared to Bill Pearl, who was of fairly average height.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Height Comparison

Despite being taller than nearly every other bodybuilder in his era, Arnold’s actual height has been contested. And one could argue that he was shorter than 6’2″ based on comparisons with other bodybuilders.

In his final Mr. Olympia contest in 1980, Arnold didn’t appear to be significantly taller than the lineup of relatively short bodybuilders. On the basis of all these height comparisons, I estimate Arnold Schwarzenegger’s real height was over 6’1″ but under 6’2″.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Height Comparison

Arnold Schwarzeneggers’s height compared to the 1980 Mr. Olympia lineup. Although Arnold has his head down, it doesn’t appear that he would be that much taller than the other competitors.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Height Now

As we all do, Arnold’s stature has shrunk in both muscularity and height in his older age. Now, in his 70s, Arnold appears to have lost an inch or two, standing closer to 6 feet tall.

Arnold is still involved with television and movies, appearing in Netflix’s FUBAR and a docuseries titled Arnold. Every March, he also hosts the annual Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio.

In the Instagram post below, Schwarzenegger presents bodybuilder Nick Walker (5’7″) with the first-place trophy at the 2023 Arnold Classic.

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Arnold Schwarzenegger (@schwarzenegger)

Arnold Schwarzenegger Workout Routine

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s workout routine is legendary in the world of bodybuilding. He followed a high-volume, high-frequency approach to training, often working out twice a day, six days a week.

This training style is in direct contrast to the low-volume, high-intensity training popularized by bodybuilders like Mike Mentzer and Dorian Yates in the 80s and 90s. But it demonstrates that the body can respond to multiple forms of stressors.

Arnold’s workouts were focused on heavy compound movements, such as squats, deadlifts, and bench presses, which allowed him to build incredible strength and size. He also incorporated a lot of isolation exercises to target specific muscle groups, like his incredible biceps.

Schwarzenegger was a true master of his craft and even has exercises named after him, such as the Arnold Press. His dedication to his training is evident in his impressive physique.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Workout

Arnold performing concentration curls, one of his favorite bicep exercises for feeling the mind-muscle connection.

Cardio

Arnold believed cardiovascular and muscular endurance is essential for bodybuilders because he understood that building big muscles requires a well-functioning heart and respiratory system.

He suggested that the bodybuilding style of resistance training (more reps and shorter rest periods than strength training) is suitable for general cardiovascular conditioning. But specific cardio exercise is also needed to improve aerobic capacity.

For example, Schwarzenegger enjoyed jogging to burn fat and better condition his body for intense weight training. However, he also urged people not to overdo it with cardio when their goal is building or maintaining muscle.

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Arnold Schwarzenegger Diet

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding outlines his preference for a high-protein diet, including lean meats, eggs, dairy, grains, and healthy fats. His typical macro percentages for muscle building were 40% carbs, 40% protein, and 20% fat.

To burn fat and get into contest shape, Arnold followed a more strict diet with a moderate calorie deficit. During this phase, he also reduced his carb intake but did not recommend deprivation diets like keto.

Overall, Schwarzenegger recommends a balanced diet that includes a wide variety of foods to ensure proper vitamin and nutrient intake.

Related: Mike Mentzer Diet Philosophy

Chicken Broccoli and Rice Recipe scaled

Supplements

In his own words, Schwarzenegger admits that he was not a “super-expert” on supplements. However, through conversations with professionals and other bodybuilders, he learned that intense exercise requires more nutrients from the body.

As his career progressed, Arnold began using more supplements, including vitamin and mineral supplements, as a precaution against any potential micronutrient deficiencies. He also used protein supplements to meet his daily requirements without consuming too much fat.

More Bodybuilder Bios

Arnold Schwarzenegger is widely considered the best bodybuilder of all time, and many believe his golden era physique was more appealing than today’s mass monsters. But the arrival of the Classic Physique category has ushered in a new era of aesthetic bodybuilders.

If you’re interested in seeing more old-school bodybuilders or how today’s bodybuilders measure up against Arnold Schwarzenegger, check out these related bios:

Bill Pearl Workout Routine – Beginner to Advanced

Tom Platz’s Insane Legs & Legendary Workouts

Classic Physique Breon Ansley Height, Weight, Age, & Bio

Arnold Classic Winner Ramon Rocha Queiroz Height, Weight, & Bio

Mass Monster Nick Walker Height, Weight, and Bio

Urs Kalecinski Height, Weight, Age, and Biography

Calum Von Moger: Arnold 2.0?

Mr. Olympia Chris Bumstead Height, Weight, & Body Measurements

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By |August 22, 2023|Bodybuilding|Comments Off on Arnold Schwarzenegger Height, Weight, Workouts, & Diet
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