Come meet me at Muscle Beach

KarmaPoIice · 2013-09-19T17:30:34+00:00

I live about 200 yards from muscle beach and I would absolutely love to come check this out!

As for a funny story about lifting, I have only one that isn't too embarrassing to tell here. When I was 19, about a month or 2 after I started lifting, I figured it was time to work on my legs a little bit. So I head in to my college rec center all hyped up on caffeine, clueless but enthusiastic. Right in the middle of the floor is a big, shiny leg press machine that had my name all over it. So I head over and load up a plate on each side. I get in the machine and hit a couple reps but it feels way too light, almost like nothing was on there. I think to myself "wow my legs are pretty damn strong, I need to load this baby up." At this point it's important to state that I am a pretty small guy, and at the time was even way smaller. Around 5' 8" 115, that small. I also happened to be surrounded by dozens of beautiful college co eds and older, much more fit guys.

So anyways back to the story. After the first rep left me feeling like Hercules I started adding more plates. After I had 3 on each side, it STILL felt like nothing so I went in search of more. At this point I was going over to other peoples machines and asking them if I could have their plates, feeling like a badass for finally using the 45s on something. So I keep loading this thing up. I'm sure you all see where this is going. Anyways after I had about 6 plates on each side, I suddenly was struck with the blinding realization that I had been loading these plates on the holding racks, not the actual bar. Immediately I turned bright red and noticed the assortment of guys around me staring and snickering. Definitely one of my most embarrassing moments in the gym!

So if I'm not too late to RSVP for the event tomorrow let me know! I'd really love to come by especially since it's only about a 2 minute walk away. Thanks!

ZedZeeZee · 2013-09-19T17:23:03+00:00

Come with me if you want to lift.

GovSchwarzenegger · 2013-09-19T18:58:33+00:00

[deleted]

Wet_Walrus · 2013-09-19T18:17:40+00:00

Wow, this could honestly be a dream come true. I live 500ft away from muscle beach and work in Marina Del Rey. I will definitely be taking off work for this.

Just like you had pictures of Reg Park on your walls, I have always used you as inspiration, inside and outside of the gym. "Obsessed is a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated" is one of my favorite quotes from you.

One of my favorite pictures of you is this one. If I ever get to be even half the size of you, I'll make sure to take the same picture.

I remember reading a story about when you were filming Conan (I think) and you and Dolph Lundgren were staying at the same hotel (I think he was dating someone starring in the movie) and his first interaction with you was when you banged on his door early in the morning and said "DOLPH, it's Arnold! I'm here to check your muscles!" That cracked me up. And the "I'm here to check your muscles" has been an ongoing joke within my circle of friends.

Anyways, this is my RSVP. Thanks for poking your head in here every once in a while. It means a lot to us.

TravelinStyle · 2013-09-19T20:32:06+00:00

I was running the Santa Monica stairs (this popular large stairway on the side of a hill) years ago. I was half of the way up, feelin' the burn with a few people around. When 30 steps ahead of me this woman in her mid 20s collapsed on the stairs. A guy right next to her got to her side instantly and found that she was unconscious and pale. He said "Is anyone a doctor, or nurse, or paramedic?!". No one said a thing. I was currently in paramedic school, getting close to being done. But I didn't want to set the bar too high since I just a student, so i said, "I know CPR!". People made room for me to get in to assess her. When I got to her side it was pretty clear she had syncoped(fainted) from the workout and had lowered herself to the ground.

I wanted a hand moving her to a landing a few feet away. I looked up at the 5 or so people standing by when i saw a behemoth of a man. This big 6'4'' Samoan fellow with the a build that only spam and macaroni salad can create. I instantly enlisted his help and moving this little woman was a breeze. When we got to the landing she was still out cold so I thought about my training. What can I do right now? Well we can elevate her legs, get that blood to flow to her heart and brain to help. So I turn to my new Samoan friend and ask him to "elevate her legs". Of course I meant to raise them about a foot in the air. But eager to help he grabs her by the ankles and lifts her clear into the air upside down! I had taken a knee at this point and now i was face to face with this girl as she opens her eyes to be greeted by my inverted smiling face. She had a flash of confusion on her face and then gives a Oscar winning horror scream as she realizes she's being held upside and surrounded by strangers. We lower her back to the ground and it takes a minute to calm her down. In the end she was fine but it definitely felt like a good Samaritan act gone wrong.

Edit: And I still live near Muscle Beach and have tomorrow off. I would love to attend would be thrilled to meet an idol of mine. Still into fitness and working as a paramedic now. I'm part of a team at work that promotes CPR training while participating in running events.

Ballistrophobia · 2013-09-19T17:21:43+00:00

I was 19 and weighed 350lbs. Decided I was tired of being depressed, went to my local Borders and started reading your Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding. I found a comfy chair and sat there reading it for hours. Went back the next day and purchased it.

Ending up losing 170lbs over the next 11 months just from plain diet and exercise. Thanks for helping me help myself, Arnie. You've taught me so much more than just fitness and nutrition.

BrightenthatIdea · 2013-09-19T17:19:14+00:00

The should be the most successful Reddit meat-up ever

GovSchwarzenegger · 2013-09-19T17:33:24+00:00

[deleted]

2013-09-19T18:26:31+00:00

I work in walking distance to muscle beach and would love to break up part of my day with some lifting. Consider me in.

I guess my story would be about "break up" because it's part of the reason i'm a better lifter and person today.

In 2008, I went through a divorce in my late twenties. It was a bad one and left me heart-broken. My friendships were splintered as we shared the same social circle. My confidence and soul were shattered amongst the ruins of what I assumed was a horrible life strewn with failure and worthlessness.

I moved in to a small room in a small house with some friendly people on a whim, and with a few meager belongings, a quieted phone, and heavy heart - I went to the garage in the home and found a dusty bench press and more.

In this garage I housed my pain, and stored my sorrow and lifted my way out of a phenomenal funk towards a small light. Warm blood began to course its way through my veins again as I sought after new exercises to do and more weights to add. I felt better, I lifted until all the weights in the garage were utilized and I needed more until one day I forgot the pain and felt the gain.

The side effects of lifting are awesome. I felt alive, I felt my body working towards a goal and realized I still existed and mattered. This helped me out of the garage and in to a local gym and out on to the scene with new friends, a new love, a baby on they way and a strong core with an even stronger heart and soul beneath it.

THEICON666 · 2013-09-19T17:05:33+00:00

I don't have a ride Arnold. Can I get a lift?

BillyBastion · 2013-09-19T20:45:38+00:00

YES. I WORK SO CLOSE TO HERE. I'M TAKING OFF EARLY FROM WORK TO GO. This is my RSVP (per your request). Also, is this the original Muscle Beach at the Santa Monica Pier? Or the Muscle Beach Venice? I'm assuming the latter.

As for as a fitness story is concerned....I don't have anything particularly funny or inspirational, so I guess I'll just tell my story about getting into shape.

As a kid, I was always the runt of the group. By that I mean I was usually the 2nd smallest, if not the smallest kid in my class. I was also very skinny. My mom actually took me to the doctor because she was concerned that I was so small. The d octor to ok a look at me and said I'd grow up to be 5'6" if I was lucky.

Fast forward 7 years and I'm about 5'10", a junior in HS, overweight, and in horrible shape in general. It's funny because I grew up being tiny, only to grow and end up on the other end of the spectrum. It didn't really concern me though because, well, I was young and invincible right?

Well, during my spring break, I was in Texas. I was walking around Wal-Mart when I stumbled across one of those things that you stick your arm in and it measures your blood pressure. I decided to measure my health and was pretty confident I'd end up around normal levels. WRONG. My heart rate was in the 90's, and while I can't remember the numbers for the systolic and diastolic pressures, it was well into the high range. And all this from a 16 year old kid. I mean, if I was this unhealthy now, where would I be in the future? At that moment, I told myself I was going to get my fat ass in shape.

Fast forward 5 years and I'm still training and getting stronger. It wasn't an easy journey, and it certainly wasn't a tasty one. But it was worth every painful second at the gym...every bead of sweat...and every bit of sacrifice. It's been a rewarding experience and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I plan to continue my fitness journey for as long as my body will allow. I guess all that's left to talk about are the progression of my lifts. Right now, I'm 5'10" and 185lbs. My PR's are as follows:

Deadlift: 475lbs

Bench Press: 275lbs

Squat: 335lbs

They're not as high as I would like, but hey, I'm still working and improving, and that's what counts.

Arnold, I'm not sure if you'll see my comment, but I will be there tomorrow. I hope to get at least a picture with you. I grew up watching all of your moives and have loved every one of them. You (and Batman) were my heros growing up. Thanks.

Darksing · 2013-09-19T19:33:59+00:00

This is the coolest thing I've seen any celebrity do for reddit. Thank you Arnold

theflyingvs · 2013-09-19T17:20:07+00:00

Few quick tings to say Arnold. And I think this goes for a lot of people on here.

Thank you so much for contributing to r/fit, and continuing to give back your time and dedication to others around the world! I know that your efforts here and elsewhere gives others a motivational boost to hit the gym even harder.
This event looks really incredible and some really lucky winner will have an awesome memory for the rest of their life!
I wish I lived on the west coast. :(

AhmedF · 2013-09-19T17:03:33+00:00

ARNOLD CALLING OUT THE ARTICLE I HELPED WRITE FOR HIS SITE.

DutchMcMaster · 2013-09-19T16:59:50+00:00

So mad I live on the East Coast. All you Left Coast bros and broettes better take advantage of this awesome opportunity.

schmidt29 · 2013-09-19T19:49:25+00:00

I have an extraordinary story of how I survived a fall that should have killed me and went missing while my brain was damaged.

I fell more than 60 feet off of a bridge and severely damaged my brain and tore many muscless only 6 months ago. I was out of the hospital bed and walking around the halls sooner than they expected me to wake up. I consistently proved that I would be able to come back to my full self and never listened to people telling me that I can't. After a month I was able to run a mile and do a few push ups.

After working every single day over the sumer to recover I have greatly exceeded anyones expectations for my recovery. My brain had to repiece how to read and write, and it can still be a struggle. But I refuse to give up no matter what. I am getting excellent grades in my first choice of colleges while working out everyday.

I have a playlist of all of your motivational speeches and stories. You are a huge inspiration to me and I am thankful for even the small chance of meeting you.

Here is proof: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4ss8NjYkso

b0tman · 2013-09-19T17:59:21+00:00

[deleted]

silverhydra · 2013-09-19T19:48:59+00:00

Temporarily put the page into contest mode.

wolfsuit · 2013-09-19T23:44:14+00:00

Arnold! I live in Venice and lift at Venice Golds and try to channel you on a regular basis in there. If I could get an RSVP tomorrow, I would be so stoked. Either way, I'll be there! I always tell people we will never have as believable an action star in the movie industry as Arnold, nobody else can pull it off like you.

My inspiration for fitness at this point in my life is coming from my father. He was always a pillar of fitness in my life, and has also always been a huge fan of yours. He was always a tall, muscular guy and was a Superman in my eyes growing up. This past year he had to have spinal surgery for a cervical stenosis that was pinching his spinal cord. Since the surgery, he has had a rough time trying to get back to normal life, learning to walk again basically, and having lost almost all of his grip and arm strength. His biggest gripe about the whole ordeal is that he lost all of the mass it had taken him years to put on and maintain, and how he just wishes he could lift weights again, and I hope he will eventually recover to a point where he can. So now, when I go to the gym, I think about how one of the only things he wishes he could do right now is as simple as lift weights, and how I had taken it for granted for years, so it has brought me a newfound respect and appreciation when I'm in the gym. I've never been the biggest guy by any means, but fitness has been a huge outlet for me my whole life since I was a kid, especially lifting weights the past ten years, and I really have my dad to thank for instilling that in me.

mjhamilton · 2013-09-19T18:30:39+00:00

Muscle Beach is just a short drive for me! I'll be seeing you there tomorrow for sure!

i_hate_kitten · 2013-09-19T18:34:46+00:00

I avoided the gym like the plague. The reason? When I was 17 I was spending a weekend in a hotel. They had a gym and I wanted to try it out. I had never been in a gym before. I had never partipated in any sports. The closest I ever came to working out was when I watched Jackie Chan movies and jumped around trying to imitate him. So in the gym everybody minds their own business and I try to blend in. I casually walk to the dumbbells, chose one which I think will make me look manly (I think it was the 30 lb one), I try a biceps curl....aaaaand I end up pinching a nerve in my back. Still trying to save face I slooowly put back the dumbbell, grit my teeth and crawl back into my room. I spend the next days on painkillers and I would avoid the gym for the next years.

Fast forward to 2010. I am finishing my PhD. I am 20lb overweight (5 foot 7 (1.73 m), 196 lb (89 kg)) at that time) and had just collapsed at work. The diagnosis: burnout / depression. I was keen on being dependend on antidepressiva. So after I barely manage to graduate I sell all my stuff and fly to a small island on Thailand were I sign in for 5 weeks of Muay Thai classes. I get the shit beat out of me on a daily basis. The Thai trainers all have this polite grin in the face when they throw me around. I crawl out of the gym every time the training is over (two 2 hour sessions per day) and I am absolutely loving it. After the 5 weeks are over I lost about 18lb. I had thrown the pills away in my 3rd week there. And I swore to myself that this would never happen again.

Now I live in San Diego (just a 2 hour drive, I would definitely come). I hit the gym 3 times a week. No depressive phases for the last two years and working out had a lot to do with it. My training is nothing special, just enough to feel good. Reading this subreddit motivated me to try out more things in the gym, what to do, what to avoid. You guys have no idea how much you changed my life. Thanks.

Edit: Changed the kg to lb. Sorry, I still think in metric.

LawHelmet · 2013-09-19T19:10:30+00:00

When I lived in MdR, my Dad and I used to run up the beach to the rings near Santa Monica and do PT style workouts. because bikinis. We're also climbers, so we need to train with alpine boots and packs. sand is a really good way to train for altitude, because of the horrid nature of it's weight bearing - its always changing and shifting and your legs/hips/core never gets a break if you're moving (as opposed to rest-stepping).

Anyways, we're trudging along the sand just west of Venice in ski boots, using ski poles, and have backpacks on. with board shorts. some high school kids, maybe freshman, idk it's getting harder to get that right every year, come over and start ripping on us for looking crazy as all hell. "We're training" is our standard answer for knuckleheads who harass us. These kids are going at pretty good, and i'm about to use my ski pole to trip one. My dad suddenly stops, and announces "I'm training with my son for our climb in the Khumbuhimal in Nepal. I'm rescheduled three meetings to make room for this workout. I may have to quit to make room for this climb. Leave us alone. now." never have i ever seen young punks deflated so fast

he told me his day had magically opened up and did i want to do a workout? the feels.

amebix720 · 2013-09-19T17:36:26+00:00

Goddammit. I have never felt so geographically inadequate in my whole life.

imaydei · 2013-09-19T17:45:55+00:00

I literally, LITERALLY right around the corner from you but I won't be able to make it because of this stupid thing I have to do they pay me money for (commonly refered to as a job). I would love to do this. You're a huge inspiration. So heated I can't make it. Although if I end up the VIP for this I will get there, consequences be damned.

Fitness quite literally saved my life. I was fat and nasty, just went through a super nasty breakup, and was incredibly depressed. It was looking like there was no way out, and I honestly thought that for a dangerously long time. I almost didn't make.

Then, some kind soul, a disciple of Brodin, showed me the path of iron on which we should all walk. He lead me down it. Spotted my sub-135 bench (I weighed like 235). Made my chubby ass run for miles, and miles, and then puke, and then more miles, all while enduring the thunderous crashes of my thighs colliding with every step. When we parted ways, I continued the workouts. Did tons of research on routines and nutritions. Bought a food scale. Got my macro ratio locked in. Started cycling my cuts and bulks.

Changed my life forever. Mind and body tempered and harderned. Progress, not perfection. Always striving for that next PR, that next 1% BF drop. And that tenacity and dedication flows over into other aspects of life. It's made everything better. And I will do this until the day I die.

"No man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable"

Jonnypiu · 2013-09-19T18:52:56+00:00

Lieber Arnold,

I'm italian and just for casualty I came up to this post. I'm in Venice beach for this week and I'd die to have a VIP pass to meet you, why??

Well when I was younger I had quite a bit of personal and familiar issue so I was put in a German school (ja ich kann deutsch sprechen :) ). During one afternoon while every other kids were playing and as usual I was left out because I was definitely not an athlete ( 110kg on 180 cm ) I discovered a old magazine with your Mr olympia pic on it. I went home and with patient I translated the interview from german to italian and your motivation to become what you ARE NOW, struck me so much that I started going to the gym despite the embarrassment of showing in sports cloths (not the largest ever :P).

Ever since I kept going and today I am still improving and struggling to reach my goal. (btw I weight 85 kg and I'm 190 cm with less than 10% of body fat now :D )

SLEEP- EAT HEALTHY- TRAIN ... AND KEEP GOING!!!

ich hoffe dich morgen zu sehen und kennenlernen.

MfG

Luca

musy101 · 2013-09-19T20:27:30+00:00

This is my RSVP!

Also my story: Always been that small, short athletic kid. I started lifting in college and gained a bunch of muscle. Got pneumonia, lost a bunch of weight again. Worked hard and got my muscle back, then I got pneumonia AGAIN a couple months later. Worked hard at the gym and got my gains looking good. But then I got it again. Turns out I had lung cancer and it was causing the pneumonia. Long story short, I had surgery to remove my left inferior lobe (similar to the procedure walt had in BB) and I wasn't allowed to lift anything more than 10 lbs for the next few months, yet alone work out. A couple months go by and I get cleared for the gym, and I slowly work my way back into shape. I get into the best shape I've been my whole life, but I keep getting fevers and infections that hold me back throughout the year. Turns out my tonsils were really infected and had to be removed. After the tonsillectomy, I had 10 days of recovery and I was finally cleared for the gym again. Went HAM and finally am where I am today at about 135 lbs (I was 120). Nothing special. I feel like a lot of things will get in your way, but nothing can stop you from reaching your goals.

Jonnypiu · 2013-09-19T18:41:58+00:00

Lieber Arnold,

I'm italian and just for casualty I came up to this post. I'm in Venice beach for this week and I'd die to have a VIP pass to meet you, why??

Well when I was younger I had quite a bit of personal and familiar issue so I was put in a German school (ja ich kann deutsch sprechen :) ). During one afternoon while every other kids were playing and as usual I was left out because I was definitely not an athlete ( 110kg on 180 cm ) I discovered a old magazine with your Mr olympia pic on it. I went home and with patient I translated the interview from german to italian and your motivation to become what you ARE NOW, struck me so much that I started going to the gym despite the embarrassment of showing in sports cloths (not the largest ever :P).

Ever since I kept going and today I am still improving and struggling to reach my goal. (btw I weight 85 kg and I'm 190 cm with less than 10% of body fat now :D )

SLEEP- EAT HEALTHY- TRAIN ... AND KEEP GOING!!!

ich hoffe dich morgen zu sehen und kennenlernen.

MfG

Luca

Unrelated_Narrative · 2013-09-19T18:01:34+00:00

[deleted]

2013-09-19T19:02:07+00:00

[deleted]

fungah · 2013-09-19T17:27:34+00:00

Well it's been my dream to work out at muscle beach for a while. I needed a kidney transplant from lupus when I was 15. Started working out when I was about 21, kept at it almost uninterrupted for near 10 years now, though getting cancer and being subsequently paralyzed has put a damper on things. Still, my routine is all upper body right now and I've made a lot of gains in the last year.

Unfortunately there is no way I can get to muscle beach tomorrow. Maybe some other time Arnie...

Otherkin · 2013-09-19T18:20:19+00:00

I'm 31 and live in I live in a place where you've never been: Oxnard. It's about 45 mins north from Santa Monica/Venice on the PCH. Most people just drive through it.

I used to be really depressed all the time with a pretty bad case of social phobia. Then I got into weight training. Now, I wouldn't say I'm fit by any measure, but I've really started to notice changes in my general mood and energy. Even if I do get depressed it doesn't last as long or as deeply. There's always that feeling of euphoria to look forward to after a good workout!

Twice a week I've been taking my mom (50-something) to the gym as well. We go at 2PM every Tuesday and Thursday, right after her soaps. She's on heavy meds so she can't drive places. She loves it, hahaha. She's a plump little woman with a big booty, but she's enjoys doing the treadmill and meeting people. She always interrupts me while I'm trying to do squats though!

Recently I've been watching my protein intake. It's kinda crazy after doing light weights for years to actually start seeing some results. I'm going to the gym five times a week now. I'm still far away from my goals, but people are starting to notice that I'm not just all flab. It's really exciting. I don't know if people will upvote this now but that's my story.

ydnab2 · 2013-09-19T18:01:49+00:00

Not sure if anything is really inspirational or whatever, but I'll just relay my life and my fitness goals and what have you.

I live in LA and I'm one of the many homeless. I have a gym membership at 24 Hour Fitness in Downtown, the main reason is for showers and some more liberal storage times.

When I was 8 years old, I broke my [double-jointed] left arm whilst playing chicken in my friend's front yard [back in Texas]. Unable to endure much of the pain in physical therapy, the tendons in my arm have essentially grown tighter and have caused my left arm to bow backwards more than typical, and my range of motion towards my shoulder is less than normal as well.

This prevents my overall range of motion, as well as weight loads, in some excercises, and I sometimes have to comepletely stop a work out as I can feel the tendons slipping, making something like a knuckle-popping sound. Similarly, about 7 years ago, while rollerblading, I failed at T-stopping, my ankle turned and my left knee slammed to the ground. Occasionally there are exercises I have to stop doing or lower the weight, otherwise it gets painful.

I'm soon to turn 32 and I've been completely out of shape for most of my life. I never picked up on healthy eating/exercise habits from my parents. About 3 years ago, my left foot developed bunions and it makes it ever more difficult to lift or run, and even use the elliptical.

Two months ago I signed on to my gym and have been working out roughly every other day. My typical arms set is somewhere around 50 lbs, with high reps on machines, whereas it started in the 40's. Legs are around 50-100 lb depending on the exercise. I try to ride the bike for 15-30 minutes when I'm not exhausted, and use a HIIT method of 30 seconds super fast pedalling with 90 seconds of moderate speed pedalling.

I am in a constant state of sleep deprivation, my left side has decided to be a jerk to the rest of my body...but I still go to the gym every other day (depending on scheduling), and I'm making improvements in small ways.

My physical health is up to me, but I must cooperate with my body. My journey has only just begun.

Edit/Update:

Made it to the event, and was EXTREMELY late to the party, 30 minutes after 3pm, crazy long ass bus rides. Bummer. Managed a green wrist band, t-shirt and a sample of the Arnold Iron Pump Pre-Workout Muscle Formula. Also had an escort from the back to about 15 feet from Arnie in search of the fabled Reddit wrist band...they were already out.

Managed to work out today (probably why I was super late sadface) and the goals I met are as follows:

Seated Row - 55lbs | 4 sets of 20 reps (different hand orientations)
Chest Press - 55lbs | 4 sets of 20 reps
Chest Fly (?) - 50lbs | 3 sets of 20 reps
Reverse Chest Fly (?) - 50lbs | 3 sets of 10 reps
Hip Adductor - 90 lbs | 3 sets of 15 reps
Hip Abductor - 90lbs | 3 sets of 15 reps
Seated Leg Extension - 50lbs | 3 sets of 15 reps
Seated Leg Curl - 50 lbs | 3 sets of 20 reps
Stationary Bike - 10 resistance | 15 minutes of HIIT (90 seconds 60 RPMs, 30 seconds 110+ RPMs - repeated)

Shower - 20 minutes

2013-09-19T23:00:31+00:00

Man o Man, time to ditch work tomorrow ;). Where to start, 4 years ago, I had no directions in life, just playing world of warcraft around the clock and stuffing fast food as I scream on ventrilo "get out of the fire you idiots" I was morbidly obese and very depressed. Little by little, the urge to live life started to crumble apart. I was at my heaviest, 5'4" M 255 lbs, broken up from my college girlfriend of 3 years, working at a dead end job selling electronics @ best buy.

I remember, I was struggling with boxes that I couldn't lift an old Sony WEGA for a friend into their car. Huffing and puffing, sweating like a pig in the heat, I just struggled, called over friend's husband, and we just struggled. In the end, we couldn't get the TV into the car, waited for the moving van people to do it for us. That was a trigger, the catalyst was my friend's husband also suffered from gout, he told me his story and his daily struggles with the disease.

It just exploded, I have nothing to lose, I am tired of being weak, tired of being fat, most of all tired of feeling useless. Slowly I started to train, eat right, little by little I lost the weight. And with that same mind set, little by little I gained muscles. I read your stories Arnold, I listen to the interviews, push harder, never give in, who cares what others say, and that really struck a chord with me.

Fast forward to today, I am 170 lbs, I was able to pack on a lot of muscles, working out 6 days a week, eating like a freaking rabbit sometimes, but I love it. Finally understood when you said, The pump feels like I am cumming. Thank you for helping through the years, being able to get this far, and soon to compete in my first amateur bodybuilder show in 2014 while at the same time studying to become a personal trainer.

Thank you, Thank you for reading.

Losingit22 · 2013-09-19T17:26:37+00:00

Thanks for including us in stuff like this, we love you Arnie.

Philnormous · 2013-09-19T18:19:20+00:00

I too live by Venice! I work right on the boardwalk and play basketball there everyday! Let me know what I need to do to RSVP!

Arthien · 2013-09-19T17:03:09+00:00

I always find it refreshing seeing a man so committed to fitness, that he continues to spread it through the community.

WeaselJester · 2013-09-19T19:36:35+00:00

Story about Fitness:

So at Christmas 2012 I was at 6' and 208 lbs, which was really heavy for me. This was not a fit 208, this was a 'sit 9 hours a day at work, drink all the free soda at the job, then go home and sit playing video games'.

Went to visit my parents in Florida for the holidays...no internet to speak of, no computers, but I was gong out Kayak fishing, getting out four hours or so a day just paddling and fishing with my dad. It felt amazing. I resolved to get into some better shape...I'd done this before but I felt like I'd had a week to distance myself from the bad habits so maybe it would stick.

Started reading, about dieting, about fitness, about things I could do without going to a gym as I still hate gyms. Got into Convict Conditioning, bought a bull up bar...was half assing it but I was at least getting the diet in order.

On New Years I managed to get out on a successful date with a lady I've known for years, and shortly afterwards we were dating. A lady who has been an active roller derby player for four and a half years. "Intense" did not do her thighs justice. I kept losing the weight, began poking a little more intently into body weight conditioning but wasn't really making any head way. I hadn't committed.

Around April I bought a set of crappy 'starter skates' for $35 off overstock.com with the intention of just being able to skate on some trails in the park with her. Got out on them once or twice, got stable. She thought this was a great idea and was touched I'd even offer to go skating with her...after two miles she's barely breaking a sweat and I am dying.

"Hey just hold on, I want to take this hill!" So here I am, out of breath, bright red, holding onto her hips as a 185lb drag weight...while my five foot nothing, hundred and nothing girlfriend proceeds to assault a series of hills like its a nothing. Some old men watching this started applauding.

Then I got serious.

Regular work out schedule, regular diet schedule, instituted a 'pull up tax' whenever I walked under the bar. At first I couldn't even do a pull up, was just hanging there struggling. Found out how to do negatives, and just kept working at it.

In July a men's derby league formed in New Jersey as a little brother to the ladies team she's on. I started going to practices, 6 hours a week in the new skates I'd bought plus whatever time I could squeeze in on the wheels outside the rink. Kept working out off skates, wall squats became bodyweight squats became bodyweight + 20lb freeweights, then adding jumping lunges. Push ups became diamonds. I can do sets of 5 pulls ups now.

I got down to 170lbs...I've gone up to 174 but my waistline is still coming in. I can 'skate the diamond' on the inside track in less five minutes. They've started putting me into full contact drills and expect me to be scrimmage ready by Christmas.

Oh yea, I also proposed to her. She said yes.

TL:DR Went from being a 208lb lazy bum, to a 174lb work in progress roller derby player.

A_Meat_Popsicle · 2013-09-19T17:12:49+00:00

[deleted]

cntwt2c_urbiguglyass · 2013-09-19T17:21:03+00:00

I'll even give you some advices.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q5Xr8MxtWw

kthumm90 · 2013-09-19T20:16:48+00:00

When I graduated high school in 2009, I was a scrawny stick of a boy who had no idea of what my passions were and no plans for a future. One of my friends introduced me to weight lifting and I was hooked. Not necessarily hooked on becoming huge but hooked on exercise and fitness. I am now a ACSM personal trainer and about to graduate with a bachelor's degree in Kinesiolgy exercise science. The thing that I love about fitness is that there is never only one right answer. There are various solutions and methods to increasing performance and the work you put in specifically effects you in a unique way. Fitness is about increasing our quality of life through the joys of movement. Whether you are a dancer, a sprinter, a hockey player or a weight lifter, we all share the same sense of accomplishment after every workout session. Health and fitness is my life and my career and this opportunity to meet my biggest inspiration is one that I can't miss.

kingcon0 · 2013-09-19T20:23:42+00:00

Hello Arnold! I am such a huge fan and you have been an inspiration to me and my family. I was born in the soviet union and now live in Canada . luckily I am down in San Diego for a little while and just saw your post about muscle beach. My dad was a body builder back in the soviet union before there was any big body building culture. He loves working out and believes in exercise as being the best medicine for your body. My brother father and I all read and adhere to your encyclopedia of body building. My father has always had trouble with alcohol and when ever he is in a really bad spot in life he always turns to exercise and family to help him get through it. Unfortunately he is not down here in San Diego with me but I would love to be able to meet you shake your hand and get a photo with you so I could bring back some more inspiration to him. That is my story. I hope I get to meet you in Venice beach and if I do not I will be there as part of the crowd. Don't stop inspiring people to be healthy and to be great!!!! Thank you so much for everything!

S7Epic · 2013-09-19T20:14:46+00:00

Come with me if you want to lift!

kangaroo_tacos · 2013-09-19T17:46:00+00:00

Ok..this is like 25 minutes from my house ..Help me out guys My fitness story is this ... A co worker gave me a 3 day pass to a local Golds , I figured since i was the most out of shape i had ever been and gained 20 lbs in a 8 month period why not . So i get to the gym and just crush the elyptical (spelling ?) for the first 2 days. On the 3rd day of the pass a trainer approached me and did the whole free session thing which was the standard 35 minutes of basic lifts and 30 minutes of sales pitch...I politley declined and was basically told if you want results you need guidance you cant just come in here and lift weights and get ripped ....it was crazy ..Im no scientist but im pretty sure that IS what i needed to do . So i did . I always tried to catch up to this assholes lifts for 3 years ...finally i was about 25 lbs from this guys squat and he got canned ...For a while i just hated that guy , come to find out he just inspired the shit out of me .albiet it was unconvential, motivation none the less

edit : sorry for the rush job ..im at the office and sit dirctly in front of the very pro active vps office double edit: During this whole shebang 1 lost 50 lbs and 15-20 bf%

2013-09-19T19:32:11+00:00

I'm definitely going to show up to this event. Long time fan of Schwarzenegger! Have a canvas print of him doing biceps curls in the hallway.

As for my fitness story, nothing too crazy I guess, but the one that comes to mind was a time when I was out of gym shorts to wear but wanted to get my workout in. I normally hate wearing cargo shorts or any other kind of pants to the gym, and with good reason. On about the 3rd rep of my warm-up set on squats with 135lbs, my cargo shorts ripped basically from behind the knee to the waist band. Total fabric failure, and it's just all boxers showing through.

It was too early in my workout to call it a day though, and there wasn't much else I could do but keep going. I figured, hey, if someone wants to stare at my boxers while I squat, go for it. So I finished my leg workout and marched home with my ass half out the whole way.

Patrik- · 2013-09-19T20:31:44+00:00

I told santa that I wanted weights for christmas when I was 11 yo after seeing terminator 2. Been going to the gym on and off for the last 10 years and is currently at my best shape ever and I have you to thank for my initial interest in bodybuilding. Just bought your biography - it's beyond inspiration what life you have built for yourself. In the process you've helped to make the world a better place and is still continuing to do so. You have my deepest appreciation. - Big love from Sweden!

letdogsvote · 2013-09-19T18:21:55+00:00

Gonna go ahead and say that Arnold pretty much rocks.

hot_coffee · 2013-09-19T19:14:49+00:00

Attention:
This thread has its own theme. Please listen to it while reading this thread.

Punkndrublic · 2013-09-19T21:57:45+00:00

Isn't it true that any beach Arnold happens to be on is a muscle beach?

2013-09-19T17:14:21+00:00

I live in Venice, CA and I'm in NYC right now. Why hast thou forsaken me, Iron Gods?!

3rdFloorChair29 · 2013-09-19T23:36:14+00:00

Hey guys,

So last summer I was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer, it was pretty serious and they recommended I take the year off and focus on chemo/radiation. Well, I had other plans. Having gone to the gym for the past 5-6 years almost 5 times a week, consistently, I wasn't going to ruin everything I'd worked so hard to achieve. So I got my ass off the couch after damn near every chemo treatment, there were 33 rounds over 40 weeks, and headed to the gym to work my regiment. I might've lost 10 lbs over the year, being mainly due to taking in less calories during radiation.

I kept my body in top shape though, snowboarding, ruining, participating in a spartan race, as well as taking classes as a senior in mechanical engineering at nc state. More people thought I was a marine than that I was undergoing some of the most dangerous medical treatments weekly!

I was told I was in remission 3 months ago. And now, I'm right back where I started. My cancer's back and I'm faced with a great challenge over the next year. Having already gone through aggressive surgery to remove the cancer, I am faced with anther year of more serious treatment. As a result of the surgery, my diet has been incredibly limited and as such have lost a significant amount of weight. But as soon as I can, I'm getting my ass back in the gym to get in shape before battling chemo and radiation once again!

This would be a hell of a re-introduction to the weight room for me and such a motivation for me! Ill see if I can't make it out!

ChristianKS94 · 2013-09-19T20:19:36+00:00

This isn't a contest entry or anything, I just wanted to say: Arnold, thanks for being an awesome guy.

Lobovasco · 2013-09-19T19:34:08+00:00

Arnold - I live nearby and will definitely be by tomorrow to meet you! RSVP!

When growing up I was always the skinniest kid around, I was always looked up to you for your films such as Commando, Predator, Red Heat and Terminator. For my 15th birthday I got your Encyclopedia and it completely changed my Life! I also loved reading your latest autobiography.

Thank you Arnold!

lazybeef · 2013-09-19T17:22:55+00:00

Finally! I have an opportunity to meet my idol.

Edit: not an inspirational story about me but rather arnold. I saw pumping iron when I was 11 and I was so in awe with arnold and exercise that I started lifting thay day. Sure it was only 15lb bench press but I started. I have worked out almost every day since then. Despite some genetic challenges and numerous injuries, arnold inspired me to stay fit in one way or another (i stopped lifting 5 years ago in favor of swimming and cycling) for 13 years now. What his example taught me was that you dont have to win mr olympia to be the best. You jusy have to have the mindset and dedication to commit to yourself and your own goals, whether that be lifting, running, swimming, biking, or just general health. When you invest in yourself there are no excuses.

MrSoprano · 2013-09-19T21:39:26+00:00

This would be a dream of mine, as fitness completely changed (and then shaped) my life. I will instead think of your inspiration as I get my workout in early all the way in Athens, GA and become incredibly jealous of all that can attend.

Come back with some pics of the event!

mechanate · 2013-09-19T22:09:03+00:00

I wish I could make it just to shake your hand, because you gave me one little piece of advice that has changed my life: getting a chin-up bar. I put it on a door in the hall, and whenever I pass by I'll do a quick five-set. Amazing results.

rsong965 · 2013-09-19T19:16:48+00:00

I had knee surgery a month ago and I really miss working out. I will go to venice tomorrow to see you Governor!

Macbrantis · 2013-09-19T19:56:35+00:00

I can't make it out today, but if you see Jason Segel please kick his ass. I stepped in his dog's shit the other day and he just yelled in my face.

That crazy asshole has it coming to him!

Footy_Fanatic · 2013-09-19T17:15:05+00:00

HOLY SHIT ARNOLD IS GOING TO COACH ONE OF US FOR SOME LIFTS! SOMEONE TAPE IT PLEASE!

Pamela_Handerson · 2013-09-19T18:17:53+00:00

Not my story, simply came across it on reddit, but by far the most deadlift inspiring story anyone will ever read.

I give you the story of Craig.

mvw2 · 2013-09-19T17:14:49+00:00

I'll be a thousand miles away, but I'm glad to see you getting back into fitness.

2013-09-19T17:38:19+00:00

I'm no wordsmith Mr. S,

And I've no means of making it to muscle beach tomorrow. I live in michigan and attend a community college five days a week. But I still wanted to share a few thoughts with you.

Look no further for inspiration than yourself Arnold. Some would say you're a role model because of what you have achieved. That you're a success because of your former bodybuilding, acting, and governing.

But that's not entirely true, at least it's not why I look up to you.

The reason you mean so much to the community is because you have achieved so much for yourself and you've shared all of it. It's because you climbed the ladder with a smile and a friendly attitude. Thank you for being yourself Mr. S. I hope you and the attendees have a great time tomorrow.

pauley10 · 2013-09-19T20:30:15+00:00

My story starts in 2005 when I was 14. My mother just passed away from breast cancer and just starting high school. My mom never let my brothers and I play sports because she thought we would get hurt so I took the opportunity to join the high school football team because I loved playing madden and watching football. I was bony and weak going in weighing 110 lbs at 5'7". I began to gain some weight fast because of the changes to my lifestyle and weighed 120 by the first game of the season. I was pretty bad at first but my dedication grew and I worked out hard to start my first game at cornerback week 6. The day before that game we were practicing kickoff and I laid out the kick returner and recovered the fumble but doing so I broke my arm bad. It sucked for all the work I did get taken away in a snap. I still worked out with my cast using a dumbbell for arm lifts and still managed to do leg lifts. When I got out of my cast my maxes were 85 lbs on bench, 155 on squat and 95 lbs on clean. I work my tail off and tried to make the leaderboard for weightlifting at my school gym which were the top 10 lifters for each category. Every year I worked hard and gained about 10 lbs each year so by the time of my senior year I weighed 160 benched 215 squat 335 and power cleaned 265. I was recognized for my hard work and dedication by my teammates and coaches everytime we lifted never quitting on a set and doing all my reps. I earned the starting varsity position and made it 4th on power clean 10 lbs short of breaking top 10 on bench and 30 lbs short of breaking top 10 on squat. What motivated me the most was at my first practice freshman year my coach said "I don't care if you screw up bad as long as you give me 100% effort that's all I ask for" pointing me out when I half assed a play. That made me work hard in the weight room no matter how pathetic my maxes were to the point to which I was respected. Best decision of my life to follow weightlifting.

returning_videotapes · 2013-09-19T17:11:14+00:00

I'll even give you some advices.

I need to buy a plane ticket. First I need some money.

Good luck to the storytellers.

2013-09-19T20:53:02+00:00

Santa Monican here, I'll re-share my history with fitness here (this was my /r/loseit submission a while back, as well as a more recent photo):

Growing up, my parents didn't pay much attention to nutrition so I took after my Dad in eating low quality (health-wise) food, and a lot of it. My freshman year of HS, I peaked around 250 lbs and after a semester of football and wrestling, I managed to trim it back down to 215 to be just under heavyweight (though this came back to bite me when I was 0.5 lbs over at weigh in).

After some familial issues, I ended up moving out to Santa Monica with my dad and my old tendencies of low activity + high food consumption got the better of me -- I peaked around 265. For me, seeing that number on the scale was the tipping point. I'd grown tired of feeling inferior because of my poor lifestyle choices and started to eat healthier; it wasn't until half a year later when, to my surprise (I wasn't tracking my weight at the time) I'd lost 50 pounds. This kicked me into overdrive and I started being more active -- walking was my staple for a long time, but it was sufficient as some form of activity. I became fascinated with swimming, cycling, even jogging for a little while (as well as trying countless other activities that were once off-limits in my mind), and over a total of a year and a half I managed to drop down to 165.

I'm still in a continuing process to maintain my health, though I fall into the trap of complacency every once in a while and lose sight of my end goals of being a strong and healthy man when I no longer have my youth to fall back on. I'll admit I was initially intimidated to RSVP because I've not been in superhyperliftmode lately, but maybe those feelings of intimidation should be taken as motivation.

tl;dr learned how to eat healthily and got more active, lost 100 lbs.

Also, RSVPing

breakme123 · 2013-09-19T20:12:22+00:00

Arnold, this is an amazing opportunity! Making fitness one of the foundations of my life has actually changed and saved me. I was fat, lazy, bed-ridden from a nasty snowboard injury, and had basically given up hope that I could ever be active again. I ended up clicking an internet link to one of the scenes from Pumping Iron on YouTube (hint it has to do with coming at the gym, at home with a woman, and when you were on stage in front of 5,000 people) and not only did it make me laugh, it also inspired me to go and buy the DVD. I decided to join a gym shortly thereafter, and slowly but surely I began to make progress. I could walk normally again, and soon after I was able to run. Then came squats, deadlifts, benching and pullups. Before I knew it, I had lost 60 lbs of fat and put on 25 pounds of muscle. Girls started to notice me more. My life took a complete 180. I will definitely try to make it out tomorrow (I live in West LA) and I hope I can be one of your VIPs.... I actually took that Pumping Iron quote and put it on my favorite workout Tanktop... so if you invite me tomorrow, I'll be sure to bring it so we can take a pic of it together (and post it to r/fitness after for sure). Thanks again for everything

Freakinawesome · 2013-09-19T17:41:52+00:00

Got a hard on while squatting. Finished my set

caalro · 2013-09-19T18:38:08+00:00

Regular RSVP - Caalro - Casey Robinson

VideoLinkBot · 2013-09-19T19:50:21+00:00

Here is a list of video links collected from comments that redditors have made in response to this submission:

Source Comment	Score	Video Link
NaChl094	276	Arnold Schwarzenegger - "Who do YOU want to be in life?"
schmidt29	91	Missing Scotts Valley man Matt Abraham found in Utah
cntwt2c_urbiguglyass	34	Best Arnold speech ever!
hot_coffee	21	Arnold Schwarzenegger motivation speech.
E-HeroSSS	4	Dillon, you son of a bitch!
ryan099	3	Luke Million - Arnold OFFICIAL VIDEO
Not_that_easy	2	Arnold Schwarzenegger -- Down, Up Luke Million Mix
enrac	1	The Gym Barbarian
enrac	1	Posing at the NPC California 2011
CRASHBANDIC00T	1	Get To The Chopper!!!
shitakefunshrooms	1	I still have a soul HBO Boxing
Bearearl	1	AudioBook: The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley
gooseon	1	Monster Bug Wars- Jumping Jack Ants vs. Huntsman Spider
flashtone	1	Pump Iron - Bob Couch Original
inde_	1	The Strongest Man You've Never Heard Of: CT Fletcher

jsnoots · 2013-09-19T18:53:01+00:00

Arnie is very reddit savvy.

YoungLeoG · 2013-09-19T20:48:28+00:00

Is it just me, or is the upvotes quite few in this thread?

FThornton · 2013-09-19T17:36:23+00:00

I met you at the 2007 Stanley Cup VIP tent in Anaheim. I talked my way into the tent (Guess I can't do that this time), and then I rounded the corner and you were right there with your son Governor grabbing him some food. It was a pleasure to meet you and shake your hand that day. Especially considering that I wasn't even suppose to be in that part of the game day events. If I wasn't going to Medieval Times tonight for my birthday, I would definitely have loved to have had the opportunity to meet you again and get an autograph this time!

bolaz · 2013-09-19T20:18:03+00:00

Arnold you are awesome! I just got into working out and quit smoking 2 years ago after watching Pumping Iron. You were always my favorite action star growing up (im 33 now) I wish i lived in Cali to show up at this event and meet you! Be there next year for a wedding, hopefully i will run into you somewhere!

Thanks for the encouragement and wish you all the best!

2013-09-19T18:54:07+00:00

Hey Arnold.

I'm on my phone and I'm actually taking a first aid course right now but its a refresher course and the material is dry.

Anyways back in 2007 I ended up losing 70 pounds in 5 months. (I'd post before and afters but again on the phone). Anyways I began to see how much the world changed around me when I became physically fit. I was able to do more outdoor activities, people would treat me nicer and girls would give me the time of day.

Unfortunetly I lost my way and gained about 50 pounds and kept the new conceited cocky attitude. Even though I wasn't like what I was before I lived a very very content life working in a warehouse making decent cash but feeling constantly unhappy. When your book came out earlier this year I gave it a a good read and began to realize that if I wanted to get out of the unhappiness glut and achieve some level of success I'd have to move out of my comfort zone, look amazing and work hard.

I decided to leave Vancouver and move to Calgary. Over the last year I decided to take my lifting seriously. I went from 260ish down to a healthier 220 with some impressive numbers (330 bench press, 400 pound deadlift). Currently I'm applying for work in the oil and gas industry and I have a few interviews coming up.

Even though I'm only in the infancy stage by next month I'll be working in a great field, I'll drop a bit more body fat and I'll be able to live my dreams (travel and photography)

I don't really care about a pass, but I thought I just let you know that you are such a great inspiration in my life that when I left Vancouver and car space was limited for my stuff I still brought along my poster of you staring into the camera doing overhead tricep extensions because I look at it everyday in the morning and remind myself to be useful.

2013-09-19T17:47:27+00:00

[deleted]

Want_Bourbon · 2013-09-19T18:45:09+00:00

A word from someone who lived in the area up until a month ago: D'oh!

Whoever gets the VIP pass must give all the details so those of us green with envy can live vicariously.

Gov. Schwarznegger...you are awesome!

brazilish · 2013-09-19T17:13:59+00:00

The UK would love to receive you one day! I would be sure to be there for sure.

CANT_ARGUE_DAT_LOGIC · 2013-09-19T19:24:22+00:00

We need to replace Good Guy Greg with Good Guy Arnold.

AmericanIMG · 2013-09-19T19:30:15+00:00

i'm an LA local and would like to attend the event tomorrow and meet you at Muscle Beach. this is my RSVP+1 here is my best workout story:

here in LA (and probably everywhere else) there are a lot of people who go to the gym simply to get attention. you see them all the time, the girls who come in full makeup and do exercises in tiny clothing (the "leg spreader" in particular for long periods of time), the guys who are in spandex or tiny shirts or sleeveless jerseys screaming and yelling and grunting. well, one time during peak hours there was one particular couple who seemed to want to be the personification of these people.

the guy was a bigger dude, wearing smaller clothing, and his girl was gorgeous and in yoga shorts and a sports bra. he was using up the entire portion of cable machines, yelling and screaming as he was doing tricep extensions while on his knees, his girl loudly cheering him on with "do it baby!" and "you're a f*cking monster!" this went on for a good 30 minutes as he shifted to cable crossovers, then to abdominal crunches. 30 minutes of hogging the only machine where you could do these exercises, and refusing to let anyone else mix in between sets with the excuse of "i'm training, i'm on a strict routine"

now, i'm all for training, and completely understand the seriousness of it when you are competing. but if you're going to hog machines do NOT do it during peak hours in a small gym with limited equipment, and if you are going to be tethered then be polite and respectful of others in the gym. they pay the same money you do and have the same rights you do to use the equipment. this entitled prick refused, and anytime someone would call him on being an ass his girl would yell at them until they moved on. completely ridiculous. i don't know if the workers were just too scared to do anything, or if they didn't care to be bothered from whatever they were doing. i don't blame them, it's a low paying job and the guy was pretty big and the girl pretty annoying and shrill.

so anyway, eventually the guy decides to do hanging knee raises. his girl gets him an apparatus where he can wear plates to increase the weight his abs have to handle. the cycle is repeated of him yelling and screaming and grunting while his girl repeats her nonsense (oh and the whole time she has not touched a weight or done anything except stand around and yell). he's into his first set on like rep 5 or something and all of a sudden he screams like a little girl and drops.

torn abdominal muscle! he's on the floor of the machine, curled up, screaming and starting to weep while is girl just stands over him asking "baby what's wrong?" over and over and over. i have a medical background so i ran over and as i got close the smell hit me. he had shitted himself. A LOT. it was like a week's worth of whey and boiled eggs exploded into his striped spandex pants.

i retched and thankfully didn't puke, but his GF was not so lucky. she bolted for the trash can but didn't make it all the way there. i had to call 911 for a stretcher to come and get him, and he had to be wheeled out in shame, stinking up the joint. due to the incident i never saw either again. but on a positive note the wait for the cables has been great since then. and there is some new flooring in the area =D

returning_videotapes · 2013-09-19T17:04:37+00:00

uh I shit my pants one time squatting. Does that count?

Edit: I'm obvi joking

escher1 · 2013-09-19T18:29:42+00:00

Just had to say, Schwarz your awesome for doing this, I don't even lift ( at the moment) just thought I'd let you know how cool I thought this was

Good luck in the future

docxbrown · 2013-09-19T20:27:14+00:00

Can someone get video from this event tomorrow? I'm too far away to be there but I would love to see it!

amaling · 2013-09-19T19:23:04+00:00

Which one??? the one in Santa Monica or venice?? Im at the Santa Monica one all the time. which is the original place for muscle beach

Threethumb · 2013-09-19T18:34:59+00:00

I won't be able to go, but I just have to say: Holy shit, Arnold. You're the man!

Congratulations and good luck to whoever gets the VIP pass!

2013-09-20T03:36:12+00:00

I'm a 37 year old sysadmin. I sit at a computer for a majority of my day. I've been looking for something to kickstart my lanky nerd frame into shape. Please VIP me, I'll fix your computer.

joker6161 · 2013-09-19T19:22:27+00:00

Thank you Arnold! I'm pumped to see you in the pit.

AlexRidesDucati · 2013-09-19T19:04:27+00:00

Who else read this entire post in Arnolds voice? :D

2013-09-19T18:32:16+00:00

[deleted]

igacek · 2013-09-19T17:30:00+00:00

Wow, this is honestly amazing. Gov Arnold Schwarzenegger offering Redditors who RSVP here to meet up in person. Sort of like VIP access?

Man, sucks that I live in the midwest. Love ya, Arnold! Stay amazing!

Toecutt3r · 2013-09-19T18:28:27+00:00

From B.C here, this is awesome! :D

Let's see those stories!

Armando909396 · 2013-09-19T17:34:13+00:00

I can probably make it out there,

Inspirational story? Hmmm, well imagine a kid who's whole life has been pretty chubby, told by doctors that hes obese. He has depression and anxiety all the time and his life is basically one big pile of crap. After an accident he decides that hes done spiraling down and wants to start bodybuilding. Of course when he tells what little friends he has, that in time he will find out are fake, they dont believe him and try to discourage him even make fun of him for thinking about it, but he ignores them and starts walking his own path. Everyday going to the gym, tracking his food, training as hard as possible. Everyday is a new challenge but its my own plan, im sticking to it and the results are coming.

Before 205 25% bodyfat After 185 15% bodyfat

ProfessorWeeto · 2013-09-19T17:19:52+00:00

Arnold is the greatest

Lightning14 · 2013-09-19T19:38:39+00:00

I have class tomorrow and live about 25 miles from there, but I will definitely try to make it!

Filmmakernick · 2013-09-19T19:03:10+00:00

Wow!

What an amazing opportunity, for everyone involved! This is just fantastic!

I'd love to go to this.

Ever since I was a kid, I've always looked up to you Arnold and your training. Some would say, that I even do a pretty awesome impression too. You've been a personal hero of mine, for a long, long time.

I've always tried to stay active and fit, but I really didn't start going to the gym consistently until around 2006. I've always tried to find new motivations, during the tough times when I didn't even want to go. I'd try and find new work outs or routines.

It wasn't until very recently, that I started to use lifting for something other than feeling strong and looking great. My Gramma was my entire world. She helped raise me, when things were tough at home and my mother was emotionally and physically, unavailable. As she helped me grow older, I started to help take care of her, as she got older.

She would always say, how proud of me she was and how much she loved me, and it would hurt me so much, to see her get sicker and sicker a few months ago.

She died this July, and I feel so lost.

I felt and still feel, tremendous amounts of grief and sadness.

A few weeks ago, I decided to do something nice for myself. I dropped my old gym, because it just wasnt' doing it for me anymore, and I joined up with a new one, near my place.

I picked a decent workout to motivate myself and I now use the gym as a safe temple, to work through the personal tragedy in my life. To get one more rep or smash one more set, I pour my sadness or anger into the outlet of the gym.

It doesn't mean, that I don't feel my feelings, but what it has done, is give me some brief solace and make me feel start to feel even stronger, inside and out, day by day.

Thank you for being a hero to me, sir. It got me to the gym, and now, when I need it most, it's helping to keep me going during this crushing time in my life.

2013-09-19T18:32:45+00:00

My brain just read this in Arnold's voice.

2013-09-19T20:43:34+00:00

Unfortunately I am out in Arkansas so I wont be able to attend. I do have an Arnold story and a fitness story.

When I was 8 years old I was an extra in Kindergarten Cop and got to meet you during the filming of the mall scene at the very beginning. I was a childhood friend of the main character (identical twins) and they got me the part. I remember growing up thinking that it was a pretty big deal. I even have a photo of the two of us somewhere that you autographed, I would post it if I could find it! I showed it to many of my elementary school classmates that year and they thought I was some kind of movie star. For a young kid to get such star treatment really made my day and I've never forgotten it.

Thirteen years later you ran for Governor of California and I voted for you. As Governor you signed my University Diploma (facsimile, still pretty cool). I remember meeting you very briefly a couple years later in a press box at a NASCAR event at the California Speedway. Both times you were extremely gracious and took the time to have a short conversation with me despite the high pressure environment and hundreds of people around.

As for fitness, I'm a member of the /r/keto subreddit and have lost 30 pounds over the past several months. I've spent the whole year refocusing on fitness and nutrition and its changed my life. I really like the fact that you take the time to respond to reddit users with their fitness questions, its on par with your grace and professionalism that I experienced many years ago.

Footy_Fanatic · 2013-09-19T17:10:50+00:00

Why do I live in the south

NeilsErikTheRedd · 2013-09-19T18:16:25+00:00

Please consider this post an RSVP for myself and my girlfriend! We just moved to Los Angeles a month ago and I cannot imagine a more inspiring way to start our lives here. Amazing post, Arnold!

2013-09-19T18:49:38+00:00

Just don't give me the wrong advices like you did to Franco.

Zalkahr · 2013-09-19T17:21:43+00:00

Well, time to hitchhike my way to cali.

LikeTheCaptain · 2013-09-19T18:29:06+00:00

I live about half an hour away and would love to RSVP! I'm usually a lurker but I can't pass up this opportunity. You have been a huge inspiration for me not just in fitness but in life. This site has been extremely helpful in guiding me in the right direction and your constant input is very much appreciated. Thank you for everything and I'm really excited to meet you tomorrow!

edit for inspirational story: I have struggled with depression for many years but the one thing I have always done even through the worst of it was exercise. I lived in a small town in the mountains and was very isolated so I didn't have a lot of free weights, machines, or help. I did tons of body weight exercises, climbed, and used rocks for weight. When I moved out to LA I was able to spend more time with one of my closest friends. He had gotten really into fitness and was able to show me better workouts, eating habits, and this subreddit. The most important thing he taught me though was how to make fitness a part of your life. I just started working out 6 days a week and am in the best shape I have ever been but I will always be trying to improve myself!

satisfyinghump · 2013-09-19T19:21:26+00:00

it brings tears to my eyes, to have you write this. im so happy, for you, and everyone else, who has been touched by you in one or another. so many guys AND girls, around the world, have seen your movies and thought "i want to be big like this guy!" or seen you pumping iron and thought "i want to be strong like this guy" or seen you in your political and other public offices/moments, and thought "this guy worked his ASS off... and hes still such a swell guy"

you do the fitness world proud, by never giving up on what you enjoy, and always pushing forward, regardless of the obstacles. political office, tabloids, family problems, acting, age, etc.

you are not only an example to show others who want to follow your foot steps for body building, but an example to show anyone who is struggling or growing up, and have them see what can be accomplished with rock hard percerverence.

thank you, for all of your contributions.

by the way, i still cry EACH TIME i see T2, and you tell John that there is still one more chip left... EPIC MOVIE! awesome scene. who knew robots could make you cry?

Railsico · 2013-09-19T18:24:37+00:00

I have been having trouble getting into shape; I have been struggling to stay motivated. My friend, Jacob, had been trying to get me to the gym all week with him. So, yesterday, I agreed to meet him after dinner. So, we meet and we're doing some squats and he's piling some weights on, more than I had done before, but I'm feeling it and I'm pushing through them. On my last rep I feel a bubbling in my stomach. My face turns into an expression of fear as I realize the extra large, double spicy burrito I had for dinner was back with vengeance. I'm faced with a decision, do I finish my rep like a man and risk soiling myself or do I submit to defeat and go sit on the toilet in shame. So, I push and as I push I feel the slightest relaxing in my sphincter, just enough to let out the wettest, nastiest fart I had ever experienced. But I made it, in the face of all danger I persevered. Now I'm back at the gym regularly, before dinner.

shazbots · 2013-09-19T21:56:01+00:00

I just wanted to throw my fitness story out there. I was an overweight software engineer in my mid 20s. I weighed around 200lb, and had 32% body fat!

I did a 5k fundraiser with a friend a year ago. I was dying towards the end. A few weeks later, a female friend asked me if I would like to run a marathon with her. This was around November. On impulse I said yes. I knew I would need to train, and be disciplined. I joined a Crossfit gym, and started working out more regularly. I also started changing my diet.

Long story short, my female marathon friend had to bail on me due to knee pains, so I ran the marathon solo in March. I didn't have the best time, but I was proud that I finished. I continued to do Crossfit after the marathon.

Today I dropped down to 170lb, and am around 16% body fat. Without "marathon girl," my friend who got me to do the 5k, and Crossfit, I would probably still be obese, and really unhealthy. That's my story.

Side Note: In the unlikely event that this does get upvoted, I am unable to workout, since I got some surgery done recently. I would love to someday workout with you Mr. Arnold!

KneeDraggin1 · 2013-09-19T19:29:54+00:00

GOOD GUY SCHWARZENEGGER.

LEAVES REDDIT WRISTBANDS FOR PEOPLE COMING TO SEE HIM.

You're a badass man. I'll meet you one day, unfortunately a flight from Atlanta, GA tomorrow isn't happening.

I'm jealous of whoever gets to lift with you, that would be an honor.

MultipleMatrix · 2013-09-19T21:28:27+00:00

Arnold, I'm all the way on the east coast, but I just wanted to say how awesome this is, I'm upset that I miss the opportunity but it's so crazy that you made such an invitation feel so personal. I would be there in a heartbeat if I could

Looking forward to when you make it over to the east coast!

skylerchocopie · 2013-09-20T11:36:52+00:00

I read this whole post in a "arnold" voice and it was wildly entertaining.

long_wang_big_balls · 2013-09-19T19:09:47+00:00

You helped me prove everyone wrong. I was told it couldn't be done.

I did it. I went from a young, obese, teenager, to being built like a brick shit house. The look on the faces of the people who used to bully me was priceless. I'd see them down the gym, they couldn't even make eye contact.

herjin · 2013-09-19T18:10:08+00:00

RSVPing for sure!!!!

inde_ · 2013-09-19T17:19:29+00:00

Oh shit, CT Fletcher is showing up too

Zkno · 2013-09-19T19:39:35+00:00

Can this guy get any cooler? Seriously

d3athr1d3r · 2013-09-19T20:53:45+00:00

I just finally visited Muscle Beach for the first time last Sunday. I'm in the Marine Corps, currently stationed on Camp Pendleton. I try to get out and explore California as much as possible. The Venice Boardwalk and Muscle Beach were amazing and so much fun! Unfortunately my military obligations mean I won't be able to make it tomorrow and it pains me deeply. Regardless I would just like to say thank you for the inspiration you've given to me and so many countless others. Fitness is a great passion of mine and I credit much of my knowledge and progress in my own life to you and others at the top showing the world whats possible with persistence and hard work.

My first time in a weight room was when I was 17 and senior in high school. Being 6'4" and weighing 165lbs I was weak, couldn't do a pullup, could barely do a few pushups. It was embarrassing. I wanted to be strong and woo the ladies, be a man others admired, and most of all just fit in. The first time I benched I could barely lift the bar and my form was needless to say incredibly lacking. I made the effort to learn though. Staying after school to workout, learning about nutrition, and constantly pushing myself. Progress came with persistence and almost 8 years later now I am 6'5" and currently tipping the scales at 225lbs. I'm still learning and always striving to better myself.

TL;DR: I can't go. It makes me sad. Arnold's the man. If it weren't for fitness I'd still be skinny and weak and probably have joined the Army ;)

Last Sunday at Muscle Beach: http://i.imgur.com/DMTwKFf.jpg

oh_bother · 2013-09-19T19:45:31+00:00

East coaster here, I am jumping in rather late but here goes.

I figure I'll start with a fancy collage: here

I am a type 1 diabetic EE nerd who was always told he was overweight, and that dire consequences would follow. I hated doing any type of exercise. I always told myself that I'd get fit when I was an adult, or that I'd lose weight next week.

One day I set up a fluid based bike trainer in the living room (that I had bought 4 years earlier). The next day started a slowly ramping schedule, first 15 minutes twice a week, then 15 4x a week, then 30, then 45, I am now up to 60 minutes 4x a week. If I miss exercise, the bike sits and silently judges me, I actually feel really bad if I see it and haven't exercised that day.

I've lost a ton of weight (~30lbs), toned up, and am just getting started. Over time I have also changed my diet massively, reduced my 9-5 intake to around 300 calories, with a decent dinner (too hard to measure caloric content). Switched to complex carbohydrates etc.

I have become the poster child for diet and exercise at my endocrine clinic, dropped several blood pressure and cholesterol related meds, and am on a much much healthier path. I will be on this routine until I can no longer sit on a bike, and have gone from the threat of amputation to adding quality years to the end of my life. Not to mention all the energy benefits. I never though I would enjoy working out.

Thanks Arnold for actively supporting this community and I really love reading everyone's posts in /r/Fitness !

llaskin · 2013-09-19T18:11:29+00:00

This is so awesome. I wish I lived closer

Scriptus · 2013-09-19T20:05:36+00:00

I wish I could fly out to California just for this event! I've always wanted to got the Venice beach area and having one of the original bodybuilders to train there would just be way too awesome to miss.

fighter_294 · 2013-09-19T23:04:24+00:00

This is why reddit continues to be relevant; an online community that manages to impact real life frequently.

Good on you, Gov. Schwarzenegger - I only wish I had a good enough story and/or the ability to make it to California for this event.


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