The name Arnold Schwarzenegger would ignite the imagination of a massive chest and ripped physique in the minds of fans. The bodybuilding enthusiasts would hail him as the God of the sport, but Schwarzenegger’s life is much more than that. His movie and political career made him one of the most iconic personalities to walk the earth, but all that is possible because of his successful bodybuilding career. While many knew how a poster of Reg Park influenced him to lift weights and win trophies, only a few would have the information that bodybuilding was not the first sport Schwarzenegger was associated with.

Schwarzenegger started with soccer before becoming 7x Mr. Olympia champion, adored boxing all his life, and skies in his seventies. So, let us unravel the sports other than bodybuilding, which Schwarzenegger is fond of.

Soccer: The first sport of Arnold Schwarzenegger 

Born to a police officer in the Austrian village of Thal, Schwarzenegger was pushed to pursue physical sports at a very early age, and the young lad chose soccer. Schwarzenegger started playing football at ten and continued it till he found his passion for bodybuilding at fifteen. Gustav Schwarzenegger ensured his kids would not miss the soccer practice despite bad weather. It was his time in football that introduced him to the gym.

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Arnie’s soccer coach thought training at the gym one hour a week would help the young athlete maintain fitness and introduced him to the local gym. He would not have imagined that he would lose a champion for bodybuilding. The Austrian Oak was also associated with boxing from a young age.

The love for boxing and Muhammed Ali

While pursuing multiple sports is not uncommon, Schwarzenegger also tried his hands at boxing in high school. He fondly recounts how he and his fellas wore white shorts for games inspired by László Papp, the 3x Olympics champion.

Not just practicing, he would follow the games of pioneers in boxing like Muhammad Ali, Sonny Liston, Ingemar Johansson, and Floyd Patterson. Later in life, Schwarzenegger even met Mohammed Ali. Arnie considers him to be his favorite athlete of all time.

The unending romance with skiing

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s love for adventure can be reflected in his passion for skiing. He continues to hit the snowy mountains even into his seventies. Like his father, Schwarzenegger was strict with children during the skiing season, giving lessons.

Arnie would not offer them hot chocolate after an intense skiing session. Instead, he would make them do extra rounds to allow their bodies to generate heat, and the kids now celebrate their father’s lessons that made them good skiers. The dynamic Hollywood actor Clint Eastwood is Schwarzenegger’s skiing buddy.

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And all the intense training at the gym and bike riding Arnie does in his late seventies is to keep himself strong enough for the skiing adventure. But sadly, the skiing weekend would almost leave the 76-year-old sore.

Cycling: Another means of physical training

The Austrian Oak hits the gym every morning by riding his bike. He is often accompanied by his girlfriend, kids, and friends in his cycling sessions. It serves two purposes for the Terminator icon. In addition to keeping his legs strong, it helps him be eco-friendly. And suppose if Schwarzenegger ever decides to compete in a cycling event in his age group, he will win the trophy, thanks to his years of cycling experience. 

Chess: The fond memories with Franco Columbu

The Governator is not just involved in physical sports but also mental games. Schwarzenegger has been fond of chess since his early years, and his favorite chess partner is his lifetime buddy Franco Columbu. Now that his friend has passed away, Schwarzenegger walks to the chess board in the living room every day to relive the fond memories he made with Columbu. 

Schwarzenegger and his son-in-law Chris Pratt often sit for chess competitions, which the 7x Mr. Olympia champion always wins. However, this isn’t the case when it comes to games with his pet donkey Lulu. “I have to say that Lulu is not only a pet to have a lot of fun with but, she also is a great chess partner. It’s kind of like she just does things like kind of not paying much attention, and then I realize all of a sudden that I lose the game,” Schwarzenegger once confessed to his Reddit fans. Lastly, Schwarzenegger is also a powerlifter.

The powerlifting skills of the Terminator star

While lifting weights for multiple sets helped Schwarzenegger build a ripped physique, he is no less of a talent when it comes to training with heavy weights. Schwarzenegger and Columbu were powerlifters during their prime, and the former has even participated in and won a few powerlifting competitions. His 525 lbs bench press counts to his insane powerlifting skills.

Watch this story | “My Advice to Bodybuilders is really Simple” : Bodybuilding Legend Arnold Schwarzenegger Shares Valuable Advice with Beginners

Arnold Schwarzenegger found happiness in mastering multiple sports in his lifetime. While many know him as the iconic bodybuilder, Schwarzenegger’s versatility would leave you fascinated for a long time.