The bodybuilding stage witnessed many rivalries, be it Ronnie vs. Wheeler or Steeve vs. Reg, or Frank vs. Franco. The on-stage competition caught the off-stage attention of the audience. One such famous rivalry that traveled beyond the world of bodybuilding was that of Lou Ferrigno and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The two were not just rivals in bodybuilding but also in movies. Despite coming from different backgrounds, their professional choices paved the way for them to cross paths more frequently. When it comes to competition, there is more than just prepping the body. How? Lou opened up in his Sports Psychology Interview.

Lou Ferrigno talks about beating the psychology

Bodybuilders use various behaviors or psychological techniques to intimate their competitors. When Lou was asked about his opinion on the same, he went candid.

Lou was quick to express his opinion. He said, “I don’t believe in, ah, this psyching out, which is things that really come down to is how you feel about yourself, what kind of shape you are.” To elaborate further, he drew a comparison with an Olympic athlete. He said, “if you competing in a competition and you’re one hundred percent at your best, it’s the best you can do.”

Read More: Arch Rival Lou Ferrigno Once Confessed What Gave Arnold Schwarzenegger an Edge Over Him: “He Was a Selection Diamond and I Was…”

He acknowledged that in a competitive sport like bodybuilding, people would say negative things, which is part of the competition. But unlike many, he is not affected by such an attitude. He believed that if someone had a chance to win the contest, then regardless of what others thought, they would win it. He firmly believed, “No game-playing method will effect you. “

When Arnold played with Lou’s mind

Lou Ferrigno is well-known for defeating Arnold Schwarzenegger, the 7x time Mr. Olympia Champion. The rivalry was captured in the documentary film “Pumping Iron.” This “documentary” talks about men’s bodybuilding and covers the 1975 Mr. Olympia competition well.

However, even before they could compete on stage, the Terminator star used his famous ‘psychological warfare’. It’s an old famous tactic that competitors used. Playing with Lou’s mind, Arnold quoted, “You know, it’s amazing. Can you imagine the feeling I have? Six-time Mr. Olympia. Six f—ing times. It’s incredible.” Arnold did not just stop there before the competition. He also said Lou and his family that Lou still requires one more month to prepare for the event.

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They may have been each other’s competitors, but with time, they transformed their rivalry into friendship. Because of their professional commitments, the duo often gets a chance to interact with one another. They share a cordial bond!