Golden Era bodybuilder Tom Platz hasn’t forgotten his origin story decades following his Hall-of-Fame-worthy career. In a recent TikTok video shared on November 30, 2024, he discussed mimicking Arnold Schwarzenegger at his first bodybuilding contest at 16 years old.
Tom Platz is a living legend who has captivated fans since he first stepped foot on a bodybuilding stage. He has battled against massive names in the sport, from former three-time Mr. Olympia Franco Columbu to eight-time champion Lee Haney.
Known as ‘The Quadfather,’ Platz revolutionized leg training, boasting some of the most well-defined and full quads the IFBB Pro League has seen. In addition to leaving an indelible mark on the bodybuilding community, he continues to give back to the world, whether it be hosting training seminars or inspiring individuals with motivational speeches.
Tom Platz Discusses How Arnold Schwarzenegger Inspired Him at 16
Although he’s competed against Arnold Schwarzenegger, that doesn’t mean Platz hasn’t taken valuable lessons from ‘The Austrian Oak.’ In his latest endeavor, he dives into how Schwarzenegger influenced his bodybuilding career before he was officially an adult.
Platz reflected on his first bodybuilding show, expressing how taken aback he was by the photo of Sergio Oliva that was on the poster for the Mr. Iron Man competition.
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“My first bodybuilding show, I was 16, in high school, and I remember, you know seeing the poster to this Mr. Iron Man competition, it was called the Mr. Iron Man, and the poster, I was just like taken by the picture of Sergio Oliva, and he was guest posing at the Mr. Michigan.”
Tom Platz revealed that he had his entire gym class show up to his competition and had his friend prompt them all to cheer when he came onto the stage.
“My first bodybuilding contest Mr. Iron Man I had my whole gym class there and I told Rob to tell all the guys to go crazy when I walk out, tell them to stomp and clap and yell and scream and I was emulating what I saw Arnold do on CBS Wide World of Sports.”
While on stage, Platz embodied Arnold Schwarzenegger and mimicked his poses.
“The whole crowd went crazy, of course, they were my buddies from my gym class and I put my arms over my head like Arnold did and, you know, sort of bowed like Arnold did and learned my own movement of how I wanted to do that and how I wanted to finish my posing routine” Platz explained.
“I was living as if I was Arnold at that time, only I was Tom Platz, but I mimicked Arnold.”
@tomplatzofficial My first bodybuilding competition, Mr. Ironman,1971. I was 16. Video Credit to Jordan Joly, Exclusive Media Host. Instagram @ tomplatz #theQuadSensei #5MoreReps #ClanPlatz #DareDtoDream #LEGenDArY #NoRegrets #theGoldenEagle #ftp #fypage #MyPurpose #StoryTelling @revdrcha @Cardillo Weight Belts
Other bodybuilders, such as Lee Priest, have learned techniques thanks to Platz. Priest also endured one of the most daunting leg day routines he has ever experienced at the hands of Platz and revealed he thought he was having a heart attack later after their training encounter.
Tom Platz developed an intense and strict workout protocol that not only allowed him to succeed on the competitive stage but also continued to inspire and push the generations following behind him. But to this day, he doesn’t forget about the impact that Schwarzenegger had on him.
RELATED: Bodybuilder Tom Platz Flaunts Shredded Quads from 1988 to 2024 on 69th Birthday
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