Arnold Schwarzenegger is a force for change, inspiring others with his empowering presence and action-oriented approach. In his newsletter, Arnold’s Pump Club, Schwarzenegger shares some Monday motivation, reflecting on his time with bodybuilder and Down Syndrome advocate Kyle Landi, reminding his audience that “fitness is for everyone.”
“I’ll keep fighting to make fitness for everyone every day of my life. But I can’t lift this weight alone. I need all of you. Bring people in. Make them feel good. Lift each other up.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Austrian-born bodybuilder-turned-Hollywood sensation, captivated audiences with his unmatched physique and charisma. Rising from modest beginnings, Schwarzenegger conquered the bodybuilding world with his unprecedented blend of size and symmetry, before transitioning seamlessly into acting, where he became a cinematic legend with iconic roles in “The Terminator” franchise and beyond.
In retirement, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s dedication to educating people on health and fitness extends far beyond mere inspiration. Through his online platforms, social media presence, and various initiatives, Schwarzenegger provides detailed guidance on nutrition, exercise routines, and mental well-being. He often shares workout tips and dietary advice, drawing from his own experiences as a champion bodybuilder and athlete.
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Arnold Schwarzenegger Reminds His Fans That “Fitness Is For You”
Additionally, Schwarzenegger collaborates with experts in the field to offer evidence-based information, like how much protein to eat, and practical strategies for achieving fitness goals in his newsletter, Arnold’s Pump Club. In a recent article, Schwarzenegger recapped working out with Landi.
“Fitness is for everyone.”
“I say this over and over, but I can never repeat it enough.”
“This weekend, when I went to the gym, a young man looked over at me a few times and I’ve been around long enough to get the hint: he wanted to talk to me.”
“His name was Kyle. He has Down syndrome, and he’s very proud to raise awareness about Down syndrome. He is also a bodybuilder with a big following, and he uses his platform to inspire everyone to stop accepting the limitations society tries to place on you” Schwarzenegger wrote.
Last year, Arnold Schwarzenegger crossed paths with Kyle Landi who is a bodybuilder and influential figure advocating for Down Syndrome. Landi was able to showcase his incredible physique at the 2023 Arnold Classic where he met the legend himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger. While Schwarzenegger wasn’t able to spend quality time with him on that weekend, they reunited at the gym where Kyle Landi inspired Schwarzenegger even further:
“I met Kyle at last year’s Arnold Classic, but that’s always a crazy weekend with 200,000 people, so this was the first time I spent time with him. I had a fantastic time training him.”
“He inspired me to come back to my favorite message this week: fitness is for everyone.”
“Young, old, rich, poor, black, white, straight, gay, man, woman, “disabled,” able-bodied — and anything in between; no matter who you are and what your situation might be, fitness is for you.”
“We share this message yearly at the Arnold Sports Festival.”
Schwarzenegger Encourages Inclusivity In The Fitness Community
Arnold Schwarzenegger also reminds his followers that individuals with disabilities shouldn’t be pitied, instead they should be supported like anyone else.
“When you see these lifters, whether Miles with cerebral palsy, Derick with one leg, or Kyle and Garrett with Down syndrome, you can’t help but be inspired. That’s why I love to give them the big stage.
“But there’s another reason. If you saw them outside of the fitness setting, you might feel bad for them. They don’t want that. Miles wears shirts with the “dis” in “disability” crossed out.”
He added that barbells and dumbbells don’t see race, sexuality, gender, or socio-economic status.
“Fitness gives each of them, and all of us, a way to overcome whatever challenges we face. It’s the great equalizer. Two hundred pounds is 200 pounds whether you live in a mansion or are struggling to put food on the table. The barbell doesn’t see your race or sexuality or gender or bank account or anything — it’s just asking to be picked up, no matter who you are.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger sends a message to gym owners and others involved in fitness to be more inclusive even when faced with adversity.
“Well, if you’re a gym owner or involved in the fitness industry, which I know many of our members are because we see hundreds of requests to feature your gyms and products, it means you better make fitness welcoming to everyone. You have to be inclusive. You can’t turn people away because of who they are, and you must be willing to help people with different issues find their way into the gym.”
“If you’re turning away people like Kyle or Miles, you can never consider yourself a success. It’s your job as a member of the fitness industry to find every way you can to make fitness available to everyone. Imagine an elementary school that said I only want to take the best students, no students learning English, no students with developmental issues, no students who are falling behind. You wouldn’t look at that school as a success.”
“I know that it might take a little work to make your gym welcoming to everyone, and you might have some members who you fear will be uncomfortable, but it is worth it. And let me be clear: it is your job to set the tone and make the gym inclusive and open.”
Like Joey Swoll’s message, Schwarzenegger says it’s important for people to welcome others to the gym wholeheartedly.
“And for the rest of us? The weekend warriors and the daily lifters? It’s your job to be welcoming and kind at the gym and be a missionary for it when you’re outside the real world. Bring people into our fitness crusade. Lift them up — don’t put them down.”
“It’s our responsibility to keep the big tent of fitness open because if we don’t, how could we find this inspiration?”
“Because what Kyle and Miles and Derick are all really telling us is we don’t have an excuse. They aren’t moping around, so there isn’t a challenge big enough to keep us from getting off the couch and controlling the one thing we can always control: focusing on our fitness and moving forward every day.”
Wrapping up, Schwarzenegger reminds all his followers what the Arnold’s Pump Club stands for which is lifting each other and promoting positivity.
“Meeting and hanging out with these guys is better than any pre-workout you could buy. Despite what we may see as major challenges, they’re positive and moving forward.”
“That’s why fitness is for everyone. No matter what we face, it gives us the power to change something in our lives: our strength. And when you learn that you aren’t powerless in that one part of your life, you gain the strength to deal with the challenges outside of the gym. It feels like magic, but it’s really just work.”
Kyle Landi has honed his skills while working beside some of the biggest names in the fitness industry. This includes Larry Wheels, Dana Linn Bailey, and even Ronnie Coleman. Landi also guest posed on stage at the 2023 Pure Muscle Championships alongside Men’s Open stars Nick Walker and Quinton Eriya.
Schwarzenegger’s approachable and informative style empowers individuals to make positive lifestyle changes and take control of their health. His emphasis on consistency, balance, and self-improvement helps foster a community of people committed to living healthier, more fulfilling lives.
“That’s what the Pump Club is all about. We lift ourselves up, then we lift each other up, then we lift up the world,” Schwarzenegger shared.
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