Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Workout Routine: The Original Split

Arnie has been synonymous with lifting heavy weights and pumping iron in general for decades now. What about the Arnold Schwarzenegger’s workout routine – is it as epic and legendary as Mr. Schwarzenegger himself?

Well, in today’s post you’ll have the chance to see the authentic workout that Arnie’s been using himself.

Since his legacy in the fitness and bodybuilding community is timeless.

I believe that it’s a no-brainer that I’m (and hopefully you as well) interested in how this main trained during his prime.

Doesn’t matter if you’re a fitness enthusiast, a gym rat, a bodybuilder or you might just be a sucker for all those amazing/weird/hilarious movies starring the Austrian Oak (that’s a famous nickname for the former Mr. Governor) – you’re here for higher testosterone levels and increased masculinity!

And that’s great.

Why?

Because you’re about to familiarize yourself with the superb workout regime of no other than Mr. 7x Olympia himself – A(rgh)nold.

First things first though, you might be wondering why him and what makes this man so unique?

Read on!

What Makes Arnold And His Training Method So Unique?

Simple – the training philosophy that he utilized during his bodybuilding years, which is:

• Compound movements with high frequency and volume
• Train each body part with maximal intensity through every set
• Incorporate isolation movements to target specific muscle groups

Now, I can literally go on for hours without a stop here.

If we talk about why he’s so amazing, this piece of writing will be so lengthy that we can probably use it as a bridge to Mars (‘Total Recall’ anyone?).

“The best activities for your health are pumping and humping.”

– Arnold Schwarzenegger

Talk about a good reason to justify calling The Terminator special!

By the way, notice how he (coincidentally or not) puts pumping before humping.

Maybe because you have to do that first before you earn your right to hump?

We can discuss that in the comment section if you insist.

Indeed, it’s the training philosophy of the former Governor of Cali that’s so inspiring.

Not that any of you will achieve that ripped and massive physique of Arnie from his best years, but that doesn’t mean that we cannot learn from the best.

Two plus two equals…?

Yep, if you remember my thematic post about whether or not working out increases testosterone levels, you will already know that there’s a perfect correlation between the two.

Let’s cut to the chase – working out = MORE testosterone!

Without a shadow of a doubt, write that down.

Basically, when you engage in vigorous physical activities, different from lifting your large beer glass for reps, your body responds by revving up your hormones.

Compounds exercises are ESPECIALLY good at that.

Deadlifts, squats, bench presses, pull-ups, dips, etc. are nothing short of amazing for your fitness and T-optimization goals.

This is why Arnold’s concept of incorporating heavy, basic movements will work for regular gym rats or Joe’s.

I’m sure you’re just as eager as I am to reveal his workout program, so without further ado…

Arnold’s Ultimate Six-Day Workout Routine!

During his prime, this man was a proud member of the legendary Gold’s Gym in Venice Beach, California.

This is a legendary gym and back in the days, this was the go-to gym for aspiring bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts alike.

That was during the 70’s though, years later Arnie came up with a book that targets folks in the fitness industry (it even says ‘from golfers to fitness gurus’).

Being buff doesn’t mean you can’t be an author of a book, does it?

His book is wisely called [reviewengine_link id=”3311″ url=”https://www.amazon.com/New-Encyclopedia-Modern-Bodybuilding-Updated/dp/0684857219?tag=testoster-20″]The New Encyclopedia Of Modern Bodybuilding[/reviewengine_link] and as you can see from the link, it’s available on Amazon for a bargain.

Keep in mind: Before we proceed, I just wanted to give you guys a heads-up.

This workout plan is NOT for beginners by any stretch of the imagination.

You should implement it only if you are an intermediate lifter at the very least.

Anyone in the realm of more advanced bodybuilding and weightlifting would feel at home with this workout schedule.

Enough with me talking though, time to lift the curtain!

1. Monday & Thursday – Chest, Back and Abs

Nothing too groundbreaking here, don’t you think?

You start the week with the heaviest of the bunch (chest and back).

Well, that’s how it should be! Abs are thrown into the mix for good measure so that your core can sustain the heavy barbells that you’re going to be lifting.

You’re supposed to do a stripping set for your final set on the flat bench press.

Nut I think this is taking it too far and would only suit bodybuilders and people who are obsessed with their training schedule.

Anyway, stripping is when you take a weight off the bar and keep pumping until you’re only left with the bar, and then you go for 20 more reps.

Sounds over-complicated? Way too much.

My advice? Ditch the stripping technique!

So you have to repeat this workout on Thursday.

This means that your chest, back, and abs will be stimulated twice per week, which is perhaps the best frequency for most people (if you are human, that is).

Do note that this is high in volume, so pick a weight that you’re comfortable with.

If you start showing off you’ll probably not be able to hit the target repetitions!

Oh, and ‘superset’ in the DB flyes plus DB pullovers and the bent-over barbell plus DB rows, means that you do them back to back.

To give you a quick example: 1 set of DB flyes, then you immediately do 1 set of DB pullovers.

Got it? Alright, moving on now.

2. Tuesday & Friday – Shoulders, Arms and Abs

*rubbing hands together*

This is where it gets interesting my dear friends!

Curious to know why?

For starters, take a look at the first exercise – it’s a clean & press as opposed to the run-of-the-mill military press.

Mr. Schwarzenegger is bringing something fresh to the table.

Now, I LOVE the military press, don’t get me wrong, but Arnie has an excellent reason to include the clean and press instead.

It involves more muscles in the movement itself, as you have to pick the weight from the ground and bring it all the way over your head.

This also adds explosiveness and as you increase the poundage it will totally kick your rear.

You also have supersets once again, which happens to be a superb tool to enhance the intensity and decrease the overall length of a workout, without sacrificing its effectiveness.

Once again, for all the absent-minded folks – supersets are when you complete a set of a given exercise and immediately after that you do a set of another exercise in pure back-to-back fashion, WITHOUT any rest!

3. Wednesday & Saturday – Legs

It wouldn’t be a REAL workout without including a separate leg day, and Arnold knows this all too well.

Leg muscles are the biggest, strongest and sometimes the most neglected muscle group.

This is why you see guys with huge torsos and spaghetti-like legs that could get completely demolished by a gust of wind.

Anyway, in this last part of Mr. Get to the chopper’s training regime, we’re presented with the main pillars of a strong pair of legs.

In case you’re clueless as to which exercises I’m referring to, let me help you with that – squats and deadlifts!

Good mornings are another great compound movement, with the help of which you’ll definitely feel your lower back being worked.

• Also read: Top 5 testosterone boosting exercises without weights

And don’t forget to only do good mornings once per week as per the guidelines of this workout program – either on Wednesday or Saturday, your call entirely.

Better prepare a wheelchair or two buff friends to take you home after this workout, as your legs will be as good as pasta – soft and easily bendable.

4. Sunday – Rest

As for Sunday? Eat, sleep, relax – repeat.

Conclusion

In all seriousness though, Arnold is undoubtedly one of the most influential people in the fitness and bodybuilding mega-industry ever.

Now head over to the gym and annihilate those weights bro!

Don’t forget your German accent too, as you’ll definitely need it if you’re serious about making the most of this workout program.

I’m interested in what you guys think about Arnold’s training protocol, whether you think it’s pure bliss or pure BS.

Share your thoughts in the comment section below!