How Arnold Schwarzenegger manipulated Lou Ferrigno and his father before Mr. Olympia 1975

The world of bodybuilding is aware of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s legacy. The first bodybuilder to ever win seven Mr. Olympias, Schwarzenegger displayed a physique so perfect, that the judges were left with no doubts.

However, what many fans are not aware of is the psychological tricks and techniques that Schwarzenegger used to get the better of his opponents as well.

Lou Ferrigno, who was one of the biggest rivals of Arnold Schwarzenegger at the time, also had to deal with ‘The Austrian Oak’s mind games.

In the documentary Pumping Iron, which was released back in 1977, Schwarzenegger's mental warfare was on full display. Lou was the biggest bodybuilder of that era and was feared by even the elite athletes.

Schwarzenegger came up with a master plan to defeat him at the 1975 Mr. Olympia 1975. A day before the event, Arnold Schwarzenegger was having breakfast with Lou Ferrigno and his parents.

Schwarzenegger had already lifted the Sandow five times, while Lou managed already had two Mr. Unvierse titles. Schwarzenegger boasted about his upcoming win to his rival's parents:

“You know, it's amazing… can you imagine the feeling I have? Six-time Mr. Olympia. Six fu**king times. It's incredible.”

Lou’s father, who was also his coach back, appeared to be psyched out by these words and accepted his son’s defeat even before the show day. The movie also showed Arnold Schwarzenegger mocking Lou Ferrigno’s physique multiple times.

Lou Ferrigno’s reply to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s tactics

During an interview with AM Los Angeles in 1988, Lou ‘The Hulk’ Ferrigno was asked about these incidents and boldly claimed that Arnold Schwarzenegger’s tricks had no effect on him. He said:

“I don’t think he really psyched me out. I think I wasn’t ready. He knew he was gonna win. We were having fun but that’s part of all our personality. We were really enjoying it. I think he was trying to psyche my father out.”

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s tactics that helped him in bodybuilding

Arnold later admitted to using such manipulation and psychological games during his bodybuilding career.

Four decades after Mr. Olympia 1975, on a podcast hosted by Tom Ferriss, Schwarzenegger came clean about his tactics. Talking about the incident, the Terminator star credits his past career as a trainer in a gym where he realized that people are vulnerable and easy to mess with.

“And then I saw them all for two hours in the gym always going in front of the mirror and checking out their thighs... People are vulnerable about those things,” Arnold said.

Despite all the tricks that Schwarzenegger used against his opponents, no one can argue that he was one of the best athletes in the sport of bodybuilding.

What are your views on Arnold Schwarzenegger’s legacy as a bodybuilder? Let us know in the comments.