Arnold Schwarzenegger: Daily Routine

On Daily Routines, we profile successful leaders, entrepreneurs, artists, executives and athletes to explore the routines, schedules, habits and typical day in their life.

Bodybuilding icon Joe Weider, who played a key role in introducing Arnold Schwarzenegger to the world, was famous for calling bodybuilders “lazy bastards.” But if you had the opportunity to follow Arnold Schwarzenegger around for a day during his bodybuilding heydays, you’ll realise that Weider’s sentiment didn’t apply to all of them.

While living in the U.S. with his friend and roommate, Franco Columbu, the pair applied their regimented approach to training and nutrition across all facets of their lives — from getting up early in the morning to making sure their apartment was always tidy.

“Our place was immaculate,” Arnold wrote in his 2012 memoir Total Recall. “We vacuumed regularly; the dishes were always done, with nothing piling up; and the bed was always made, military-style. We were both into the discipline of getting up in the morning and straightening up before you leave the house. The more you do it, the more automatic it becomes, and the less effort it takes. Our apartment was always way cleaner than anyone else’s I went to, men or women.”

After waking up and getting their home in order, Arnold would head off to Gold’s Gym…