Joseph Schwarzenegger: Dads Secret to Bodybuilding Success

, the son of , has opened up about the role his father has played in his rapid rise within the bodybuilding world. 

The 28-year-old, who has recently begun , spoke about how the Terminator actor, 78, has encouraged and guided his training journey.

Baena, whose mother is , recently secured the INBA Iron Gladiator Classic Physique title, adding to a string of wins just a week earlier in across multiple categories, including Men’s Open Bodybuilding Heavy Weight Class and both Novice divisions.

Schwarzenegger himself is widely regarded as one of the sport’s all-time greats, having claimed seven Mr. Olympia titles before transitioning into Hollywood and later politics.

Baena has also been training alongside his father at Gold’s Gym in Venice Beach, where Schwarzenegger has been seen offering hands-on support during workouts.

In an interview with GQ published on Monday, Baena said his father sparked his interest in bodybuilding during college, recalling, 'My dad gave me the bodybuilding encyclopedia.'

He added, 'I was flipping through that, trying to learn how to grow the biceps, and I fell in love with weightlifting.'

Baena went on to say that his interest quickly developed into a deeper lifestyle commitment, explaining, 'I fell in love with eating healthy. I fell in love with learning about the body and how it reacts to training, and I became very passionate about it.'

Baena was only 13 in 2011 when Arnold revealed he secretly fathered him with a housekeeper