Pumping Iron Movie
From Arnie to Louie
I watched Pumping Iron for the first time this week. It was made in 1977, the year I was born. Wow, has Arnold changed. And dang, I’m getting old.
I’ve always been a huge Arnold fan. Not because I share his beliefs, but because he is a man on a mission and always accomplishes what he sets out to do. I mean, how many people have been super successful in three major professions? Not many.
Bodybuilding? Check.
Movie Star? Check.
Politician? Check.
Now, I’ve read his autobiography, Arnold, The Education of a Bodybuilder, and loved it. I knew he was kind of a jerk, and I didn’t agree with much of this thinking, but I was still in awe of him. It just astounded me to read about a man who started with so little (like many of us) and through sheer will and determination crafted his life the way he wanted it to be.
But then I watched Pumping Iron. I my overall is impression of Schwarzenegger is “Yuck!” I know, I know - I feel like a traitor. But, he was so…so… mean. I’m all for success – for striving for your goals, and stopping at almost nothing to get them. Note, I said “almost.” Where I draw the line is at hurting and tricking others.
He lost credibility in my eyes when he used manipulation and trickery of others to succeed. That means he felt his physique (what the whole world of bodybuilding is about) wasn’t enough to win on its own merit. It’s cheating, IMO. Not legally, of course – but deep down, in our core, we know it’s just wrong.
Okay, I’m not some naive newb who thinks everyone is super honest and plays by the rules all the time. Just because something is common, though, doesn’t make it right. And Arnold’s mindset and drugs and asinine behavior were just grody.
Here’s where Lou Ferrigno comes in. I’ve always liked Lou. He appears to be such a good guy, you know? I find it incredibly admirable that he’s still in such impressive shape. I mean, did you see him in the new Hulk movie? He’s still got it!
Ferrigno is still dedicated to fitness. I watched The Making of Pumping Iron, and he was one of the only ones that still looked good. Some ofr the other guys were falling apart. You know that after all the crap Arnold gave him 25 years early, he had to love being in better shape than him.
Not that he wasn’t in better shape back in the day. He had just as impressive a physique in my opinion and more heart. Whereas Arnie is power, Louie is heart.
Ferrigno has a hugely successful career and wrote Lou Ferrigno's Guide to Personal Power, Bodybuilding and Fitness for Everyone, which I’m hopping over to buy as soon as I finish this article. He’s trained the stars like Mickey Rourke and Chuck Norris. Hmmm… maybe he ought to give Arnold a few pointers? ;)
Now, I’m not giving up on Arnold. I still love the man. He’s emblazoned in my mind as the definition of determination. And, one day, if I ever get my butt on stage at the Arnold, I’d love to shake his hand. I’d still be awestruck at his iconity.
Arnold has said, “I had a master plan from the moment I arrived in America. That’s still in me. Every year I set a goal: to win the Mr. Olympia or to get so many units in business school, to make a certain amount of money, to travel to five or six different countries. Every year I make a plan. I do it. It will be done.” And he has.
I take this advice to heart and make my plan. I repeat his words, “It will be done.” If he can do it, we all can, right?
Ferrigno has some great advice along the same vein. In fact, he’s quite the motivator. He noted: “The attitude is very important. Because, your behavior radiates how you feel.“ And he simplifies success with his simple philosophy:
“To be a champion you must act like one, act like a champion.”
How right you are, Lou! So learn from the great masters. Watch Pumping Iron, get Arnold’s and Lou’s books, and get pumped up. Really, if you hang with the masters, they’re likely to rub off on you. How can you not want do an extreme workout after watching Pumping Iron?
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- Pumping Iron Movie, Bodybuilding Movies
- By Sunny
