What if Arnold didn’t quit Bodybuilding for Hollywood? – Nick’s Strength and Power

by YouTube Team

In 1975 after the filming of Pumping Iron, Arnold “retired” from bodybuilding to pursue a career in acting. So in this video I examine the question of what if he kept competing through the 1970’s?
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32 comments

Kelly Kizer March 15, 2018 - 7:17 pm

He would have beat Franco and Frank Zane yes and Franco again and Chris Dickerson but he would have definitely lost to Samir Bennett. Samir had the Christmas tree lower back that no one had at the time that raised the bar and his conditioning and sutorius muscel in his leg also that was just cranking that no one had really poping like that at that time. Plus just beautiful symmetry.

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macstone9 April 5, 2018 - 2:58 am

Nah, no way Zane beats Arnold.

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Malafakka April 5, 2018 - 7:03 am

Maybe you are right, and such questions are futile because they just can't be answered, but here is my opinion on it. I guess the shift towards Zane's physique only ocurred because Arnold wasn't around anymore. If he were, things might have stayed the same, but as I said, your guess is as good as mine.

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Divino Costa May 14, 2018 - 11:32 pm

I believe that Nick is not taking in consideration that Arnold was the youngest M.O.Ever so in the 80 he will be only in his yearly 30,fictionnaly speaking if there ever was anybody that could win 10+ M.O. with out a doubt that was Arnie…

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Travis Schpeltinger May 17, 2018 - 6:50 pm

nick's flirting and requests

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J Gamez May 29, 2018 - 2:33 am

Arnold's 1974 physique was as good as he could be IMHO. That physique would've beaten everyone until Samir Bannout came on the scene in '83. I think Arnold even mentioned Samir's back was better than his so that was where Arnold would be eclipsed.. But up to that point, IFFFFF Arnold really wanted to sacrifice that much of his life for more trophies, he could have.

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s g May 31, 2018 - 3:06 am

Absolutely 9, and I just think he would've won 79 too. I do agree with Nick that he would not of wanted in 1980 but I don't think he would've competed either I think he would've won through the 70s and retired with 10 Os.

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jack Rogers June 6, 2018 - 1:04 pm

If he keeps compets till 1980 or further long. with his mindset & work ethic Arnold can be 11 times Mr.Olympia for sure..Keep in mind Arnold still young he's only 33 at his 1980 comeback.. If he still trains with his bodybuilder mindset plus age is on his side easily he would b 11or more times Mr..Olympia.may be Frank Zane got him once..

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Brent Vanhaesendonck August 7, 2018 - 8:39 am

i think he is way more happier then if he dindt do it he has a net worth of 400 milion not even 1 bodybuilder comes close to him with there net worth

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BW August 30, 2018 - 8:35 pm

Arnold wasn't even planning to compete in 1975 and was talked into it for the movie. He won decisively that year even not with his full focus. The year prior was his last fully focused competition and we saw the result. He was huge and absolutely dominated. I do agree though the competition became more fierce through the late 70s but I definitely think he would have taken 76, 77, and probably 1978 but would have lost to both Zane and Mentzer in 1979.

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Glyn Hannaford September 21, 2018 - 9:27 am

Good analysis Nick. Joint 3rd on the all time list secures Arnold's place as one of the greats.

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Edgar Garcia October 15, 2018 - 2:06 pm

Weider banned Olivia and Nubret. They could've improved on their physique too.

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Jimmy Johnson October 19, 2018 - 2:26 am

Arnold all the way

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Donald Creech October 21, 2018 - 4:17 am

Also, Lou Ferrigno would have kept competing if Arnold didn't retire. He's someone who could have potentially won the Mr. O as he matured and Arnold aged.

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Pumping Iron October 21, 2018 - 8:29 am

True, his legs we not as great as his upper body was.

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Jody Williams October 22, 2018 - 3:57 am

There's alot of what ifs in this sport.
What if Arnold never went to Hollywood?
What if BIG Lou never became the Hulk? All i can say is that Franco wouldn't have a samdow, neither would Dickerson. Maybe more bodybuilders would boycott more? Maybe they'd keep the over 200lb and under 200lb class seperate.

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shoaib shaikh October 22, 2018 - 3:29 pm

100percent no doubt about dat

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shoaib shaikh October 22, 2018 - 3:33 pm

He would have won till 83

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vinnie pollara October 24, 2018 - 5:55 pm

Arnold easily beats Zane those 3 years. He knew he would have kept on winning but was ready for bigger and better things. Like he says” you have to let other people have a chance”. The king!!!!!

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Tommy 2pieceYa October 25, 2018 - 3:00 am

Arnold's perfect in every aspect with his chest being the focal point and everything else in perfect proportion to that.

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Mar Rastapopoulos October 25, 2018 - 5:22 am

Bullshit. Frank Zane was in all the Olympias that Arnold competed in. As long as Arnold was competing they never had any reason to prefer other kinds of physiques. Until the nextgen bodybuilders would arise Arnold would have won. Which in my opinion would be till '83.

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befdreams October 25, 2018 - 7:58 am

What's it matter, we know it didn't happen, silly speculation.

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Texas Buzzard November 8, 2018 - 2:14 pm

Arnold would have won 11 guaranteed. Zane looks like a little girl next to him

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Douglas Harrison January 5, 2019 - 10:29 pm

He could have won at least 10,I'm mean who would oppose him?

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Jim Cooke February 27, 2019 - 3:30 am

Zane would NOT have won Mr Olympia if Arnold had kept competing

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WJ Handy Dad March 18, 2019 - 10:12 pm

Arnold would very likely have reigned as long as he wanted, probably at least to the early 1990's

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Bert’s Buds March 20, 2019 - 2:40 pm

Then he never would have been as big as he is, Arnold’s not even that impressive. There were better during his time……

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Jordan Marshall April 23, 2019 - 6:57 pm

I personally think that if his drive was fully bodybuilding and had no Desire to at all to be an actor than yea I think he could’ve done it.. cause he would’ve adapted his physique to keep winning.. but at the same time if he didn’t become an actor and be a big name in Hollywood then I don’t think bodybuilding as a whole or even the fitness industry as whole would’ve been as popular as is it is now.. so it’s a lot to think about

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Mariana Ghigianu June 1, 2019 - 3:11 pm

Nick, Arnold would have won 76,77,78,79,81,82,83 and would have comne up to 14 titles, probably lsot first time to Lee Haney 1984…if not 15 titles in a row!

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Adarsh September 27, 2019 - 7:30 pm

I think we never saw the best of Arnold, he retired very early.

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Speckled Jim October 5, 2019 - 5:47 pm

Arnold would have won the next ten Olympias, Joe Weider would have made sure of that.

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TheBladerunner1975 January 25, 2020 - 6:29 pm

you must be joking Arnold would smoke him and every one else if he can win mr Olympia at his worst theres no way they were going to let him lose

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