Bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger has strong connections with a bunch of superstar athletes thanks to his popularity as a top athlete and actor. In his five decades in the public eye, Schwarzenegger has participated in countless projects and collaborations with stars from all walks of life.
But as a man of fitness, he gets along best with the exceptionally strong and athletic type. His close ties with over 7 feet tall Wilt Chamberlain are a good example. Naturally, the bodybuilder had some fun anecdotes about the NBA legend to share.
Arnold Schwarzenegger dishes on Chamberlain’s volleyball prowess
Seven-time Mr. Olympia champion Arnold Schwarzenegger worked with the NBA star on the second edition of his iconic Conan franchise. He has relayed hilarious tales from the set of Conan the Destroyer, but even before this collaboration, they had a close friendship.
In an interview with the LA Times, Schwarzenegger revealed his observations of the towering basketballer when they met in Santa Monica. “I was working out at the original Muscle Beach in Santa Monica, and there was Wilt Chamberlain playing volleyball,” Schwarzenegger said. And Chamberlain’s volleyball skills helped him in more than one way.
“He was a fantastic volleyball player, but that’s also where he would go to pick up his girls. He was a funny guy, and we had a great relationship,” the Terminator star continued. The two athlete-actors were close even before they reunited on the movie set.
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Schwarzenegger shared, “I would go watch him play when he was on the Lakers and we would work out together at Gold’s Gym.” He claimed that Chamberlain was easily one of the strongest people he knew.
7’1” Wilt Chamberlain had fun making the bodybuilder look tiny
The stories of Wilt Chamberlain’s raw power famously circle the internet. Even the former weightlifter, powerlifter, and bodybuilding champion Arnold Schwarzenegger acknowledged his monstrous strength.
#tbt to one of the rare moments I felt completely puny, with Wilt Chamberlain and Andre the Giant. I absolutely loved the HBO documentary on Andre this week and it was an honor to be part of it. He was bigger than life. pic.twitter.com/04xn6jRbgU
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) April 12, 2018
“He was the only basketball player in those days I saw working out with weights.” Schwarzenegger stated, “He did triceps extensions with 180 pounds, which blew us all away. He was so strong.” Along with Chamberlain, Andre the Giant also accompanied the former governor of California on the set of Conan the Destroyer.
Naturally, standing next to the two gigantic men, 6’2” Schwarzenegger looked half his height. “He lifted me up with one hard like nothing,” the bodybuilder commented on the NBA star’s strength. He also shared that the two men liked to compete on who could make him “look lighter and like a little fly.”
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The training buddies worked out together every day on set.
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