Having your famous father’s last name would seem to be a huge advantage for someone who wants to pursue a career in Tinseltown. It appears that Joseph Baena is attempting to steer clear of such a situation. He wants to earn his way, just like his father did.
After rumors surfaced in 2011 that Arnold Schwarzenegger had fathered a son in 1997 with Mildred Baena, the family housekeeper, the public was first introduced to the actor’s youngest child, Joseph Baena.
Although Baena enjoys working out and even dabbles in bodybuilding, he does not feel obligated to follow in his father’s footsteps. While Schwarzenegger is known for his intense bodybuilding workouts, Baena focuses on overall fitness and functional strength, which includes swimming, cycling, running, and weightlifting.
Joseph Baena is Carving His Own Path in the Fitness World
Joseph Baena is dedicated to achieving success on his own terms and by himself, without the help of his well-known father, the 38th Governor of California.
In an interview with Good Morning Britain, Baena, 26, who is the son of Arnold Schwarzenegger, 76, stated that he depends on his own “will, determination and work ethic”. This appears to be the case because, in a post from last month on Instagram, he was quite explicit about his philosophy on bodybuilding.
Unlike his father, Baena does not follow the traditional body-building routine of heavy lifting. Instead, he focuses on functional training, which includes a variety of exercises that challenge his body in unique ways. His workouts are dynamic and ever-changing, involving “swimming, cycling, running, and lifting weights”.
Fans were quick to praise him for his distinctive style of training, with many applauding his willingness to step away from his father’s shadow in order to create his own niche in the industry. Let’s look at some of the fan reactions:
“I respect you for not using your father’s name and trying to build your own legacy.” -@dj4ber
“I consider you a hybrid athlete Joe.” -@seann.casey
“Your father was Hercules but you are going to be iron man.” -@hugoayalaalarcon
“That Austrian and Guatemalan genes sure kicking in.” -@_loup_de_la_mer
“The fact that he doesn’t respond to any of the gifs or statements mentioning Arnold is clue enough, idiots. Get a clue. He is his own man. Not a shadow.” -@marko.rk94.vngrd
While The Terminator star may have set the standard for bodybuilding in his heyday, Baena is making the case that there is more than one way to achieve a strong and healthy physique.
Joseph Baena’s Reflection on His Last Name
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s youngest son opened up to Men’s Health about his exercise regimen and relationship with his father. Joseph Baena provided a rationale for his decision to forgo using Schwarzenegger as his last name:
“My dad is old-school; he doesn’t believe in handouts. He believes hard work pays off, and so do I. I love the word honor, and I’m very prideful in the sense that if I use my dad’s contacts or ask him for favors, I wonder what honor is that gonna bring me?”
It “took a little bit”, according to Baena, for him to “realize that I do not have to do what my dad did”.
The young bodybuilder has previously shared his experiences juggling the spotlight of his career with being the celebrity’s kid. Speaking with E! News in 2023, Baena discussed the adverse criticism he had received from internet trolls:
“It was really bothering me that anytime I would get any kind of role or press, or I would post a physique picture on Instagram, I would always get comments of, ‘You’re only there because of your dad’ or whatever.”
It is refreshing to see a young talent like Baena not trying to live in the shadow of his famous dad. His casting in the upcoming film Gunner, starring Luke Hemsworth and Morgan Freeman, was made public by Deadline in 2023.
And as fans, we can not wait to see what the future holds for this gifted and determined soul.
