Over six decades since Arnold Schwarzenegger first showcased his physique on a bodybuilding platform, his youngest son is upholding the family legacy of strength, finishing in the top five during his professional debut this past weekend.
Joseph Baena took part in the classic physique division at the INBA PNBA Pro/AM World Cup held in California on Saturday.
The 29-year-old secured fifth place and expressed his satisfaction in an Instagram video, stating he was thrilled to have met his objective of breaking into the top five.
“I am incredibly proud of my achievements,” Baena remarked, noting that this was his inaugural professional competition. “It was an amazing experience for my first show as a pro.”
This event marked Baena’s third competition overall, being the son of bodybuilder-turned-actor-turned-politician Schwarzenegger and Mildred Baena.
In the comments section beneath a video that Baena posted on Instagram, numerous viewers remarked, “Like father, like son.”
It is perhaps expected that the son of an individual renowned for his impressive physique would follow a similar path. Schwarzenegger’s remarkable build earned him the title of Mr. Universe five times during professional bodybuilding events in the 1960s and 1970s, cementing his status as a legendary figure in the world of bodybuilding.
His 1977 docudrama, Pumping Iron, is widely recognized for elevating the visibility of bodybuilding and promoting its recognition as a legitimate sport. Schwarzenegger’s prominent roles in Hollywood action films such as Conan the Barbarian (1982) and the The Terminator series further popularized the image of muscularity.
Arnold Schwarzenegger poses alongside dancers from the famous Parisian cabaret Le Paradis Latin on May 20, 1977, during the Cannes Film Festival in southern France. Schwarzenegger was there to present the docudrama Pumping Iron. (Raph Gatti/ AFP via Getty Images)
In his video reflecting on the event, Baena emphasized that bodybuilding is an individual sport where “everything depends on your own discipline,” yet acknowledged the immense encouragement he receives from family and friends.
“My father always says there’s no such thing as a ‘self-made man.’ I have a strong support system,” he stated.
Baena referred to Schwarzenegger as “the ultimate training partner,” in an interview with GQ earlier this year, mentioning that his father ensures he remains committed in the gym.
He also shared that his father presented him with “the bodybuilding encyclopedia” during his college years, igniting his passion for the sport.
Schwarzenegger and Baena attend Netflix’s Los Angeles premiere of Fubar Season 2 on June 11, 2025. (Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netfix)