Watch out, Arnold Schwarzenegger<\/a> \u2014 there\u2019s a new champ in the family. <\/p>\n Joseph Baena<\/a>, the youngest son of the \u201cTerminator<\/a>\u201d star, made his amateur debut at the National Physique Committee Natural Colorado State Championships last month and swept the competition, winning first place in three categories: Men\u2019s Open Bodybuilding Heavyweight, Men\u2019s Classic Physique True Novice and Men\u2019s Classic Physique Novice. <\/p>\n Then, last week, he won big in Corona at the International Natural Bodybuilding Assn. Iron Gladiator competition, where he came in first in the Classic Physique division and scored his pro card, which paves the way for him to compete in the natural equivalent of his dad\u2019s famous competition, the Professional Natural Bodybuilding Assn. Natural Olympia. <\/p>\n \u201cMoments I\u2019ll never forget!\u201d Baena posted on social media. \u201cWhat an incredible experience these last 3 months have been. My first prep and my first body building shows. I\u2019ve learned more about myself, training and dieting in these few months than I have since I started lifting weights. Stepping on stage has always been a scary feat for me but creating the goal and actually going for it is one of the best decisions I could have ever made. <\/p>\n \u201cIm grateful for the experience and grateful for all the people in my corner supporting and cheering me on! Cant wait for what\u2019s next. My message to you is to take that chance and chase your goals and dreams!\u201d<\/p>\n Joseph Baena enjoyed a trip to In-N-Out Burger after winning first place at Iron Gladiator. <\/p>\n (Ryan O\u2019Connor)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n Schwarzenegger won the Mr. Olympia<\/a> title seven times with the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation, including his six-year streak from 1970 to 1975. He notoriously won again in 1980. Although Baena can now compete as a pro in the natural league if he continues, he\u2019ll still need to place highly in forthcoming PNBA shows to land a spot at the Natural Olympia contest, which will be held at the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas in November. <\/p>\n Denise Kakos-Rivas, a representative with the INBA and PNBA, told The Times in an emailed statement that Baena\u2019s performance was \u201cpowerful and inspiring.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cFrom the moment he stepped on stage, Joseph demonstrated confidence, charisma, and a genuine passion for the sport,\u201d she said. \u201cThe crowd\u2019s response was electric, reflecting the impact of his presence and performance.\u201d<\/p>\n Kakos-Rivas said that off stage Baena made himself available to fans and athletes.<\/p>\n \u201cWinning the Open Classic Physique title and earning his PNBA Pro status marks an exciting milestone in his journey,\u201d she continued. \u201cWhile his lineage is well known, Joseph is establishing his own identity through discipline, dedication, and respect for natural competition.\u201d<\/p>\n Just like his dad, Baena, 28, is a regular at Gold\u2019s Gym in Venice Beach where he has trained leading up to his debut as a competitive bodybuilder. Unlike his dad, who has been candid about his past steroid use, Baena has approached the sport au naturel.<\/p>\n The father and son strongmen have frequently paired up to train together and have been spotted rehearsing<\/a> the elegant poses that made Schwarzenegger a star. Baena told \u201cEntertainment Tonight\u201d last summer that his dad is at the gym bright and early and says if he\u2019s not there at 7 a.m., Schwarzenegger won\u2019t hold his tongue.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m there every day, or I try to be there every day,\u201d he said. \u201cWe train together. We love working out together. And he\u2019s a great workout partner.\u201d<\/p>\n Joseph Baena won the INBA Iron Gladiator bodybuilding competition, held Saturday and Sunday, earning his pro card in the process.<\/p>\n (Ryan O\u2019Connor)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n Baena, who has been open about struggling with his weight when he was younger, said ahead of the competition that his fitness journey had been a long one. \u201cStarted swimming and lost a lot of the fat,\u201d he said<\/a>. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t until my junior year of college, so about eight years ago, that I started lifting weights and fell in love with bodybuilding, seeing the improvement, the muscle gain, the strength gain, and I fell in love with the sport, even watching. <\/p>\n \u201cBut this year was the year that I said, enough being afraid, enough overthinking, it\u2019s time to commit. Just do a show.\u201d<\/p>\n Baena, who\u2019s a luxury real estate agent when he\u2019s not at the gym or eating burgers in his Speedo, has shared some of his prep journey online. He frequently posts cooking tutorials<\/a> that focus on protein as well as ease of preparation.<\/p>\n In 2022, Baena competed on Season 31 of \u201cDancing With the Stars<\/a>\u201d and used his bodybuilding chops to pull off challenging lifts<\/a>, basically bench-pressing his partner, Alexis Warr, mid-tango. He was eliminated five weeks into the season, ultimately placing 11th out of 16 contestants.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/09fb7a6\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2760x1830+0+0\/resize\/320x212!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F52%2F33%2Fb89367b54afaa2a7034be5da1e66%2Foconphotoprojoe-44.JPG)
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