Hollywood icon and seven-time Mr. Olympia champion Arnold Schwarzenegger is offering fitness enthusiasts a chance of a lifetime - to train alongside him through his new "Iron Ticket" challenge.
The 77-year-old fitness legend announced on January 1st that users of his fitness app "The Pump" can now compete for an opportunity to work out with him personally at his gym. Every three months, Schwarzenegger will select three winners - one beginner, one intermediate, and one advanced athlete - based on their success stories.
"I want this to be for everyone, no matter where your starting line is," Schwarzenegger explained. "Whether you're doing your first-ever chair squats or squatting 500 pounds, as long as you're working to be better every day, you're eligible."
This latest initiative builds upon Schwarzenegger's extensive history of promoting fitness across all levels of society. As Chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports under President George H.W. Bush, he played a key role in expanding access to workout equipment for U.S. military personnel deployed overseas.
During the Second Gulf War, Schwarzenegger coordinated the delivery of 40 tons of weight training equipment to troops in Iraq. The initiative sparked a fitness revolution within military installations, with General Colin Powell personally expediting the equipment's delivery by air transport.
"I saw gymnasiums that were much bigger than any gymnasium in the world," Schwarzenegger recalled from his 2009 visit to military bases. "There is no fire station that doesn't have weights, no police station that doesn't have weights, no military station that doesn't have weights."
The action star's commitment to fitness extends to the highest office in the land. As a workout partner to President George H.W. Bush, Schwarzenegger regularly trained with the former Commander in Chief at Camp David, engaging in activities ranging from weightlifting to wallyball with Marines.
The "Iron Ticket" challenge represents Schwarzenegger's continued dedication to making fitness accessible to everyone. Unlike temporary programs, this initiative will run indefinitely, reflecting his belief that "true fitness isn't about one-month or even three-month transformations."