Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Son Joseph Baena Continues Bodybuilding Winning Streak During Second Competition
Joseph Baena’s dedication in the gym is clearly paying off.
The 28-year-old fitness enthusiast and actor has added another major victory to his growing bodybuilding journey after winning at the INBA Iron Gladiator competition in California on Saturday, April 4.
Fresh off multiple wins just a week earlier, Joseph stepped on stage once again and walked away as the INBA Iron Gladiator Classic Physique Champion, earning his pro card in the process.
Sharing the proud moment on Instagram, he posted photos of himself on stage holding a sword and shield, beaming with excitement.
“Your new INBA Iron Gladiator Classic Physique Champion,” he captioned the snaps.
What makes the achievement even more remarkable is that Joseph revealed this was only his second bodybuilding show ever.
Speaking in an interview shared on Instagram ahead of the event, he admitted the journey has been a long one.
“I’m really excited to be a part of the INBA and to experience this wonderful program,” he said. “My fitness journey, it’s been a long time.”
Joseph shared that his athletic beginnings were far from bodybuilding. As a younger student, he was more into swimming, only discovering weight training during his junior year in college.
That was the turning point.
He said once he started lifting, he quickly became hooked on the physical transformation, the growing strength, and the discipline that came with the sport.
“I started lifting weights and fell in love with bodybuilding, seeing the improvement, the muscle gain, the strength gain,” he explained.
This year, he decided it was finally time to stop hesitating.
“Enough being afraid. Enough overthinking. It’s time to commit.”
That commitment is already showing results.
Just one week before the Iron Gladiator, Joseph made an impressive debut at the NPC Natural Colorado State competition, where he claimed first place in several divisions, including Men’s Open Body Heavy Weight Class, Men’s Classic Physique True Novice, and Men’s Classic Physique Novice.
Celebrating that milestone, he wrote on Instagram: “Mission Accomplished! 🥇”
Ahead of his first competitive season, Joseph also spent time training with his father, bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger, at Gold's Gym Venice.
Photos from their workout sessions showed Arnold helping his son perfect his posing and stage presentation.
Joseph’s rise makes the story even more inspiring considering where he started.
He previously revealed that during high school, he struggled with his weight and confidence.
“I was actually quite chubby,” he admitted in an earlier Instagram post.
He recalled being cut from both the basketball and soccer teams because he could not keep up with the other students.
Swimming, however, gave him a second chance.
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