Arnold Schwarzenegger might be one of the most recognisable faces in fitness and bodybuilding, but when a fan recently asked him for tips on staying motivated, the former Mr. Olympia didn’t give the answer many expected — or perhaps wanted.
Instead of promising shortcuts or hacks, the 76-year-old offered something far simpler, and far more honest.
It’s easy to see why most people rely on motivation to kickstart their fitness goals — especially around key moments like an upcoming vacation or wedding. That sudden burst of energy feels powerful at first; you buy new gym gear, meal prep for the week, and tell yourself this time will be different. But motivation is temporary by nature — it fades as soon as life gets busy, the weather turns, or progress slows down. That’s where discipline and consistency step in – something Schwarzenegger knows all too well.
When a fan on X (formerly Twitter) asked: “Got any advice for staying motivated? Asking for my exhausted psyche,” Schwarzenegger responded with trademark bluntness.
“My best advice is to stop using motivation as your only fuel,” he wrote. “I know it feels great when you’re fired up, but it’s a short-term fuel source. That’s why the vast majority of people who start anything – diet, fitness, new projects – don’t finish. They run out of gas.”
In typical Schwarzenegger style, the answer quickly turned from tough love to practical wisdom. “The only lasting fuel is routine,” he continued. “And you only get a routine by dragging yourself on the days when you have no motivation. Over and over.”
It’s not the easy fix most people hope for when asking a seven-time Mr. Olympia for advice, and Schwarzenegger acknowledged as much. “I know that’s not the answer anyone wants,” he said. “I wish I had a magic pill for you. But the only thing that works long term is showing up for yourself even when you don’t want to. Brute force.”
Schwarzenegger shared the same message on Instagram, captioning it with: “I GET ASKED EVERY DAY HOW TO STAY MOTIVATED.” His words resonated with thousands of fans who recognised the honesty behind his approach, and took to the comments to share their thoughts.
One fan commented: “Consistency > motivation!”
“The word motivation is like the word diet. They’re both temporary. Lifestyle change is what people need. Then motivation will be second nature,” wrote a second social media user, with a third commenting: “As Usyk said, I don’t have motivation, I have discipline.”
It’s a move that perfectly encapsulates Schwarzenegger’s ethos — one that blends discipline with accountability.
So, if you’re not “motivated” or “enthusiastic” about going to the gym today – f*** it! Drag your a** there anyway! No doubt you’ll feel much better for going.
The advice might not have been the “secret motivation hack” his fan was hoping for, but it’s unmistakably Schwarzenegger: straightforward, grounded, and rooted in decades of experience. And if his track record is anything to go by, it’s probably the answer we all need to hear — even if it’s not the one we want.
Featured image credit: YouTube/RonnieColeman/SportManual
