When Eddie Hall talks about hard work, people tend to listen.
The former World’s Strongest Man built his entire career on relentless training, brutal discipline, and pushing his body further than most people thought possible. But even Hall admits there’s one man who completely changed his perspective on what a true work ethic actually looks like.
And according to Hall, that man is Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The Strongman opened up about spending time around the bodybuilding icon and Hollywood superstar, revealing that Schwarzenegger’s schedule and mindset left a lasting impression on him.
“I’ve spent quite a bit of time with Arnold, and I can hand on heart say that Arnold is the hardest working man I’ve ever been in the presence of,” Hall explained in an interview with Generation Iron.
For someone like Hall to make that statement carries serious weight. Throughout his own career, Hall became known for obsessive preparation and extreme commitment in pursuit of becoming the strongest man on the planet. Yet he believes Schwarzenegger operates on another level entirely.
Hall described seeing the former seven-time Mr Olympia up close during major events, including the Arnold Sports Festival, and said the pace Schwarzenegger keeps is almost difficult to comprehend.
“You’ve been with him at the expos like even the Arnolds, you’ll see him get up at 6:00AM, and he is to the minute going somewhere and as soon as he’s done that, he is somewhere else, as soon as he’s done that, somewhere else, and he’ll do that till midnight every single day,” he said.
According to Hall, there is no slowing down once Schwarzenegger starts moving through his day. Meetings, appearances, interviews, commitments, travel — it all runs with military precision.
What stunned Hall most was the consistency of it all.
“I’ve spent a lot of time with him, and then he’ll go to bed and get up at 6:00 and do it all again,” he added.
Hall also recalled a conversation with Schwarzenegger’s agent, who represents several major celebrities, including Sylvester Stallone. Curious about whether Arnold’s reputation for hard work was genuinely unique behind the scenes, Hall asked a direct question.
“Speaking with his agent, you know she manages like Arnold, Sylvester Stallone, you know a number of big celebs, and I said to her, who’s the hardest worker, she’s like ‘Arnold’,” Hall explained.
What struck him was how immediate the response was.
“It was just such a quick answer, she’s like he is the hardest-working person I’ve ever come across in my life,” Hall said.
For Hall, hearing that simply confirmed everything he had already witnessed personally.
“I’ve seen it for myself, and that is that’s quite rare.”
Even more impressive to Hall is the fact that Schwarzenegger continues to maintain that level of energy and commitment well into his late seventies.
At a stage in life where many people are slowing down or stepping away from work entirely, Schwarzenegger is still operating with the same intensity that helped turn him into one of the most recognisable names in bodybuilding, film, and politics.
“He just doesn’t stop,” Hall said. “I don’t think the guy has a day off. He is inspirational.”
Featured image credit: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE BEAST / YouTube / Arnold Schwarzenegger / Instagram
