The 78-year-old seven-time Mr. Olympia winner was seen coaching the 28-year-old as they trained together at Gold’s Gym in Venice, California, on Tuesday, urging him to “shock the muscles” during their intense workout. Baena is set to make his competitive debut at the NPC Natural Colorado State event this Saturday at the Pinnacle Performing Arts Center in Denver, according to TMZ Sports.
Competitors in the show will undergo strict testing, including drug screenings and a 30-minute polygraph, to confirm they are competing naturally. Earlier this month, Baena — who has nearly one million social media followers — revealed he had gained 18 pounds of muscle in just eight weeks while preparing for the event.
Baena has often praised his father, calling him an inspiring role model and expressing gratitude for his ongoing support. The two have bonded closely over fitness, with Schwarzenegger even gifting him a copy of The Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding, which he co-authored in 1985. Despite following in his father’s footsteps, Baena has emphasized that he wants to succeed on his own, noting that both he and his dad value hard work over handouts.
Baena was 13 when Schwarzenegger publicly acknowledged that he had fathered him with former housekeeper Mildred “Patty” Baena — a revelation that ended the actor’s 25-year marriage to Maria Shriver. Raised primarily by his mother in Bakersfield, California, Baena later pursued fitness and acting while carving out his own career path.
Outside the gym, Baena is approaching his third anniversary with girlfriend Mel Randel on May 3. Meanwhile, Schwarzenegger is staying busy professionally, reportedly returning to his breakout role in a new Conan the Barbarian project and preparing to portray Santa Claus in the upcoming holiday comedy The Man with the Bag for Amazon MGM Studios.
