Did arnold schwarzenegger take steroids when bodybuilding

In a candid interview published on 10 October 2026, Arnold Schwarzenegger revisited his historical use of performance-enhancing drugs during his professional bodybuilding career. Addressing the topic with historical context, the seven-time Mr. Olympia winner acknowledged that while he utilized substances like testosterone and Dianabol during the 1970s, their application was strictly monitored under medical supervision. Schwarzenegger emphasized that the landscape of bodybuilding in his era was vastly different from the modern day, noting that his usage was limited to specific, controlled cycles rather than the widespread, high-dosage practices he observes in contemporary fitness culture. He expressed concern regarding the current trend of young athletes experimenting with unregulated substances, warning that the long-term health risks are significantly more severe today due to the potency and variety of modern compounds. Schwarzenegger maintained that while these substances were a reality of the sport's competitive evolution, they should never be viewed as a substitute for the rigorous discipline, nutrition, and training intensity required to achieve elite physical development.