It takes more than just regular time in the gym to develop a body identical to that of a young Arnold Schwarzenegger, but Australia’s top bodybuilder has revealed the secrets behind how he achieved exactly that.
Calum Von Moger, born in 1990 in Victoria, Australia, began his bodybuilding journey with a victory at the NABBA International Junior Championships in 2011.
He rose to fame by winning the WFF Mr. Universe title three times, in 2011, 2014 and 2015.
In 2020, he earned his IFBB Pro card after triumphing at the NPC Universe in Classic Physique.
Additionally, Von Moger is recognized for his role as Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 2018 film ‘Bigger’.
The casting of Von Moger was essential due to his striking resemblance and similar physique to that of a young Schwarzenegger.
To prepare for the role, Von Moger immersed herself in Schwarzenegger’s early career, perfecting his accent and studying his mannerisms to deliver an authentic performance.
“It was actually a really cool experience,” Von Moger said on Seven’s Weekend Sunrise show on Saturday.
‘I looked up to Arnold my whole life in bodybuilding and all that.
‘I got that job, I asked my manager to find Steve Jones, he was the producer.
‘I went to his house, I auditioned. I was looking for a tall, dark-haired, six-foot-two Arnold who looked like some of the criteria.
Three-time Mr Universe Calum Von Moger has described the work required to achieve the massive physique he has built
The Australian was seriously interested in playing Arnold Schwarzenegger in the movie Bigger
Presenters Matt Doran and Monique Wright couldn’t resist letting him try out the accent one more time.
Matt Doran: ‘Give us a little’
Calum: ‘Get out of here (in Arnie’s voice)’
Monique Wright: “That’s great, let’s get back to the helicopter”
Calum: ‘It’s not a tumor’
“Everyone asks it, it’s a bit, yeah,” Calum laughed.
But how did the three-time Mr. Universe manage to chisel his body into such a condition that he could emulate Schwarzenegger?
“The gym is the first place, but I’ve been training for about 15 years,” he said.
‘I started when I was 15 years old and I only dedicated myself to the gym and diet.
‘Just regular, rigorous exercise.
Van Moger puts on makeup with false teeth to look like a young Arnold Schwarzenegger
“I got into this after following my older brother to the gym,” Van Moger continued.
‘So someone just said why don’t you try the competition?
‘I did it and I did it very well. So I just caught a mistake and ran with it.’
However, reaching Von Moger’s physical level requires a lot of work and discipline, as he revealed on Weekend Sunrise.
“A disciplined day would be like preparing for a show and involves getting up very early, walking briskly, not eating, I have to fast on an empty stomach,” he said.
‘First thing in the morning I get up on an empty stomach and then go for a walk uphill.
‘So I eat eight meals a day. Not huge meals. Not massive.
‘Egg whites, oats, then I like chicken breast, beef or white rice or potatoes.
“Just all the important stuff.”
But when he’s not training for competition, all bets are off.
“Burgers, pizza, sushi, ice cream, snacks,” he laughs.
‘A lot of people do it the other way around. They start with that and then they have to do the diet.’