This past weekend, members of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s The Pump app descended on Venice in Los Angeles for an epic meet up. Over 40 members arrived and were led by author and fitness authority Adam Bornstein, Arnold’s Chief of Staff Daniel “Ketch” Ketchell and all-around Team Arnold content producer/tour guide Noah. It was fun to chat fitness, movies and Los Angeles with fellow members, some who traveled in from San Diego, San Francisco, Kentucky and Seattle, Washington!
While The Oak is filming Christmas flick The Man With the Bag in New York City, he FaceTimed in to pump up the group and at one point said “poor baby” to Ketch, Jingle All the Way style. The group rucked (walking with weight in a bag or vest) down the Venice Boardwalk, the sands near empty and pristine following recent rains. We hit Muscle Beach for a group photo, sitting in seats donated by “The Father of Bodybuilding” and Arnold mentor Joe Weider. Then it was off to Gold’s Gym where we utilized a private section for form checks and Adam shared his encyclopedic knowledge of exercise from muscle activation to body positioning and progression. Once Ketch’s strength coach, the student has become the master as Ketch deadlifts 600 pounds now. Gold’s Gym is known as the Mecca of Bodybuilding with equipment galore inside and outside along with posters of all the great physiques on the walls for inspiration. Besides Arnold and bodybuilders, you could regularly find Carl Weathers, Dolph Lundgren and Jean-Claude Van Damme pumping iron there too.
Fitness model, trainer and author Jen Widerstrom joined the festivities, slinging encouragement and pointers. Actor, realtor and Arnold’s son Joseph Baena walked in to say hello as well before moving into his workout. After some form checks and demonstrations, it was time for Personal Record setting with 13 folks in the group hitting PRs in trap bar deadlift and one back squatting over 300 pounds! It was truly inspiring to see people who had never performed these types of exercises challenge themselves, dig deep and accomplish a new goal.
It was back to Arnold’s office building for a tour of Oak Productions. Heading to the elevator there’s a huge mural depicting old Hollywood along with Danny Devito from Twins and Arnold straight out of Terminator 2! Oak Productions is like a museum to the life and career of one history’s most fascinating figures, Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger. There are movie posters on many walls along with photos of all types with prominent politicians and public figures. Memorabilia, artwork and awards from Arnold’s work as an actor, politician, body builder, promoter and more is everywhere. Noah gave us the nickel tour, highlighting a painting of Arnold as the T-800 done by James Cameron, an award acknowledging 1 million solar panels being installed in California, a Mr. Freeze costume replica from Batman and Robin (the rumor about Arnold renting it for $1 a year is false he says), Predator maquette (JCVD and original design replaced), battle damaged T-800 from T2, Harrier jet model from Tru Lies (“You’re fired.”) and the alligator from Eraser (“You’re luggage!”) among other amazing pieces.
At Arnold’s desk, Noah showcased the Conan sword, Commando knife and T2 shotgun. In a corner were more weapons like the sword from Hamlet in Last Action Hero. Apparently weapons are always sitting around in drawers or the bathroom. Adam and Ketch sat everyone down for Q&A, sharing their thoughts on training, recovery, goals for The Pump app and being a small team focused on being a positive force in the world with Arnold’s guidance and backing. To wrap up, it was time for photos, and I opted for both the Conan sword and T2 shotgun, naturally. It was a truly
magical day, a total LA adventure but more than that as we all got to share in something positive and inspirational. I’ll definitely be back and ready to set a Personal Record!
