Walking into a gym to find Arnold Schwarzenegger working out might be intimidating. Few people understand just how daunting the task can be better than Ernie Johnson. The Inside the NBA on TNT host spoke about his gym encounter with the seven-time Mr. Olympia. The sportscaster sat with retired NBA icon Charles Barkley to discuss the encounter.

The duo spoke about their most unique gym encounters on a recent The Steam Room podcast episode. Charles Barkley said he missed the chance to work out with Paul McCarney because he took a nap. Meanwhile, Johnson narrated his painfully awkward and hilarious gym encounter with Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Hoping Arnold Schwarzenegger wouldn’t notice

The 67-year-old recalled going to a gym once. While Johnson didn’t disclose if it was Arnie’s favorite Gold’s Gym, he revealed that only two people were there in the gym. “Me and Arnold Schwarzenegger,” said Johnson before bursting into laughter. Barkley looked like he had trouble processing the scenario in his head. 

“I was afraid to even touch a weight,” continued Ernie Johnson. Although Arnold Schwarzenegger is almost a decade older than the sportscaster, Johnson understood he stood no chance. “I was just like, is this guy gonna be done anytime soon?” said the 67-year-old. Johnson explained he didn’t want Arnold Schwarzenegger looking in his direction and watching him do curls.

The Austrian Oak was famed for his chest and biceps in his bodybuilding prime. Even at 76, the former Mr. Olympia sports impressive biceps. However, Bernie Johnson said he did bicep curls with 5-pound dumbbells and felt embarrassed to pick them up. So Johnson did the best he could to hide himself.

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“I just kinda stood around in the corner, (and) stretched for about 45 minutes till he left,” said the TV personality during his hilarious admission. Ultimately, things turned out alright for the sportscaster as Schwarzenegger didn’t notice what he was doing. However, Arnie is always up for helping people learn.

How The Terminator helped his True Lies co-star

James Cameron hired Tom Arnold to star as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s partner in the spy thriller True Lies. The duo had great chemistry on-screen, but it also translated into a lasting off-screen friendship. In 2021, the actor and comedian ran into health problems and knew he had to get fitter to live longer.

Hearing his friend’s predicament, Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed his personal trainer, Charles D’Angelo, to train Tom Arnold. The 64-year-old trained under D’Angelo and got in the best shape of his life. Since then, Tom Arnold’s health has improved exponentially.

While Ernie Johnson didn’t approach Arnie because he felt intimidated, he might have learned a thing or two had he asked Arnie for tips.

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