‘Why Would You Hide The Legs?’ Arnold Schwarzenegger Calls Long Shorts in Men’s Physique ‘Bogus’
"Let's see the whole body" — Schwarzenegger wasn’t a fan of the long shorts showcased in the Men’s Physique division at the 37th annual Arnold Classic.
The Arnold Sports Festival, held from February 27 to March 1 in Columbus, Ohio, was filled with electrifying performances and iconic moments. Among the highlights was 2024 Olympia runner-up Ali Bilal’s commanding display of aesthetics and conditioning, which led him to a decisive victory over defending champion Diogo Montenegro and runner-up Erin Banks.
However, amid the celebrations, Arnold Schwarzenegger voiced his discontent regarding the attire in Men’s Physique, criticizing the category’s standard long board shorts for obscuring the competitors' leg development. While some contend that legs are not actively judged in this division, IFBB Pro League athlete representative Bob Cicherillo has clarified that lower-body proportions, including quads and calves, are indeed factored into scoring. Schwarzenegger’s critique may carry significant weight within the bodybuilding community.
Schwarzenegger Advocates for Shorter Attire in Men’s Physique: ‘That’s Bogus’
While spectating the Men’s Physique contest at the Arnold Classic, Schwarzenegger expressed confusion over why competitors are required to wear long shorts that conceal the quadriceps and hamstrings.
“The interesting thing is they also have really well developed thighs, a lot of those guys. So I don’t know why they make them wear those long shorts. For me, that’s bogus.”
“Let’s see the whole body; that’s what we’re judging. Why would you hide the legs all of a sudden?” asks Schwarzenegger.
Although he acknowledged that he cannot unilaterally alter the division’s criteria, Schwarzenegger emphasized that leg symmetry—particularly well-developed calves—should be in proportion with upper-body muscle groups like the biceps. He believes the category should showcase complete physiques rather than only emphasizing an aesthetic V-taper of broad shoulders and a chiseled midsection.
“It’s a federation thing. I have nothing to do with that. Nope [I can’t change it]. If it was my choice, I’d say put regular bathing suits on so you can see the thighs also,” he shared. “You need to have symmetry. Your calves should always be the size of your biceps. In this case, maybe he has 16-17-inch biceps; his calves should be 16-17 inches as well.”
“Look at his thighs, his thighs are just as developed as his upper body,” Schwarzenegger said about Ali Bilal.
Proportionality and symmetry remain the backbone of bodybuilding judging, and Schwarzenegger argued that all muscle groups should be assessed in Men’s Physique, including lower-body musculature. If given the opportunity, he would advocate for competitors to wear ‘regular bathing suits’ instead of long board shorts, allowing their leg development to be on full display.
Do you agree with Schwarzenegger’s stance on Men’s Physique attire? Share your thoughts in the comments!
