Arnold Schwarzenegger's son Joseph Baena has taken another step towards following his famous father's bodybuilding legacy, but his choice of music for his professional debut was far from ordinary. The 29-year-old performed his posing routine to the dramatic Western soundtrack from Clint Eastwood's 1966 film The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, after reaching the professional stage following just three bodybuilding competitions.
Baena finished fifth in the Classic Physique Open category at the INBA PNBA Pro/Am World Cup in California on Saturday, 7 November, marking his first appearance as a professional natural bodybuilder. Having only started competing in March, he has already moved from amateur victories to testing himself against professional athletes.
A Western-Inspired Stage Routine
Baena brought an unexpected cinematic touch to the bodybuilding stage with his choice of music, performing to 'The Trio' by Italian composer Ennio Morricone. The famous instrumental piece, featured in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, accompanied his series of poses as he displayed his physique for the judges.
He later shared footage of the performance on Instagram, calling it a first look at his posing routine from the PNBA World Cup. The unusual soundtrack provided a dramatic backdrop to his presentation, giving his professional debut a memorable musical choice instead of a conventional gym playlist.
Just Three Shows to Pro
The competition marked Baena's third bodybuilding show overall and his first professional appearance with the Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association. He entered the Classic Physique Open category at the event, held at the El Segundo Performing Arts Center in El Segundo, California.
His rapid progress is particularly notable given that his competitive journey only began in March 2026. After two earlier appearances, the 29-year-old had already earned his place among professional competitors, finishing fifth in his first PNBA outing.
His Fifth-Place Achievement
Baena did not leave the competition in the top spot, but his result matched the target he set before stepping on stage. Reflecting on the experience, he said he was extremely proud of himself and described the event as a fantastic competition.
He also explained that he felt good competing against the other professionals and believed his physique had improved considerably since his previous appearance in April. Rather than treating fifth place as the end of his journey, he said the experience helped him understand exactly what needed to improve.
Arnold Helped Start It All
Much of Baena's interest in bodybuilding can be traced back to his father, who remains one of the sport's most celebrated figures. Schwarzenegger famously won seven Mr Olympia titles and five Mr Universe titles before becoming a Hollywood action star.
Baena previously explained that his father gave him a bodybuilding encyclopaedia as he developed an interest in fitness in college. He began reading about muscle development, nutrition and how the body responds to exercise, eventually becoming passionate about weightlifting.
Training With the Terminator
The father and son have also shared their training sessions, with Baena previously describing Schwarzenegger as the best training partner he could ask for. In March, he posted photographs of them working out together, accompanied by his father's familiar advice: 'You have to shock the muscles!'
Despite having access to guidance from a bodybuilding legend, Baena revealed that he prepared for his professional debut without a coach. He credited the people supporting him while acknowledging his father's belief that nobody succeeds entirely on their own.
Building His Own Legacy
Baena's journey has also brought renewed attention to his unusual place in the Schwarzenegger family. He is the son of Arnold and Mildred Baena, the former household employee whose relationship with the actor resulted in Joseph's birth, a family revelation that became public in 2011.
Unlike his famous father, Joseph competes under the Baena surname, while gradually establishing his own identity in bodybuilding. His early achievements include multiple first-place finishes at the NPC Natural Colorado State competition in March and another victory at the INBA Iron Gladiator event in April.
Now, with a fifth-place finish in his professional debut, Baena has another milestone to add to his growing record. He has already achieved the top-five result he wanted, and his Western-themed performance has given fans another reason to watch the next chapter of his bodybuilding career.
