Joseph Baena stepped onto the stage at the INBA PNBA Pro/Am World Cup on November 7, making his professional natural bodybuilding debut and placing fifth in the Classic Physique Open category.
The 29-year-old actor and Pepperdine University graduate entered the competitive arena earlier this year in March. Since then, he has competed in three overall contests, culminating in his top-five professional finish in El Segundo, California, as reported by PEOPLE.
- Joseph Baena made his professional natural bodybuilding debut in the Classic Physique Open.
- He placed fifth overall in the INBA PNBA Pro/Am World Cup on November 7.
- This marked his third overall competition since entering the sport in March.
Baena shared his posing routine and competition footage on Instagram following the Saturday event. On November 8, he published a video reflecting on his progress in the sport and expressing gratitude for the support he has received.
“This was my pro debut in the INBA/PNBA—well, my PNBA debut—and it was for Classic Physique Open, and I placed in the top 5, so I’m extremely proud of myself,” Baena said in a video shared on Instagram.
Baena’s introduction to weightlifting began with historical training guides provided by his father, Arnold Schwarzenegger. In an April interview with GQ, Baena detailed how he started his fitness journey.
“My dad gave me the bodybuilding encyclopedia,” Baena said, describing how he began learning weight training, nutrition, and human anatomy. He also called Schwarzenegger his “best training partner,” saying the two often work out together in the gym.
| Competitor | Category | Event | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph Baena | Classic Physique Open | INBA PNBA Pro/Am World Cup | Top 5 (5th Place) |
“I know what I need to do to improve. I know what it takes to get better now,” Baena said in his video, before adding, “and, like my father always says, there’s no such thing as a self-made man.”
