Pumping Iron follows bodybuilders as they prepare for the Mr. Olympia competition, the most prestigious bodybuilding contest in the world. The film features interviews and training footage of bodybuilding legends Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lou Ferrigno, and Franco Columbu, as well as other bodybuilders such as Mike Katz and Robbie Robinson.
Throughout the film, Schwarzenegger is portrayed as a charismatic and confident athlete, while Ferrigno is depicted as a more reserved and emotional competitor. The rivalry between the two men is a major theme throughout the documentary.
Pumping Iron also explores the bodybuilding lifestyle, including the rigorous training regimes and strict diets required to compete at the highest level. The film features scenes of intense workouts, as well as candid conversations between the bodybuilders about their motivations and aspirations.
The documentary has become a cult classic and is widely considered one of the most influential and entertaining sports films ever made. It helped to popularize the sport of bodybuilding and introduced Schwarzenegger to a wider audience, cementing his status as a cultural icon.