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If you’ve spent any time scrolling through Instagram or TikTok lately, you’ve probably come across the mesmerizing creations of Cedric Grolet. The French pastry chef has taken the internet by storm with his hyper-realistic fruit pastries, stunning trompe-l’œil desserts, and impeccable attention to detail. But Grolet is more than just a viral sensation—he’s a culinary artist who is redefining the world of patisserie, one flawless creation at a time.
Cedric Grolet’s journey to becoming one of the most celebrated pastry chefs in the world was not an overnight success. Born in Firminy, France, in 1985, Grolet trained at some of the finest culinary institutions before establishing his reputation at Le Meurice in Paris, where he served as the executive pastry chef. His innovative approach to desserts, blending traditional French techniques with modern aesthetics, quickly set him apart from others.
His signature style? Pastries that resemble real fruit so closely that you’d swear they were plucked straight from the tree. From lifelike lemons to intricately designed apples, his desserts blur the line between food and art, making them irresistible to both food lovers and social media enthusiasts alike.
What is it about Cedric Grolet that has won over the hearts (and appetites) of millions globally? Several crucial factors drive his viral success:
Unparalleled Creativity – Grolet’s pastries aren’t merely desserts; they’re edible illusions. His talent for transforming basic ingredients into lifelike sculptures is nothing short of enchanting.
Social Media Mastery – Grolet recognizes the impact of visual storytelling. His videos, which highlight the intricate process of creating his pastries, from shaping to the final touches, have garnered millions of views.
Impeccable Visual Charm – In today’s Instagram era, visual presentation is vital. Grolet’s desserts are stunningly beautiful, making them incredibly shareable.
Global Accessibility – While initially from France, Grolet has expanded his reach with bakeries in London and elsewhere, allowing more individuals to enjoy his creations up close.
Where to Try Cedric Grolet’s Creations?
If you’re keen to try Cedric Grolet’s famous desserts, you’re in for a treat. Here are some key spots where pastry enthusiasts can savour his creations:
Cedric Grolet Opéra ( Paris, France ) – 35 avenue de l’Opéra, 75002 Paris
Cédric Grolet Café ( Paris, France ) – 6 rue Danielle Casanova, 75002 Paris
Le Meurice ( Paris, France ) – 6 rue de Castiglione, 75001 Paris
Saint-Tropez, France – 19 rue des Feniers, 83990 Saint-Tropez
Airelles Val d’Isère, France – Airelles Val d’Isère – 145 rue de la Poste, 73150 Val-d’Isère
The Berkeley (London, U.K.) – Cedric Grolet at The Berkeley – Wilton PI, SW1X 7RL London
Republic of Singapore, Singapore – COMO Orchard Singapore, 30 Bideford Road, 229922 Singapore
Elias Albay is the Founder and Director of Many Men Magazine, a Toronto-based digital publication dedicated to promoting modern masculinity through style, culture, and self-improvement. What started as a personal turning point became a purposeful platform. — born from Elias’ desire to create something meaningful after completing his studies and finding no career path that truly matched his ambitions. With a background in Civil Engineering from York University and experience in Commercial Flight Operations at CAE, he applied skills, and resilience from both fields to forge a new path.
Our team of editors and experts thoughtfully chooses each product. If you decide to buy through one of our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more. Want to know how we test products? Click here for more details.
What does it take to build a physique like Arnold Schwarzenegger? We’re referring to the man who dominated bodybuilding, thrived in Hollywood, and even governed California. His success wasn’t merely due to genetics; it stemmed from discipline, strategy, and a carefully designed approach to diet and training.
Arnold’s workout routine isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s old-school, intense, and built around the fundamentals that sculpted his legendary physique. However, just lifting heavy isn’t enough. His diet is just as calculated—packed with protein, balanced macros, and a no-nonsense approach to fuelling muscle growth.
Whether you’re looking to bulk up, get shredded, or learn from the best, this breakdown of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s diet and workout plan equips you with the tools to train like a legend. Are you ready to adopt the mindset of a champion? Let’s dive in.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Diet | Image: BodyBuilding
How Arnold Schwarzenegger Fueled To Build His Iconic Physique
Currently, Arnold Schwarzenegger adheres to a largely vegan diet, yet during his peak bodybuilding days, his nutritional strategy was quite different. He adhered to a straightforward but potent guideline: one gram of protein for every pound of body weight. Weighing 250 pounds, this translated into a massive daily protein consumption, sustaining his chiseled physique and demanding training routines.
While protein was his primary focus, Arnold didn’t overlook grains, vegetables, healthy fats, and essential micronutrients. His diet wasn’t significantly different from contemporary bodybuilding standards, except for one key aspect—he fully embraced saturated fats. His meals were abundant in eggs, whole milk, red meat, butter, and cheese, maximizing calorie intake for muscle growth and recovery.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Shows His Gym & Fridge | Video: YouTube / Men’s Health
A notable feature of Arnold’s diet was his low-carb strategy, typical of Golden Era bodybuilders. Rather than consuming large amounts of carbohydrates, he focused on fats as his main energy source, which helped him stay lean while increasing his muscle size.
During his prime, Arnold ingested roughly 3,825 calories daily, a figure he effectively burned off through rigorous weightlifting. His diet comprised five to six meals daily, along with protein shakes, vitamins, and minerals to enhance performance and recovery.
Yet, even the Austrian Oak allowed himself some indulgences—he valued balance. Once a week, he treated himself to a cheat meal, typically a cheeseburger with fries or a whole pizza (let’s face it, he definitely wasn’t limiting himself to just one slice).
Here’s an overview of what Arnold’s typical daily meals may have included during his prime:
#Meal 1
4-6 eggs
1 cup of cottage cheese
1 or 2 slices of whole-grain bread with butter
1 piece of fruit
#Meal 2
20oz whole milk
1/4 cup protein powder
4oz cream
2 eggs
2tsp lecithin granules
#Meal 3
8-16oz red meat, fish, chicken, or turkey
1 or 2 slices of whole-grain bread with butter
1 piece of fruit
#Meal 4
20oz whole milk
1/4 cup protein powder
4oz cream
2 eggs
2tsp lecithin granules
#Meal 5
8-16oz red meat, fish, chicken, or turkey
Baked potato
Steamed veggies or green salad
Arnold Schwarzenegger | Image: Instagram / @schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger Blueprint Workout Plan
Day 1 – Chest, Back & Abs (Monday)
Chest Exercises
Flat Barbell Bench Press
Incline Barbell Bench Press
Superset: Dumbbell Flyes with Dumbbell Pullover
Chest Rep Ranges
Week 1: 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 (Low Angle Incline)
Week 2: 30, 8, 6, 4, 2 (Medium Angle Incline)
Week 3: 30, 5, 5 ,5 ,5 ,5 (High Angle Incline)
Week 4: Max out on either incline or flat, then 20, 15, 12 on the others (Low Angle Incline)
Back Exercises
Wide Grip Chin Ups
Superset 2 of the following: Bent-Over Rows, Dumbbell Rows, T-Bar Rows
Arnold Schwarzenegger | Image: Instagram / @schwarzenegger
Day 5: Shoulders, Biceps, Triceps, Forearms, Abs (Thursday)
Shoulder Exercises
Arnold Press
Superset: Behind-The-Neck Press with Full Frontal Raise
Superset: Rear Delt Flyes with Upright Rows (Lying Face Down on Incline Bench)
Shoulder Rep Ranges
Week 1: 30, 12, 10, 8, 6
Week 2: 30, 8, 6, 4, 2
Week 3: 30, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5
Week 4: Max out on ONE major exercise then 20, 15, 12, 10 on the others
Clean & Press/Arnold Press: 5 Sets of 5 Reps
Bicep Exercises
Barbell Curls
Superset: Seated Incline Two-Arm Dumbbell Curls with Concentration Curls
Bicep Rep Ranges
Week 1: 30, 12, 10, 8, 6
Week 2: 30, 8, 6, 4, 2
Week 3: 30, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5
Week 4: Max out on ONE major exercise then 20, 15, 12, 10 on the others
Barbell Curls: Week 2 and 3: 1-10 Method
Tricep Exercises
Close-Grip Bench Press
Superset: Tricep Pushdown with One-Arm Overhead Dumbbell Extension
Tricep Rep Ranges
Week 1: 30, 12, 10, 8, 6
Week 2: 30, 8, 6, 4, 2
Week 3: 30, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5
Week 4: Max out on ONE major exercise then 20, 15, 12, 10 on the others
Forearm Exercises
Superset: Wrist Curls with Reverse Wrist Curls
Forearm Rep Ranges
Week 1: 30, 12, 10, 8, 6
Week 2: 30, 8, 6, 4, 2
Week 3: 30, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5
Week 4: Max out on ONE major exercise then 20, 15, 12, 10 on the others
Arnold Schwarzenegger | Image: Instagram / @schwarzenegger
Day 6 – Legs, Calves, Abs (Saturday)
Leg Exercises
Front Squats
Deadlifts
Good Mornings (Do Once A Week)
Lunges
Superset: Leg Extension with Leg Curls
Superset: Standing Calf Raises with Seated Calf Raises
Leg Rep Ranges
5 Sets of 8-12 Reps for Each Exercises
Deadlifts: 10, 6, 4; 5, 5, 5 or 12, 10, 8
Good Mornings: Only do once a week, choose a day
During Week 4, choose one day to try a 1-Rep Max
Abs
Kneeling Cable Crunch (4 Sets of 25 Reps
Day 7: Rest Day (Sunday)
Arnold Schwarzenegger | Image: Instagram / @schwarzenegger
How to Perform
Every training day targets a specific muscle group, with exercises allocated accordingly. For example, chest workouts are planned for Monday and then repeated on Thursday.
The rep ranges change weekly to progressively challenge the muscles, so it’s crucial to adhere to them as closely as possible for optimal results.
Some exercises involve supersets, which means that two movements are performed back-to-back without any rest. This method improves muscle engagement and endurance, aligning with the structure of the program.
The routine aims to balance intensity and recovery by training each muscle group twice a week, while ensuring ample time for rest and growth. This structured method encourages both muscle development and recovery, preventing overtraining while sustaining a high training frequency.
Elias Albay is the Founder and Director of Many Men Magazine, a Toronto-based digital publication dedicated to promoting modern masculinity through style, culture, and self-improvement. What started as a personal turning point became a purposeful platform. — born from Elias’ desire to create something meaningful after completing his studies and finding no career path that truly matched his ambitions. With a background in Civil Engineering from York University and experience in Commercial Flight Operations at CAE, he applied skills, and resilience from both fields to forge a new path.
