Tag: hafthor bjornsson
Hafthor Bjornsson Invests $116,000 To Upgrade His Gym
Hafthor Bjornsson has been a professional strength athlete for most of his life, which means he has spent a great deal of time training in the gym. This is why he made his own “Thor’s Power Gym” and it is where he set the 501-kilogram (1,104.5-pound) Deadlift World Record, which stands to this day. Well, Hafthor has now decided to upgrade his gym and has invested $116,000 for that purpose. He revealed everything about this project on YouTube, where he showed off the equipment, building process, and some more technicalities behind everything.
Hafthor Bjornsson has thought about adding new stuff to his gym for some time now, but he never acted upon his desire until now. However, following a $116,000 investment, Hafthor’s gym has transformed completely. He has also acquired some equipment which will help him in the near future, as he is still recovering from a pec tear, but wants to train regardless of it.
Related: Hafthor Bjornsson Shares Intense Pre-Surgery Recovery Techniques for Gruesome Pec Tear
Hafthor Bjornsson’s Gym Upgrade
Hafthor Bjornsson’s gym is already packed with equipment. So, in order to add new stuff, he had to make some room for it. He did not want to remove anything from his gym, so the only way was to buy another unit. Luckily, the people who owned a unit right next to the one that his gym is stationed in were ready to sell. So, he bought it and connected it to his own unit.
“That was probably the reason I delayed so long, like I wanted to buy more stuff but never did it because I had no space.”
Hafthor Bjornsson first introduced his favorite purchase, the Belt Squat. This machine allows him to perform squats without a barbell and with no pressure on his upper body. The belt is locked in around the hips, so he won’t risk complicating his chest tear any further.
“This is the belt squat, which is probably the best investment that I have made, especially now, because I’ll be able to train my legs right away… I’ve been wanting this for years, and finally I own one.”
After making a 1.5-meter wide door to connect his gym to the new nextdoor property, adding some flooring, and tidying up the space, Hafthor Bjornsson showcased his new equipment.
All of the new stuff that Hafthor acquired is to suit the needs of bigger athletes. However, Hafthor’s wife was most impressed by the size of a Lying Hamstring Curl, which is almost double the size of a standard one.
“It is massive. This machine is built for big boys. This is what you would think you’d find in a Strongman gym,” said Hafthor’s wife.
Flat Chest Press and Incline Chest Press machines were placed at the entrance of the new unit. Right next to them was one Cable Machine, which Hafthor revealed to be one of his favorites.
Next up was the leg equipment, starting off with the Standing Calf Raise, which has the capacity to go much heavier than the standard ones. Next to it was a Leg Extension machine, which is not new, but was transferred to the new part of the gym.
Right next to the wall, Hafthor Bjornsson decided to place a Chest Fly Machine, which has the option to transform into a Rear Delt setup.
“This is a beauty. It is a chest-fly and back combo. The guys in the gym have been complimenting this piece a lot. All the guys in the gym love this piece, and I cannot wait until I can put my hands on this piece.”
Hafthor then presented yet another Hamstring machine, as well as a second Cable Machine. However, the next machine coming up was the Inverse Curl, which is unusual, but very helpful to big guys.
Inverse Curl is basically a machine that helps athletes perform Nordic Curls, which have proven to be one of the greatest hamstring and lower back muscle builders.
“It is very cool for heavy guys… It is a killer for the hamstrings. The more weight you put on, the easier it gets. I think it was made for big guys, because big guys have a hard time doing this specific movement.”
Another addition to the gym was the Seal Row, which is a piece of equipment adored by another elite Strongman, Brian Shaw. Now Hafthor Bjornsson has also decided to add it to the gym.
While presenting this machine, Hafthor revealed that his chest is already feeling very good. So, he will try to train on the Seal Row as early as next week.
“I am super excited to try it out. My chest is already feeling good. So, I can probably try this out next week.”
Hafthor then presented the Hip-Quad Machine, which is yet another rare piece of equipment, but also an incredible addition to the gym. The final new addition to the gym was the Hack Squat, but Hafthor did not get the chance to use it yet.
Watch the full video here:
Related: Hafthor Björnsson Drops The Bar on Himself After Squatting 340-kg (749.6-lb) For Two Reps; Avoids Serious Injuries
After retiring from boxing, Hafthor Bjornsson announced that he would be coming back to Powerlifting. He set massive goals, most notably, to set an All-Time World Record Total by the end of 2023. However, despite his training going extremely well, Hafthor tore his pec, which ruined his plans. Hopefully, Haftor will be able to return even sooner than anticipated thanks to the new equipment in his gym and continue to make history in strength sports.
Published: 21 July, 2023 | 9:26 AM EDT
Hafthor Bjornsson Shares Graphic Footage Of His Successful Pec Tear Surgery
A month has passed since Hafthor Bjornsson tore his chest during the bench press portion of a powerlifting competition. Ever since then, he has been working on making his recovery as perfect as possible which would shorten the time needed to come back. This included some intense methods, like infrared light exposure, cryotherapy, and more. However, all of this led to the most important moment of Hafthor’s recovery, which was the surgery.
Hafthor Bjornsson recently published a new video on his YouTube channel which covered a span of a few days. It started off with Hafthor preparing for his surgery using some of the aforementioned methods, but it also displayed clips of Hafthor’s surgery, as well as a segment of him lying in a hospital bed after everything was done.
Related: Hafthor Bjornsson Shares Doctor’s Update on Pec Tear Ahead of Surgery: ‘Swelling is Getting Worse’
Hafthor Bjornsson’s Surgery
Hafthor Bjornsson started off his video by completing his final round of cryotherapy and specially made recovery shakes, while also expressing gratitude for everyone who assisted him in this process. He then revealed that the pain in his chest and arm has dialed down drastically and that he only feels a bit bruised.
“It’s actually crazy how good I feel in my arm, like I can move it without any pain. The pain level I have right now is zero. If I press my arm I just feel a little bruised, that is all. Obviously, I am cautious, I am trying not to put my arm in any weird positions.”
While talking to his surgeon over the phone, Hafthor Bjornsson explained how he was excited to undergo surgery, presumably because it marked an important moment in his recovery process.
“I am looking forward to everything, which is kind of weird, but I am actually very excited for it.”
After 2 days of preparation, Hafthor Bjornsson woke up on the third day ready to undergo surgery. With everything prepared, Hafthor was put to sleep by one of the best anesthesiologists around. A clip from the surgery, which lasted for a couple of minutes, was then uploaded to his YouTube channel.
Since Hafthor Bjornsson was under the influence of anesthesia, he was not able to communicate as well following the surgery. So, his doctor took over the video to explain what happened.
“Everything went perfect, no problems, absolutely great. It was tough, but we have been preparing for seven days waiting for this. Really happy with how it went.”
While talking to Hafthor, the surgeon explained that they did everything in their power to enable the 2018 World’s Strongest Man to come back properly. They understand that his priority is to regain his strength, so everything was addressed to the smallest detail.
“Not only is his mass large, but his goals are large. So, he needed a special approach in terms of keeping him safe… I did a heavy duty type of repair so it will help him have the best chance of recovery.”
Seeing Hafthor’s injury first-hand, the surgeon explained to him how severe it was and what needed to be done.
“Yes his pec was totally torn, and Yes it was torn mostly muscular. But, I used a couple of different types of graphs that reinforce the muscle, recreated the tendon, and reattached it using some heavy duty anchors.”
Luckily for Hafthor Bjornsson, his doctor went an extra step in ensuring his comfort, as not a lot of additional treatments will be needed after this surgery. He will, however, only need to take care of his wound for some time.
“The good news about your incision is that you don’t need to do anything to it. It is covered with a special waterproof dressing. You don’t need to do anything about it.”
Watch the video here:
Warning: The graphic footage of Hafthor’s surgery starts at the 16:30 mark, and ends at the 18:17 mark.
Related: Mike O’Hearn & Injured Hafthor Bjornsson Use Tom Platz-Inspired Workout for Ligament Strength
Hafthor Bjornsson originally hoped to set a new All-Time World Record in powerlifting by the end of this year, before transitioning to Strongman next year. However, everything will be delayed now, as Hafthor is expected to put out a follow-up video explaining what his expectations for the recovery process moving forward will look like.
Published: 23 May, 2023 | 2:56 PM EDT
Mike O’Hearn & Injured Hafthor Bjornsson Use Tom Platz-Inspired Workout for Ligament Strength
Mike O’Hearn and Hafthor Bjornsson, two titans of strength, met up for a special collaboration on leg day. In a recent YouTube video, O’Hearn guided Bjornsson through a brutal hack squat variation as the former strongman recovers from a pec tear injury.
At 53 years old, Mike O’Hearn has become somewhat of a legend in the fitness industry for his maintenance of mass, power, and strength. In addition, he’s kept up with a remarkably ripped physique for over three decades.
With experience in bodybuilding and strongman, O’Hearn doesn’t shy away from fitness challenges. He has trained with plenty of notable figures in bodybuilding and strongman, including four-time WSM legend Brian Shaw, who recently announced his retirement from the sport.
In April, former strongman star Hafthor Bjornsson suffered a painful pec tear on his third attempt at trying to bench press 556.7 pounds. While Hafthor revealed his upper chest was torn off the bone, he’s not letting the setback stop him from working out completely.
Mike O’Hearn Guides Injured Hafthor Bjornsson Through Longevity Leg Workout Created by Tom Platz
O’Hearn used the hack squat machine to demonstrate a technique he learned from Tom Platz. Platz, known as the ‘The Quadfather,’ possessed some of the best legs in bodybuilding history.
“That is a quad, that’s a teardrop at the knee, keep it healthy, they’re going to freak out, ‘What? How is that healthy?’ Because we’re stressing. Remember what we talked about, load the joints. The muscle is only so strong. The joints is God’s gift. I’m trying to force it, the joints and ligaments around the knee to be so strong. I learned this in 1989, Tom Platz, training with him from 89 to the early 90s, this is something he lived with.”
“I could see at that stage how strong his connective tissue [was], his legs were enormous, Tom Platz, great legs, but his knees were so healthy. That’s again, another fun exercise that somebody your size that’s a rarity to see that kind of movement. So we’ll do a moderate and see where we can find stress in the knee in a safe position.”
Hafthor was impressed with O’Hearn’s variation of the hack squat, where he utilized a wedge to place his feet at an angle.
“He’s just so focused each and every rep every set, he manages in the moment, everything with his muscles, the tightness of the squeeze,” Hafthor said about O’Hearn.
O’Hearn highlighted why the technique is so effective for quad training.
“I don’t know if you guys can see it at home, the difference between, you’re still leading with the quads compared to leading with the hip,” O’Hearn said. “So the way he was doing it first of all, he was great for the first time doing it but it was still a hack squat because it wasn’t leading with the ass. The last couple of reps were beautiful because he was rotating the ass up, stretching the quads, and getting more isolation. It’s such an odd position.”
Even though they were lifting light weights, Bjornsson was surprised by the work rate.
“You feel like you’re working so hard but at the same time, it’s light weight. It’s a very interesting movement for sure, different, like I said, like I’ve never done before,” shared Hafthor.
Bjornsson asked if O’Hearn adds extra weight or keeps the workout light when on his own.
“I do add more and more but I want to try to get a better range of motion. On this one… this would be like a finisher for me, I’d hit my squats, I’d do like a leg press or a similarity squat, some kind of moderation – we have a like I said, kind of hack squat and then I’d do something like this at the end to kind of finish that leg out.”
“Stress done right will strengthen your body,” said O’Hearn. “The possibility of you being like this in 30 years… is a possibility, it really is. Where most people will go, I hit 30, I hit 35, I’m done, I’m only going to get older and weaker but that’s not the mentality you have.”
Before wrapping up the video, Hafthor explained how training has changed from his 20s to his 30s.
“In your 30s, you got to be more detailed, more prepared, and have everything lined up: nutrition, sleep, training, recovery, rest, everything has to be dialed in and I can’t even imagine, I know that every single day you’re doing whatever you can to even get 1% better,” Hafthor Bjornsson said.
This isn’t the first time Mike O’Hearn has led a longevity-inspired training session. He joined Arnold Schwarzenegger’s son, Joseph Baena recently, where they teamed up to attack a back training session. During the workout, O’Hearn shared that some of the movements they practiced could help Baena’s joints when he’s around his father’s age (75).
While the technique may differ from the norm, Mike O’Hearn is living evidence of his training practices and has employed these exercises for more than three decades.
RELATED: Hafthor Bjornsson Shares Intense Pre-Surgery Recovery Techniques for Gruesome Pec Tear
Watch the full video below from Mike O’Hearn’s YouTube channel:
Published: 17 May, 2023 | 4:09 PM EDT
Hafthor Bjornsson Shares Intense Pre-Surgery Recovery Techniques for Gruesome Pec Tear
Strongman legend Hafthor Bjornsson was working his way back into competitions when he got forced to the sidelines due to an injury. In a recent YouTube video, Bjornsson shared a look into the advanced recovery methods he’s utilized in the lead-up to his surgery.
Hafthor Bjornsson is widely regarded as one of the greatest Strongman athletes of all time. The Icelandic sensation started his professional career in national shows in 2009 and earned a wild card entry to the 2011 World’s Strongest Man competition, where he placed sixth in his maiden appearance. Bjornsson established his place in the mix of title contention with regular top-three placements, scoring three silvers and three bronze medals over the next six years. He finally secured the win at the 2018 edition of the event.
Other than his incredible feats of strength, Bjornsson also gained attention for his role as ‘The Mountain’ in the popular HBO television series Game of Thrones. Bjornsson stepped away from strongman competitions in favor of boxing matches in 2020. He squared off against standout Eddie Hall for a clash inside the ring and came out on top by unanimous decision. Although he considered extending his run in combat, he eventually decided against it to make his return to strength sports.
Bjornsson delivered an incredible performance in his comeback last October. He set the 20-feet 3-inch weight over bar world record at the 2022 Rogue Invitational. Following the win, Bjornsson survived an injury scare while performing a heavy set of 340-kg (749.6-lb) squats.
’Thor’ recovered quickly and smoked a 793.6-lb (360-kg) deadlift for two reps in preparation for his return to a powerlifting competition. Then, he amped up the training by crushing 195-kg (429.9-lb) on the paused bench press. When it was time for his powerlifting comeback, Bjornsson made a statement and won gold with a total of 970-kg (2,138.5-lb). Given his decorated career, Bjornsson was honored with an induction into the International Sports Hall of Fame earlier this year.
Hafthor Bjornsson planned to break the All-Time World Record Total in powerlifting before making his way back to Strongman in 2024. However, his plans were cut short after he tore his pec in an attempt to lift 252.5-kg (556.7-lb) bench press at a competition in his gym. He revealed he would need surgery to recover from the injury as his upper chest muscles got torn off the bone. He reported findings from a visit to the doctor on the pec tear and laid out his recovery process last week.
Hafthor Bjornsson reveals advanced recovery methods ahead of surgery
In a recent YouTube video, Hafthor Bjornsson shared some of the innovative recovery techniques he’s using to get ready for the surgery.
First, he visited a health specialist who offered him a special shake, some drinks, and supplement packages to utilize in the days leading to his surgery. While they did not list the ingredients, the goal was to help boost connective tissue, muscle repair, and blood plasma levels.
Then, he did three cycles of 20 minutes on the infrared light bed and three minutes in the cryogenic chamber before finishing in the hyperbaric chamber for one hour. Finally, Thor went to Restore Orthopedics Center to get his X-rays done. He also got a check-up where flatness in his torn pec muscles was identified along with an analysis of the injury.
RELATED: Hafthor Bjornsson Shows Off Ripped Physique Update, Shares ‘Hardcore’ Abs and Back Workout
There’s no doubt Hafthor Bjornsson is doing everything in his power to make a quick recovery from the torn pec muscle injury.
You can watch the full video below.
Published: 26 April, 2023 | 5:16 PM EDT
Hafthor Bjornsson Shares Doctor’s Update on Pec Tear Ahead of Surgery: ‘Swelling is Getting Worse’
Strongman icon Hafthor Bjornsson is on the road to recovery after suffering a setback during a powerlifting competition. In a recent video uploaded to YouTube, Bjornsson shared a highly-anticipated update with a doctor regarding his pec tear injury. This comes shortly ahead of Hafthor’s planned surgery that should set the road for a successful comeback.
Hafthor Bjornsson took the strongman world by storm in 2011 when he emerged as one of the youngest finalists in the history of the World’s Strongest Man competition. He then established a reputation of title contention with several top-three placings over the next few years. So, after being the runner-up for two years in a row, Bjornsson finally secured the WSM title in 2018. Besides the WSM contests, Bjornsson racked up multiple wins in other events, including Europe’s Strongest Man and Arnold Strongman Classic.
Bjornsson briefly stepped away from professional strength sports to explore his passion for boxing in 2020. He boasted a leaner look to clash with fellow Strongman legend Eddie Hall inside the boxing ring in a match billed as The Heaviest Boxing Match in History in March 2022. In the end, he came out on top of the judges’ scorecards after a dominant performance. This resulted in rumors about fights with Tyson Fury and Martyn Ford, but Bjornsson ultimately decided to retire from boxing.
Having decided against continuing his run in combat sports, the 34-year-old announced his return to Strongman last October. He got to work in preparation for attempting the Weight Over Bar Record at the 2022 Rogue Invitational. He made a statement in his comeback as he set the new record at 20-feet 3-inches.
Hafthor Bjornsson was working on his lower body strength when he narrowly avoided an injury on the squat rack in November 2022. He crushed a heavy set of 340-kg (749.6-lb) squats for two reps before the bar stumbled while being racked. The only thing that saved him was his quick thinking and experience.
’Thor’ amped up his preparations with a huge 793.6-lb (360-kg) deadlift for two reps ahead of a powerlifting comeback. Following that, Bjornsson smoked a set of 429.9-lb (195-kg) paused bench press. Expectedly, his hard work paid off as he got gold in his return to powerlifting a few months ago. He recorded a total of 2,138.5-lb (970-kg) in the three lifts.
Hafthor also got inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2023 two months ago. However, he still targeted adding the All Time World Record in powerlifting before moving to strongman again next year to continue building up his legacy. Last month, Bjornsson showed off his insane strength by crushing an 837.7-lb (380-kg) squat on the way to his goal of lifting 970 pounds. Then, he pulled off a 925.95-lb (420-kg) raw squat in training.
On April 15, Bjornsson hosted a powerlifting competition in his gym in Iceland. He ended up tearing his pec muscle after trying to score a new competition PR on the bench press of 556.7-lb (252.5-kg). He revealed he’d completely torn his upper chest and would need to undergo surgery.
Hafthor Bjornsson shares Doctor’s Update on pec tear
In a recent YouTube video, Hafthor Bjornsson shared an update on his road to recovery from the pec tear injury.
“A quick update I did my MRI yesterday,” said Bjornsson. “Today, I’m going to see the doctor to basically go over the MRI and decided to do my surgery in the States with a specialist that specializes in practice. I am optimistic and positive.
“I can move my arm, there’s no really huge discomfort right now which is good. The swelling is getting worse, it’s getting quite worse and worse every day. I booked my surgery on 26 April.”
Bjornsson’s doctor gave his take on the severity of the tear and explained what to expect ahead as he gears up for surgery.
“The tunnel external part of the pectoralis muscle there’s a huge tear here in the muscle. You can see some part of the tendon is underneath the muscle and goes towards the humerus, the humeral insertion, which should be here so it looks like you have quite a big tear in a region of the muscle and Pantone area so it won’t be easy to say until after the surgery how it is to repair completely,” said the doctor. “Difficult to say but I think the main thing is now that this happens soon, that you can go to the surgery as soon as possible so I think I’m almost certain that it’s possible to repair most of the tandem but I’m not sure how it’s completely.”
“Usually it will heal very well. It will heal with a certain amount of scar tissue and so you will have to have a good physiotherapist after the surgery two have a good range of motion and do a good exercise and also give it good time like six to 12 weeks to heal before you start doing heavy work.”
Hafthor Bjornsson’s injury appears to be a major one. Hopefully, he undergoes a successful surgery and gets back on track to full health sooner than later.
You can watch the full video below.
Published: 21 April, 2023 | 4:04 PM EDT
Hafthor Bjornsson On Pec Injury: ‘I Completely Tore My Upper Chest off The Bone’, Says ‘He Will Have To Have Surgery’
Having set extremely high goals for this year, Hafthor Bjornsson was excited to see how much progress he had made in the past few months. Aiming to break the All-Time Raw With Wraps World Record in powerlifting, Hafthor was dedicated to improving his squat, bench, and deadlift. However, at his most recent appearance, Hafthor suffered a gruesome injury during one of these events. While taking part in a Powerlifting competition at his home gym in Iceland, Hafthor loaded up 252.5 kilograms (556.7 pounds) for his final bench press attempt. Upon trying to control the bar down to his chest, Hafthor’s left pec muscle detached, resulting in chilling screams of pain. Having taken some time to reflect on the situation, Hafthor has now released updates for his fans.
One of the updates was posted on Instagram, while the other was shared on YouTube. On Instagram, Hafthor Bjornsson posted a picture of what his chest currently looks like. It is clear that his left pec is injured, as the skin has changed color to purple.
Related: Hafthor Björnsson Sets 20-Feet 3-Inches Weight Over Bar World Record at 2022 Rogue Invitational, Says “I Might Come Back”
Firstly, it is important to note that Hafthor Bjornsson has suffered multiple injuries throughout his career as a Strongman and powerlifter. So, he speaks with experience on the subject and estimates that his peck has completely detached from the bone.
“I believe I completely tore my chest, upper chest, off the bone. I will have to have surgery if that is the case”
If his assumption is correct, Hafthor Bjornsson will definitely have to undergo surgery. He has already scheduled an MRI which will reveal every detail of his injury.
Hafthor also revealed that this is the biggest injury of his career so far. However, judging by the remainder of his statement it seems that he will continue chasing his goals after the recovery process is finished.
“This is literally the biggest injury of my whole career. So, I got to tackle this”
The injury has also made it more difficult for Hafthor Bjornsson to carry out daily tasks. He is a left-handed person, but that arm is immobilized due to the pec tear. However, Hafthor used this chance to make some jokes.
“I have a difficult time wiping my a**. Putting my underwear on is difficult. You know, it’s life.”
Watch Hafthor Bjornsson’s video here:
Related: Hafthor Björnsson Drops The Bar on Himself After Squatting 340-kg (749.6-lb) For Two Reps; Avoids Serious Injuries
Hafthor Bjornsson ventured into boxing after conquering Strongman with a 2018 WSM victory and a 501-kilogram (1,104.5-pound) Deadlift World Record. In boxing, he managed to beat fellow Strongman, Eddie Hall, following which Bjornsson realized that lifting weights is his true passion.
Consequently, Hafthor Bjornsson decided to come back to powerlifting at the end of last year. Furthermore, he extended his goals for this year, aiming to set a new World Record this year, but that seems almost impossible at this time. Hafthor still refers to this injury as a “small setback“. So, he obviously already has his future planned out.
Published: 17 April, 2023 | 12:47 PM EDT
Video: Hafthor Bjornsson Tears His Pec During 252.5-kg (556.7-lb) Bench Press Attempt
It has been a few months since Hafthor Bjornsson announced that he was coming back to powerlifting. Initially, he only wanted to get back to lifting weights following his boxing venture, but that quickly grew into some much bigger goals. With the love for the sport reignited in him, Hafthor decided to try to break the All-Time Raw W/Wraps World Record Total by the end of 2023. He started putting on some weight and training professionally, which resulted in some impressive improvements. However, it seems that his exhibition will be cut short, or at least slowed down, since Hafthor just tore his pec muscle.
Wanting to test his strength and technique, Hafthor Bjornsson organized a powerlifting competition in his gym. The competition took place on April 15th, and lasted the entire day. Hafthor started off strong, but his day was ruined on the bench press. After successfully and easily locking out 230 kilograms (507.1 pounds) and 240 kilograms (529.1 pounds), Hafthor loaded 252.5 kilograms (556.7 pounds) for his final attempt.
Having never lifted this much weight before, Hafthor Bjornsson was eager to score a new competition PR. However, when he started to lower the 252.5 kilograms (556.7 pounds) down to his chest, his pec muscle torn. This resulted in a spine-chilling scream from the 2018 World’s Strongest Man, which only stopped after the spotters lifted the bar off him.
The video of the incident was shared by a Strongman promoter, Julian Howard, on Instagram. The footage clearly shows Hafthor’s pec muscle detaching, along with the sound of tearing.
Watch the video here:
Related: Hafthor Björnsson Drops The Bar on Himself After Squatting 340-kg (749.6-lb) For Two Reps; Avoids Serious Injuries
Hafthor Bjornsson will probably reveal the severity of the injury as soon as he completes all the necessary testing. However, pec tears can take months to recover, and it seems that Hafthor’s injury is very serious. So, it is likely that his ambitions of breaking the All-Time World Record will have to be prolonged.
Before tearing his pec, Hafthor Bjornsson had a relatively decent start to the competition. He squatted 380 kilograms (837.6 pounds) and 420 kilograms (925.9 pounds) on his first two attempts. Bjornsson then moved on to his third attempt of 445 kilograms (981 pounds) and crushed it. However, the third attempt was then disallowed because of his depth.
Hafthor Bjornsson also intended to return to Strongman in 2024, but this injury might affect those plans as well. Both Powerlifting and Strongman are notorious for their injuries. Hafthor’s risk was potentially even greater, seeing that he took two years off to train boxing. While doing that, Hafthor beat Eddie Hall in one of the heaviest fights in history. Shortly after the match, Hafthor realized that his love lies in strength sports.
The first thing Hafthor Bjornsson did after retiring from boxing was break a World Record in Strongman. He further improved his own Weight Over Bar record at the 2022 Rogue Invitational.
Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson’s Powerlifting Career
Personal Bests
Equip
Squat
Bench
Deadlift
Total
Dots
Wraps
970
551.2
970
2425.1
551.79
Raw
474
1113.3
268.28
Competition Results
Place
Fed
Date
Competition
Division
Total
Dots
1
WRPF-Iceland
2018-12-15
Thors Powerlifting Challenge
Open
2425.1
551.79
Location
Iceland
Competition
Thors Powerlifting Challenge
Division
Open
Age
30
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
435.4
Squat
-925.9
970
-1014.1
970
Bench
518.1
540.1
551.2
551.2
Deadlift
859.8
903.9
-948
903.9
2
RAW-Iceland
2011-06-03
Íslandsmót
Open
2050.3
470.77
Location
Iceland
Competition
Íslandsmót
Division
Open
Age
22
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
418.6
Squat
661.4
716.5
771.6
771.6
Bench
463
485
507.1
507.1
Deadlift
771.6
-837.8
-837.8
771.6
1
IKF
2010-09-22
Heildarúrslit
Open
474
110.15
Location
Iceland
Competition
Heildarúrslit
Division
Open
Age
21
Equipment
Raw
Class
308.6
Weight
398.6
Bench
440.9
474
-496
474
GLP
78.04
1
WPC-Iceland
2010-03-20
Icelandic Championships
Open
1113.3
268.28
Location
Iceland
Competition
Icelandic Championships
Division
Open
Age
21
Equipment
Raw
Class
308.6
Weight
346.2
Bench
330.7
352.7
385.8
385.8
Deadlift
617.3
683.4
727.5
727.5
1
RAW-Iceland
2010-02-27
Íslandsmót
Open
705.5
170.88
Location
Iceland
Competition
Íslandsmót
Division
Open
Age
21
Equipment
Raw
Class
308.6
Weight
339.5
Deadlift
617.3
661.4
705.5
-727.5
705.5
Data Source: Open Powerlifting. Last Updated: April 12, 2023
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Related: Hafthor Björnsson Inducted into The International Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2023
Hafthor Bjornsson has experienced multiple injuries during his career and successfully overcame them all. Hopefully he will do the same with this one and then continue where he left off. Bjornsson will undoubtedly soon come out with a statement revealing what the future has in store for him.
Published: 15 April, 2023 | 4:19 PM EDT
Hafthor Bjornsson Shows Off Shredded Abs In Recent Physique Update
Hafthor Bjornsson continues to train, staying ready for his next opponent in the ring.
Hafthor Bjornsson went through an incredible physique transformation once he went from strongman to boxing. Bjornsson was victorious during his first fight and is continuing to train for his next opponent. One has not been named and during this time, Bjornsson is training in different ways. In a recent update, “The Mountain” showed off his shredded abs after an intense workout in the gym.
Bjornsson built a legendary strongman career, including winning the 2018 World’s Strongest Man competition and setting the deadlift world record. Following his career in strongman, Bjornsson decided to try his hand in the ring. He defeated fellow strongman Eddie Hall by unanimous decision back in March. Now, he is waiting for his next opponent and has been linked to many names.
First, Tyson Fury has been going back-and-forth with Bjornsson about a potential fight. Fury was supposed to discuss options with his team but nothing has come to light just yet. Also, Martyn Ford is looking to line up an opponent in the ring and the two behemoths have been linked as well. It will be interesting to see who Bjornsson will take on next.
Hafthor Bjornsson Looking Ripped In The Gym
Hafthor Bjornsson took to Instagram to show off his recent physique update and share videos of his workout. It was an ab and back workout that hit muscles in different ways.
“Back attack and abs today after 12 hours of hardcore day at work. Filmed a very physical fight scene all day while being exposed to the ☀️ Thankful and blessed to be in good health and great physical condition! ??”
Bjornsson did not share the exact numbers of sets and reps in the video. It was quick clips showing hanging leg lifts, T-Bar rows, and row machine reps. Despite taking his training to a different place, Bjornsson continues to maintain superhuman strength that he used to show during competition.
Hafthor Bjornsson recently deadlifted 705.4 pounds for two reps. In the video, it is clear that he has plenty left in the tank. Bjornsson might be training for boxing but he clearly wants to keep his strength at an elite level.
All eyes will be on Bjornsson as he looks to line up another opponent. No matter who it is, it will be a fight that brings plenty of attention. Until then, Bjornsson is keeping his physique in shape and maintaining that shredded physique that he has built over the last year.
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Hafthor Bjornsson Attends Posing Seminar: Is The Mountain Considering Bodybuilding?
Hafthor Bjornsson has hinted at bodybuilding in the past. Could this be his next venture?
Hafthor Bjornsson has taken on many different challenges over the course of his career. From strongman to acting to boxing, The Mountain has found success in whatever he does. Could bodybuilding be next on the list?
Bjornsson currently holds the all-time deadlift record at 501kg. He is a former World’s Strongest Man champion and one of the best strongmen of all-time. To this day, he is the only man to win the WSM, Europe’s Strongest Man, and Arnold Strongman Classic. His monstrous physique landed him a part in Game of Thrones.
When he decided to take a break from strongman, Hafthor Bjornsson began training as a boxer. He lined up a fight with fellow strongman Eddie Hall, which was initially cancelled due to an injury from Hall. When the two finally stepped in the ring together, Bjornsson was named the winner by unanimous decision. Now, he continues to train in the ring awaiting his next opponent.
READ MORE: Hafthor Bjornsson Calls Out Tyson Fury During Training: ‘Are You Afraid? Show Yourself’
During this time, Bjornsson has transformed his physique. After being seen at a recent posing seminar, could he be looking into bodybuilding?
Hafthor Bjornsson Hits Some Bodybuilding Poses
Hafthor Bjornsson was given more time to train and sculpt his physique when Hall went down with an injury. He has completely transformed his diet and training regimen to fit boxing. Bjornsson now sports a shredded physique and because of this, has hinted at competing in bodybuilding in the past.
In January, Hafthor Bjornsson shared a post on Instagram saying that he was reading a book written by eight-time Olympia champion Ronnie Coleman and felt inspired. This led to many thinking that he could make an appearance on the bodybuilding stage.
The Men’s Open division in bodybuilding is full of mass monsters that have grown significantly over time. Bjornsson has transformed his physique into something great and is extremely tall at 6-foot-9. It would be interesting to see how he would fair on stage next to some of the best competitors in the world. Of course, he would have to tailor his physique in a different way once again.
We have seen that Hafthor Bjornsson is always up for a challenge and is not a stranger to sculpting his physique. If he decided to take a chance on bodybuilding, Bjornsson would certainly give it all he has.
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Eddie Hall vs Thor Lawsuit: Core Sports Wins $2.5 Million Case Against SEGI.TV
Eddie Hall vs Thor Lawsuit featured a war over $2.5 million.
The Eddie Hall vs Thor Bjornsson lawsuit features two major companies, Core Sports and SEGI, going to legal war over $2.5 million. Apparently Core Sports has not been paid by SEGI for putting on the event that took place in March 2022 in Dubai.
Well this is quite the turn of events. It appears that the boxing match between World’s Strongest Man champions Eddie Hall and Thor Bjornsson has produced another battle. According to reports Core Sports, responsible for putting on the boxing event, is suing Sycamore Entertainment Group Inc. (SEGI) for failure to receive $2.5 million. SEGI, the company responsible for streaming the boxing event, was due to pay $2.5 million for a license fee to Core Sports. That clearly did not happen as Core Sports has hit SEGI with a massive litigation case.
Chief Executive Officer of SEGI Edward A. Sylvan claimed to have wired $1.5 million to Core Sports back in April 2022. Sylvan said that the rest would be paid in full. However, it appears that wire transfer was actually fabricated. Core Sports executives have since sought legal action.
And from the sounds of it, this first case is just the beginning.
Just The Beginning
Core Sports’ Chief Executive Officer Don Idrees addressed the issue in a statement:
“Core Sports delivered fully on its obligations to SEGI, as did all of the hard-working vendors involved in the fight, except for SEGI itself. While we are happy that the court has entered judgment against SEGI, this particular fight has only just started. We are now investigating claim against SEGI’s officers and directors, as well as individuals and entities that we believe help SEGI to shield its assets.”
“Unfit to Run a Lemonade Stand”
Core Sports’ litigation attorney Steven A. Heath went for the jugular in a statement regard SEGI and it’s CEO Sylvan.
“The court’s entry of judgment on claims including fraud and breach of contract confirms what everyone in the industry already suspected – Edward Sylvan is unfit to run a lemonade stand, let alone a publicly-traded company. After filing this lawsuit on June 2, 2022, we quickly obtained bank records indicating that SEGI uses a separate company, Silau LLC, to receive and disburse its cash. We are reviewing closely this arrangement, with a view to bringing further litigation against SEGI’s officers, directors, and advisors, as well as Silau, LLC itself.”
What does this mean for Eddie Hall and Thor Bjornsson themselves? Not much really. They went out and did their jobs after all. The unfortunate part is that this legal case leaves a bit of black eye on the event itself. Many people that helped to make the event what it was didn’t get paid. It’s a truly an unfortunate turn of events in that regard.
What do you think about this massive legal case?
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News and Editorial Writer at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.