Tag: nick best
Strongman Nick Best Squats 803-lb (365-kg) For The 27th Year In a Row
Many people view aging as a destructive process since their physical appearance deteriorates in every aspect. However, there are many personalities in fitness who prove that this does not have to be the case. There is one legendary Strongman athlete in particular who has put up incredible feats of strength for decades and is not stopping even at 54 years old. The man in question is Nick Best, as he has just squatted over 800 pounds (362.9 kilograms) for the 27th consecutive year.
Nick Best recently partnered up with the 2023 World’s Strongest Man, Mitchell Hooper, for a training session. They decided to perform a training session consisting of squats and deadlifts, both of which are Nick’s strengths.
Nick Best and Mitchell Hooper first warmed up with a few progressively heavier sets. Nick opted to perform the squats with knee wraps, while Hooper decided to go raw. In turn, Hooper only built up to a single with 704 pounds (320 kilograms) after which he decided to stop. Nick then loaded 803 pounds (365 kilograms) and grinded it out.
Nick then revealed that this was the 27th year in a row that he has squatted this much weight.
“That makes 27 years now. The first time was in 1996.” said Best.
“This streak started when I was one year old,” replied Hooper.
Watch Nick Best’s squat here:
*Nick Best performed the squat at the 5:00 timestamp of the video.
Related: 54-YO Nick Best Sinks a 771-lb (349.7-kg) Squat With Knee Wraps In Training
Mitchell Hooper also asked Nick’s opinion on the issue of people complaining about their bodies before they reach the age of 30. Nick’s response was straightforward since he has demonstrated for multiple decades that hard work is the key to success.
“They are bullshi**ing. Put in the work.” said Best.
This 803-pound (365-kilogram) comes just a few months after Nick Best underwent a surgery to remove his kidney. This medical process is called nephrectomy and was done to him due to cancer. Luckily, his cancer was revealed on time, as the doctors noticed it after Nick came in to check his ribs after a failed bench press. So, it was definitely not easy to recover from the surgery, but he is already squatting over 800 pounds (362.9 kilograms).
It is also important to note that Nick performed this squat despite no longer being a professional Strongman athlete. He retired from the sport in November of 2022, but still maintains an incredible physical shape. He is mostly focusing on the squats and deadlifts, as he also pulled 15 reps with 600 pounds (272.2 kilograms) at the 2022 Mr. Olympia Expo shortly after retiring.
Related: Nick Best Smashes a 600-lb (272-kg) Deadlift for 16 Reps 5 Days Before Turning 54
Nick Best has left the topic of taking part in powerlifting competitions open and his incredible 803-pound (365-kilogram) squat makes a comeback look promising. His most recent powerlifting performance was at the 2022 WRPF FQ Classic 2 where he managed to set two WRPF Masters World Records. So, if he does take part in another competition, Nick could set some more records.
Published: 10 July, 2023 | 5:06 PM EDT
54-YO Nick Best Sinks a 771-lb (349.7-kg) Squat With Knee Wraps In Training
There are not many athletes in the Strongman community who are more famous than Nick Best. Moreover, he is arguably the most impressive man in modern Strongman history, as he has been defying the aging process for years now. Even after more than a decade of pressuring his body with massive weights, Nick still continues to push his limits. So, most recently, he challenged himself with a 771-pound (349.7-kilogram) squat and successfully completed it.
Nick Best made his way to the “Dragon’s Lair Gym” in Las Vegas, which is owned by 7x 212 Mr. Olympia Flex Lewis. He then geared up for the 771-pound (349.7-kilogram) squat by putting on a pair of knee wraps, a lifting belt, and some wrist wraps. The only thing left to do was find some spotters before attempting the lift. Luckily for Nick, the All-Time Squat World Record holder, Joe Sullivan, was present to assist him alongside two other men.
Nick Best slowly dipped down with 771 pounds (349.7 kilograms) on his back, but quickly ascended back up. After re-racking the weight back, Nick excitedly stated:
“That was easy. That was kind of crazy.”
Watch the lift here:
Related: Strongman Nick Best Scores 10 Reps Of 700-lb (317.5-kg) 13-Inch Deadlift At 2022 Clash Of The Masters
Nick Best also performed his first heavy deadlift single in training which came out to 675 pounds (306.2 kilograms). While it wasn’t his heaviest deadlift, Nick expects to be back to pulling 800 pounds (362.9 kilograms) soon.
Nick Best is currently in the process of coming back from nephrectomy. This is a process of removing a kidney due to a tumor. Nick had undergone the surgery back in January, but things are just now starting to fall back in place. Interestingly, he recently revealed that the kidney tumor was found accidentally, as he originally went to the hospital due to a bench press incident.
Nick Best retired from Strongman competitions in 2022, but still left the door open for a few more powerlifting appearances. Consequently, this is why his focus has shifted towards powerlifting events and why a 771-pound (349.7-kilogram) squat seems effortless to him.
Nick Best, known for his remarkable strength, recently made headlines with his incredible 771-pound (349.7-kilogram) squat. However, it’s not just his squats that amaze people; he frequently showcases astonishing deadlift feats as well. For example, during the 2022 Mr. Olympia Expo, Nick loaded 600 pounds (272.2 kilograms) onto the bar and crushed 15 repetitions.
As a Strongman, Nick Best took part in 41 International and National competitions and came out victorious three times. However, he was admired by everyone due to his resilience and impressive stationary strength.
Nick Best’s powerlifting career is nothing short of incredible as well. He took part in 33 sanctioned competitions and won 20 of them. Furthermore, he set two Masters World Records in his most recent appearance at the 2022 WRPF FQ Classic 2.
Related: Strongman Nick Best Defies Age By Deadlifting 500lb For 50 Reps At 53 Years Old
Nick Best’s Powerlifting History
Personal Bests
Equip
Squat
Bench
Deadlift
Total
Dots
Wraps
870.8
529.1
870.8
2226.7
555.07
Single-ply
815.7
551.2
815.7
2155
537.54
Competition Results
Place
Fed
Date
Competition
Division
Total
Dots
1
WRPF
2022-05-01
FQ Classic 2
M50-54
2028.3
506.13
Location
USA-NV
Competition
FQ Classic 2
Division
M50-54
Age
53
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
304.5
Squat
749.6
804.7
821.2
821.2
Bench
407.9
440.9
463
463
Deadlift
683.4
744.1
-771.6
744.1
3
WRPF
2021-04-24
Kern US Open
Open
2028.3
505.81
Location
USA-CA
Competition
Kern US Open
Division
Open
Age
52
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
305.1
Squat
749.6
-815.7
815.7
815.7
Bench
451.9
485
-507.1
485
Deadlift
727.5
-821.2
727.5
NS
WRPF
2019-04-27
Kern US Open
Open
Location
USA-CA
Competition
Kern US Open
Division
Open
Age
50
Equipment
Wraps
1
IPL
2018-11-17
Old Dogs World Cup
Masters 50-54
2182.6
543.64
Location
USA-CA
Competition
Old Dogs World Cup
Division
Masters 50-54
Age
50
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
306.4
Squat
848.8
Bench
518.1
Deadlift
815.7
2
IPL
2018-09-14
Olympia Pro Powerlifting
Open
2155
537.54
Location
USA-NV
Competition
Olympia Pro Powerlifting
Division
Open
Age
49
Equipment
Single-ply
Class
308.6
Weight
304.9
Squat
815.7
Bench
507.1
Deadlift
832.2
GLP
89.92
3
USPA
2017-04-15
CETC US Open Powerlifting Championships
HW
2226.7
555.07
Location
USA-CA
Competition
CETC US Open Powerlifting Championships
Division
HW
Age
48
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
305.6
Squat
870.8
Bench
529.1
Deadlift
826.7
1
USPA
2017-01-07
American Cup Los Angeles Fit Expo
Open
2221.2
552.13
Location
USA-CA
Competition
American Cup Los Angeles Fit Expo
Division
Open
Age
48
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
308.6
Squat
854.3
Bench
523.6
Deadlift
843.3
1
USPA
2016-04-23
Nevada State Powerlifting Championships
Open
2171.6
540.78
Location
USA-NV
Competition
Nevada State Powerlifting Championships
Division
Open
Age
47
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
306.7
Squat
843.3
Bench
518.1
Deadlift
810.2
1
USPA
2016-04-23
Nevada State Powerlifting Championships
Masters 45-49
2171.6
540.78
Location
USA-NV
Competition
Nevada State Powerlifting Championships
Division
Masters 45-49
Age
47
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
306.7
Squat
843.3
Bench
518.1
Deadlift
810.2
DQ
USAPL
2000-07-09
Mens National Powerlifting Championships
M-O
Location
USA-IL
Competition
Mens National Powerlifting Championships
Division
M-O
Age
31
Equipment
Single-ply
Class
275.6
Weight
270.5
Squat
-733
-733
-733
1
USAPL
1999-04-10
California State
Open
1973.1
507.25
Location
USA-CA
Competition
California State
Division
Open
Age
30
Equipment
Single-ply
Class
275.6
Weight
275.6
Squat
771.6
Bench
540.1
Deadlift
661.4
GLP
85.19
3
USAPL
1998-07-03
Mens National Powerlifting Championships
M-O
1940.1
501.06
Location
USA-CO
Competition
Mens National Powerlifting Championships
Division
M-O
Age
29
Equipment
Single-ply
Class
275.6
Weight
271.6
Squat
716.5
Bench
518.1
Deadlift
705.5
GLP
84.21
1
USAPL
1998-04-03
California State
Open
1973.1
507.25
Location
USA-CA
Competition
California State
Division
Open
Age
29
Equipment
Single-ply
Class
275.6
Weight
275.6
Squat
733
Bench
551.2
Deadlift
688.9
GLP
85.19
1
USAPL
1997-07-26
Mens Nationals
Open
1989.7
511.5
Location
USA-IL
Competition
Mens Nationals
Division
Open
Age
28
Equipment
Single-ply
Class
275.6
Weight
275.6
Squat
744.1
-777.1
-804.7
744.1
Bench
518.1
540.1
-551.2
540.1
Deadlift
661.4
688.9
705.5
705.5
GLP
85.9
1
ADFPA
1997-02-01
California State
Open
2022.7
Location
USA-CA
Competition
California State
Division
Open
Age
28
Equipment
Single-ply
Squat
810.2
Bench
551.2
Deadlift
661.4
1
WDFPF
1996-08-24
World Powerlifting Championships
Open
1907
490.24
Location
USA-IL
Competition
World Powerlifting Championships
Division
Open
Age
27
Equipment
Single-ply
Class
275.6
Weight
275.6
Squat
760.6
Bench
485
Deadlift
661.4
GLP
82.33
1
ADFPA
1996-06-15
Mens Nationals
Open
1967.6
505.83
Location
USA-MO
Competition
Mens Nationals
Division
Open
Age
27
Equipment
Single-ply
Class
275.6
Weight
275.6
Squat
744.1
771.6
-810.2
771.6
Bench
501.6
-523.6
-523.6
501.6
Deadlift
661.4
-688.9
694.5
694.5
GLP
84.95
1
ADFPA
1996-04-13
California State Championships
Open
2006.2
515.75
Location
USA-CA
Competition
California State Championships
Division
Open
Age
27
Equipment
Single-ply
Class
275.6
Weight
275.6
Squat
804.7
Bench
529.1
Deadlift
672.4
GLP
86.62
4
ADFPA
1995-07-15
Mens Nationals
Open
1901.5
488.83
Location
USA-PA
Competition
Mens Nationals
Division
Open
Age
26
Equipment
Single-ply
Class
275.6
Weight
275.6
Squat
705.5
-755.1
-755.1
705.5
Bench
485
507.1
512.6
512.6
Deadlift
661.4
683.4
-705.5
683.4
GLP
82.09
1
ADFPA
1995-03-25
California State
Open
1885
484.58
Location
USA-CA
Competition
California State
Division
Open
Age
26
Equipment
Single-ply
Class
275.6
Weight
275.6
Squat
755.1
Bench
485
Deadlift
644.9
GLP
81.38
1
ADFPA
1994-12-11
Outlaw Christmas Open
Open
479.5
128.82
Location
USA-CA
Competition
Outlaw Christmas Open
Division
Open
Age
26
Equipment
Single-ply
Class
242.5
Weight
242.5
Bench
479.5
GLP
66.16
1
ADFPA
1994-10-15
Beale Open and California State Deadlift
Open
1796.8
482.7
Location
USA-CA
Competition
Beale Open and California State Deadlift
Division
Open
Age
25
Equipment
Single-ply
Class
242.5
Weight
242.5
Squat
672.4
Bench
463
Deadlift
661.4
GLP
81.61
5
ADFPA
1994-07-16
Mens Nationals
Open
1857.4
498.98
Location
USA-IL
Competition
Mens Nationals
Division
Open
Age
25
Equipment
Single-ply
Class
242.5
Weight
242.5
Squat
661.4
711
727.5
727.5
Bench
451.9
474
-490.5
474
Deadlift
600.8
622.8
655.9
655.9
GLP
84.36
1
ADFPA
1994-04-23
California State
Open
1758.2
472.33
Location
USA-CA
Competition
California State
Division
Open
Age
25
Equipment
Single-ply
Class
242.5
Weight
242.5
Squat
694.5
Bench
451.9
Deadlift
611.8
GLP
79.85
2
ADFPA
1994-01-23
California State Squat
Open
661.4
170.03
Location
USA-CA
Competition
California State Squat
Division
Open
Age
25
Equipment
Single-ply
Class
275.6
Weight
275.6
Squat
661.4
1
ADFPA
1993-10-23
Azusa Classic
Open
1769.2
475.29
Location
USA-CA
Competition
Azusa Classic
Division
Open
Age
24
Equipment
Single-ply
Class
242.5
Weight
242.5
Squat
672.4
Bench
451.9
Deadlift
644.9
GLP
80.35
4
ADFPA
1993-07-10
Mens Nationals
Open
1780.2
478.26
Location
USA-PA
Competition
Mens Nationals
Division
Open
Age
24
Equipment
Single-ply
Class
242.5
Weight
242.5
Squat
-661.4
661.4
705.5
705.5
Bench
451.9
-474
474
474
Deadlift
-600.8
600.8
-633.8
600.8
GLP
80.86
2
ADFPA
1993-03-13
California State Championships
Open
1802.3
484.18
Location
USA-CA
Competition
California State Championships
Division
Open
Age
24
Equipment
Single-ply
Class
242.5
Weight
242.5
Squat
705.5
Bench
463
Deadlift
633.8
-650.4
633.8
GLP
81.86
7
ADFPA
1992-06-06
Mens Nationals
Open
1648
442.72
Location
USA-MN
Competition
Mens Nationals
Division
Open
Age
23
Equipment
Single-ply
Class
242.5
Weight
242.5
Squat
633.8
-661.4
-661.4
633.8
Bench
402.3
-435.4
-435.4
402.3
Deadlift
600.8
611.8
-622.8
611.8
GLP
74.85
1
ADFPA
1991-11-02
Northern California
Open
1631.4
438.28
Location
USA-CA
Competition
Northern California
Division
Open
Age
22
Equipment
Single-ply
Class
242.5
Weight
242.5
Squat
617.3
Bench
413.4
Deadlift
600.8
GLP
74.1
1
USPF
1991-08-24
East Beach Open
Natural
1625.9
436.8
Location
USA-CA
Competition
East Beach Open
Division
Natural
Age
22
Equipment
Single-ply
Class
242.5
Weight
242.5
Squat
617.3
Bench
402.3
Deadlift
606.3
GLP
73.85
1
USPF
1991-08-24
East Beach Open
Open
1625.9
436.8
Location
USA-CA
Competition
East Beach Open
Division
Open
Age
22
Equipment
Single-ply
Class
242.5
Weight
242.5
Squat
617.3
Bench
402.3
Deadlift
606.3
GLP
73.85
3
USPF
1985-04-01
El Dorado Gold Championships
High School
940
288.83
Location
USA-NV
Competition
El Dorado Gold Championships
Division
High School
Age
16
Equipment
Single-ply
Class
181.9
Weight
181.9
GLP
49.41
Data Source: Open Powerlifting. Last Updated: April 12, 2023
Analyze Lifts
It is nice to see that Nick Best is almost back to his best form after his kidney surgery just a few months ago. He is already putting up humongous lifts in training and setting new goals for the future. So, it is just a matter of time until he enters another powerlifting competition and sets some more World Records.
Published: 28 May, 2023 | 2:37 PM EDT
Nick Best Reveals How a Bench Press Injury Saved His Life from Cancer
Powerlifting and strongman veteran Nick Best made a name for himself with his unreal feats of strength. He has recorded some huge lifts over the years and seen some world records as well. So, over the years, Nick has also experienced some incidents in the gym. However, one particular incident turned out to be a blessing in disguise. In a recent appearance on the Shaw Strength podcast, Best opened up on how an unsuccessful bench press attempt helped detect cancer in his body and save his life in time.
Nick Best first rose to fame in powerlifting. He started off proving his potential by winning the USAPL National Powerlifting Championships in the 125-kg category in 1996 and 1997 along with the WDFPF World Powerlifting Championships. After some years as a powerlifter, Best transitioned to Strongman. Moreover, he emerged as a budding strongman contender in 2010 when he came out victorious in the All-American Strongman Challenge. The win earned him qualification for the Arnold Strongman Classic, where he finished ninth. He then regularly qualified for the World’s Strongest Man over the last decade.
In November 2021, Best left the fans stunned by performing a massive 500-pound (226.79-kg) deadlift for 50 reps at the age of 53. He also detailed a grueling back day workout after the age-defying stunt to motivate his followers further. Then, he joined forces with legendary Strongman contender Brian Shaw, a four-time World’s Strongest Man winner, for an intense back training session at bodybuilding icon Flex Lewis’ gym in Las Vegas.
Best and Shaw strengthened their partnership with another monstrous workout in January 2022. The duo went through a series of heavy exercises targeting the upper body along with a huge 500-lb bench press. They collaborated again for a tough lower-body training session a month later. They also crushed a gigantic 480-lb hip thrust exercise as part of the grueling leg day workout.
Nick Best / Instagram
Best created history by setting two WRPF Masters World Records at the 2022 WRPF FQ Classic 2 powerlifting contest a year ago. He managed to squat 372.5 kilograms (821.5 pounds) and lock out 337.5 kilograms (744 pounds) on the deadlift. He also equaled the Total World Record in the 140-kg weight class.
The 54-year-old smoked an enormous 700-lb (317.5-kg) 13-inch deadlift for eight reps in July 2022. He followed up by improving to 10 reps of 700 pounds on the 13-inch deadlift at the 2022 Clash of the Masters, where he took bronze.
Nick Best smashed a 600-lb (272-kg) deadlift for 16 reps five days before his 54th birthday last November. He then announced he’d step away from professional Strongman competition after 16 glittering years in the game.
Nick Best reveals how a bench press fail saved his life
In a recent episode of the Shaw Strength, Nick Best revealed how a failed bench press attempt helped him discover an underlying health issue that saved his life.
“My wife’s an ER nurse and so nothing really phases her unless it’s really serious,” said Best. “She’s kind of looking at me, watching me breathe and she’s seeing the spasm, and she’s like we better go get that looked at. Let’s get you to the ER. We went in the next 30 minutes. I couldn’t take deep breaths until they gave me the muscle relaxants to get my diaphragm from spasming, just real shallow short breaths. They told me we need to get a CT scan to make sure there’s no internal bleeding.
The guy was kinda feeling around, poking up in the top part of my rib cage and he goes like I don’t know. We need to get some film on it. Kelly’s like okay fine let’s do it just be safe. Turns out I had a hematoma, which isn’t the end of the world, that’s going to heal and go away. Both sides of my ribs are bruised because the rib cage gives and where it stops giving that’s where I got the injuries so it was right in my serrates. It wasn’t very pleasant.
Got through that and he brought this other doctor in, my wife knows him, he’s not someone that messes around when he comes into the room, it’s usually something serious. He goes, we’ve had an incidental finding and that’s when they found the tumor in my kidney. He says there’s a growth in your kidney, it’s completely inside the kidney but you need to go get another CT scan in two days because they gave me contrast and they can’t do that back to back.
Two days later, we got another CT scan and in which time, got the film, an appointment scheduled, and a couple weeks later, he sent me for another CT scan because look we have a mass there, can’t tell if it’s a cancerous tumor or fatty tumor. We’re going to need to get a biopsy stuff like that, went in for another CT scan, got a better look at it then he sent me for a biopsy but couldn’t get me comfortable because they laying on my belly, got to go through the back, where it was sitting out of my kidney. They were going to have to go through my lung into the kidney. The doctor said we can’t do this today. It just hurt so bad on the ribs they couldn’t. I couldn’t move at all because the needles.
“They’re going off the CT scans but the doc’s concern is it could be a fatty tumor in which case if it was they could go in cauterize blood vessels in the kidney that are supplying the fatty tumor in and it’ll go away. So, you can’t tell the difference. I’m like doc with an MRI be able to be enough of a view in a 3D view to give you a better idea whether it’s fat or something else. He goes yeah the MRI will work so we went in again. I got an MRI and this is all within a month.”
Nick Best is still going strong despite being in his mid-50s. He scored a heavy 600-lb (272.2-kg) deadlift for 15 reps at the 2022 Olympia expo last December. With everything he has done so far, Nick is without a doubt still one of the strongest men in the world.
You can watch the full video below.
Published: 13 May, 2023 | 2:01 PM EDT
Nick Best Crushes A 500-Pound Deadlift For 50 Total Reps At 53 Years Old
Strongman Nick Best completed five sets of 10 reps and made it look easy.
Age, injuries, heavy deadlifts — nothing matters for Nick Best and he showed that in a recent social media post.
The 53-year-old strongman shared a video on Monday to Instagram to display five different videos. In each one, Best stands over 500 pounds and completes a deadlift set of 10 reps. In total, Best completed 50 reps while barefoot and wearing a lifting belt and straps. Not only did Best complete the reps all together, but he made it look easy each time.
“500lb Deadlifts for 50 reps! 5 set of 10 reps at 53! Age is just a number!”
Nick Best is coming off an injury he suffered during the 2021 Kern Open. Best attempted what would have been a world record deadlift of 370kg (815.7lb) and suffered a torn tendon in his left lat. Best was competing in the Masters Over 50 division at the event and ended up placing third. It is not surprising to see Best recover as quickly as he did and get back to lifting heavy weight.
Since making his debut in 1991, Best has been a big name in powerlifting. He earned a gold medal during his first competition at the 1991 United States Powerlifting Federation. He has appeared in a total of 27 sanctioned meets and has 17 victories. This includes a win at the 1996 World Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation World Championships. In over three decades, Best has only missed the podium five times.
Best has competed at the World’s Strongest Man competition 10 times. His highest finish came in 2010 when he placed sixth overall. He also has two second-place finishes at the Giants Live Australia and a bronze medal at the 2007 America’ Strongest Man competition.
This incredible set of deadlifts is not the first time Best has used social media to update on his strength.
“425lb Bench Press and 25 Dips were 2 of the highlights from today’s Chest and Triceps workout! The triceps are really starting to fire again. Next goal is 450lbs by the end of December! Keep working back methodically! Patients is the key!”
Nick Best has been determined through his rehab process from injury and now is on to moving some big weight again. It is only a matter of time before he takes home another victory in competition.
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