Tag: powerlifting
Krzysztof Wierzbicki Pulls Heaviest Deadlift Seen With 502.5 (1,107.8lb) Lift
Krzysztof Wierzbicki completed the lift with lifting straps and a sumo stance.
Krzysztof Wierzbicki is a Polish powerlifter that might be flirting with the heaviest deadlift of all-time. In a recent video, the powerlifter is seen completing an eye-opening 502.5kg (1,107.8lb) deadlift during a training session. He completed the lift with lifting straps and in a sumo stance.
Wierzbicki shared the video during an Instagram story. He is seen stepping up to the weight looking to build on other massive lifts accomplished recently. Just this month, Wierzbicki was seen pulling 490kg (1,080.3lb) and 461kg (1,016.3lb) on separate occasions.
While this is already an unofficial lift, where does it rank with the other deadlifts of all-time?
Anytime a lift of this caliber is achieved, Eddie Hall and Hafthor Bjornsson have to be mentioned. Hall became the first strongman to achieve the ultimate 500kg club, setting a new world record at the time. This was later broken by Bjornsson, who set a new mark with a lift of 501kg.
Both Hall and Bjornsson are former World’s Strongest Man champions and considered two of the best to ever do it. Bjornsson’s deadlift world record has stood since May 2, 2020.
When looking at the lift accomplished by Krzysztof Wierzbicki, there are a few glaring differences. First, this was done in a training session and not a sanctioned competition. Second, Wierzbicki approaches the bar with a sumo stance rather than a conventional stance. This has become a controversial topic in deadlifting because of the differences in the stance.
The sumo stance allows the lifter to get a wider base and the weight does not have to travel as far. Sumo stances are not legal in strongman, which is why both Hall and Bjornsson use conventional styles. Wierzbicki does not compete in strongman at this time.
The lift accomplished by Wierzbicki was achieved a bit more raw than that of Hall and Bjornsson. This is not considered a completely-raw lift because Wierbicki did use straps. However, he did not have a lifting suit on at the time. Danny Grigsby recently achieved the heaviest deadlift in a powerlifting meet. This was a 465kg (1,025.2lb) lift during the Virginia Beach Classic 2 in March.
It is unknown if Krzysztof Wierzbicki would be able to approach the numbers of Hall and Bjornsson with a conventional stance but nonetheless, this is an impressive lift regardless of stance.
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Larry Wheels Shares Update On Heart Health After ‘Abusing PEDs For 10 Years Straight’
Larry Wheels recently shared his results from a trip to the doctor checking his major organs.
Larry Wheels is one of the most popular powerlifting personalities there is now. He has built an enormous following on social media with fans wanting to see his feats of strength including big weight for high reps. Recently, Wheels admitted to being concerned about his use of PEDs and shared an update on his health following a trip to the doctors.
At 27 years old, Wheels admitted that he has been using PEDs for 10 years now. In light of the recent string of deaths in bodybuilding, Wheels decided to get checked out to make sure his major organs were in good health. Cedric McMillan recently passed away. This was a shock coming after the devastating losses of Shawn Rhoden and George Peterson last year.
Wheels shared a video to YouTube to detail his own health but to also speak to other PED users out there.
“With recent events in the fitness industry – bodybuildersdropping dead to the heart attacks – it has left many of us concerned with our health. I’m talking about those of us who abuse PEDs and I have been abusing them for ten years straight now,” Larry Wheels said.
Since he was 17 years old, Larry Wheels had been using steroids to build the elite physique and strength that he has today. Wheels decided to finally get checked out after putting it off for quite some time.
At the doctors, Wheels went though an Electrocardiogram on a treadmill and Echocardiogram test. These are tests to identify different abnormalities such as irregular heartbeats, high heart rates, or blockages in arteries. Much to his delight, all tests on Wheels came back normal for his age.
“All of that checked out okay. I am shocked. I can’t believe myself after ten years of, well I guess not abusing as much as I thought I was, PEDs, my heart is, from what the doctor said, a perfectly normal healthy heart for a young man of my age.”
The doctors did reveal to Larry Wheels that his cardiac muscles were thicker than the average individual but this could be from his level of intense activity. An athlete’s heart goes through physiological changes during this activity.
Wheels continued in the video to speak on the deaths in bodybuilding and explained that this is the reason he went to the doctors. He ended his discussion with a call to action to other PED users and those individuals in bodybuilding and strength sports.
“This is a message for all those out there who might be using PEDs and who decided not to get checked up. You may not be as lucky as me. The problem is that if you wait too long and you have the symptoms, you have the pain in your chest or you have irregular heart rate then maybe too late.”
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Larry Wheels Shares Deadlift Workout Featuring Different Variations
Larry Wheels continues to train for his appearance during the Middle East’s Strongest Man Competition.
Larry Wheels has gained major popularity as a powerlifter because of his incredible feats of strength shared on social media. This time around, Wheels is preparing to take the stage and did so with a huge deadlift workout sharing some of his favorite variation.
Wheels will compete in the Middle East’s Strongest Man competition and this is one of the reasons he went back to the beginning when looking at deadlifts. He took to YouTube to share his most recent workout.
“For the longest time since I have been a hardcore powerlifter, I have not done any deficit pulls or any block pulls, any speed pulls. These are the building blocks of a huge deadlift,” Wheels said.
Larry Wheels took it back to the beginning when it comes to deadlifts. Below, you can find his workout plan that he used to work on areas of the deadlift.
Larry Wheels Deadlift Workout
Block Pulls
Wheels began this workout with block pulls using explosive motions to get the weight in the air. While performing these reps, Wheels kept his arms long in order to reduce the range of motion. He began with warmup sets before moving toward nine working sets.
During warmups, Wheels ranged from 135 pounds to 365 pounds. During his nine working sets, Wheels kept 405 pounds on the bar and banged out eight reps per set.
“What do you think will be more effective for building strength? Me hitting 700 pounds for three to five reps for one set or hitting 72 reps with 405 pounds over nine sets. So this is why working with lighter weight, high volume is so effective. You can not get that kind of volume with 80-90 percent of your max for one set,” Wheels said.
Below, you can find how Wheels navigated his sets during block pulls:
Warm-Ups
5 reps of 135lbs
4 reps of 185lbs
2 reps of 225lbs
1 rep of 275lbs
1 rep of 315 lbs
1 rep of 365lbs
Working
9 sets of 8 reps of 405 pounds
Deficit Pulls
Larry Wheels then moved onto deficit pulls, which is a different variation because Wheels is on a two-inch thick pad, not the weight itself. He began by completing five sets of eight reps with 405 pounds. After the block pulls, Wheels did not take as much of a warmup and was able to jump right into working sets.
“When you’re starting from roughly an inch or an inch and a half lower than you would in a block pull. So when you pull from the floor, you’ll find it easier. You’ll find more confidence, more explosively from deficit pulls,” Wheels said.
High-Volume Training
Larry Wheels continued his workout with three different movements that showed high-volume strategy. He moved onto leg presses following his two different deadlift variations. Next, Wheels took on some grip-strength training. He began with a 2.5 certified captain of crush grippers. He moved onto 3 calibre gripper before taking a shot at 3.5, which he was unable to crush.
The final workout of the day was box jumps. This was completed in a few sets before taking on an arm wrestling match to end the video.
Larry Wheels continues to be one of the most-exciting powerlifters and has an excellent presence on social media. When he releases a workout, it is something that will have to be taken seriously and is a great way for lifters to find new ways to train.
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Grzegorz Szymanski To Compete At 2022 World’s Strongest Man Competition
Grzegorz Szymański will replace Mateusz Kieliszkowski during the event.
The 2022 World’s Strongest Man Competition will take place from May 24-29 in Sacramento. Now, there is a full lineup once again as Grzegorz Szymanski will step in and replace an injured Mateusz Kieliszkowski during the event.
Kieliszkowski recently made an announcement that he will be forced to miss the WSM competition with the same injury that held Jim out of the 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic. This is now the third time that Kieliszkowski was forced to withdraw from this event. He finished as the runner-up in 2018 and 2019.
On Wednesday, Grzegorz Szymanski announced that he will now participate in the biggest event of the year.
Of course, this is not the first time that Grzegorz Szymanski will compete in the WSM competition. He has appeared in the show three times, finishing as high as eighth place in 2016. He has not appeared in a competition since 2017, when he was diagnosed with cancer.
In the late 2000s, the Polish strongman burst onto the scene. In 2007, Szymanski appeared in his first major competition during Poland’s Strongest Man. He finished third in a show that was won by Mariusz Pudzianowski. That event put Szymanski on the map and he was able to build off it and finish second during the 2008 Europe’s Strongest Man competition.
In 2014, Grzegorz Szymanski took home the title of Poland’s Strongest Man and appeared in his first WSM event. This is where he finished fourth in group three and was eliminated early. As good as he was in 2014, Szymanski was even better in 2016. He made it to the finals of the WSM competition and finished eighth before winning the Zydrunas Savickas Classic. In 2017, he was diagnosed with cancer and began treatments before undergoing surgery. This will be his return to competition.
2022 World’s Strongest Man Lineup
Rauno Heinla (Estonia)
Pavlo Kordiyaka (Ukraine)
Rob Kearney (USA)
Gabriel Peña (Mexico)
Kelvin de Ruiter (Netherlands)
Kim Ujarak (Greenland)
Maxime Boudreault (Canada)
Mark Felix (UK)
Pa O’Dwyer (Ireland)
Shane Flowers (UK)
Jean-Stephen Coraboeuf (Australia)
Bobby Thompson (USA)
Aivars Smaukstelis (Latvia)
Adam Bishop (UK)
Evan Singleton (USA)
Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted (Iceland)
Konstantine Janashia (Georgia)
Trey Mitchell (USA)
Mika Törrö (Finland)
Peiman Maheripourehir (Iran)
Luke Stoltman (UK)
Brian Shaw (USA)
Tom Stoltman (UK) — Reigning WSM Champion
Gabriel Rheaume (Canada)
Martins Licis (USA)
Gavin Bilton (UK)
Oleksii Novikov (Ukraine)
Kevin Faires (USA)
Nedžmin Ambešković (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Grzegorz Szymański (Poland)
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Rudy Kadlub Sets Unofficial World Record With 523-Pound Deadlift On 73rd Birthday
Rudy Kadlub continues to be an elite powerlifter even at age 73.
Another year, another birthday that saw a huge lift for Rudy Kadlub. This time, the powerlifter decided to take on a huge 523-pound deadlift on his 73rd birthday. After pulling the weight, Kadlub set an unofficial deadlift world record, which he already holds in the Masters 70-74 division.
Kadlub positioned himself in a sumo stance before gabbing the bar with a mixed grip. He only used a lifting belt during the lift, which went up with ease. On his 72nd birthday last year, Kadlub completed a 520-pound deadlift. He decided to take it up a notch this time around.
“?? A great birthday session in the @kabukistrength Lab yesterday with a 523 pound heavy single in celebration of turning 73. Coach @brandon_senn was there to oversee this heavier session, and I’d say we chose a good number–anyone catch the significance of the number 5️⃣2️⃣3️⃣ and this particular birthday?”
Rudy Kadlub already holds the world record of 518 pounds in the U110 Masters 70-74 division. This lift is considered to be an unofficial world record and Kadlub could look to make it official during his next competition. As of now, Kadlub is planning to compete at the USPA Drug Tested National Championships on May 27-31 in Atlanta.
Kadlub has not been powerlifting his entire life. He began competing at 57 years old but found success quickly. Kadlub’s first competition came in 2006 and he has been featured in 37 since. Of those 37 competitions, Kadlub has 31 victories and is currently on a 22-event win streak.
Rudy Kadlub is scheduled to appear at the Drug Tested National Championships in May and this is an event where he has three victories. Following his birthday lift, Kadlub went in to celebrate.
“This lift was executed using the PR Deadlift Bar and a little liquid courage ?, birthday-style. Here’s to another year of great lifts and great friends in training and competing!”
Rudy Kadlub has a passion for fitness and he shows this in and out of the gym. He is the Co-Owner of Kabuki Strength, one of the world’s leading production companies of powerlifting equipment.
It would not be a surprise to see Kadlub take on a record-setting deadlift during his next competition. From the looks of this birthday lift, he has plenty in the tank to set some new marks in May.
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Sean Hayes Sets New Silver Dollar Deadlift World Record with 1,235-Pound Lift
Sean Hayes made this lift official during his last outing.
Sean Hayes continues to impress in the sport of powerlifting. On April 2, he took a new step forward setting the Silver Dollar deadlift world record at the 2022 Strongman Corporation Canada King & Queen Of The Throne event. Hayes loaded up 560.2kg (1,235lb) on the bar and completed the lift during his second attempt.
The Silver Dollar deadlift gets its name because of the setup. This is a partial deadlift (18 inches) that has the stacks of plates on a plate tree and enclosed in boxes attacked to the barbell. Hayes took to Instagram to shared his record-setting lift.
“soooo I did a thing
All time WORLD RECORD in the silver dollar deadlift & heaviest deadlift of any kind in any competition ever.
1235lbs
This was my 2nd attempt, I attempted closer to 1300lbs on my 3rd but she wasn’t there today.”
Sean Hayes attacked the weight without shoes wearing a lifting belt and straps. Hayes weighed 330 pounds at the time of this lift meaning he moved nearly four times his own body weight — and he still had some left to attempt a heavier lift.
Hayes decided to load up 589.7kg (1,300lb) on the barbell but failed his final attempt. This is a number that we will likely see Hayes attempt in the future.
Anthony Pernice held the previous record of 550kg (1,212lb), which he set at the United States Strongman Farm Strong Record Breaker event in July 2020. Hayes was able to break this record at just his third professional strongman contest.
In 2021, Hayes made appearances at the 2021 Official Strongman Games (7th place) and 2021 Canada’s Strongest Man (3rd place). Since making this list official, Hayes contracted COVID-19 and was forced to take some time off from the gym. He will likely be back soon and it will be interesting to see where he goes from here.
Sean Hayes competed in just the deadlift potion of his most recent competition. It was a show that featured five events but he decided to put all of his energy into setting this deadlift record. It is likely that he tries to set a higher mark next time out, even if it is the 1,300-pound mark that eluded him just two weeks ago.
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Best Knee Sleeves For Powerlifting & Compression (Updated 2022)
The best bodybuilding knee sleeves and best knee sleeves for lifting can greatly enhance compression and support for all those big lifts.
Our knees may be tough joints. They do support our large frames all day after all. But even the strongest things start to wear down and that loss of stamina could lead to imbalances and poor support ultimately leading to injury. Knee sleeves are incredibly useful tools when it comes to weightlifting, powerlifting, and Strongman, where so much load is compressed onto your poor knee joints.
We’ve put together a list of the Best Knee Sleeves for 2022 to help with your powerlifting, bodybuilding, and other lifting needs. The right knee sleeves can help you feel less vulnerable and stronger to tackle all of those big lifts.
Best Knee Sleeves For 2022
Best Overall Knee Sleeve
The best overall knee sleeve will work to offer great compression and support and allow for functional movements and more endurance based workouts, while still being useful for heavy lifts.
SBD 5mm Weightlifting Knee Sleeve
SBD brings this amazing weightlifting knee sleeve designed to minimize the risk of injury while working to maximize performance. Sold as a pair, this 5mm high grade neoprene and four-way stretch fabric has a reinforced seam constructed to last a long time with continuous use. An anti-microbial inner lining is matched by an abrasion resistant exterior lining for optimal protection against wear and tear. Registered and developed with help from elite athletes, coaches and other health professionals, this sleeve is approved for all competitive use including USPL, IPF, IWF, and was approved for the USPA in 2021.
SBD 5mm Weightlifting Knee Sleeve is made of 5mm high grade neoprene and four-way stretch fabric with reinforced seam construction for the best in injury prevention.
Pros
Top quality knee sleeve designed from elite athletes and other professionals
Very durable and built to last, the high-grade neoprene is reinforced to tackle wear and tear
Approved for all competition is a huge plus
Cons
It is on the expensive side for knee sleeves
You can only buy directly from their website
Price: $90.00
Check out our individual review for SBD Knee Sleeves here!
Best Bodybuilding Knee Sleeve
The best bodybuilding knee sleeves will work to provide support for those movements essential to sculpting and toning without the fear of injury or unwanted knee pain.
Mava Sports 7mm Knee Sleeve
This knee sleeve from Mava offers a 7mm compression sleeve to work on full support to ensure injury prevention, promote muscle and joint health, and offer optimal stability. Anatomically shaped for performance, they provide the right amount of support and compression to offer maximum comfort and relieve stiffness and soreness after any big lift. These strong neoprene knee sleeves will allow you to achieve more from all of your sessions. USPA approved, Mava also prides themselves on great customer service.
Mava Sports 7mm Knee Sleeve works to provide full support and injury prevention for the best comfort to relieve stiffness and soreness.
Pros
Offers great support and maximum comfort so your lifts are more mobile and aren’t stunted by a bulky sleeve
Being USPA approved is a bonus for competitors
Cons
The sizing tends to be slightly off
Being thick may provide comfort but it also doesn’t wick moisture away as well as it could
Price: $39.00
Best Knee Sleeve For Squats
Squatting can cause real discomfort at times, especially with your knees responsible for holding and moving so much weight. The best knee sleeves for squats will help with pain and swelling so you never have to halt those PRs.
Rehband Rx 5mm Knee Sleeve
Rehband Rx knee sleeve allows you to feel more confident and secure with any activity with this classic 5mm design to provide knee support, comfort, flexibility, and compression. The 3-D contoured design is based on the contour of the leg so it is an anatomical fit instead of an angled tube. Providing reinforcement all around the knee, it allows for optimal range of motion for whatever your sport. As a dependable creator of knee sleeves since 1955, Rehband always keeps the customer in mind and these are the best knee sleeves for squats.
Rehband Rx 5mm Knee Sleeve is a 3-D contoured design for the best reinforcement and optimal range of motion.
Pros
The 3-D design allows for a more comfortable fit
The range of motion is great for all lifts
Made from a trusted and reputable company
Cons
Sizing tends to be off which can cause discomfort
Tend to be a slightly thicker than others so circulation may become a problem
Price: $37.99
Best Knee Sleeve For Powerlifting
Powerlifters are always putting their bodies under immense amount of stress with massive weight and the same movements. The best knee sleeves for powerlifting will provide comfort, support, and durability for all of those massive lifts.
SBD 7mm Knee Sleeve
SBD offers another great compression sleeve with their 7mm knee sleeve. Sold as a pair, these are the market leading knee joint support products for strength sports and strength training by top athletes in powerlifting and Strongman. Designed to minimize the risk of injury while also aiding in performance, this registered and patented design is developed by elite athletes and other health and fitness professionals. The 7mm high grade neoprene knee sleeve is approved by USAPL, IPF, and USPA, and is compliant with IWF.
SBD 7mm Knee Sleeve is great for joint support and reducing injury out of this high grade neoprene sleeve.
Pros
Top-tier product in terms of quality and longevity
Very effective design from elite athletes and other professionals
Fully approved for competitive use is a huge plus
Cons
This sleeve is on the expensive side
Only available through their website
Price: $82.50
Check out our individual review for SBD Knee Sleeves here!
Best Knee Sleeve For Warmth & Compression
The right knee sleeve for warmth and compression will be comfortable and make you feel as though you are getting everything you want and more out of a great knee sleeve to aid in all things exercise related for better support, blood flow, and protection.
Gymreapers 7MM Knee Sleeves
Gymreapers 7MM Knee Sleeves are perfect for those seeking comfort, compression, and warmth after a workout. Working to reduce knee strain and pain, what you will find are that these sleeves don’t sacrifice any range of motion for those big lifts. Reinforced stitching and flexible neoprene material allow for increased blood flow and better mobility perfect for lifting, recovery, injury prevention, and a host of strength sports.
Gymreapers 7MM Knee Sleeves are comfortable and versatile great for compression, comfort, warmth, and overall support.
Pros
Great for compression and comfort
Reinforced stitching works well for quality and durability
Flexible neoprene material allows for ease and versatility
Cons
A little pricey compared to others
Sizing chart may be a little off
Price: $49.99
Benefits Of Knee Sleeves
Knee sleeves have the potential to greatly influence your lifts and give you confidence in knowing you are protecting those vulnerable joints. Benefits of knee sleeves include:
Add nice compression: By adding compression, you work to reduce pain and decrease swelling.
Increase blood flow: This will boost circulation for better movements and less pain in those vulnerable joints by preventing lactic acid build up (1).
Ensure efficient recovery: More healthy blood and oxygen flow, with less lactic acid build up, leads to better recovery for faster bounce back (2).
Support muscles: Knee sleeves support the muscles and decrease the number of muscular vibrations to assist in muscle fatigue and improve athletic performance (3).
Prevents future injury: By protecting those vulnerable spots, you preemptively work to prevent future injuries.
Choosing The Right Knee Sleeve
When looking at the right knee sleeve, you want to look at a number of factors including:
Your knee sleeve should fit just right and be snug. You don’t want it to be too tight so that it restricts movement and blood flow, but you also don’t want it to be too loose so it doesn’t give you the most in terms of intended use. The right fit will be snug and comfortable while also feeling supportive.
Looking for comfortable material is vital because you are moving and working out in this sleeve constantly. You don’t want to suffer through some uncomfortable and hard to use material. Finding the best option may require trial and error for comfort but the right one is out there.
Depending on the knee sleeve, the right amount of padding can ensure comfort and fit, and while some may be bulky, there are those more sleek looks that still provide great padding and support. This can affect your mobility and overall movement.
Knee sleeves typically come in 3mm, 5mm, and 7mm and knowing which one will work for you is important when looking to choose. A 3mm sleeve is great for those endurance athletes since it is lighter and helps with the necessary movements. For those all around fitness folks, a 5mm sleeve works great for it is thick but still allows for proper movements with physical activity. Finally, the 7mm sleeve offers additional support and is used by heavy lifters who rely on their knees to hold a lot of weight.
How We Choose
When looking at the best knee sleeves, we first made sure the overall quality of the sleeve was there. You deserve to have the best quality knee sleeve possible and the material and durability are what matter most, especially with the wear and tear brought on by exercise. We then look at the additional features like padding, overall fit and feel, and any other additional bonuses that come with the respective knee sleeve. We finally look at price. We know fitness equipment can get expensive but it is important to find the right knee sleeve at an affordable price.
FAQ Section
What is the best knee sleeve?
SBD 5mm Weightlifting Knee Sleeve. This amazing weightlifting knee sleeve is designed to minimize the risk of injury while working to maximize performance. Sold as a pair, this 5mm high grade neoprene and four-way stretch fabric has a reinforced seam constructed to last a long time with continuous use.
Is a knee sleeve the same as a brace?
Knee sleeves are not knee braces as sleeves work to provide compression and support to the knee and surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments during exercise or everyday activities to protect this vulnerable joint.
How tight should my knee sleeve be?
You want your knee sleeve to be a firm fit while not totally limiting and restricting blood flow. Too tight can be uncomfortable and too loose just won’t do what it is supposed to.
Wrap Up
The best knee sleeves will work wonders on your knee pain by offering support and stabilization all while boosting confidence and promoting more weight in your lifts. Don’t let vulnerable joints or imbalanced muscles take away from what could be a quality lift. Check out these best knee sleeves for maximum comfort and support and keep yourself as safe as possible while still seeing big gains.
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References
Vaile, Joanna; Stefanovic, Brad; Askew, Christopher D. (2016). “Effect of lower limb compression on blood flow and performance in elite wheelchair rugby athletes”. (source)
Husmann, Florian; Mittlmeier, Thomas; Bruhn, Sven; Zschorlich, Volker; Behrens, Martin (2018). “Impact of Blood Flow Restriction Exercise on Muscle Fatigue Development and Recovery”. (source)
Raabe, Margaret E.; McNally, Michael P.; Chaudhari, Ajit M. W. (2017). “The Effect Of Compression Tights On Muscle Vibration And Fatigue From A High-Intensity Run”. (source)
Julius Maddox Shows Full Ability As Powerlifter, Sets New PR With 820-Pound Squat
Julius Maddox is known as the king of bench press but has plenty of strength to go around.
Julius Maddox has taken over bench press in recent years. He currently holds the all-time world record in the lift and has been working to get that number even higher. This does not mean that Maddox neglects other lifts, quite the opposite actually. On social media, Maddox has stressed the importance of other lifts that can help strengthen body parts to help on the bench. This time, Maddox took to the squat rack to set a new PR with an 820-pound lift.
Maddox shared the massive PR on Instagram. He approached the Kabuki Strength transformer bar loaded up with 820 pounds. With a classic in “Soul Survivor” by Young Jeezy and Akon coming out of the speakers, Maddox made the lift look easy and even said the same at the end of the video.
This was the second lift as Maddox completed a 775-pound lift prior. Because of the speed that this lift went up, Maddox decided to throw some more weight on. He did not use any equipment or gear to aid in this lift making it raw.
“Huge PR 775lb/ 820lb x 1 with@kabukistrength Transformer Bar.. Followed up with 820 which was sloppy but was a pR”
Julius Maddox has not participated in events other than bench press since his competition career began. He has competed in 17 sanctioned competitions, all on the bench. In fact, Maddox does not even share a lot of content in other lifts on social media. Interestingly enough, this squat video shows that Maddox could have a shot at totaling one of the heaviest weights in powerlifting if he competed in all three lifts.
Maddox has been on the chase for 800 pounds on bench press. He currently holds the record of 355kg (782.6lb) and is looking to become the first person to lift 800 pounds officially. As of now, Danial Zamani has accomplished that feat but it came in a training session making it unofficial.
Julius Maddox has attempted this lift before but has yet to do it successfully. It is clear that he is training to reach the number and could plan on it soon. Maddox might not compete in competition but he can setup a chance to reach the 800-pound mark separately. At 34 years old, it is unknown if Maddox would venture out from bench press in a sanctioned event but it would be fascinating to see the total number he could reach.
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Ronnie Coleman Reacts To Absolutely Insane Lifts By Bradley Martyn
Ronnie Coleman took a break from lifting and decided to react to some of Bradley Martyn’s feats.
Ronnie Coleman is one of the best bodybuilders of all-time and is still very much involved in the sport. Not only does he continue to follow bodybuilding but he is active in the gym and provides insight to other lifters. Coleman has also started some entertainment content reacting to other huge lifts by strength athletes.
On his YouTube page, Coleman was reacting to some eye-opening lifts by Bradley Martyn, who has become a social media sensation showcasing wild lifts of all sorts. This is the video that Coleman is commenting on and it features five minutes of some of Martyn’s best.
Early in the video, Martyn is seen doing an incline bench press with a dumbbell in one hand. In the other hand, he is lifting a woman by the lifting belt around her waist. He is able to control both and keep his reps steady.
“Don’t hurt that girl. Don’t hurt her. Woah, woah. Yeah, I, that’s pretty impressive right there,” Coleman said.
Other lifts that Bradley Martyn showcased was a flat bench press but instead of dumbbells, he used two barbells that were 225 pounds. Many lifts are unorthodox but Martyn also mixes in some normal lifts with massive amounts of weight, including barbell shrugs and deadlifts.
Ronnie Coleman explains how these are all lifts that show strength and coordination. He expresses many times over the course of the video that these lifts are impressive and should not be attempted by many. This includes a 405-pound bench press for reps in the middle of the street.
“Who did this? Put this in the middle of the street now? In the rain, too. Benching 405. I’d never do that one.”
Ronnie Coleman ends the video saying that they can get together for a session but he will not attempt the crazy lifts. Coleman has remained active in his retirement and still has plenty of muscle mass.
“That coordinated strength right there. A lot of that stuff he doing right there, he’s the only one who can do it….Maybe we can get together when I come out there and we can talk about it because there’s no way I can do any of that stuff.”
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Kyle Kirvay Makes A 225-Pound Shoulder Press Look Easy For 20 Reps
Kyle Kirvay continues to show off massive lifts for high reps to work on cardio.
Kyle Kirvay might be a professional bodybuilder but he clearly has a future in powerlifting as well. Kirvay frequently shows off enormous lifts for many reps as he works on cardio throughout his sets as well. Recently, it was Kirvay demolishing 225-pound shoulder presses for 20 reps.
Kirvay took to Instagram to show off the effortless reps. He simply sat upright on the bench and did not use any get to aid him in the lifts. It seemed as though Kirvay did not even use effort to move the weight until about rep No. 15. Even those final 4-5 went up quickly.
“Cardio, 225 shoulder press version. Don’t neglect the 20 rep sets!”
Kyle Kirvay has accomplished many incredible feats of strength including a 495-pound squat for 22 reps. Let’s not forget that he is a professional bodybuilder.
Kirvay earned his Pro Card in 2018 after winning Men’s Heavyweight and Classic Physique at the 2018 NPC Universe Championships. This was just his fourth bodybuilding competition and it did not take long for Kirvay to turn pro. Since 2018, he has only competed in one IFBB show and that was the 2020 Chicago Pro.
Despite being new to powerlifting, Kirvay has performed like a veteran. He took part in the 2022 USPA Battle of Atilis where he shined with massive lifts. This was his first powerlifting competition and set the bar for future marks.
During this show, Kirvay totaled 1,005kg (2,214lbs). He began with a 365kg (804lb) squat followed by a 275kg (606lb) bench press. Kirvay’s final lift was a 365kg (804lb) deadlift. All three individual lifts and his total was good enough to set New Jersey State Records.
The combination of bodybuilding and powerlifting is not something seen too often but it is exciting when it comes up. Larry Wheels is another example of a do-it-all performer, including arm wrestling. Kirvay is 27 years old and has plenty of time to build more strength and train for powerlifting.
Kyle Kirvay already has the ability to put up huge numbers and has shown this on social media. After an eye-popping performance in his first powerlifting competition, Kirvay will continue to set new marks and take his numbers as high as they can go.
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