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Shaun “The Giant Killer” Clarida isn’t shy about what he wants to accomplish as a dynamite bodybuilder. The two-time 212 Olympia winner (2020, 2022) wants to build a dynasty of championships and eventually even surpass James “Flex” Lewis’ all-time record mark of seven titles (2012-2018). While he’s the current clear-cut king of his division, Clarida remains a long way from such an honor. Yet, his training and physique updates give the impression such an achievement could eventually be possible.
On June 26, 2023, Clarida shared a photo on his Instagram where the athlete said he had a body weight of 206 pounds. Per Clarida’s caption, the mass packed onto his 5-foot two-inch stature is a “starting point,” with the 2023 Olympia in Orlando, FL roughly 20 weeks away at the time of his photo. For any other 212 competitors wishing to unseat Clarida from his throne, that is an intimidating prospect to consider.
In the caption of his Instagram, Clarida sounded motivated. Several recent dramatic life changes — including the birth of his daughter and a cross-country move from New Jersey to Texas — have added a lot to his plate after already competing in and training for both the Arnold Classic (AC) and the Olympia in successive years. Note: Lewis plans to have the same AC and Olympia approach in 2023. The athlete finished in fifth place in the Men’s Open class at the 2023 iteration of the AC.
Despite the changes, Clarida gave off the expected air of a champion competitor seeking more greatness before he accelerates his Olympia preparation.
“Despite it being one of the busiest years of my life and career, between doing both the Olympia and the Arnold last season [2022], the birth of my daughter and moving my family from New Jersey to Texas, it’s been one of the most productive,” Clarida wrote. “The new environment, having the fuel and motivation with [his daughter] and always having a supporting cast of friends, family, and sponsors have all kept me grounded and focused on the task and goal come November 3 [the date of the 2023 Olympia contest]. Off to the races we go!”
After Lewis’s run of dominance in the 2010s and a “three-peat” from Kevin English (2009-2011), Clarida stands in third place for the most all-time victories in the 212 Olympia. Should Clarida repeat in November, he will tie English for second place and inch ever closer to Lewis’s mark.
Even if Clarida doesn’t win another 212 title, his place in bodybuilding history is already secure. He has proven he can thrive at the 212 level and, in moonlight appearances as a Men’s Open competitor, has also fared quite well. Though with every jaw-dropping teaser that Clarida provides from behind the scenes, it seems likely this superstar will be hot on the tail of a legend’s seemingly unattainable record soon enough.
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When it comes to training programs, there aren’t too many “plug and play” workouts that virtually guarantee results. More accurately, there aren’t too many programs that promise and actually deliver on those results. The 5×5 workout does, and it has a 60+ year track record of success with a trail of strong, muscular, athletic bodies to show for it.
5×5, or five sets of five reps, was first popularized in the 1960s and has developed a reputation as one of the most reliable routines in the long history of weight training. Hit the gym three days a week and do 5×5, eat plenty, and you almost can’t fail.
Credit: antoniodiaz / Shutterstock
There are a few exceptions and details, of course, but the 5×5 workout is generally recognized as one of the most dependable ways to build size and strength nearly simultaneously. It’s the original “powerbuilding” workout. Here’s what to know about getting the most out of this classic mass-building program.
5×5 isn’t some flash-in-the-pan routine. It’s been delivering results for decades, due in part to its simplicity and to its focus on some reliable training fundamentals — big exercises and heavy weights. Here’s a closer look at some of this program’s hallowed backstory.
Reg Park Built the Austrian Oak
Arnold Schwarzenegger might have the physique that launched a million gym memberships, but what about the bodybuilder who was Arnold’s biggest inspiration? Surely, the person who motivated the person who motivated generations of people to hit the gym should get some recognition.
Reg Park is the classic bodybuilder who inspired a young Arnold to reach for the muscle-building stars. Park won several bodybuilding competitions from the mid-1940s into the 1970s, including three Mr. Universe titles. Park also gained a degree of mainstream popularity starring as the legendary Hercules in several films in the early 1960s.
Park’s powerful, well-muscled frame was a step up from the top bodybuilders of the day. His strength-focused training reflected his ability to “show and go” and it allowed him to become the first bodybuilder to bench press 500 pounds. This contrasted with his bodybuilding contemporaries who often focused on lifting moderate to light weights for relatively high repetitions.
Like some successful bodybuilders of his era, Park published a series of training catalogs and programs to guide hopeful gym-goers along the muscle-building path. One of his books, “Strength and Bulk Training for Weight Lifters and Body Builders,” was published in 1960. This appears to be one of the first widespread recommendation of a structured 5×5 workout, even though using five sets of five reps featured in some parts of “Training for Power,” written by Park in 1954.
In “Strength and Bulk Training for Weight Lifters and Body Builders,” Park advocated for three workouts each week. In each session, three fundamental exercises — the squat, bench press, and deadlift — are performed for five sets of five repetitions. Every training session featured a relatively minimalist approach:
Weighted Back Extension — 3 x 10
Squat — 5 x 5
Bench Press — 5 x 5
Deadlift — 5 x 5
The back extension was considered essential for strengthening and warming up the lower back. Park recommended a specific approach to each of the five sets. The first two sets were progressively heavier warm-up sets, for example, 135 pounds for five reps and 155 pounds for five reps. The three final sets for each exercise used the same weight, for example, 175 pounds for three sets of five reps.
Park also advised a whopping three to five-minute rest between each of those three working sets. This may sound like an eternity for lifters accustomed to fast-paced workouts, but such long rest intervals have been shown to allow optimal performance when lifting heavy weights. (1)
Park suggested following the basic 5×5 workout plan for three months before progressing to either a “bodybuilder’s workout,” featuring additional exercises like calf raises and barbell curls, or a “weightlifter’s workout” which incorporated lunges, power cleans and other sport-specific movements.
Bill Starr: The Strongest Shall Survive
There used to be a widespread myth among mainstream sports that “lifting weights creates unathletic, muscle-bound bodies.” While we now know that well-designed weight training programs can build stronger, faster, more durable athletes, many professional athletes and coaches used to believe this urban legend whole-heartedly. Until Bill Starr.
Bill Starr was a competitive weightlifter, editor of Strength and Health magazine from 1966 to 1972, and one of the first NFL strength and conditioning coaches as he worked with the Baltimore Colts beginning in 1969. Notably, the Colts won their first Super Bowl in 1971 while under the guidance of Starr’s weight room coaching, landing a significant blow against the “muscle-bound myth.”
Starr was also an advocate of simple and effective basic, heavy lifting. In 1976, he wrote “The Strongest Shall Survive: Strength Training for Football.” The plan laid out a three-day-per week training plan centered around what Starr referred to as “The Big Three” — three exercises which build muscle, strength, and explosive power throughout the entire body.
These priority exercises were the bench press done with a relatively close-grip (hands shoulder-width apart), the power clean (which he called “the athlete’s exercise” for it’s practical carryover to the playing field), and the back squat descending as deep into the bottom position as possible.
The program also incorporated leg extensions and leg curls to warm-up the quadriceps and hamstrings, respectively, as well as sit-ups and leg raises to address core strength. These exercises were done with fewer sets and higher repetitions to avoid excess fatigue. Once a week, the overhead press was also suggested in place of the bench press for athletes looking for even more upper body strength and power.
One cornerstone of Starr’s 5×5 program was a circuit-style approach, where each of the three primary exercises were performed in a superset-style — one set of power cleans, followed by one set of the bench press, followed by one set of squats. This was intended to help build cardiovascular conditioning along with strength and power.
Starr, unlike Park, increased the weight on each of the five sets for every exercise. He also incorporated varied loading parameters on each day. While the 5×5 format was kept constant, the first workout of the week was “heavy” using near-maximal weights. The second workout was “light,” using 80% of the weights moved in the previous workout. The third workout of the week was considered “medium” and called for 90% of the loads used during the heavy workout.
This type of “daily undulating periodization” allowed more efficient recovery because training intensity was adjusted throughout the week. It also encouraged increased power output since relatively lighter weights can be lifted with more explosive power. (2)
How to Program the 5×5 Workout
Setting up a 5×5 workout can be simple, but it’s not quite as simple as just performing five sets of five reps on a few random exercises. While the sets and reps are one defining feature, an effective 5×5 plan also requires several other programming factors.
The Sets and Reps: 5×5
Just like you can’t do a kettlebell swing without a kettlebell, you can’t do a 5×5 workout without focusing on five sets of five. Whether it’s five progressively heavier sets, like Starr’s approach, or multiple sets with the same weight like Park recommended, aim for five total sets per exercise.
Use a load that achieves muscular fatigue within four to six repetitions while performing no more than five repetitions per set. If a load only allows you to complete only four reps before reaching muscular failure or compromising exercise technique, repeat the weight the following week. Basic strength adaptations should allow you to reach the five-rep mark.
Credit: Denis Kornilov / Shutterstock
Any training with higher rep ranges should be kept to a bare minimum to maintain focus on the 5×5 portion of the workout. Limit additional sets/reps to one or two exercises per workout, at most.
Those exercises should either be single-joint movements such as curls or lateral raises or they should be less strenuous movements like dumbbell rows or split squats. These strategic choices will keep physical and CNS (central nervous system) stress to a relative minimum, allowing overall recovery.
Or, as Park showed the world, you can certainly perform only 5×5 movements in every workout without supplementing higher repetitions. This keeps the program rooted in its primary focus — emphasizing hard work by going “all in” for five sets of five repetitions.
Five-rep sets allow a heavy enough weight to trigger significant strength gains without the high degree of neuromuscular fatigue that can accompany one, two, or three-rep maximums. Performing five sets per movement allows the involved muscles to be put under significant total volume, which is necessary to stimulate muscle growth.
Three Full-Body Workouts Per Week
The nature of 5×5 workouts requires a single exercise per body part. Performing 5×5 for multiple exercises per body part — for example, training several bench press variations for 5×5 in each workout — would likely lead to overtraining by moving too much weight for too much volume with too few muscle groups.
Using multiple exercises per body part per session would also not allow an efficient weekly workout split since only one or two body parts could be trained in each workout. Because the 5×5 is the core programming concept, the workout forgoes multiple exercises per body part. Because a single exercise per body part is used in each session, more muscles can be trained in a given workout.
This is why a full-body approach is the only effective and efficient way to plan a 5×5 workout. Centering the training routine around three weekly full-body sessions, also creates “built-in” rest days to allow muscular growth and recovery. Three workouts mandates four non-training days.
Repeating these types of full-body workouts several times per week also allows a high frequency of training, which has been shown to be more beneficial for strength gains than training once per week. (3)
Multi-Joint Barbell Exercises
Multi-joint (compound) barbell exercises are the preferred movements to accommodate relatively heavy sets of five. This is a matter of efficiency, practicality (barbells are much simpler to load heavy weight), and safety.
Dumbbell exercises can become dangerously unwieldy when using very heavy weights due to the stabilizing muscles needed to control each individual dumbbell. Heavy bodyweight exercises, similarly, can overload stabilizing muscles before the target body part is sufficiently worked.
Focusing on multi-joint exercises, like squats, deadlifts, and presses rather than single-joint exercises like curls or extensions allows you to recruit more muscles with each lift. This creates greater training efficiency while also allowing you to move more overall weight.
In each workout, include a squat, a press (either overhead or a bench press variation), and a “pull” whether it’s a type of deadlift or something that more directly recruits your back muscles like a barbell row.
Credit: Dusan Petkovic / Shutterstock
This will ensure relatively balanced training of both your upper and lower body as well as your “pushing muscles” (chest, shoulders, and triceps) and your “pulling muscles” (back and biceps). With proper exercise selection, your core will likely receive sufficient stimulation without needing direct training.
Benefits of the 5×5 Workout
The 5×5 workout would’ve faded into obscurity decades ago if it didn’t deliver genuine physical benefits. The reason it’s continued to be a staple program for generations is because it can reliably add muscle and power onto nearly any lifter.
Muscular Size
Whether you’re looking to be built like a powerhouse linebacker, a well-muscled bodybuilder, or something in between, the 5×5 workout can be a top choice. The calorie surplus needed to recover from high frequency, heavy lifting coincides with the type of calorie intake needed to support muscle growth.
In fact, one of the surest ways to short-change your results with the 5×5 program is to not provide insufficient fuel for growth and recovery. One common mistake some lifters make is to try “eating for fat loss” with a calorie deficit while using a 5×5 training routine.
Without ample calories and enough high-quality protein, you run the risk of wasted time and energy, and potential overtraining.
Total-Body Strength
Performing big barbell exercises with heavy weights for relatively low repetitions is a spot-on approach to building raw strength. Using a limited number of exercises in each workout allow you to focus your training intensity on the most efficient movements.
Performing a relatively limited number of sets and repetitions keeps your workouts focused on classic hard and heavy lifting which also yields focused results.
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One worthwhile “side effect” of the 5×5 workout is that high-frequency exposure to the same exercises can help ingrain proper lifting technique. Improved technique can carry over to better long-term gains, greater training efficiency, and potentially lower the risk of injury.
Drawbacks of the 5×5 Workout
While the 5×5 program has several clear benefits, there are also a few opposing points to consider. Any training routine will have its own list of pros and cons; being around for several decades doesn’t give the 5×5 workout a free pass.
Limited Muscular Development
Even though the multi-joint barbell exercises do recruit a number of muscles during each workout, certain body parts will likely remain somewhat undertrained due to specific exercise choice or an individual’s unique limb lengths.
For example, performing the bench press as the primary upper body pushing exercise may leave your triceps and shoulders less-than-fully stimulated depending on your arm length and specific grip width. Performing the deadlift will work portions of your hamstrings, but won’t efficiently train the “leg flexion” aspect of hamstring function which can be achieved through leg curls.
Relatively smaller body parts like the upper back, shoulders, triceps, biceps, and calves receive some activation as supporting muscle groups but aren’t directly trained with a classic 5×5 workout.
This is one reason why the program is well-suited for beginner lifters looking to establish a general base of muscular size and strength — they don’t yet have any significant weaknesses or discrepancies. Experienced lifters sometimes require more precise training to target key developmental weaknesses, which are not effectively addressed by a 5×5 plan.
Limited Cardiovascular Development
With its focus on heavy barbell lifting, and recovering from heavy barbell lifting, the 5×5 workout doesn’t leave any real room for significant cardiovascular training. Research has shown that aerobic training (like running on a treadmill or long-distance biking) can negatively impact explosive strength and power, and may interfere with overall strength and muscle gains. (4)
Credit: Jacob Lund / Shutterstock
Just like the 5×5 workout isn’t compatible with a calorie deficit, it’s also not applicable for those with cardio-based goals such as distance running and many general sports. The key exception would be to specifically program 5×5 in the offseason when cardio training can be a lesser priority in the short-term.
Starr did find an effective shortcut around this obstacle by training in a superset or circuit style. If maintaining some semblance of cardio fitness is a secondary goal, consider planning your 5×5 workout similarly. That’s an effective compromise, presuming you have the available equipment to use three barbells in quick succession — a scenario not likely in many commercial gyms, but quite possible in a home gym.
Potential Joint Issues
Training exclusively with barbells can be highly effective, unless you have pre-existing joint issues that preclude you from performing many barbell exercises. This can often be related to general mobility issues — being unable to safely perform a given exercise — or damage from pattern overuse — the results of performing a given exercise repeatedly over the years.
Creative exercise selection could be a temporary solution in some cases, for example, choosing a push press instead of a strict overhead press. However, for long-term joint health and overall progress, a more conservative approach is often to avoid problematic exercises (and implements, like the barbell) altogether.
Sample 5×5 Workout Program
Train three days per week, with at least one day of rest between each session. If you’re hitting the 5×5 exercises as hard as you should be, you’ll quickly appreciate having a day of rest after each workout and a day to mentally and physically prepare before each session.
Each workout includes a relatively limited “accessory” movement at the end of each workout to tack on some additional work for the chest, triceps, back, biceps, and hamstrings. If you’re feeling excessively fatigued on a given day, the final exercise is entirely optional. What’s important, however, is to not add even more exercises or volume to the training plan.
Feel free to experiment (for weeks at a time, not a few workouts at a time), varying between Park’s “three sets with the same weight” approach as well as Starr’s method of increasing the weight on every set.
Credit: MDV Edwards / Shutterstock
You might find that you get into a “groove” by repeating the same weight for multiple sets or you could benefit from the dialed-in focus of gradually building up to one very heavy set per exercise. In either case, when you’re able to successfully perform five reps on your fifth set, increase the weight on all sets.
Beginner lifters would be better served repeating roughly the same weight for each workout, increasing whenever the final set reaches five repetitions. More experienced lifters will likely benefit from Starr’s “heavy, light, medium” — the first workout of the week sets the standard, the second workout is programmed with 75 to 80% of the weights, and the third workout uses 85 to 90% of the first workout’s loads. Any required mathematics will payoff with improved recovery between sessions and more powerful performance during training.
Like many recipes in the culinary world, great strength training programs don’t need to be overly complicated to deliver an optimal end result. Mastering the basics — whether it’s the perfect omelet or simple, heavy barbell training — builds an effective foundation for beginners. This pared down program can also be a reliable fallback for experienced lifters, under the right conditions, who need a short-term, general purpose plan to refresh their size and strength gains.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use non-barbell exercises for 5×5?
The primary concept of the program is to use one big compound lift per body part, limiting the session to three key exercises per session. The exercises must be able to be safely and efficiently loaded to a four-to-six rep maximum, while recruiting as many muscle groups as possible. Many barbell exercises meet this criteria. However, the case could also be made, for example, to use the trap bar deadlift (as seen in the sample workout above) or the leg press. Certain machine exercises, like a machine chest press, T-bar row, or Smith machine squat, likely cannot be safely performed with the necessary load. Use your judgment but, when in doubt, try to maintain the focus on barbell lifts. There are plenty of variations of basic movement patterns (squats, deadlifts, and presses) and you likely don’t “need” to stray too far off-course.
Can I use 5×5 with barbell isolation exercises or single-leg exercises?
No. Any type of five-rep isolation (single-joint) exercise, like a heavy barbell curl, triceps extension, or calf raise, gets further from the primary focus of the 5×5 workout — recruiting as many muscle groups as possible per exercise. Unless you’re interested in doing cheat curls (which can be high risk and low reward) to recruit your back and hips into the movement, it’s best to avoid programming isolation movements for 5×5. Single-leg exercises, like the split squat, or single-arm exercises, like dumbbell rows, will limit the weight you can use relative to a two-leg or two-arm barbell exercise. The added time and energy needed to train both sides will also increase overall fatigue. Unilateral (single-leg/single-arm) exercises also increase overall stress on your core musculature, especially when moving heavier weights. This can further reduce focus on the target muscle.
References
de Salles, B. F., Simão, R., Miranda, F., Novaes, J.daS., Lemos, A., & Willardson, J. M. (2009). Rest interval between sets in strength training. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 39(9), 765–777. https://doi.org/10.2165/11315230-000000000-00000
Rhea, M. R., Ball, S. D., Phillips, W. T., & Burkett, L. N. (2002). A comparison of linear and daily undulating periodized programs with equated volume and intensity for strength. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 16(2), 250–255.
Grgic, J., Schoenfeld, B. J., Davies, T. B., Lazinica, B., Krieger, J. W., & Pedisic, Z. (2018). Effect of Resistance Training Frequency on Gains in Muscular Strength: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 48(5), 1207–1220. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-018-0872-x
Schumann, M., Feuerbacher, J. F., Sünkeler, M., Freitag, N., Rønnestad, B. R., Doma, K., & Lundberg, T. R. (2022). Compatibility of Concurrent Aerobic and Strength Training for Skeletal Muscle Size and Function: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 52(3), 601–612. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-021-01587-7
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On June 26, 2023, powerlifter Phillip Herndon shared an Instagram video of himself capturing a 453.9-kilogram (1,000-pound) back squat raw with wraps from the 2023 International Powerlifting Association (IPA) Strength Spectacular. According to the caption of his post, Herndon weighed in with a body weight of 119.4 kilograms (263.3 pounds) at the time of his competition, making him the lightest athlete to ever squat 453.9 kilograms (1,000 pounds) raw with wraps in a sanctioned competition.
What’s more, according to the database on Open Powerlifting, Herndon’s squat raw with wraps is the second-heaviest of all time in the 125-kilogram weight class. Only Zahir Khudayarov’s World Record squat of 479 kilograms (1,058.2 pounds) from the 2017 Finland Powerlifting Organisation (FPO) WABDL World Cup remains heavier. Herndon wore a lifting belt, wrist wraps, and knee wraps for this massive squatting achievement and won the contest accordingly in the 125-kilogram division. The 2023 IPA Strength Spectacular took place on June 25, 2023, in York, PA.
Here’s an overview of Herndon’s top stats from his first-place performance, which also saw him capture a 226.8-kilogram (500-pound) bench press, a 362.9-kilogram (800-pound) deadlift, and a final total of 1,043.2 kilograms (2,300 pounds):
Phillip Herndon (125KG) | 2023 IPA Strength Spectacular Top Raw with Wraps Stats
Herndon adds this notable light body weight squatting achievement to an already impressive reputation of leg power. The athlete is the current raw squat World Record holder in the 110-kilogram class, with a squat of 395 kilograms (870.8 pounds). Herndon also holds the second highest raw squat in the and 125-kilogram class with a lift of 411 kilograms (906.1 pounds). Only Reece Fullwood barely edged him out, breaking Herndon’s record with a 412.5-kilogram (909.4-pound) squat. It’s apparent that Herndon’s dominance and strength transcends across different divisions with different equipment setups.
In the caption of his post, Herndon teased his next sanctioned competitive venture: the 2023 World Raw Powerlifting Federation (WRPF) American Pro from October 27-29, 2023, in Manassas, VA. Only time will tell what Herndon’s next inevitable jaw-dropping achievement will be with a loaded barbell in on his back.
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In terms of competitive accomplishments, Kristy Hawkins has nothing to prove. For one, per her personal page on Open Powerlifting, the dynamic powerlifter hasn’t lost a sanctioned competition since mid-April 2017. For the other, Hawkins’ name is all over the all-time World Record books, owning every raw mark in the 75-kilogram division. That’s save for Hawkins’ 154.9-kilogram (341.7-pound) bench press — which remains the second-heaviest raw bench press in her competitive category. As a result, these days, outsiders might think anything Hawkins achieves is icing on the cake. Based on a recent feat, that doesn’t appear to be the athlete’s approach.
On June 24, 2023, Hawkins shared an Instagram clip of herself scoring a 275-kilogram (606.2-pound) deadlift with wraps from low blocks. According to the athlete’s caption, it is the first time Hawkins has ever deadlifted at least 600 pounds while utilizing a wider sumo stance. Based on a run-through of Hawkins’ profile, this rep appears to be the first public instance Hawkins has teased her sumo power. That would add up to Hawkins’ competitive history, given that the competitor has usually lifted with a conventional set-up. In addition to her sumo positioning and lifting straps, Hawkins wore a lifting belt to help with the training achievement.
Hawkins has made an apt name for herself being a powerlifting tour de force. If there’s anyone who could begin making a seamless transition to shining in two separate deadlift disciplines, it’d be Hawkins: one of the most successful active powerlifters around.
Hawkins’ current best competition deadlift, using a conventional stance, is 277.5 kilograms (611.7 pounds). She completed this mark at the 2022 World Raw Powerlifting Federation (WRPF) American Pro. In an early July 2022 training session, Hawkins also completed a 285-kilogram (628-pound) conventional deadlift.
Unlike popular commentary, a sumo deadlift isn’t necessarily “easier” per se. If anything, depending on what an athlete is accustomed to and the health and mobility of their hips, recruiting more muscles from the lower body could present a greater challenge with the wide-stance setup.
It is unclear if Hawkins has some sort of body predisposition that makes sumo pulling harder. Nonetheless, for an athlete who’s built a reputation around monstrous conventional deadlifts, steadily training the sumo variation is a more than worthy change of pace.
Notably, Hawkins isn’t the only athlete to try new deadlift stance ventures over the approximately past year. However, the shoe is on the other foot, so to speak. Her peer Jamal Browner, a prolific deadlifter in the Men’s 110-kilogram division, has been fine-tuning his conventional deadlift pulling after nearly mastering the sumo stance. Hawkins’ apparent new deadlift ambition could present itself as a nice contrast to another big-name powerlifter’s goals.
At the time of this writing, Hawkins hasn’t clarified when she’ll next step onto an official lifting platform. The athlete has also not provided more detail on what she intends to do with a stronger sumo deadlift. Given Hawkins’ propensity for excellence, a jaw-dropping lift or two should probably be the baseline expectation in the future.
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On June 18, 2023, strongman Ivan Makarov shared a video of himself capturing a 476-kilogram (1,049.4-pound) deadlift for two reps during a training session. The strength feat is a personal record (PR) for the Russian athlete and marks another milestone as he pursues the all-time deadlift World Record of 501 kilograms (1,104.5 pounds), held by Hafthor Björnsson. Makarov will make another attempt at the legendary figure at the 2023 World Deadlift Championships (WDC) on September 2, 2023, in Cardiff, Wales.
To achieve this massive two-rep deadlift PR, Makarov was wore a lifting suit and lifting belt, and utilized lifting straps to help lift his loaded barbell. This equipment is entirely legal under the context of strongman rules. The Russian strongman completed his pull from a conventional stance with a double-overhand grip.
While Makarov has displayed versatility with his strength in the past — a 190-kilogram (418.9-pound) overhead press from November 2022 comes to mind — the athlete is primarily known for his deadlift prowess, and especially of late. Even a quick perusal of Makarov’s events resume on Strongman Archives will lend credence to this fact: most of the athlete’s recent competitive appearances have featured him solely attempting a Max Deadlift.
The same sentiment applies to Makarov’s Instagram profile where, in most any recent instance, a training update is likely of the athlete deadlifting a monstrous amount of weight. That performance is likely expected, as Makarov captured the 2021 WDC title with a 475-kilogram (1,047.2-pound) deadlift. The mark continues to inch higher each year.
“New knowledge, I got new opportunities to stay healthy and very strong.”
In his most recent attempt at the all-time deadlift World Record, Makarov fell short at the 2022 WDC. Thanks to a 453.5-kilogram max pull, the competitor finished tied for second place with three other competitors — the 2023 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) champion Mitchell Hooper, the 2023 Europe’s Strongest Man (ESM) victor Pavlo Nakonechnyy, and Graham Hicks. Estonia’s Rauno Heinla captured the eventual title en route to a Masters World Record deadlift of 476 kilograms (1,049.4 pounds), a weight that Makarov has now shown he can pull twice.
At the time of this writing, the 2023 WDC roster features notable returning competitors like the defending champion Heinla, 2020 WSM winner Oleksii Novikov, and even powerlifter Jamal Browner. Giants Live embeds the prestigious annual WDC (or Max Deadlift) into the overall annual Giants Live World Open.
Regardless of a stacked field, Makarov figures to be one of the top contenders for the pursuit of one of strength sports’ more hallowed accomplishments. Should Makarov or any of the other participating athletes achieve it, they’ll be $55,000 richer as a result. One gets the sense the fame of scoring such a mark is worth just as much as any prize money.
“Regarding this week’s SWS, I believe you are conflating a cliched pop culture term, that doesn’t really have an agreed-upon definition with a complete misunderstanding of what monastic life actually is. Frankly, it’s a mess. Spending a period of time, away from distractions and outside influence in order to focus, think deeply, and crystallize one’s ideas followed by getting those ideas out in the world is how real progress is made. Breakthroughs don’t happen through groupthink or committees. I could go on, but basically, you are suggesting a false choice.“
Tongotea wore a lifting belt and knee sleeves, and utilized wrist wraps to help herself rewrite the IPF record books with her squat. That equipment qualifies as raw in a sanctioned powerlifting context. The 2023 IPF Worlds took place in Valletta, Malta, from June 11-18, 2023. The 2023 edition of the contest was Tongotea’s debut at the prestigious competition, and she made the most of this initial appearance by winning her first IPF World title.
Before breaking through on one of the biggest international stages, Tongotea primarily made her trade as a prolific New Zealand powerlifter. According to her personal page on Open Powerlifting, Tongotea is the reigning raw New Zealand National Champion (2022) and has dominated in other competitive strength capacities throughout the famed Oceania islands.
Here’s an overview of the competitor’s top stats from the 2023 IPF Worlds:
Karlina Tongotea (76KG) | 2023 IPF Worlds Top Stats
Squat — 225.5 kilograms (497.1 pounds) | IPF World Record
After an appearance in the United Kingdom during the 2023 Sheffield Championships, Tongotea has now competed just three times outside of the purview of Australia and New Zealand. The athlete can boast 12 victories in 16 competitive appearances dating back to the start of her career in April 2018.
In a post in the 2023 IPF Worlds’ aftermath, Tongotea seemed emotional about her competitive journey. The athlete, who is a doctor by trade, looked back on her tremendous progress over the last half-decade and took in the fact that she is now on top of one of powerlifting’s tallest summits.
Of course, she plans to stay there.
“I walked into [New Zealand Powerlifting Academy] in 2018 telling my coach, ‘I have one year to enjoy this sport before I start GP training and exams,’ and I got back the message in this post. We’ve kept this one between ourselves. We remembered it when I won my first nationals, when I first became No. 1 in New Zealand when I won a [World Powerlifting] title, but it never quite felt like we’d fulfilled it yet. Now, I’m an IPF Classic Open World Champion of the [76-kilogram division], and I couldn’t have done it without this partnership. It feels fulfilled. We did the damn thing, Dom [Tongotea’s coach]. We gotta do it again, though.”
Originally Posted At: https://breakingmuscle.com/feed/rss
Zac Meyers is accustomed to lifting unfathomable amounts of weight — one perusal of his training-laden Instagram profile says as much. Though this 29-year-old powerlifting star clearly excels in multiple strength landscapes.
On June 17, 2023, by the end of the World Raw Powerlifting Federation (WRPF) King of the Cave 3, Meyers recorded a raw 1,077.4-kilogram (2,375.4-pound) total. The number is officially an all-time raw World Record in the 140-kilogram competitive division and gave Meyers the victory. It’s the latest in a string of remarkable achievements for a prolific athlete in the powerlifting world.
To amass his World Record-breaking total, Meyers scored an all-time raw competition best squat of 404.9 kilograms (892.8 pounds), an all-time raw competition best bench press of 285 kilograms (628.3 pounds), and an all-time raw competition best deadlift of 387.5 kilograms (854.3 pounds). The athlete wore a lifting belt, knee sleeves, and wrist wraps during his top squat. Meyers used a lifting belt and wrist wraps during his bench press, and a belt alone while deadlifting.
According to the database on Open Powerlifting, Meyers now possesses the raw World Record in two separate divisions. In addition to his latest mark, Meyers also owns the raw World Record total of 1,054.9 kilograms (2,325.8 pounds) in the 125-kilogram class. He captured that mark at the 2022 WRPF American Pro en route to a first-place performance.
Here’s an overview of the top stats from Meyers’ latest competitive appearance:
Zac Meyers (140KG) | 2023 WRPF King of the Cave 3
Squat — 404.9 kilograms (892.8 pounds) | All-Time Raw Competition Best
Bench Press — 285 kilograms (628.3 pounds) | All-Time Raw Competition Best
Deadlift — 387.5 kilograms (854.3 pounds) | All-Time Raw Competition Best
Total — 1,077.4 kilograms (2,375.4 pounds) | All-Time World Record
Per his personal page on Open Powerlifting, Meyers’ win at the 2023 WRPF King of the Cave 3 is his sixth consecutive triumph dating back to the 2020 United States Powerlifting Association (USPA) No Luck Needed Open. Overall, Meyers has lost just twice in an extensive career that started in December 2015.
In a reflective post on his Instagram, Meyers wrote that he felt like he had “another 10-15 pounds” in him on his monster squat. Overall, the sentiment of his post made it seem as if the athlete left a lot on the table despite a World Record. Given someone of his stature, having a new lofty goal as motivation probably isn’t a bad development for the future.
Muluh wore a lifting belt and knee sleeves and utilized wrist wraps to help her notch the squat milestone. Each of those pieces of equipment is considered raw in an officially sanctioned powerlifting environment. While Muluh’s staggering number is a World Record in the IPF’s highest division for Women’s athletes, it also carries the distinction of being the all-time raw World Record for any Women’s competitor ever.
The record was previously, and briefly, held by fellow 2023 IPF Worlds competitor Brittany Schlater, who squatted 281 kilograms (619.5 pounds) during her performance at the contest shortly before Muluh’s attempt. Prior to that, the record belonged to perennial IPF World Champion Bonica Brown, who squatted 280 kilograms (617.3 pounds) during a fifth-place performance at the 2023 Sheffield Powerlifting Championships.
Muluh’s squat eclipses Brown’s lift by an astounding 5.5 kilograms (12.1 pounds). Notably, Brown actually squatted more than Muluh during her 2023 IPF Worlds appearance, with a lift of 289 kilograms (637.1 pounds) on the athlete’s final attempt. However, because Brown couldn’t notch one successful deadlift pull, none of her statistics were officially recorded.
From an overarching perspective, Muluh’s second-place raw total of 688.5 kilograms (1,517.9 pounds) could’ve been seen as admirable. That’s because the eventual plus-84-kilogram class winner Brittany Schlater scored an all-time raw World Record total of 693.5 kilograms (1,528.9 pounds) for her victory.
Here’s an overview of the plus-84-kilogram division podium:
2023 IPF Worlds | +84KG Podium
Brittany Schlater: 693.5 kilograms (1,528.9 pounds) | IPF World Record
Sonita Muluh: 688.5 kilograms (1,517.9 pounds)
Jewel Tasi: 647.5 kilograms (1,427.5 pounds)
According to her personal page on Open Powerlifting, this runner-up finish at the 2023 IPF Worlds is the first time Muluh has fallen short of a victory since the 2022 IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships where she placed sixth. Overall, Muluh has nine wins in 13 competitive appearances dating back to February 2020.
Muluh has made headlines in the past with her strength. Achieving a monstrous squat on one of the biggest international stages is a surefire way to build even more traction in an already promising career.
Originally Posted At: https://breakingmuscle.com/feed/rss
Justin Bergh is stepping down from his position as CrossFit’s General Manager of Sport, according to CrossFit CEO Don Faul. Bergh had been in the role for 18 months and is leaving the job effective immediately. Per Faul, Dave Castro will take up Bergh’s former position as his replacement. Castro was previously fired from this role in January 2022 after roughly 15 years on the job.
Before leading CrossFit’s Sport team, Bergh was the organization’s Vice President of Sport and Partnerships from 2021 to 2022. He was previously the General Manager of the annual CrossFit Games from 2013 to 2020, with a work history with CrossFit dating back to some time in 2006. Not long after Castro’s ouster in early 2022, Bergh was named the General Manager of Sport. He held the role until mid-June 2023. A reasoning has not been provided for Bergh’s departure at the time of this writing.
A former Navy Seal, Castro returned to CrossFit in an affiliate-focused role five months after he was originally fired from his General Manager position. His responsibilities then were characterized as being a “key advisor” for the organization’s affiliate gyms and coaches. Faul was named Eric Roza’s successor as CrossFit’s new CEO in August 2022 — two months after Castro made his return.
In a statement provided to BarBend, Faul had glowing words about the work Bergh accomplished as the leader of CrossFit’s Sport team. At the same time, he endorsed Castro in his old stomping grounds as the lead-up to the 2023 CrossFit Games in early August begins to heat up.
“After 13 years, Justin Bergh will be leaving CrossFit,” Faul said. “[Bergh] has done so much for our community, and we’re incredibly grateful for the role he’s played in making CrossFit what it is today. Dave Castro will step in to lead our Sport Team, who are prepping to make sure we have an amazing 2023 [CrossFit] Games.”
At the time of this article’s publication, without more firsthand knowledge of the organization’s process, it is unclear how Bergh’s departure and Castro’s elevation will affect any aspect of the 2023 CrossFit Games. Even on a several-week timeline before the competition in Madison, WI, on Aug. 1-6, 2023, it is difficult to ascertain Castro’s scope and influence.
Nonetheless, this remains a massive shift in leadership for CrossFit’s chief organizing body and one to monitor in the coming weeks and months.
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