The deadlift is truly the ultimate standard by which human strength is measured.
We know this because it’s one of the big three (do those four if we count the overhead press).
A countdown list for the heaviest deadlift, made up of world records and inhumane feats in general.
You most likely know most, if not all, of these beasts if you’re into strength training religiously (can’t get past you much, can we)?
But for those who aren’t that familiar with deadlift history, today we’re sharing the 11 heaviest deadlifts of all time.
Heaviest Deadlift Ever:
Some of the heaviest deadlifts of all time:
Some of the heaviest deadlifts of all time:
The 4-time World’s Strongest Man Champion pulled a whopping 464 kg/1020.8 lbs with an elephant bar at the 2016 Arnold Strongman Classic.
Of course, Brian Shaw doesn’t have much more to prove at this point.
But the Colorado native comes to the 2020 World’s Strongest Man competition more ready than ever (if the competition is still held on the scheduled date).
Brian Shaw deadlifting
He recently posted a YouTube video showing him training and preparing for the auto deadlift, and it’s possible he’ll surpass that feat at some point in the near future.
American Jerry Pritchett is known for his incredible deadlift talent.
At the 2016 Giants Live event, he deadlifted a whopping 465 kg with a standard deadlift bar.
Pritchett also placed 8th at the recent Arnold Strongman Classic a few weeks ago.
Although that performance doesn’t technically fit into the total weight based countdown.
Lamar Grant was able to pull off an astronomical feat, deadlifting 305 kg/672 lbs for 132 lbs!
Lamar Gant sets a world deadlift record that still stands today, despite being 5’6 and having scoliosis!
Russia’s Ivan Makarov attempted a 501kg deadlift in December 2019 but failed.
But he still deadlifted an insane 470 kg/1036 lb with a standard bar.
Although he definitely poses a threat to the deadlift record.
Zydrunas “Big Z” Savickas of Lithuania is considered by many to be the greatest strongman athlete of all time.
In fact, he has won every single major strongman competition and is the only modern day competitor to ever do so.
Savickas is a 4-time World’s Strongest Man Champion, 8-time Arnold Classic winner, and the list goes on…and on…and on.
Zydrunas Savicka’s deadlift
At the 2014 Arnold Strongman Classic in Columbus, Ohio, he achieved a Hummer Hoop deadlift of 524 kg/1,155 lb.
Special Guest – Ronnie Coleman
Special Guest – Ronnie Coleman
Ronnie Coleman isn’t part of the numerical countdown but he’s the special guest as he was an absolute beast!
But what many people may not know about Coleman is that he also competed in powerlifting in the mid ’90s.
Ronnie Coleman Deadlift
Ronnie Coleman was also known for squatting 800lbs and of course he could deadlift a paltry 900lbs x 2 reps which he did just a few weeks after the Arnold Classic.
The current top strongman competitor, Hafthor Bjornsson of Iceland, was the 2018 World’s Strongest Man Champion and winner of the 2020 Arnold Classic, which was his third consecutive win in Columbus, Ohio.
Hafthor Julius Bjornsson
Bjornsson deadlifted 474 kg/1042.8 lbs on an Elephant bar at the 2019 Arnold Classic, making him the world record holder with that bar.
He’s coming soon to reach the all-time deadlift record of 501kg and we’re confident he’ll reach it soon after failing to do so last year.
Bjornsson also shares great workout updates and videos on his YouTube channel.
5. Eddie “The Beast” hall
5. Eddie “The Beast” hall
Eddie Hall from England is one of the craziest creatures to ever walk this planet.
The World’s Strongest Man 2016 was an event he probably would have won had he not injured himself.
But he did win the 2017 World’s Strongest Man contest.
He also boasts a number of world records and a very impressive strongman resume.
At the 2016 World’s Strongest Man competition, Hall pulled 472.5 kg/1039.5 lbs on the elephant bar.
What makes powerlifter Andy Bolton’s 1,000-pound deadlift so impressive is that he was the first man to officially lift that much weight off the floor.
Now, of course, his deadlift has been surpassed, but he’s still the current World Powerlifting Organization (WPO) world record holder in total weight (1273 kg/2806 lb) and squat (550.5 kg/1213 lb).
Benedikt Magnusson holds the current raw deadlift record (without a strap or suit) of 460 kg/1015 lbs, set in 2011 on a standard deadlift bar.
In 2014, Magnusson set the heaviest strongman deadlift of 461 kg (1,016 lb), which was surpassed the following year by Eddie Hall’s 462 kg/ 1,019 lbs.
2. Eddie Hall
2. Eddie Hall
We’re sure you saw this one coming and yes, Eddie Hall has made the list once again.
Hall sets an all-time deadlift record of 500 kg/1,102 lbs, 79 st, set in 2016.
He was also the first man to ever lift 1100 pounds and even passed out after his world record feat.
Eddie Hall deadlift
Eddie Hall deadlift
Eddie Hall accomplished this feat, but is still amazingly impressive.
1. Hafthor Bjornsson 501 kg
1. Hafthor Bjornsson 501 kg
1. Hafthor Bjornsson 501 kg
1. Hafthor Bjornsson 501 kg
On May 2, 2020, Hafthor “The Mountain” Bjornsson deadlifted 501 kg, setting the all-time world record.
The 30-year-old Arnold Strongman Classic champion also sets an unofficial elephant bar world record (480 kg/1058 lbs) in February and smoked 470 kg/1036 lbs live on Twitch last month, which was his last heavy session before World Record Day .
A post by Fitness Volt (@fitnessvoltnetwork)
The lift made history and now it’s the new king of the deadlift.
Well, the next guy isn’t in the video and he didn’t even do a traditional deadlift.
However, he holds the all-time world record for the seated deadlift, so we’ve included him in the list.
Martin Tye is a disabled veteran who successfully lifted 550 kg/1,212 lbs at the 2020 Arnold Classic in Ohio.
Martin Tye’s Guinness World Record
That performance got him into the Guinness Book of World Records and the UK-based strongman has big ambitions for the future.
Here are the 10 heaviest video deadlifts of all time if you want to check them out…
We hope you enjoyed this top 10 list of world record deadlift performances and some special guests.
These performances are truly incredible and we can’t wait to see if someone breaks Eddie Hall’s all-time record soon.
However, we believe Hafthor Bjornsson has the best chance at the moment.
Who holds the world deadlift record?Hafthor Julius Bjornsson!
On May 2, 2020, The Mountain deadlifted 501 kg, setting the all-time world record.
The previous world record holder was Eddie Hall, who deadlifted a massive 500kg at Europe’s Strongest Man in 2016.
Who lifted 500 kg?Hafthor Bjornsson (501 kg) and Eddie Hall (500 kg) are the only two men to have lifted 500 kg.
Has anyone beaten Eddie Hall’s 500kg deadlift?Hafthor Bjornsson has beaten 501kg deadlift, setting the all-time world record on May 2, 2020.
What is the most weight lifted by a human? The most weight lifted by a human was 501 kg/1104.52 lbs, which was achieved by strongman Hafthor Bjornsson on May 2, 2020.
What is the world record in the squat? The world record in the squat is 577.5 kg/1273.2 lbs and was set by Dave Hoff at the WPO Super Finals on October 28, 2019.
His record featured a layered squat suit and knee wraps.
What is the hardest squat? The heaviest squat is 577.5 kg/1273.2 lbs and was achieved by Dave Hoff at the WPO Super Finals on October 28, 2019
How Much Did Thor Deadlift?Hafthor “Thor” Bjornsson deadlifted 501 kg/1104 lbs, setting the all-time world record on May 2, 2020.
He previously lifted 474 kg/ 1,045 lbs at the 2019 Arnold Strongman Classic in Columbus, Ohio.
He also took first place in this competition.
See also: 10 Strongest Men in Modern History
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