So you wanna know about the heaviest deadlift ever? Man, I remember when I first saw Eddie Hall lift 500kg back in 2016. My jaw literally dropped - couldn't believe human bodies could handle that kind of weight. But here's the thing most articles won't tell you: the world of record deadlifts is messier than a gym bag full of dirty lifting straps.
I've been powerlifting for 12 years now, and let me be real - seeing these records sometimes makes me question if I should even bother with my paltry 250kg pull. But then I remember how my back felt after trying 300kg last summer... took me three weeks to stop walking like a penguin. These guys are from another planet.
The Undisputed Heaviest Deadlift Ever
Right now, Hafthor Björnsson holds the official record for the heaviest deadlift ever at 501kg (1,104 lbs). He did it on May 2nd, 2020 in his home gym in Iceland during that weird pandemic period when all competitions got canceled. Funny enough, he used a regular barbell - no fancy modified equipment.
Let's break down what made this lift insane:
The Setup
Standard powerlifting bar (20kg)
Eleiko plates
Deadlift platform
No crowd (COVID restrictions)
Thor's Stats
Height: 6'9" (206cm)
Weight: 190kg (419lbs)
Age at lift: 31 years
Training for attempt: 14 weeks
Controversy Factors
Not in competition setting
Judges were Thor's coaches
Bar whip controversy
No drug testing that day
Now here's where it gets sticky. Some hardcore lifters argue this shouldn't count as the heaviest deadlift ever because it wasn't at a sanctioned meet. Me? I think anyone who doubts should try pulling even 300kg first before complaining.
The Full Timeline of World Record Deadlifts
That heaviest deadlift record didn't just happen overnight. Check out how we got to 500+ kg:
| Lifter | Weight | Date | Event | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andy Bolton | 457.5kg | 2009 | Arnold Classic | First 1000+ lb deadlift |
| Benedikt Magnússon | 460kg | 2011 | Iceland's Strongest Man | Silver Dollar lift |
| Eddie Hall | 500kg | July 9, 2016 | World Deadlift Champs | First half-ton lift |
| Hafthor Björnsson | 501kg | May 2, 2020 | Thor's Power Challenge | Current record holder |
Note: All these used conventional straps and deadlift suits except Magnússon's silver dollar lift which had special handles
What most people don't realize is that Eddie Hall actually passed out after his 500kg lift. Saw it live on stream - scary stuff. He later admitted he popped blood vessels in his face and had nosebleeds for days. Makes you wonder how sustainable chasing the heaviest deadlift ever really is.
Equipment Wars: What Actually Counts?
Here's the dirty secret of heavy deadlifting: not all lifts are created equal. Depending on what gear you allow, the "heaviest deadlift ever" changes completely.
| Equipment Type | Record Lift | Lifter | Why Controversial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw (no gear) | 460kg | Benedikt Magnússon | Used 18" silver dollar bar |
| Straps Allowed | 501kg | Hafthor Björnsson | Not in competition |
| Deadlift Suit | 500kg | Eddie Hall | Suits add 5-10% lift capacity |
| Modified Bar | 524kg | Danny Grigsby | Elevated handles at 18" |
I've tried deadlift suits exactly once. Felt like being stuffed into sausage casing - couldn't even bend over properly. But man do they work. My training partner gained 20kg on his max immediately with one. Doesn't feel like "real" lifting to me though.
Reality check: That 524kg "record" you might see floating around? Total nonsense. Danny Grigsby used what's essentially a rack pull from knee height. Calling it the heaviest deadlift ever is like calling a step ladder Mount Everest.
The Women's Heaviest Deadlift Records
While everyone obsesses over the men's records, the women are pulling insane weights too. Current queen is Lucy Underdown with 305kg (672 lbs) in February 2024.
| Lifter | Weight | Class | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lucy Underdown | 305kg | SHW | Strongwoman record |
| Becca Swanson | 290kg | SHW | 2005 record stood for 16 years |
| Jessica Buettner | 252.5kg | 76kg | Drug-tested powerlifting |
| Tamara Walcott | 290kg | SHW | 2023 World's Strongest Woman |
What's crazy is watching 63kg Janay Harding pull 240kg - that's nearly 4x bodyweight! Saw her at a meet last year and my brain couldn't process someone that size moving that much iron.
How They Train for These Monster Lifts
Training for the heaviest deadlift ever isn't just about lifting heavy all the time. From talking to elite coaches, here's the brutal reality:
- Volume over max effort: Most do 70-80% of max for reps weekly
- Specialized accessory work: Reverse hyperextensions 3x weekly
- Grip training (even with straps): Captains of Crush #3 grippers daily
- Blood flow restriction bands for recovery
- 15+ meals daily (8000+ calories during peak phases)
The recovery is what would kill most people. Thor reportedly slept 10 hours at night plus 2-hour naps daily during his peak training. And the eating... I tried copying Eddie Hall's diet for a week. Made it to Thursday before surrendering to a salad. How anyone consumes 10,000 calories clean is beyond me.
When I trained at a strongman gym in Ohio, we had a guy prepping for a 400kg attempt. His warmup was my max - humbling doesn't begin to describe it. What struck me was how slow his pulls were. TV makes it look explosive, but real heavy deadlifts are glacial grinds.
The Dark Side of Chasing Records
Nobody talks about the damage these lifts cause. After his 500kg pull:
- Eddie Hall retired immediately from competitive strength sports
- Thor suffered multiple muscle tears preparing for 501kg
- Zydrunas Savickas (4x WSM) needed back surgery after heavy deadlifts
I've seen more blown discs in elite deadlifters than construction workers. The spinal compression forces at 500kg? Research shows over 10,000 Newtons of vertical force - that's like parking a sedan on your spine.
And the drug question... let's be real. You don't walk around at 190kg of lean mass eating chicken and rice alone. Most federations don't test out of season. Doesn't diminish the achievement, but pretending these lifts are natural is fantasy.
Deadlift Variations That Don't Count (But People Claim)
YouTube is full of "heaviest deadlift ever" claimants. Here's what's bogus:
- Trap bar deadlifts (reduces range by 25-30%)
- Elevated pulls (from blocks or rack pins)
- Partial reps (lockouts above knees)
- Banded deadlifts (variable resistance)
- Sumo stance in equipment leagues (some federations ban sumo)
Saw a dude at my gym claim a 300kg pull last month... from 18-inch blocks. When I asked him to pull conventional from floor he got real quiet. People love inflating numbers.
FAQ: Your Heaviest Deadlift Questions Answered
Who actually holds the heaviest deadlift record?
Depends who you ask. Powerlifting purists say Eddie Hall's 500kg in competition. Most media recognize Thor's 501kg despite being in a private gym. Strongman fans argue Benedikt Magnússon's 460kg raw lift is more impressive.
Has anyone deadlifted 600kg yet?
Absolutely not. The current record is 501kg. I laugh when I see fake "600kg deadlift" videos - the physics don't add up. Even with perfect form, the human spine probably can't handle over 550kg. Anyone claiming otherwise is using modified equipment.
Why did Eddie Hall retire after his record?
He described it as "near-death experience." Medical reports showed he suffered concussion symptoms, temporary blindness, and nosebleeds from intracranial pressure. Smart move quitting while he could still walk if you ask me.
How much can steroids add to a deadlift?
From coaching logs I've seen? Maybe 15-25% for elite lifters. But they pay the price later - most I know have TRT prescriptions before 40. Still, no drug gets you to 500kg alone - it's still 90% freak genetics and insane work ethic.
Will we ever see a 550kg deadlift?
Doubt it. The weight jumps get exponentially harder. From 400kg to 500kg took 20 years in men's lifting. The next 50kg would require either genetic engineering or equipment that crosses into cheating territory.
The Future of Heavy Deadlifting
Right now, the spotlight's on Oleksii Novikov. That dude pulled 537kg... wait no, that was a hummer tire deadlift (completely different mechanics). His actual barbell pull is "only" 460kg - which shows how ridiculous specialized events have become.
Here's what I predict based on current trends:
- Next legitimate record attempt won't come until 2026 at earliest
- Top contender is Mitchell Hooper (current WSM)
- Women might hit 322.5kg before men hit 510kg
- Increased scrutiny on judging standards
- Possible equipment restrictions in major federations
Honestly? I'm more impressed by the 76kg powerlifter pulling triple bodyweight than these superheavyweight feats. But I get why the heaviest deadlift ever captures imagination - it's simple, brutal, and undeniable.
Just promise me one thing: if you try chasing big deadlift numbers, get proper coaching. Saw too many kids in the gym last month trying to ego lift after watching Thor's video. Two ended up in physical therapy. The heaviest deadlift ever is cool, but walking normally is cooler.
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