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The World’s Strongest Man takes his greatest shot at matching the legend’s lifting data.
Though he competes in a vastly totally different sport, Mitchell Hooper can recognize the superhuman strength and sheer dedication it took for Ronnie Coleman to change into probably the most adorned bodybuilder of all time. Whereas the reigning World’s Strongest Man can toss round kettlebells and overhead press heavy logs with relative ease, he needed to eat a proverbial slice of humble pie after trying to match among the eight-time Mr. Olympia winner’s greatest lifts.
In a video posted on his YouTube web page on Nov. 16, 2023, Hooper took on the inconceivable problem of performing a Coleman-inspired back workout that included three fundamental workout routines utilizing masses that gave him a newfound appreciation for the dwelling legend’s accomplishments within the gymnasium.
Apart from boasting an extremely muscular and symmetrical physique, The King earned loads of reward for his skill to coach with the power of a powerlifter (which Coleman was at one level). Recognized for working with extraordinarily heavy weights and pushing himself to the purpose of failure, Coleman set private data in some staple lifts that also appear unfathomable years later, together with army urgent 315 kilos (143 kilograms) for 12 reps and squatting and deadlifting 800 kilos for 2 reps. Combining that powerbuilding strategy with a high-protein diet and an ultra-disciplined life-style helped the Louisiana native acquire 26 IFBB professional present wins, together with eight consecutive Mr. Olympia titles from 1998-2005.
Nonetheless, even for Hooper, who turned the fourth individual to win WSM and the Arnold Strongman Classic in the identical yr again in April 2023, Coleman’s coaching fashion appeared nicely past his capabilities. Nonetheless, the Canadian strongman confirmed he’s no slouch by making simple work of the primary back exercise.
The three-part exercise begins across the 1:05 mark of the video.
Typical Deadlift — 800 kilos (362.9 kilograms) for 2 reps
Coleman famously accomplished two reps of an 800-pound typical deadlift within the 2000 documentary Ronnie Coleman: The Unbelievable. For most individuals, replicating that feat could be downright unattainable. But for Hooper, who has pulled 1,000 kilos, matching Coleman’s greatest deadlift didn’t current a lot of a problem.
The 28-year-old began with a warm-up set of 575 kilos (260.8 kilograms), showcasing picture-perfect type by driving his hips ahead through the lockout section. Earlier than performing his subsequent set, Hooper pointed to the peanut tattoo on the within of his left ankle and famous that he acquired it to pay homage to Coleman’s “Ain’t nothing however a peanut” signature catchphrase.
After a ultimate warm-up set of 685 kilos (310.7 kilograms), the completed strongman raised the stakes and tried to hit 800 kilos (362.9 kilograms) twice simply as Coleman did greater than twenty years in the past. Unsurprisingly, Hooper had no bother matching The King’s greatest deadlift, finishing two clear reps.
[Related: 7 Tips to Perfect Your Deadlift Form]
Bent-Over Row — 515 kilos (233.6 kilograms) for 10 reps
Six years after setting his deadlift PR, Coleman smashed 10 reps of barbell bent-over rows with a complete of 515 kilos (233.6 kilograms) within the 2006 documentary Ronnie Coleman: Relentless. A taxing train that targets your lats, spinal erectors, glutes, hamstrings, and scapular stabilizers, this row variation requires glorious core power to execute safely.
Regardless of his strongman background, Hooper didn’t have almost the identical stage of confidence about having the ability to match Coleman’s bent-over row report as he did through the deadlift. Beginning with a warm-up set of 405 kilos (183.7 kilograms) that already regarded difficult, Hooper added one other 50 kilos (22.7 kilograms) to the barbell.
“It’s humorous how this can be a actually gentle deadlift, however whenever you decide it up and also you’re now within the context of “it’s a must to row it” the sensation is totally totally different,” he defined throughout his relaxation interval.
In the end, Hooper didn’t even try to match the burden Coleman utilized in his prime. As a substitute, he topped out at eight reps of 455 kilos (206.4 kilograms) earlier than transferring on to the ultimate train.
[Related: Legendary Ronnie Coleman Explains the Four Bodybuilding Poses That Built His Career]
T-Bar Row — 505 kilos (229 kilograms) for 12 reps
The session concluded with Hooper making an attempt to go toe-to-toe with Coleman’s T-bar row report of 12 reps of 505 kilos (229 kilograms) set in 2006. He started with a straightforward warm-up set of 315 kilos (142.9 kilograms), which set the stage for a brief dialogue concerning the impression of lifting heavy.
“It’s a actuality that each power athlete has to face — that when you push your self to the restrict again and again and over it may end up in long-term harm,” Hooper defined. “All you’re doing is shifting danger profiles. It’s essential to acknowledge that pushing your self to the restrict does improve the chance of sure musculoskeletal points down the monitor however it additionally utterly diminishes the chance of others.
After sharing his perception concerning the risks of coaching to the intense, Hooper shifted his focus again to the nook of the gymnasium for what turned out to be his ultimate set of T-bar rows. As was the case with the bent-over rows, Hooper didn’t come near matching one in every of his icons.
The winner of the 2023 World’s Strongest Man competitors maxed out at 10 reps of 405 kilos (183.7 kilograms), proving that The King actually was (and nonetheless is) on one other stage.
Featured Picture: Mitchell Hooper / YouTube
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