In case you missed it, we recently wrote a piece on Cailer Woolam and his impressive 900 lb deadlift. This new max gained a lot of attention because Woolam performed it at 206 lbs and used a hook grip.
This lift not only highlights Woolam’s potential with deadlifting, but may put him as one of the better pound for pound deadlifters in the world.
Normally Woolam competes in the raw 220 weight class and has a recorded highest competition deadlift at 804 lbs. When it comes to deadlifting, Woolam definitely possesses some forms of raw power others don’t. In his Instagram bio he even writes, “Kind of just a deadlift guy who competes full power.”
An athlete who can produce such a big lift at a decimal bodyweight like Woolam is always intriguing. What do they have that’s different than the rest of us at similar body weights? Is it there set up? Their mental prep, or training?
On the quest to find what gave Woolam the push to crush this new impressive max, I reached out to learn more.
About His 900 lb Deadlift and Self-Hype
1. When you pulled 900, did you plan on hitting 900 specifically?
Woolam: I had been wanting to attempt 900 for some time, as I knew it was within my capabilities. I was driving home from work that day and decided that would be the day I was going to do it.
2. Do you always pull with a double-overhand grip?
Woolam: Overhand grip in my opinion is superior to the mixed grip. You can engage your back much more efficiently. You do all of your bent over rows, pull ups, and shrugs with a double overhand grip.
That is the position you have developed your back to be the strongest in. So to me…a double overhand grip is a must for deadlift. And for sumo as well as my underhand does get in the way at the top of the lift.
3. Do you have any tips on hyping yourself up for big lifts?
Woolam: As for hype for a day like this. It all starts on the drive over. I just think about everything that has angered me recently along with emotions of how badly I want this lift. Once I’m in the gym warming up I do a lot of pacing in-between each set, along with listening to my favorite songs.
While I am angry I do stay calm and collected. And then turn complete savage as soon as it’s time to lift. Nose tork is a must right before a lift! I save all adrenaline up until it’s time to lift.
On Current Competitions and Future Plans
4. You’ve competed at 220, but are sitting around 198 currently (206 lbs when he pulled 900) – is your plan to stay around 198?
Woolam: I do plan to stay at 198 and be as competitive as possible in that weight class – total wise. However, I am currently chasing the all time deadlift record at 198 and do plan to hit the all time record at 220 after.
Maybe even the 242 record someday as well. (Depending on what Belkin gets it up to…haha) but for full power and total, I will stay 198 as long as possible and chase a 2000 total.
5. What are your current best competition lifts?
Woolam: My current best competition lifts are 573 squat, 414 bench, and a 815 deadlift. 1802 total in knee sleeves.
6. What are your future plans for competition starting this year?
Woolam: I would like to get in about 4 competitions a year, which is more that I did last year. What sparked this was that I decided to become more serious about competing, hence why I dropped to 198.
I will most likely compete in wraps moving forward since I have knee issues that hold be back. My next meet will be February 11th in corpus Christi!
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Woolam’s impressive new max has definitely raised some eye brows in the powerlifting community. He has big plans for his career moving forward, so it will be fun to see what 2017 has in store for him.
