Four-time World’s Strongest Man (WSM) and Strongest Man on Earth promoter Brian Shaw recently underwent a physique transformation, losing 40 pounds of fat.
Shaw shared the results of his self-imposed challenge, featuring two weight and body fat checks to verify his accomplishments.
Shaw followed a new diet provided by his nutrition coach, Nathan Payton, during his quest to succeed in arm wrestling and to lose body fat. Shaw defeated 2017 WSM winner Eddie Hall at King of the Table 13 on Dec. 14, 2024.
After the arm wrestling match, Shaw continued his weight loss journey, which included eating far less food than the 10,000-15,000 calories he consumed when he weighed as much as 470 pounds at the height of his strongman career.
[Related: Mateusz Kieliszkowski Is out of 2025 Arnold Strongman Classic]
The Results
Joined by his wife, Keri, Shaw first participated in an InBody test involving a scale that determined his body weight and body fat percentage. Shaw wore clothes during the test and checked in at 377 pounds with 16.3% body fat and a lean body mass of 315.9 pounds. Keri weighed in at 151.8 pounds with 21.5% body fat.
Shaw went to another location shortly after to complete a hydrostatic submersion test, where he was required to force all the air out of his body while lying submerged in water. The three-time Arnold Strongman Classic champion weighed 373.6 pounds while wearing shorts.
After three underwater tests, Shaw’s body fat was scored twice at 16.8%, a half-percent difference. His lean body mass weight was 311 pounds. Keri weighed 148.8 pounds, with a body fat score of 19.7%.
Shaw had previously performed a DEXA Scan test, which studies have been shown to yield sufficiently accurate results compared to other methods. (1) Shaw was actively trying to lose weight and body fat, acknowledging his only “cheat” meal was Christmas Day 2024.
Shaw was satisfied with his lean body mass and committed to keeping track of his strength levels going forward because he was not done trying to downsize. He then committed to more testing at a later date.
Body fat better be down, and lean body mass better be up.
—Brian Shaw
Shaw’s next arm wrestling event has not been announced at the time of this article’s publication, but based on his progress, fans can expect an even leaner physique when he returns to the table.
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Reference
- Branski LK, Norbury WB, Herndon DN, Chinkes DL, Cochran A, Suman O, Benjamin D, Jeschke MG. Measurement of body composition in burned children: is there a gold standard? JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2010 Jan-Feb;34(1):55-63. doi: 10.1177/0148607109336601. Epub 2009 Nov 2. PMID: 19884353; PMCID: PMC4308036.
Featured Image: @shawstrength on Instagram
