Bodybuilders are known for displaying their muscles onstage, but once in a while they like to remind us all that they know how to use them too. On Sept. 6, 2021, Tampa Pro and Texas Pro Champion Iain Valliere showcased his strength in the form of deadlifting 306 kilograms (675 pounds) for five reps. The set can be seen in the video below.
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Instead of letting the weight bounce off the floor, Valliere actually allows the bar to come to rest before pulling the next rep, making this feat all the more impressive.
Many bodybuilders or trainers might advise against such heavy lifting this close to a competition — Valliere is set to compete at the 2021 Arnold Classic in Columbus, Ohio, on Sept. 25, 2021 — due to a severe restriction of calories. The lack of adequate nutrition typically makes high intensity training difficult, but Valliere clearly wasn’t concerned about the gas in his tank, even addressing this in a cheeky manner in his caption:
“Them: “But Iain, why risk it if you’re 3 weeks out!?”
Me: “and that’s why no one will remember your name” 😅
7 plates for 5. I just can’t help myself 🤷🏼.”
Valliere’s Training
In the video, Valliere is wearing a basic weightlifting belt and is using lifting straps. The barbell was loaded with one 45 pound bumper plate on each side along with six standard 45-pound plates. The set took place at Revive Health & Wellness in Stuart, Florida, where the Canadian native has been training in recent weeks alongside his brother-in-law and defending Classic Physique Olympia Champion Chris Bumstead.
[Related: Cedric McMillan Withdraws from 2021 Arnold Classic]
What makes this set even more astonishing, beyond his proximity to the Classic, is his impending stage appearance at the 2021 Mr. Olympia contest. At the time this article was published, Valliere was a mere five weeks out from competing at the biggest event in bodybuilding, which runs from Oct. 7th, 2021 to Oct. 10th, 2021 in Orlando, Florida.
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Strength and Size
It’s an undeniably titanic set with a competition on the calendar or not, and Valliere isn’t the only bodybuilder to have trained heavy so close to a contest. Eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman famously deadlifted 800 pounds for two reps less than six weeks before the 2003 Mr. Olympia, which he won to secure the sixth consecutive victory of his historic eight-year run.
While clearly following Coleman’s legacy of big gym lifts, Valliere seems to be aiming for a big showing on the stage as well. Valliere will hope to improve on his seventh place finish at the 2020 Olympia when he steps out under the lights in October.
Featured Image: @iainvalliere on Instagram
