Big squats are usually reserved for powerlifters or strongman athletes, but IFBB Pro League bodybuilder James Hollingshead recently showed that he takes leg day very seriously. On Saturday, April 30, 2022, the “LDN Bodybuilder” posted a video of himself squatting 340 kilograms (749.7 pounds) for three reps.
You can watch the heavy triple in the clip below:
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Hollingshead wore knee wraps and a lifting belt, but he didn’t wear shoes. He walked the bar out of a squat rack and maintained a shoulder-width stance once he got into position. He also had two spotters on standby if he needed assistance — which he did not.
Hollingshead included another video of himself squatting 300 kilograms (661 pounds) for nine reps in the same post. It isn’t clear whether that came before or after the 340-kilogram set. Both sets were filmed at King’s Gym in Croyden, England.
Hollingshead has made his mark on the bodybuilding scene over the last two years. He scored first place at the 2020 Europa Pro, and he also brought home the win the 2020 British Grand Prix championship. He made his Mr. Olympia debut in 2021 in October and finished in 12th place. That contest was won by Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay.
Heavy Squats by Bodybuilders
While Hollingshead’s strength in the squat is to be admired, this isn’t the first time a pro bodybuilder went big on the powerlifting lift. In 2003, Ronnie Coleman famously took 800 pounds for a ride by doing a double in his “Cost of Redemption” video. It should be noted that Coleman wore a squat suit for his set, while Hollingshead did not.
Stan Efferding is most known for his prowess in powerlifting, but he is also a professional bodybuilder. He squatted 392.5 kilograms (865 pounds) as part of a full meet during the 2013 March Madness Powerlifting Meet. There’s also Kyle Kirvay, who has squatted 495 pounds for 22 reps and 685 pounds for five.
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Hollingshead isn’t even the only bodybuilder to make headlines for squatting on this particular weekend. On Sunday, May 1, 2022, pro bodybuilder and powerlifter Hunter Henderson set the 82-kilogram all-time world record in the raw squat with wraps by lifting 305 kilograms (672 pounds) successfully at the 2022 WRPF FQ Classic.
What’s Next for Hollingshead?
As he continues his heavy training, Hollingshead is looking to qualify for the 2022 Mr. Olympia, scheduled to take place on Dec. 16-18 in Las Vegas, NV. If he does, he will look to improve on his placing in 2021. As of this writing, his next scheduled contest appearance is unknown, but he has stated in the past that he would like to compete in the 2022 Arnold Classic UK contest if he were invited.
Featured Image: @hollingshead89 on Instagram