Eric Lilliebridge is insanely strong. He holds the all-time world record total in the 140-kilogram weight class with knee wraps, a monstrous 1,115 kilograms (2,458.2 pounds), set on July 16, 2016, at the United Powerlifting Association (UPA) Iron Battle on the Mississippi. Although he is well-rounded, Lilliebridge’s forte is undoubtedly the squat.
On Nov. 24, 2020, Lilliebridge posted a new all-time personal best squat, with knee wraps, of 483.5 kilograms (1,066 pounds) in training to his Instagram page. He weighed 133 kilograms (293 pounds). That means the lift is over three and a half times his bodyweight. Furthermore, the lift is an unofficial world record in the 140-kilogram weight class — besting James Searcy’s 480-kilogram (1,058.2-pound) squat from the Revolution Powerlifting Syndicate (RPS) Live Large Big Spring Showdown on May 19, 2018.
Check out Lilliebridge’s colossal new personal record below:
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Lilliebridge has been a squat phenom for a while, however. In 2017, he broke through the 1,000-pound milestone in training with a 465-kilogram (1,025-pound) squat at a bodyweight of 137 kilograms (302 pounds). That same year he was squatting 419.6-kilogram (925-pound) doubles. A year later, he squatted 451 kilograms (994 pounds) for speed and made 461-kilogram (1,016.3-pound) squats look easy. All of those lifts were also done with knee wraps.
Per Lilliebridge’s caption, “It’s been over four years since [he’s] attempted a new all-time squat PR.” That’s a long time for an athlete who has 23 all-time world records to his name. Currently, his competition best squats are the following:
- 125-kilogram weight class — 437.5 kilograms (964.5 pounds), second heaviest of all time.
- 140-kilogram weight class — 477.5 kilograms (1,052.7 pounds), second heaviest of all time.
My next big goal for 2021 will be squatting 500+kg. I’m not sure when it will happen next year, but there’s no doubt in my mind now that I will do it.
Only a handful of powerlifters have been able to hit a 500-kilogram (1,102-pound) squat, let alone in a competition. According to Open Powerlifting, Vladislav Alhazov and Mojtaba Maleki are two lifters who have accomplished this feat in wraps. The question isn’t so much can Lilliebridge do it, but when he will and will it be in competition? We’re looking forward to finding out.
Featured image: @ericlilliebridge on Instagram