Human strength continues to defy expectations, pushing past the limits once thought unbreakable. 2017 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) Eddie Hall stunned the world by deadlifting 500 kilograms (1,102 pounds), only to have his record surpassed by Hafthor Björnsson, a three-time Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC) champion, four years later. Is there a limit to how much weight humans can lift?
On April 10, 2025, Business Insider delved into the boundaries of human strength, examining the factors determining how much weight a person can lift:
Record Lifts
To explore human strength limits, many turn to strongman and powerlifting competitions or the Guinness World Records for answers.
Standard Bar Deadlift
Historically, the upper limits of human capability in the deadlift range between 1,100 and 1,500 pounds (499 to 680 kilograms), a feat achieved by only a handful of elite athletes.
For years, lifting 1,100 pounds was viewed as the pinnacle of possibility — until Hall shattered expectations in 2016 by deadlifting 500 kilograms (1,102 pounds). Four years later, in 2020, Björnsson pushed the boundary to 501 kilograms (1,104 pounds).
Lifts With or Without Equipment
In strongman competitions, athletes often use suits and lifting straps to enhance their grip, enabling heavier lifts. Conversely, raw powerlifting prohibits using such equipment, making it a more unfiltered test of strength.
Another factor that influences lifting capacity in strongman events is the height of the bar. The higher the bar, the more weight can typically be lifted. For example, the deadlift record lifts for barbells at heights of nine inches, 18 inches, and 27 inches are 1,104 pounds (501 kilograms), 1,278 pounds (580 kilograms), and 1,477 pounds (670 kilograms), respectively.
Overhead Lifts
Some argue that true strength is best measured by how much weight one can lift overhead. For this, the 1980s marked the peak of Olympic weightlifting. Among the legends, Vasily Alekseyev dominated the 1970s, setting 80 world records.
Nearly five decades later, the clean & jerk world record has only increased by 11 kilograms from Alekseyev’s 256 kilograms (564 pounds) lift. Deadlift records have soared by over 120 kilograms in the same timeframe.
It wasn’t until 2016 that Lasha Talakhadze began shattering all-time records, ultimately cementing his legacy by winning his third Olympic gold medal at the Paris Games.
Size Matters
Despite researchers’ challenges in recruiting elite athletes from strength sports for testing, Hall participated in a series of tests at Loughborough University in England. (1) The results were extraordinary:
- Hall’s lower-body muscle mass exceeded any individual or group previously measured by the researchers.
- Three specific muscles in his legs, often called the “guy ropes,” were significantly larger than anyone else studied.
- Hall’s peak power output measured 40% more than the highest values recorded among professional basketball players.
When testing deadlift strength, Hall generated 7,483 newtons of force — equivalent to lifting 750 kilograms.
The Heaviest Lift of All Time
In 1993, Gregg Ernst set a Guinness World Record for back lifting two Ford Festivas, complete with their drivers, on a specially designed platform. The combined weight of the lift reached 5,340 pounds (2,422 kilograms).
Ernst earned another Guinness World Record for lifting the legendary Husafell stone during the early days of the World’s Strongest Man competitions — a record that stood for 30 years until Björnsson broke it.
Ernst credits his strength to the steady diet of beef and milk while growing up on the farm. He believes with modern advancements in nutrition and training, someone attempting a similar back lift today could potentially surpass 7,000 pounds.
Physique Leverage in Lifting
Weightlifting performance can often be influenced by an athlete’s body type and proportions, which may provide unique advantages in certain lifts. Mike Kuhns, a powerlifting record holder, stands four feet, six inches tall, exemplifies an exceptional barbell squat and bench press.
Kuhns set a world record raw squat of over 250 kilograms (551 pounds) — more than four times his bodyweight. Strongmen like Hall and Björnsson typically squat about two and a half times their bodyweight.
Kuhns’ compact build and reduced range of motion are a distinct edge in the squat and bench press. However, his physique poses deadlift challenges, where success often depends on having long limbs and a shorter spine.
In this regard, Stuart Jamieson, a Scottish powerlifter born with spina bifida, holds a unique advantage. His short torso allows him to handle heavier deadlifts — he pulled 296 kilograms (653 pounds).
Lifting Heavier During Competition
Some of the world’s strongest athletes aim to exceed Björnsson’s deadlift record. Among them is three-time Arnold Strongman Classic winner Mitchell Hooper.
The competitive drive to outdo fellow athletes often pushes them to lift heavier weights, a phenomenon supported by a 2015 study showing improved performance in competitive environments. (2)
Another fascinating trait strength athletes share is their ability to override the brain’s natural mechanism that limits lifting capacity. This is similar to the strength ordinary people can exhibit in adrenaline-fueled situations.
Performance-Enhancing Drugs
The use of anabolic steroids remains a controversial topic in strength sports. While these drugs help athletes enhance strength, accelerate recovery, and build muscle more, their use is illegal in drug-tested competition. Research indicates that anabolic steroids can boost strength by 5% to 20%. (3)
Despite the legal and ethical concerns, an estimated four million Americans regularly use steroids, either for athletic performance or cosmetic purposes. Likely, no elite strongman is drug-free.
The Enhanced Games: The Future of Human Strength?
What if the stigma surrounding performance-enhancing drugs was removed entirely? The upcoming Enhanced Games aim to do just that, envisioning a new era where doping is fully permitted.
Proponents argue that embracing performance-enhancing substances could push athletes to achieve unprecedented levels of strength and performance once deemed impossible. While these drugs can enhance existing abilities, they’re not a magic solution — they build upon an athlete’s natural foundation and come with significant health risks.
References
- Balshaw, T. G., Massey, G. J., Miller, R., McDermott, E. J., Maden-Wilkinson, T. M., & Folland, J. P. (2024). Muscle and tendon morphology of a world strongman and deadlift champion. Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 137(4), 789–799. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00342.2024
- DiMenichi, B. C., & Tricomi, E. (2015). The power of competition: Effects of social motivation on attention, sustained physical effort, and learning. Frontiers in psychology, 6, 1282. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01282
- Hartgens, F., & Kuipers, H. (2004). Effects of androgenic-anabolic steroids in athletes. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 34(8), 513–554. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200434080-00003
Featured image: @eddiehallwsm on Instagram
