Who is Franco Columbu?
Franco Columbu is an Italian actor, author, former champion bodybuilder, powerlifter, amateur boxer, chiropractor and World Strongest Man Competition contestant.
Columbu was born in Sardinia, Italy on August 7, 1941.
He grew up with a strong work ethic which he learned as a young shepherd and farmer in Ollalai, in the primitive inland mountain region of Sardinia.
He started his athletic career as a boxer and attained world wide success as a bodybuilder and powerlifter.
In 1977, he took fifth place in the inaugural World Strongest Man Competition behind four men who each outweighed him by around 100 pounds.
Pound for pound, he is among the strongest bodybuilders of all time.
In 1981, Franco won the Mr. Olympia title.
Franco’s age today in 2018 is 77 years old.
Franco Columbu Deadlift Records & More
Franco’s deadlift can inspire you to work harder.
He knew the powerful benefits of deadlifts and became a world class powerlifter.
Check out his powerlifting world record of a 750 Lbs / 340.2 kg deadlift.
In some training sessions he lifted over 780 Lbs / 353.8 kg.
If you want more deadlifting motivation, check out the deadlifting feats of Lamar Gant.
Lamar achieved the greatest pound for pound deadlift in history.
In the first World’s Strongest Man Competition held in 1977, Franco led his other competitors in the “refrigerator race”. This race required the contestants to strap a full size refrigerator to their back and race downhill. While racing downhill with the refrigerator on his back, he stumbled and dislocated his leg on national television. He sued the event planners and received $1 million in compensation for his horrifying injury.
Watch The 1977 Refrigerator Race and What Happened to Franco on National Television
Can You Make a Hot Water Bottle Explode?
Believe it or not, Franco Columbu was so strong that he could cause a hot water bottle to explode.
In April 1979, the Guinness book of world records recorded Franco’s feat of blowing up a hot water bottle for the highest lung power.
He blew into a hot water bottle in front of a live audience until it burst in just 55 seconds.
Watch Franco Columbu exploding a hot water bottle:
Franco Columbu Height
How tall is Franco?
Believe it or not, he is only 5 feet 5 inches, which is 164 centimeters in height.
In fact, what is most remarkable about his powerlifting records, is his height.
You might think that it is difficult for a person of shorter stature to deadlift 750 pounds and over.
Yet, he achieved these deadlifts at a bodyweight of 185 Lbs / 83.9 kg and a height of 5 ft 5 inches (164 cm).
Columbu was much shorter than most of his bodybuilding competitors, but that did not prevent him from achieving widespread success.
Powerlifting Titles
Titles Won in Powerlifting:
Champion of Italy, Germany and Europe
World Champion
World Records in Powerlifting:
Bench Press 525 lbs.
Squat 655 lbs.
and the Franco Columbu Deadlift of 750 pounds.
Franco’s Workout Routine
- 1. WIde-grip chins:* 5 sets of 10 reps
- 2. Seated cable rows: 4 sets of 8 reps
- 3. T-bar rows: 4 sets of 8 reps
- 4. Barbell rows: 4 sets of 8 reps
- 5. Deadlifts: 4 set of 6-10 reps
- Source Credit: http://www.flexonline.com/training/back/even-stronger-they-look-franco-columbu
“Train each body part twice a week, as hard and relentless as possible each time.
Every second week, I’d dead-lift after my leg routine.
My deadlift workout was 300 for five reps, 400 for five reps, 500 for five reps, 600 for two or three reps, 650 for one rep and 700 for one rep.”
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Benefits of Deadlifting after 50
Diet
Breakfast
- 3 eggs
- 1 piece fruit
- Large glass of orange juice
- Yogurt with milk and granola cereal
- Mineral water with a vitamin and mineral supplement
Lunch
- Fresh vegetable with oil and vinegar dressing
- Cooked vegetable
- Protein, fish, chicken, lamb or liver
- Wine or mineral water
Afternoon
- Cheese and fresh fruit
Dinner
- Same as lunch
Evening
- Yogurt
Source Credit: http://muscleandbrawn.com/franco-columbu-workout-routine-diet/
Related:
Did you ever consider deadlifts for weight loss?
In the Movie “The Terminator”
Franco appeared as the Future Terminator in the original movie, The Terminator. In his scene, he infiltrates a resistance bunker, and kills numerous resistance fighters, civilians, and even the bunker’s guard dogs. – source credit: wikia.com.
He also appeared in other films such as Pumping Iron, Conan the Barbarian, Last Action Hero, and Red Sonja, all of which also featured Arnold Schwarzenegger, his good friend.
The Future Terminator
Get the Complete Terminator Collection here.
Deadlifting a Car
Watch Franco Deadlift 727 pounds in Rare Footage
Posters and Books
The Takeaway
If you are under 200 pounds, you too can build a stronger deadlift.
With the right training and nutrition, you can break the 200 pound deadlift threshold and more.
If you are only 5 foot 5 inches or less, you can still become a major international star.
You have to fuel your body with good food and progressive strength training.
The Franco Columbu deadlift and more of his achievements, despite his humble beginnings and height will inspire you to accomplish your own dreams.