World Deadlift Record – Introduction
Why might you want to see world-record deadlift feats of strength by the strongest men and powerlifters of all time?
Simple!
So you can stay motivated to get to your powerlifting or deadlift workout today.
No excuses!
Whatever your weightlifting goals are, inspiration is essential in achieving them.
For example, while I deadlift solely for fitness, I still like to see world-record deadlifts for motivation that it is possible to deadlift more than 200 pounds which is my highest deadlift.
Yea, give me a break; I’m 66 and glad I can walk and ride a bike, let alone deadlift!
My guess is that is what you want as well, to get leaner, stronger, and fitter.
And when it comes to fantastic strength training exercises to help anyone of any age get fitter, the deadlift is hard to beat.
With one simple compound movement, you can hit all the major muscles of your entire body, even the often neglected posterior chain muscles (the back half of your body).
So, check out these heaviest deadlifts of all time throughout the years:
New World Record for Deadlift
#1. Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson – 2020 – Present
What is the most weight ever deadlifted in history?
Here is the answer:
On May 2, 2020, Icelandic strongman Hafthor Bjornsson set a new world record deadlift by lifting a staggering 1,104.52 pounds (501kg) at Thor’s power gym in Kópavogur, Iceland.
Bjornsson’s incredible feat of strength beat the previous world record of 500kg set by Eddie Hall in 2016.
Hafþór Björnsson is also an Icelandic actor well known for his portrayal of Ser Gregor Clegane in the popular HBO series Game of Thrones.
Today, two years later in 2023, this incredible 501kg pull remains the current world record for the heaviest deadlift ever performed in sports history.
501kg (1,105 pounds) Deadlift – Hafthor Bjornsson
Previous World Record Deadlift
#2. Eddie Hall 1020lb Deadlift Strongman Competition – 2016 – 2020
The deadlift in strongman competitions is a deadlift using a standard bar and plates.
However, straps and hitching are allowed.
The highest deadlift recorded was 500 kg (1,102 lb) by Briton Eddie Hall on July 9, 2016, at the First Direct Arena.
Hall pulled the world’s first half-ton deadlift in front of 10,000 raving fans at Europe’s Strongest Man/World’s Deadlift Championship competition.
Eddie’s record stood for four years until Hafthor Bjornsson beat it in 2020, as noted above.
Watch Eddie’ The Beast’ Hall do a 500kg deadlift in Leeds, England, to win the World Deadlift Championships.
However, this video is not for the faint of heart, as Eddie Hall nearly died after his record-setting lift.
The commentary in the background audio comes courtesy of Laurence Shahlaei, Bill Kazmaier, and Benedikt Magnusson.
Eddie Hall World Record Deadlift 500kg/1102lbs
#3. Jerry Pritchett 1,031lb Elephant Bar Deadlift – 2017
Jerry Pritchett is an American strongman competitor who holds the world record for the elephant bar deadlift with a lift of 1,031 pounds.
He achieved this feat at the Arnold Strongman Classic in 2017.
Pritchett began weightlifting as a teenager and quickly developed a passion for the sport.
He competed in his first strongman contest in 2009 and has been one of the top competitors in the sport ever since.
Jerry Pritchett 1031lbs Elephant Bar World Record Deadlift
#4. Zydrunas Savickas 1155lb Tire Deadlift – 2014
This world record tire deadlift of 1155lb/524kg was set at the 2014 Arnold Strongman Classic by Lithuanian strongman and powerlifter Zydrunas Savickas.
From 1998 to 2020, Savickas has competed in strength competitions worldwide, winning a stunning total of 36 International and 46 Lithuanian first place finishes.
For that reason, Zydrunas Savickas, also known as the “Big Z,” is considered by many to be the GOAT, the greatest strength athlete of all time.
Competitors use hummer tires instead of weight plates for the tire deadlift in Strongman events.
Deadlift World Record 1,155 pounds world’s strongest man competition
#5. Benedikt Magnusson 1010lb Raw Deadlift Record – 2014
A raw deadlift is performed without the aid of a deadlift suit.
Only a weight belt is allowed.
The world record for the raw deadlift in 2014 was 461 kg/1010 lb and set by Icelandic strongman and powerlifter Benedikt “Benni” Magnusson.
Europe’s Strongest Man 2014 – Raw deadlift world record
#6. Andy Bolton 1009lb Equipped deadlift – 2009
An equipped deadlift uses a deadlift suit and a standard deadlift barbell and plates.
However, straps are not allowed.
The record for an equipped deadlift in 2009 was 457.5 kg/1009lb and set by English strongman and powerlifter Andy Bolton.
Andy Bolton is famous for being the first man to deadlift 1000 pounds!
Andy Bolton 1009lb/457.5kg New Deadlift World Record
#7. Tom Magee 1180lb Partial Deadlift Record – 1983
Irish-Canadian Tom Magee does an 1180-pound pull and breaks the partial lift World Record
The world record for a partial deadlift in a strongman competition is 535 kg/1180 pounds) by Tom Magee.
This humongous partial deadlift occurred in the 1983 World’s Strongest Man competition.
The partial deadlift is performed with wrist straps from 18″ off the floor with a high bending bar.
Tom Magee 1180 pound pull, bricks lift World Record
World Record Deadlift – Wrapping Up
These world record deadlifts are incredible accomplishments of human strength and will, but how can they improve your life?
In contrast to sports like baseball, football, and basketball, you do not need a team to reap the remarkable benefits of deadlifts.
Moreover, you do not even need to enter a powerlifting competition, deadlift world championship, or even a commercial gym!
You only need a simple home gym deadlift studio, and with a minimum amount of equipment, you can start learning how to deadlift.
If any of these deadlift world records inspire you to set your own goals and level up your fitness, it was worth writing this article!
What’s Next
I had never heard of the deadlift until I was 55 and struggling with obesity and depression, and a torn meniscus in my left knee left me limping around New York City.
Sure, I saw people lifting weights in the free weight area of the Vanderbilt YMCA.
But I preferred the typical workout I saw in the gym for people my age; treadmill, dumbbell curls, presses, and machine weight exercises.
And after decades, I never saw much change; I was still overweight and out of shape.
Fortunately, one evening, when the Y was pretty empty, I decided to try this ‘deadlift’ exercise.
I couldn’t squat because of my knee, but I thought perhaps I could do the deadlift.
And with no one in the free-weight area, I wasn’t as embarrassed.
Six Months Later
That was back in 2012, and only six months after I started deadlifting, cleaned up my diet, and ditched three lousy lifestyle habits, I was miraculously 75 pounds lighter and 18 inches off of my 50-inch belly.
And it was the first time since I was a teenager that I had a 32-inch waist.
Finally, after decades of doing the same thing and seeing the same results, I did something completely different and got results I never dreamed possible.
Most importantly, I no longer needed antidepressants, as deadlifting changed my body and state of mind.
While 501kg or 1,104.52 pounds is the heaviest weight lifted by a man, you only need to compete against yourself to get fit.
Whether you want to transform your body or boost your mood, the deadlift is hard to beat.
A consistent deadlift program using weights you can handle can help you achieve your short and long-term fitness goals.
Rich is a NASM-CPT (Certified Personal Trainer),