What Exercise is the TRUE Test of Strength?

[@mitchellhooperstrongman]

GET THE PERFECT TRAINING PROGRAM FOR YOU BELOW! moosecoaching.com

[@MaxZhr]

circus dumbbell press

[@wernerbro3208]

PLEASE show more mma content. why arent u?

[@fakename5015]

@@wernerbro3208because he’s not training mma now

[@santiagosteven6105]

I feel like you're missing another bread and butter Mitch. The Yoke. 🚗

[@santiagosteven6105]

What about Ben Haldon farmers record of 100lb for 54 km. Is that impressive Mitch ? Or the most muscle ups ever done.

[@ellipsis...1986]

On the Massenomics Podcast Dr. Mike made the most compelling argument I've heard for the Continental Clean and Press. It uses the most parts of the body and in different ways and is less technical than the log or an oly c&j allowing for a greater showing of "strength".

[@harririutta4027]

I thought of the same interview

[@hardchooligan]

Immediately thought of this too lol

[@noncog1]

I agree

[@bruuhhhh]

Personally I think log is a better test than axle. Firstly the continental clean is actually quite technical and imo there's not much basis to say overall axle is less technical than log. Secondly, I think axle is easier to game through biomechanics, e.g having a massive gut, and while that's possible with log too I think it's less prevalent. Also axles are easier to jerk and imo that's a less good display of strength than a proper press, although obviously some people jerk both. On the other hand, there's a lot of variation between logs which makes it a less good test. I don't think it's necessarily wrong, but I personally agree with Mitch that log is a better test

[@thorthewolf8801]

​@@bruuhhhhLog is quite technical. If you go and see some of the first times it was used, and even quite recently most people just tried to curl it up rather than the technique that is used today.

[@tobygibson4390]

You make a great point about squats favouring short femur lifters but then put both stones and deadlifts which massively favour those with long arms

[@THExJMC]

I think that in absolute strength which are all going to be big guys doing conventional, the arm length doesn't effect as much. They're all going to be tall guys with relatively bad deadlift leverages for the simple fact that they have to bend down so much and hold the weight more out in front of them at lockout. There are some key back angles where having longer arms are a massive help by shortening the moment arm via upright back and I don't think big dudes really get to take advantage of that, since they are all starting from what would be a deficit position for us normal sized folks.

[@yoeyyoey8937]

Tbf all the WSM record holders don’t have great deadlift anthropometry

[@jaybrowninf10]

I'm an old guy. Been watching stongman since the 80s. Hooper is something else. The amount of quality information and his teaching style is phenomenal. Cheers mate. You have a fan for life

[@Finglewangwang]

Why you hatin, Jimmy?

[@noahmun9281]

Love the shoutout to the Strength Unknown series. It is seriously some of the best and most unique strength content out there. Everyone needs to check it out

[@emperomassinencambio...9941]

My modern day regularman competition excersises would be: Farmer's Walk (carrying the grocery bags). The Wheel of Pain (helping a stranger or yourself push a car that stopped functioning). The Deadlift (picking up your drunk friend who just passed out before you get kicked outta the pub). Any other kind of events wouldn't most likely be used by a common guy in his daily life

[@archclement2902]

LOL! Awesome. With more than a little truth.

[@calebgodard4554]

Would love to see a Moose x Devon collab! I don't do armwrestling because I'm worried about the risks but adore watching the show and battle between the competitors. And the styles people pull with, such that A can beat B, who beats C, who beats A

[@mitchellhooperstrongman]

Devon has to be one of our number one collab requests - I’ll put it out there that we’ve been chatting and there might be something on the horizon 👀

[@hempar9612]

That's great ​@@mitchellhooperstrongman

[@JVoutdoorproductions]

I’m a huge fan of both you and Devon. Having served with Devon and being a very proud Canadian to see both you guys at the top of the world in your respective sports is incredibly satisfying.

[@krossxeye660]

Atlas stones definitely have a place for "full body" strength. From the bit of bicep tension at the bottom to the back strength to position in the lift, to the front squat and the shoulder stability for the rack. It isn't as vulnerable as log since you don't have to sit it on your neck and risk passing out or messing up your overhead

[@lukemckee2255]

People have passed out lifting heavy atlas stones they could literally crush a person

[@Trailrunner1978]

I agree with deadlift. But everything taken from floor and overhead is even more impressive, but more technical.

[@Yusuf1187]

Personally what impresses me more than anything else is a super heavy log press. It combines moving weight from the ground, through a huge range of motion, in a sort of incline bench press position, then putting it overhead and using all those stabilizing muscles in the back, shoulders, and core area. It's like almost all other lifts in one.

[@Cupofgo]

I second that. The Austrian Oak was so difficult that they dropped it out of the Strongman events since only Big Z could lift it.

[@ChadCilli]

Weight overhead is the best test. If you can strict press 405 overhead, you’ll have no problem squatting or deadlifting 405 as a warm up. You don’t see guys put 315 overhead only to squat 185 and deadlift 225. But yet I’ve seen plenty of guys who had a great deadlift and could bench or overhead press to save their lives.

[@johnjackman7622]

Deadlift, sandbag to shoulder or stone, log press, perhaps max yoke walk. I reckon you got it right. John Hack an elite power lifter benches over 500 pounds but with his log press struggled on 130kg, says a lot about what it takes to press a heavy log.

[@Nirsterkur]

This video clearly shows that *Hafthor Julius Bjornsson is the Strongest man to have ever lived!* DEADLIFT - He is the world record holder with the standard bar: 501 (1,105) - He is the two time world record holder with the Elephant bar: 474.5 (1,046) & 472 (1,041) raw - He is the only man to beat Eddie Hall's 500 (1,102) and became the first man to Deadlift more than 500. He not only completely locked it out, but wore only a single ply suit compared to Eddie's multi ply suit, did not black out, did not bleed, did not get blinded, just lifted it like nothing and roared like a Lion and went on to kiss his queen. - He is the first man to rep 1000 pounds: He did it raw 455 (1,003) double. - He has pulled 1000 pounds 14 times (more than anyone in history) - He has also done a 480 (1,058) strongman raw lift during training and a 410 (904) powerlifting raw lift as the 8th lift during a meet. - He is also 6'9" and his ROM of 26 inches is longer than anyone. - Bottomline: He is the Greatest and the Strongest Deadlifter who ever lived. LOG PRESS - He has done 213 (470) during a full comp and went on to win the full comp as well (2018 ESM). - His wingspan is 7'1" which means he has to move the log so much further than all other great log pressers. - He has also done 195 (430) Oak for 3 at 2017 ASC and 175 (386) Slater for 4 twice at 2015 and 2016 ASCs. - If you also add the Axle, he has done 206 (454) in a full comp (while winning the full comp), Done the 181 (400) Apollons wheels for 4 reps during 2018 ASC (again while we winning the full comp), and holds the WR for Circus Barbell press (for reps) at 163.5 (360) for 8 reps (he did a 9th beating Eddie but it was slightly after the 60 second time limit). - If you also add stuff like Bench press: 250 (551), Strict press: 200 (441), DB incline press: 100 (220) DBs in each hand for 7 reps " totally unassisted/ he hand picked the DBs from the floor one handed" hence nobody else has done that ever since; and Cyr DB: 146 (322) during training and 136 (300) with brute shoulder power/ unlike other master technicians) at 2020 ASC. STONES - With 27 International stone event wins at a 57.5% winning percentage, He is the Greatest Stone lifter of All time. He holds 14 current (unbeaten) World Records: Húsafell Stone WR, Loon Stones WR, Jón Páll Sigmarsson Stone WR, 6 Atlas Stones (100-200kg) WR, 5 Atlas Stones (130-186kg), (120-200kg), (140-200kg), (160-200kg) WRs, Atlas Stone over bar (160 & 200kg) WRs, Atlas Stone to Shoulder (142kg) WR, Natural Stones (120-190kg), (137-170kg), (137-212kg) WRs. SQUAT - He has Squatted 460 (1,014) raw which is heavier than anything done by Zydrunas, Eddie, Brian, Kaz, Pudzian, Jon Pall, Magnus Ver or any current strongman. - Also done 445 (981) twice in 2018 and 2023 and 440 (970) twice in 2018. - He has done 29 reps with 200 (441) raw, which is also a world record. - Again he is 6'9" and his ROM is longer than anyone who has ever squatted more than 400 kg in their back. The list goes on and on and on... He is also the GREATEST Vehicle Puller, Weight Tosser and Loading medley champion of 'All time'. Just read the Wikipedia articles on each of those events for more info. If you want to know even further about Hafthor's hundreds of other world class lifts and performances including 90+ world records across myriad lifts and events, just google search: Hafthor's world records, or world records by Hafthor.

[@wrenchntwist133]

Wow that's a hell of a comment I agree with you

[@sumeetalam22]

This comment deserves more likes

[@ShinoxSturmreiterDesTode]

yes he is the best and he beaten Larrat and Hall in boxing too!

[@dummy9517]

Average Thor D sucker Anyone could basically do the same with all of Eddie, Big Z, Larratt, or Lasha's achievements too... But they aren't jobless unlike this one

[@alias5281]

I disagree with this entirely - you can have good enough leverages to be able to pull A LOT in the deadlift. Some relatively weak people in other lifts can deadlift very substantial weight.

[@noncog1]

I agree. I think clean and press or continental clean and press.

[@sbdftw1702]

You really only see that with the sumo deadlift. Conventional not so much.

[@sbdftw1702]

@@noncog1Olympic movements are power movements, not strength. Two different areas

[@noncog1]

@sbdftw1702 neither of those are olympic movements, one of them was in strongman more recently than it was in the Olympics.

[@noncog1]

@@sbdftw1702 .

[@Kilari_FI]

Martins Licis Strength Unknown series to me atleast, is very inspiring and quality of the series is just bafflingly good. That said, i've been following your content as well and your content is also very informative and top notch.

[@TheSLK66]

That series is top notch stuff.

[@hardchooligan]

As another person mentioned, Dr Mike did a video on this topic recently and his argument for why its not the deadlift was pretty compelling. Would love to see these 2 discuss it both as athletes and as academics

[@mediumsizedgrape]

He said power clean or something like that right?

[@noncog1]

​@@mediumsizedgrape continental clean and press

[@jamalaujla3051]

@@mediumsizedgrape the continental clean and press with the axle

[@pinksupremacy6076]

Hes not a fing doctor...

[@noncog1]

@@pinksupremacy6076 he literally is tho

[@SpodyOdy]

Overhead lift from floor like log, axel, stone, etc. is most impressive feat of strength to me.

[@StrengthShowcase]

Jimmy Kolb's heaviest bench press is 1401 lbs, and the heaviest raw w/wraps squat is 525 kg by Vlad Alhazov.

[@TrojiteQ]

How can you miss Vlad Alhazov.

[@Mike-es2yg]

Somebody benched 1401 lbs? 😳

[@StrengthShowcase]

@@Mike-es2yg Yes, in a multi-ply bench shirt, which helps way more than a squat or deadlift suit. Still mind-boggling just to imagine having such a weight resting in your hands.

[@lilmanq7746]

@@StrengthShowcaseYes but that’s with equipment and stuff

[@elliottengstrand5988]

People will debate endlessly about the deadlift record (I don't think it's really a debate--If lifting at home were such an advantage would we not have seen several other "invalid" 500kg gym deadlifts? Or is it maybe that Thor is just freaking strong?) But for your three top exercises Thor is either (arguably) the number one in the world or was considered such at one point. Log press of 213kg which most people still cannot do and before Tom he was the stone king, and they didn't overlap much (yet). So based on his overall record position in those three exercises he's got a pretty good claim on being *the* strongest person, period. Tom seems to be right on his heels though. Can't wait to see them head to head.

[@therealwesty]

I can get behind anything ground to shoulder or overhead for a strongman final. Lift it, and lift it all the way.

[@kapner2104]

Respect for acknowledging other strength sports that some folks may have lacked consideration for

[@flavioabreu1378]

Hi Mr. Hooper! You talked about the squat favoring folks with ideal femur length. Can’t the same be said about the deadlift? Favoring folks with longer arms and short lower body? Just curious about your thoughts on that. Thank you!

[@youareverysmartilikeyou5117]

Actually long lower body and short torso is better for deadlifts

[@oestergaard141]

I definitely disagree with Hooper here. I love deadlift, but it is EASIER to leverage deadlift to your advantage based on body type vs Squat

[@imosbroderA]

i agreee

[@lukemckee2255]

Yes but the deadlift is way more functional in everyday life he did mention this aswell whenever is there a time in life at work or anywhere where you have to put a weight on your back and squat it?

[@staceygram5555]

Sure. But unlike squat, deadlift usually evens it out. Most people with long arms also have long legs. Most people with short legs also have long arms.

[@atlashammercock9582]

Been an arm wrestling and strong man/power lifting fan for a few years now and it seems I like them for similar reasons! What i love about arm wrestling is the camaraderie between athletes. Its a small club, everyone knows each other, everyone is looking to improve themselves and each other all while maintaining that competition amongst athletes! It oddly enough seems like a rather humble sport, in the sense that, yes guys will trash talk to hype matches BUT afterwards they will typically really talk up their opponents, give praise and compliments. Guys will literally explain to their opponents HOW they could have beaten them, its pretty amusing and refreshing to see! Its international! Contestants from all over the world come together for the sport so its something incredible to bridge cultures which is very cool! People from all over the world communicating through the sport! Its a combat sport where people can express that need to dominate through strength and will. Red lining their bodies systems all while staying relatively safe! Devon Larratt is is quite literally a sage. He's goofy, has a beautiful family and we've been fortunate enough to have such an incredible ambassador for the sport! It was pretty surreal going to a talk if his because he is exactly who he is on camera.

[@seanwhitehall4652]

I like floor to overhead as an overall test, though it test power as much as strength. Ultimate pure strength test has to be deadlift for me.

[@johnacoundouridesmrc9324]

If Tom’s stone record is the world record , wouldn’t Thor’s record also be considered the world record?

[@Galaxy_Break23]

I guess people just hate thor🙁

[@FlyTour69]

Eddie doesn’t have beef with Tom, so there’s no mud slinging

[@johnacoundouridesmrc9324]

@@FlyTour69 okay touche 😂

[@allylilith5605]

ye, no one has any issue with any of those records, except hafthor's, just because eddie told his fans to specifically have an issue with only that one, due to not wanting to accept that he has been beaten

[@znik163]

No because stone lifting does not allow the athletes to choose their jumps in weight which effects their order and time in between...stones are a set weight and can't be changed because they are just that a unadjustable stone

[@andrekershaw6244]

I loved this episode. Feats of strength around the world, today and throughout history are a cool area to explore further :)

[@brandonparris7577]

My brother and I are in the Devon Larrett video. A collab with you and Devon would be awesome!

[@Papapapapa78]

Man, I'm really looking forward to that collab with Devon, please make it happen!

[@martinshoosterman]

Dr Mike Israetel talked about the same thing in a podcast and he said it's the continental clean and press with an axle bar. He disagreed with the deadlift since it doesn't require too much upper body strength. It's a long shot but man would I love to see you two debate / discuss that disagreement.

[@mitchellhooperstrongman]

There’s definitely an argument there - I don’t think we’d disagree as much as you’d think! I’d love to collab with him 💪

[@Bknorrski]

I disagree with the deadlift being the supreme test. I’ve seen plenty of people that can deadlift heavy but fall way short on everything else.

[@Bknorrski]

Alternatively I’ve also seen people with very impressive feats of strength struggle with the DL as well.

[@shawnmichaud4484]

Exactly. My brother is closing in on a 600lb conventional but he absolutely hates squats and max is around 365

[@vincentcrowley5196]

Deadlifts are the most common movement even for non lifters as we often pick things up off the ground but don't push things off our chest or squat with a weight on our shoulders so it makes sense to test what would be used in everyday life.

[@FlyTour69]

Eddie Bjornsson is the current deadlift world record holder with the 500.5 kg deadlift.

[@bdawg2513]

You trying to piss off both of those dudes or what? LOL

[@Ian-if2lf]

its easy to separate, one is at home , and one is in competition, Big Z said it , and he has had more records than anyone else, so he knows what he is talking about , in fact I should not have to mention why BIG Z knows what he is talking about .

[@Adam-gn5kh]

​@Ian-if2lf Actually Big Z made a video about how it did count under that specific federation. He said Giants live didn't have to recognise it but it did count as a WUS record.

[@Ian-if2lf]

@@Adam-gn5kh yes he said it is a new type of record, a ''home record'' and that it cannot replace Eddies record which is a competition record, Z was very specific about that, and that people should be able to try and beat thor's new record at home if they want.

[@Adam-gn5kh]

@Ian-if2lf Well yes exactly. Tbh he lifted it and that's that. I could care less about the competition. Just love seeing crazy feats of strength. Both Ed and Thor have unreal strength.

[@MrHarryFTW]

I'm going to fly the flag for yoke. Carrying really heavy weight on your shoulders is the truest test of fortitude, referenced in the Greek legend of Milo of Croton and other cultures across the world

[@NicolaiAwesome]

Olympic lifting and Lasha Talakhadze are my pick for strongest on the planet.

[@pinksupremacy6076]

I think shouldering a heavy sandbag gotta be up there for a few reasons: - there' little technique involved - You gotta be able to deadlift heavy weight from an oryen conpromised position - you gotta be able to clean an unstable and huge object - It works both power and strenght - It required good grip strength - It required a lot of ur biceps in the last portion of the lift - The final part is a pressing motion - It requires great core strength

[@disappointedoptimist255]

Yeah, shouldering or lifting to the chest an awkward object would be the test I'd go with if I was trying to determine who of two people was stronger

[@shahaf75]

Thanks for your list, Moose. I do have one comment. You took out the squat from your top 3 because it does depend on genetics (like you said femur length). However, you put the stones in #3 although it is also highly depending on genetics. Wingspan is highly impactful on stones the heavier you go. Sure, you need the raw strength in all the other elements of the lift, but all else equal, the wider arm-span will have the best success, not unlike squatting. By the way, I agree with you that stones are more of a test of strength than squat, just not for the same reasons you mentioned 🙂 I will say that stones in WSM and most Strongman comps are also biased for taller athletes but that's a different discussion. Thanks for being great champ!

[@kurtwpg]

I would like to see an atlas stone made of molybdenum-tungsten alloy, so they can fit more weight into a smaller sphere. Of course the longer-armed guys will still have the advantage of being able to grip in a more ideal style, but more density would reduce the edge.

[@iconoclastvii]

Farmer's Carry. Everything deadlift with walking thrown in. Also feel like it demands better bilateral strength. 😁

[@mitchellhooperstrongman]

There seems to be an argument for farmers carry - let’s get this comment thread going with the debate! 👇

[@oldgrizz8720]

I agree with your three finalists but would order them differently...#3 Deadlift, #2 Stones, #1 Log Press....my logic is, while one may be able to pull more weight in the dead lift, the other two lifts require more strength to lift a weight above the waist, (in the case of stones) and above the head (in the case of logs press), which seems to me to require more overall body strength to lift a weight higher. So while 1000 lb. dead lift is quite impressive, the 500+ lb Olympic lifts are even more impressive.

[@AustinJaggers]

Squats would be what i think is the over all strength and maybe powerclean and press. Thats legs, shoulder, explosive, technical, and i arm wrestle for a living. Im glad you mentioned that sport! Love these videos

[@SC-ti9cj]

Lasha is amazing sir! I really enjoy the channel keep it going!! Yes Deadlift 😳 crazy fun lift👍

[@lk-ip1xs]

There is no "one" exercise that determins strength 💯

[@mediaproof960]

Channel is growing exponentially Moose. Thanks so much for always putting out great stuff

[@tomgreeves9248]

Love these videos. For me, the deadlift without straps is the truly pukka deadlift. What Benedikt Magnusson did was incredible.

[@keatondejager]

I think we need a video like this for a few more aspects of physical fitness. Removing the technique aspects, what is the most Powerful exercise, or the best test of Strength Endurance, cardiovascular fitness, flexibility even. I know they are not as cool as World Strongest Man talks about Strong things, but I respect Mitchell's opinions on all things sports and fitness and would love to hear his opinions on more of these kinds of topics.

[@DefineStrength]

arm wrestling is AWESOME!! can't wait to see ya meet up with Dev!!

[@insurrectionist5099]

3:55 what the fuck am I looking at? "Squat" 😆

[@nastynate4481]

deadlift would have to be behind stones log and axle because there are some huge deadlifters who are just anatomically built to deadlift with long arms short torso and the weight doesn't move very far when they lift it plus these same huge deadlifters sometimes have very weak pressing power and not always strong legs for squatting. So you can't assume that a big deadlifter has all around strength like you can a big stone lifter an axle presser or log presser who have to have strong legs and back to press 400 lbs. I woul rank deadlift behind snatch and clean and jerk also assuming we are talking about someone who put up world class numbers in the olympic lifts you can already assume they have huge deadlifts and stable cores and strong shoulders.

[@celticrain8170]

The WR in the dead is not up for debate, it’s 501. Eddie can be a bitter asshole about this until the end of time, but hafthor pulled that comfortably without having the advantage of a stadium of people hyping him up. It was sanctioned by both magnus and big Z as well, two of the most respected and reputable guys in strongman history. Yes, Thor 100% has that record.

[@Agnes135]

I agree as well, he lifted 501kg whether people like it or not, and it was easier for him

[@mikeanthony706]

Dude, get it right. It is NOT Eddie bitching. It is people who follow the sport. Let Thor Lift 500.5 in competition then he has the record. Period. No gym lifts

[@sumeetalam22]

​@@mikeanthony706 thor holds the WR in deadlift period. cope harder

[@steveffuksake]

That's up for debate

[@eugenepoon]

Deadlift is wrong for the same reason you laid out (correctly) that squats is wrong They are so leverage based Cailer Woodlam and Jamal Adams can go toe to toe with WSM deadlift comps but they aren't as strong That's not even bringing shortened ROM sumos into it Mike Isratael's answer is axle clean and jerk, that and your #2 and #3 all have a legit argument

[@HumanMechanism]

I think the coolest thing about arm wrestling is the intimacy of the combat- it's 100% exertion and raw strength to your fingers and hand in direct contact with the reciprocate of the opponent in which you are in direct competition. It's more of an arm fight than an arm wrestle, and you're eye to eye, hand to hand.

[@CeroAshura]

Nr 5: 1000lbs conventional deadlift for reps Nr 4: Sandbag to shoulder Nr 3: curling in the squat rack Nr 2: Log or axel clean and press Nr 1: zercher deadlift

[@user-hn9qw7ou8d]

Watch Alexander Karelin throw 285lb men around like rag dolls. THAT is what strength looks like.

[@JTK_XXL]

He was another level of genetic freak. They let him test out other sports like boxing, weightlifting, football etc. and he excelled all the other people in EVERY sport. He could have been an elite powerlifter, weightlifter or strongman if he went that route.

[@jeremiahgriffin9428]

Gonna have to make some strong deadlifts this year after a video like that and I'm excited to see them! #LHBK

[@brycecakes1ify]

The number one pick of deadlift suffers the same issue as the squat, leverages play a large part in all of the three powerlifting movements, and obviously every movement in strength as well. I would imagine my solution to this issue of us all beint different sizes is to find the most unaffected lift regarding body shape or genetics... my pick in that case wouldn't be the farmer walk which I love (hand size, long arms help out etc), or the strict clean OHP like they did in the old olympics, though it does come close. My stab at this question is the all too boring and forgotten, and massively painful, sandbag to shoulder. It eliminates leverage, although not completely as bag size increases with weight, allowing for longer armed individuals better grasp of the bag. I suppose this is me putting Mr. Mitchell Hoopers third pick of atlas stone to first, just using sandbag instead... but if you've ever done sandbag loads, carries, presses... it is difficult to find a more painful experience in the gym. Thanks a bunch and great video, always work hard

[@henryreinbach]

Good calls, those 3 are fantastic exercises that use many parts of the body to generate force.

[@wifflebat14]

I wouldn't pick deadlift, but that's because I suck at it! Gotta agree that the log and atlas stones are very good tests of all round strength. I think a side handle deadlift would be my pick. Allows for maximal force output without worrying about the bar pulling you forwards. You can be either quad or hamstring dominant and it doesn't matter, just grab and pull.

[@krankergizerbunny]

Armwrestling is a crazy blend of strength sport, martial art, and showmanship that I find amazing to watch and learn. Devon Larratt is insanely charismatic on top of being world class strong

[@todretex]

dead-lifts are still heavily moment-arm, limb length dependent. (more so than some others) I suck at dead-lifts and have a SUPER-long back. I rack-pull 220kg easy enough but can only lift 160kg of the ground. If I put it on two plates then I can lift 20kg more. There are people at my gym who can dead-lift 100kg more than me but cant over head press half. Also I can out-row, out-press, leg-press more than them, so no I am not willing to call them stronger. Sure I could spend another 2 years working on glutes and hamstrings specifically and get those numbers up a bit. (Admittingly I dead-lift reasonably light for spine health and have room in the tank) Dead-lifts have been the bane of my lifting existence since forever.

[@VGEmblem]

You could just ditch deadlifts altogether then. Lots of people argue it's risky

[@CodyBunker]

Football players are always amazed at strongman strength. They always seem to have deep respect for what strongmen do. Mike Evans was a pro football player and is a good competitor but has a long way to go to make it to the top. I like the top 3 you have as far as strength goes. Especially the stones, they're one of the oldest measures we have. Humans are amazing and I think we should enjoy the process of getting better each day and enjoy the opportunity we have to watch those who are at the pinnacle of their sport.

[@LatinoAaron]

Great video. I always thought pressing stones / log but you convinced me with your deadlift arguement!

[@baconfromhell666]

So the deadlift record is up for debate but the atlas stone record isn't, when it was done under the same conditions?

[@Annon194]

Greet point about the squat. I’m 5’9 with short legs and my squat is at 375 after less than 6 months of total leg training.

[@drumline17]

I don't think any NFL fan thinks the players are the strongest in the world, but they're very strong while running 4.5 40 yard dashes. They are absolutely freak athletes

[@Oblivioustotruth]

No mention of the barbell cheat curl?

[@OleSevers]

Once you pull a few guys in arm wrestling and either you are humbled or you have success… you will love it

[@dyldobaggins8173]

Rugby Union players are generally absolute units with both strength and aerobic fitness.

[@patrickpoulin8554]

IMO Gotta be the axle press. Have to deadlift it to a strongman clean and then press. Entire body push and pull

[@SilverSlugs16]

As someone built to hinge and not to squat, I appreciate you validating my huge bias 😂 my honorable mention is pendlay rows only because I’m weirdly good at them

[@scottgotti123]

I think it's the clean and press. Taking a wieght from the floor to overhead is the real test of strength

[@Nikoncha]

Deadlift is highly favored by leverages, which is why beginners or early intermediates with a relatively good deadlift is quite common, but a good squat or bench press is much rarer. In my opinion something like a power clean and strict press which is less technical than a normal clean (without the excessive back bend), would be one of the best single lift markers for how strong someone is.

[@MC-ep8cu]

501kg is the record. How is this controversial? Just because the previous record holder objects? What does governing bodies think.

[@mozzer920]

Excellent video- I think a natural stone load and the natural stone to overhead are the real testers.

[@joosewv]

I think this is a good list, but picking just one exercise is hard. For me a perfect 2-lift combo would be a barbell strict press and a heavy farmer's walk. Both are relatively easy to learn and anyone who is strong at both is overall a strong person in my book.

[@gm1799]

My stance on strength has changed quite a lot, I'd say the best sport for expressing strength is strongman as powerlifting becomes an angles game. I will say though, that weightlifting has such an incredible variety of athletes with different genetics that are all so immensely strong, my goal for this next year which is my 2nd year weightlifting is to try hit a 100kg snatch but the amount of total body strength im going to have build for that is currently unimaginable.

[@leecourtney1225]

I tend to agree whilst still technical strongman is nowhere near the technique of Olympic weightlifting. Even this argument could be countered by 'what is strength?' As an example a guy like Usain Bolt is not particularly impressive in the weight room, but in his prime he generated about 1000lb of force with each stride. Utterly insane numbers which equates to about 4500 newtons, this is the same as an average olympic weightlifter but he does it 41 times (his average number of strides over 100m) in less than 10 seconds

[@kappaferret6052]

I'm actually surprised that you didn't mention the yoke. there's something inherently primal about that exercise that requires brute strength.

[@tomgreeves9248]

I think you're out of date re Lasha's best clean and jerk, which is now the greatest of all time.

[@leecourtney1225]

Strength will generally be defined as how much weight you can shift in terms of BW ratio. But there is a whole other side to strength, I asked a guy I train with who is a very knowledgeable athletic coach in bodybuilding, strength and sports specificity what is the ultimate example of strength (is as big lean and strong as you could imagine as a natural) this question and he said. It's a tough one as an example Usain Bolt is not particularly strong in the gym but in his prime when in full flight generates about 1000lb of force with each stride which is just insane. Basically around 4500 newtons (similar to strength athletes) but he does this about 41 times (the average number of strides he took for 100m, again insane) in less than 10 seconds

[@VGEmblem]

Considering the definition of strength at the beginning of the video, it's a fine example.

[@hairyape_8103]

These videos are really fun. I prett much agree, i think a very heavy frame carry is also a great test. Takes the deadlift element and adds grip and movement under emence load.

[@kurtwpg]

I have an issue with strongman being treated as "the record" as well. Powerlifters don't get to use straps, and grip strength is strength.

[@rickphillips5098]

Test off strength has always been picking things up ! The stones are good ! I'd like to see lifting actual Rocks!

[@michaelselz3389]

You and dev larrat collab would be AMAZINGGGG ❤❤

[@_mark1]

Setting up deadlifting as the top strength exercise, then going for a WR. I see you. Sneaky!

[@julianphillips2100]

Just an honorable mention is Vlad Alhazov who squatted 525 kg or 1,156 pounds raw.

[@megattack2424]

I think the thing with armwrestling is, that it combines specialized strength with one-on-one combat like nothing else. Sure we could discuss MMA or something, but that one is less strenght focussed and puts skills other than strength center stage. Also we tend to do it in our daily lives and armstrength is probably considered the most impressive kind of strength in a daily life. By the way: By far the most impressive and strong armwrestler is Levan Saginashvili. Check him out!

[@leapfrog2640]

“And be kind” thank you

[@Thraydin]

I think the natural stone to shoulder has to be up there....

[@JourneyToJacked]

Deadlift is definitely king if it’s not sumo with wraps, a flexi bar and long arms. A clean conventional deadlift is just primal

[@Anoil87]

The 1 on 1 arm combat is what makes armwresling exciting

[@meefmeef6254]

i think the reason people like arm wresting so much is the fact that anyone can do it anywhere so you can test you strength against another person directly with out going to a gym for example idk tho its all skill

[@johanbarnard3435]

Honorable mention .know it doesn't really show it. But one thing that just screams strength to an untrained eye from the outside is a truck, plan, bus etc... pull. It just looks impressive to the eye.

[@alexfrye6]

For me it has to be the log lift, the log lift uses every muscle group in your body whereas the deadlift does not require much arm or chest strength at all.

[@Savane890]

Yes, you are telling right❤❤. Love you moose

[@TrainingEverydayUntilIDie]

Sandbag or Rectangular/Atlas/Natural Stone to shoulder probably one of the greatest!

[@seniorita4801]

I would say also deadlift, but for me more impressive is when 100kg guy pulling 430kg, than 200kg guy pullin 450-470.

[@user-hn9qw7ou8d]

People like armwrestling so much because when each competitor has had the same amount of training/possesses the same amount of skill, it is arguably the best test of all-around upper body strength. If the competitors differ too much in skill level/extent of training, then the more skillful person will usually win.

[@paulmryglod4802]

Power clean is the number one for seeing how athletic someone is.

[@stevelee3144]

I would think the axle press pretty much a full body lift. Just my thought

[@velinivanov607]

Dr.Mike Isratel introduced me to the Continental Clean&Press that sure as s**t is a movement that demands strength

[@catedoge3206]

The greatest exercise is the ability and discipline to exercise kindness when you have all the reasons not to. :)

[@OldManStrength2112]

Deadlifts and Overhead Pressing are the Kings, IMHO.

[@DSRE535]

Arm Wrestling is my sport, nothing will humble you like 160 pound guy taking your hand and just staring at you while you try your hardest to pin his arm! And you can’t mention arm wrestling without mentioning the Georgian Levan Saginashville !! 6-3” 400lbs best in the world! Still everything you mentioned all of the different sports are all amazing and you’re killing it on the social media !!! Great job!! By the way strong man is by far best test of functional strength picking things up moving them this is stuff you do in every day life

[@pinksupremacy6076]

Try jiujitsu and get back to me after a 16 year old girl taps u out in 30 seconds.

[@9999-k9q]

No need for jiujitsu when you can wrestle. ​@@pinksupremacy6076

[@Kaizen671]

MMA will definitely humble you. I see it every time a jacked guy with no experience comes into our gym

[@dantethunderstone2118]

Natural stone to shoulder is king It is literally just lift big rock