Once her spotter helped her unrack the barbell, Thompson lowered the bar to her chest. After a brief pause in the bottom position, she began the press. The barbell slowly went up, but it never stalled. Once she reached the top of the press, the barbell was returned to the rack.

The only equipment Thompson wore was a pair of wrist wraps. In the video, she embedded text noting that that the weight was “6.4 times” her age. She also shared her experience in the sport as a way to inspire her 116,000 followers.

“I’ve been competing in powerlifting since 1999. Still going strong. It doesn’t matter how old you are. You can build strength and live a long healthy life by the choices you make.”

According to Open Powerlifting, Thompson holds the all-time world record on the bench in the Women’s 60-kilogram category with a lift of 300.9 pounds. She set that mark in 2012 at the North American Powerlifting Federation (NAPF) Raw Challenge. In March 2023, Thompson set the 67.5-kilogram, Masters 40-49 all-time world record with a bench press of 146 kilograms (321.8 pounds) at the USA Powerlifting (USAPL) Arnold Pro Series Finals in Columbus, OH. That lift is also an all-time record in all age categories as well.

Thompson’s best-ever bench in competition is 148.5 kilograms (327.4 pounds), which is a record in the Women’s 75-kilogram, Masters 45-49 division. She performed it at the 2022 USAPL Carolina Primetime meet.

Thompson isn’t the only experienced powerlifter that marks their birthday with a signature lift. 70-74 Masters powerlifter Rudy Kadlub performs a big deadlift every year on his birthday. In April 2023, he marked his 74th birthday with a deadlift of 237.7 kilograms (524 pounds) for a double. 

As of this writing, there is no word on Thompson’s next planned meet. When she does compete again, it will be the first time that she is eligible to enter in the Masters 50-54 category.

Featured Image: @jenthompson132 on Instagram

The post Jen Thompson Celebrates 50th Birthday with 145.1 Kilogram (320-Pound) Bench Press appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

On Feb. 7, 2022, Thompson shared an Instagram video of herself capturing a 147.4-kilogram (325-pound) bench press during a training session. Per a caption in the video itself, Thompson completed the press while weighing 144 pounds meaning, for context, the lift was 2.25 times her body weight. Such a body weight would also translate to the 67.5-kilogram division, Thompson’s usual recent category as a United States Powerlifting (USAPL) competitor. Thompson completed the lift wearing wrist wraps and no other supportive gear.

Thompson’s lift at her body weight might have been more notable considering what it portends for her potential competitive ambitions.

This bench press from Thompson is only one kilogram (2.4 pounds) off her all-time raw competition best. Thompson achieved that top American Record press of 148.5 kilograms (327.4 pounds) at the 2022 USAPL Carolina Primetime contest during a third-place performance in the 75-kilogram weight class.

After noting the ease with which Thompson completes this press, it seems likely she’ll only add to her best soon. Per the caption of the post, Thompson in planning to compete at the Arnold Sports Festival, March 2-5, where she seems to have to the potential to break her own record.

As for official record marks, Thompson holds the bench press World Record in both the 60-kilogram and 67.5-kilogram categories. Thompson pressed 136.9 kilograms (300.9 pounds) at the 2012 North American Powerlifting Federation (NAPF) Raw Challenge for the 60-kilogram mark. Meanwhile, the athlete scored a 144.4-kilogram (318.5-pound) bench press for the 67.5-kilogram record. On an International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) scale, in the IPF’s 69-kilogram weight classes, Thompson possesses the IPF World Record of 144 kilograms (317.4 pounds). She achieved this record amidst a second-place performance at the 2017 IPF Reykjavík International Games.

In line with how her recent competitive pursuits have gone, 2023 might be another notable year for Thompson. If the athlete is already dropping not-so-subtle hints of what she’s capable of the gym, another record may soon be added to her resume.

Featured image: @jenthompson132 on Instagram

The post Jen Thompson Bench Presses 147.4 Kilograms (325 Pounds), 2.25 Times Her Body Weight appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

Notably, if Thompson had featured in an international competition with this press, it would’ve exceeded the current International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) World Record of 144 kilograms (317.4 pounds) in the IPF’s 69-kilogram weight class. Thompson also owns that mark, which she achieved during a second-place performance at the 2017 IPF Reykjavík International Games. The athlete performed the press without a lifting belt and wore just wrist wraps to help her notch the feat.

 

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A post shared by Jen Thompson (@jenthompson132)

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With her latest official record, Thompson can now boast the top American bench press mark in USAPL’s 60-kilogram, 67.5-kilogram, and 76-kilogram weight classes. Plus, according to Open Powerlifting, while her latest bench press isn’t an official World Record, it surpasses Thompson’s all-time competition best of 145.4 kilograms (320.7 pounds) from the 2022 USAPL Arnold A7 Pro Bench Bash. Thompson competed in the Masters 45-49 division at that contest, which was a bench press-only meet and a part of the overall 2022 Arnold Classic.

Her press aside, Thompson also fared quite well with her other staple numbers, logging respective PRs on her squat, deadlift, and her total. (Note: Based on her recent contest history, Thompson often exclusively focuses on her bench press, frequently competing in bench press-only meets of late.)

 

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A post shared by Jen Thompson (@jenthompson132)

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Here’s an overview of the top stats from the athlete’s performance at the 2022 USAPL Carolina Primetime competition:

Jen Thompson (67.5KG) | 2022 USAPL Carolina Primetime Top Stats

• Squat — 160 kilograms (352 pounds) | Personal Competition Best
• Bench Press — 148.5 kilograms (327.5 pounds) | American Record | Personal Competition Best
• Deadlift — 202.5 kilograms (446.5 pounds)
• Total — 511 kilograms (1,126.5 pounds) | Personal Competition Best

Thompson might have left more on the table with her latest record. In the caption of her Instagram post, the athlete wrote that her bench press was “smooth like butter” and that she was “kicking” herself for not attempting a 149.7-kilogram (330-pound) press. That said, Thompson apparently trained differently and “tweaked her programming” in advance of this contest. The eventual results seemed to pay off in spades.

 

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For many athletes, this sort of accomplishment would be a benchmark for their resume. For Thompson, one of the arguable greatest powerlifters of all time — with a plethora of victories to her name over a two-plus decade career — it’s just the latest example of her unique prowess.

Featured image: jenthompson132 on Instagram

The post Powerlifter Jen Thompson (67.5KG) Bench Presses 148.5 Kilograms (327.5 Pounds) appeared first on Breaking Muscle.