On Apr. 15, 2023, Mackey shared an Instagram video of himself capturing a 362.8-kilogram (800-pound) deadlift for four repetitions during a recent training session. According to the caption of the athlete’s post, the set is a four-rep personal record (PR). Mackey donned a lifting belt and utilized lifting straps to help him with the monstrous strength feat. He used a conventional stance with a traditional grip.

Scoring titanic deadlifts that literally bend a loaded barbell is nothing out of the ordinary for Mackey. He regularly makes it a point to showcase his deadlift-focused power, especially over his Instagram profile. The approximate past year alone has meant tremendous progress for the athlete in a few extraordinary cases.

In late April 2022, Mackey officially joined the 408.2-kilogram (900-pound) raw deadlift club with a massive single PR. Later, at the Iron Wars VI in May 2022, Mackey recorded a 385.5-kilogram (850-pound) raw pull. Then, in January 2023, Mackey officially topped his previous single PR with a raw deadlift of 412.8 kilograms (910 pounds) at the Iron Wars VII.

In a display of pure leg prowess, Mackey has shown off other aspects of his strength lately, too. A 449-kilogram (990-pound) hack squat for five reps from March 2023 is a perfect example. Because an athlete must primarily rely on their quads to finish hack squat repetitions by the nature of the machine, it’s clear Mackey hasn’t neglected other aspects of his lower body.

Outside of a powerlifting and strength context, Mackey fared relatively well in some of his most recent bodybuilding forays. Mackey finished in fourth place in the Men’s Open division at the 2022 Tampa Pro and followed that up with a ninth-place performance at the 2022 Texas Pro. While unconfirmed at the time of this article’s publication, Mackey will presumably work on qualifying for his first-ever Mr. Olympia in November after falling short of reaching the sport’s pinnacle competition in 2022. To achieve that theoretical mission, he will have to win an International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Pro League contest on the 2023 calendar.

With a solid portion of 2023 remaining, it seems Mackey is able to make this year his oyster in various respects as an athlete. Whatever his upcoming plans are, if there’s a fitness box to check, it’s apparent Mackey will make every effort to fill it up with his metaphorical graphite pencil.

Featured image: @jmackey33_ifbbpro on Instagram

The post Joe Mackey Scores A 362.8-Kilogram (800-Pound) Four-Rep Deadlift PR appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

On Mar. 27, 2023, Mackey shared an Instagram video of himself completing a monstrous 449-kilogram (990-pound) hack squat for five reps. The athlete only used a lifting belt and some knee sleeves for assistance and support during the lift. He made sure to state that he utilized no resistance bands, which some bodybuilders use to aid the lower portion of the lift. It’s undoubtedly a fitting strength display for someone accustomed to making jaws drop.

Because of the positioning of the hack squat machine, athletes who perform reps might find it more challenging if their quad strength isn’t up to par. The hack squat limits how a lifter can recruit their glutes, hamstrings, and upper body to complete a repetition. Mackey, in turn, performing five reps with almost 1,000 pounds is a tremendous example of his unique quad gifts.

In his Instagram post, Mackey writes that he’s the strongest International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Pro League deadlifter in the world. It is unclear if this moniker is accurate because bodybuilders do not showcase their pulling performance in any official or verifiable capacity. That said, with a 412.8-kilogram (910-pound) deadlift personal raw competition best at the Iron Wars VII, Mackey indeed might hold the top spot.

The only other bodybuilding competitor who might compare to Mackey’s deadlift prowess is the legendary Ronnie Coleman. The icon pulled 362.8 kilograms (800 pounds) during the year 2000. However, that also occurred while training for a Mr. Olympia title defense.

In 2022, Mackey finished in fourth place at the Tampa Pro and ninth place at the Texas Pro. In a quest to bid for his first-ever Mr. Olympia, Mackey fell just short of a berth.

It’s unclear what Mackey’s upcoming competitive plans are. The athlete hasn’t alluded to any upcoming powerlifting competitions, as he primarily shares updates on his training progress. Presumably, Mackey will be hard at work this spring and summer to vie for another Mr. Olympia bid.

At this rate, one of the world’s strongest bodybuilders might succeed in this ambitious endeavor on another go-around.

Featured image: @jmackey33_ifbbpro on Instagram

The post Joe Mackey Crushes a 449-Kilogram (990-Pound) Hack Squat For 5 Reps appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

On Jan. 13, 2023, Mackey successfully deadlifted 412.8 kilograms (910 pounds) during the Iron Wars VII contest in Signal Hill, CA. Mackey’s pulling showcase is a personal record (PR). It was one of the fitting headline moments for strength personality C.T. Fletcher’s annual competition allowing various athletes to display unique power. Mackey used a conventional stance, wore a lifting belt and lifting straps to help with his pull, and even had weight plates taped to the ends of his overloaded barbell to provide enough of a challenge.

Mackey’s staggering pull did not come without a struggle. The athlete grinds through his rep slowly as he tries to reach lockout, noticeably shaking as the crowd of onlookers around his lifting platform encourages the athlete to reach new heights. Eventually, upon his successful pull, Mackey almost appeared to be relieved he finished, shaking his head after emphatically dropping the weight before stepping away.

Mackey offered a succinct and prideful reflection about his massive lift in a post on his Instagram. The bodybuilder/powerlifter had unsuccessfully tried to pull the same weight during a training session less than one month earlier, making this deadlift achievement all the more momentous.

“I was able to get the lockout, but I wanted to hold it with my signature smile at the top!” Mackey wrote. “Unfortunately, 910 pounds kept wanting to pull me down, but … we’ll count it! Ever since I missed this one weeks ago, I’ve been thinking about this lift day after day! Nine hundred and ten pounds, much respect to you, but [expletive] you now! Next!”

In a bodybuilding context, Mackey might be separating himself from his peers and past icons regarding deadlift prowess. Eight-time Mr. Olympia (1998-2005) Ronnie Coleman once drew praise for a deadlift of 362.8 kilograms (800 pounds) during the year 2000 while working towards an Olympia title defense. Mackey has since cleared that bar by leaps and bounds, but was notably not preparing for any major bodybuilding competition like the legendary Coleman.

Without official records for competitive bodybuilders who want to test their strength through a powerlifting prism, it’s unclear where Mackey’s latest PR deadlift stands in the sport’s history. However, it’s very likely one of the largest-ever pulls by someone who also makes it a point to show off their professional physique on a stage.

The year 2023 has begun with a bang for Mackey. If this deadlift was his first significant step forward at the turn of the calendar, it probably won’t be the last time he’s heard from in the coming months.

Featured image: @jmackey33_ifbbpro on Instagram

The post Joe Mackey Crushes a 412.8-Kilogram (910-Pound) Deadlift PR at Iron Wars VII appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

“The Nigerian Lion” regularly shares updates leading up to the upcoming 2022 Mr. Olympia, noting it’s his goal to have a strong performance at the contest. His latest freakish physique appears to be a step in the right direction. 

On August 24, 2022, Dauda shared a video on his Instagram where his upper-body and lower-body mass look colossal as he works through different poses. According to the bodybuilder, he weighs 330 pounds at the time of the clip.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Samson Dauda (@samson__dauda)

[Related: The Best Landmine Workouts for More Muscle and Better Conditioning]

Per the caption of his Instagram post, 1989 Mr. Universe Milos Šarčev is Dauda’s coach. (Note: Šarčev also coaches Joe Mackey, another Men’s Open athlete, and Men’s Open Olympia contender Regan Grimes.) Dauda partly credited Šarčev for helping him reach his off-season training goal. 

“Finally ending this off-season at 330 pounds, the exact number we hoped to hit but not for one minute did I really think I was really going to achieve it,” Dauda wrote. “But [Milos Šarčev] had no doubt.”

Dauda’s Rise

Dauda earned his International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Pro League card in 2018. Ever since that point, the athlete has steadily improved performance-wise. According to NPC News Online, he came in 11th place at the 2018 Romania Muscle Fest Pro in his Pro League debut. The following year saw Dauda notch two top-10 performances in the 2019 Wings of Strength Pro (seventh) and the 2019 Vancouver Pro (eighth). (Note: Dauda has only ever competed in the Men’s Open category)

In 2022, Dauda is enjoying some of the best results of his career to date. The Nigerian athlete came in fourth place at the 2022 Arnold Classic and followed up with another fourth-place finish at the 2022 Boston Pro. Per the IFBB’s qualification standards for the 2022 Mr. Olympia, Dauda’s performance in the recent Arnold Classic earned him a whopping eight points in the standings. Dauda’s result in the Boston Pro garnered the athlete two points. Those results appeared to earn Dauda a berth in the 2022 Olympia — his debut at the contest. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Related: The Best Landmine Workouts for More Muscle and Better Conditioning]

Road to the Olympia

At the time of this article’s publication, Dauda appears to be deadset on making his debut at the Olympia this December a memorable one. After reaching his offseason goal weight-wise, the Nigerian competitor appears to be pushing himself and his strength to the limit with his appearance on bodybuilding’s grandest stage on the horizon. 

The 2022 Mr. Olympia will take place on December 16-18 in Las Vegas, NV. 

Featured image: @samson__dauda on Instagram

The post Bodybuilder Samson Dauda Weighs a Mind-Blowing 330 Pounds in Prep for 2022 Mr. Olympia appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

This year’s edition of the Texas Pro featured eight competitive divisions, with Chinedu Andrew Obiekea, also known as “Andrew Jacked,” as one of the headline winners. The respective victors in each category received automatic spots in the 2022 Olympia on December 16-18 in Las Vegas, NV.

According to the IFBB Pro League website, the 2022 Texas Pro was a Tier 4 contest. That means the second through fifth place finishers earned points ranging from four to one in their potential qualification for the Olympia, respectively. Point standings for those athletes who have not won an IFBB Pro League contest before the Olympia will be finalized on November 20, 2022. 

Here’s an overview of results from the Men’s Open division at the 2022 Texas Pro:

2022 Texas Pro Results | Men’s Open

1. Andrew Jacked
2. Martin Fitzwater
3. Steve Kuclo
4. Kamal Elgargni
5. Quinton Eriya
6. Jephte Cherenfant
7. Carlos Emmanuel Longoria Rodriguez
8. Phil Clahar
9. Joseph Mackey
10. Eddie Bracamontes

Check out the results of the other contested divisions below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Related: How to Do the Goblet Squat for Lower Body Size and Mobility]

According to NPC News Online, this was Andrew Jacked’s Pro League debut. He made quite an impression with aspects of his body like his arms, legs, shoulders, and abs to take home the victory. As a result, Jacked has earned his first shot at an Olympia contest in the process. Notably, Jacked joins an esteemed group of competitors who also won their first Pro League contest like Phil Heath, Flex Wheeler, Hunter Labrada, and Sergio Oliva Jr. 

Here are the respective results for the other Men’s divisions at the 2022 Texas Pro.

212 Division

1. Kerrith Bajjo
2. Cody Drobot
3. Jordan Janowitz
4. Ricky Moten Jr.
5. Martin Gomez
6. Ahmed Elwardany
7. Stephen Didoshak
8. Carlos A. Rodriguez Hernandez
9. David Robinson
10. Kevin Johnson

Classic Physique

1. Courage Opara
2. Valentin Petrov
3. Jorge Luis Guerrero Gallagos
4. John Le
5. Florian Poirson
6. Ashwin Lucas
7. Jared Thompson
8. Vincent Krause
9. Matt Maldonado
10. Adam Thomas

Men’s Physique

1. Daniel Ammons
2. Andrei Lincan
3. Charjo Grant
4. Jeremiah Maxey
5. Jeremy Coleman
6. Stan Morrison
7. Micah Thomas Jr.
8. George Brown
9. Anthony Gilkes
10. Zach Savole

The results for the Women’s divisions are below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Related: How to Do the Bulgarian Split Squat for Leg Size, Strength, and Mobility]

Women’s Physique

1. Melissa Teich
2. Pamela Canfield
3. Ana Harias
4. Ashley Jones
5. Gessica Campbell
6. DeSunka Dawson
7. Heather Grace
8. Ashlynn Richardson
9. Rulying Bian
10. Michele Steeves

Figure

1. Jessica Reyes Padilla
2. Autumn Cleveland
3. Tamera Barrett
4. Felisha Livezey
5. Jennifer Zienart
6. Jessica L. Kendrick
7. Larhannah Robinson
8. Ashley Felperin
9. Amie Mock
10. Martina Yabekova

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Related: The Best Sled Workouts for Muscle, Strength, Fat Loss, and Recovery]

Bikini

1. Daraja Hill
2. Jodie Yuncker
3. Roxana Marquez
4. Jordan Brannon
5. Shelby Pierce
6. Anya Nicholson
7. Hope Castelli
8. Tamekla Carter
9. Carla Garthwaite
10. Monica Rubio

Wellness

1. Devyn Cambre
2. Lili Dong
3. Amanda Burnett
4. Diana Laura Verduzco Carreno
5. Jen Scarborough Zollars
6. Priscilla Lynd
7. Haley Johnson
8. Brooke Donnelly
9. Daniela Esquivel Castillo
10. Celeste Morales

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Related: How to Do the Incline Dumbbell Curl for Bigger, Stronger Arms]

Per the schedule on the IFBB Pro League website, the next major competition on the docket for many of these athletes is the 2022 Yamamoto Cup in Italy on September 11. That contest will be Tier 4. It’ll be another sizable step forward on the journey to the 2022 Olympia in mid-December. 

Featured image: @w_wittmannphoto on Instagram

The post 2022 Texas Pro Bodybuilding Results — Andrew Jacked Wins In Stellar Pro Debut appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

This year’s Tampa Pro featured 10 different divisions with notable winners like Akim Williams (Men’s Open) at the head of the pack. The respective winners in each category earned automatic spots in the 2022 Mr. Olympia because the Tampa Pro is an official Pro League contest. 

Here’s an overview of the results from the Men’s Open division at the 2022 Tampa Pro:

2022 Tampa Pro Results | Men’s Open

1. Akim Williams
2. Kamal Elgargni
3. Quinton Eriya
4. Joseph Mackey
5. Phil Clahar
6. Eddie Bracamontes
7. Stuart Sutherland
8. Tim Budesheim
9. Seung Chul Lee
10. Morgan Aste

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Related: How to Build Muscle: The Training and Diet Guide for Beginners and Advanced Lifters]

Williams’ victory is a solid result in his first contest since a ninth-place finish at the 2021 Mr. Olympia. The bodybuilder might channel this effort for a better result in December’s Olympia. His best career finish in the major contest was sixth place in the 2020 edition.

Williams’ dedicated work with aspects of his body like his shredded arms, shoulders, and legs was enough to overcome former 212 Olympia champ (2019) Kamal Elgargni — a newcomer to the Men’s Open division. While he didn’t win, a second-place finish is a quality result for Elgargni in his first time competing in a new category. 

According to the IFBB Pro League’s qualification standards, the Tampa Pro is a Tier 2 contest. Second through fifth place finishers in this competition earned points ranging from eight to five in their respective quests to qualify for the Olympia. That means a fourth-place result for a rising star like Joe Mackey earned him six points as he works for potential Olympia hopes. Mackey has another pending opportunity for more points (or automatic qualification with a win) in a Tier 4 contest at the 2022 Texas Pro on August 12-13, 2022, in Irving, Texas. 

The 2022 Olympia qualification period will conclude on November 20, 2022. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Joe Mackey IFBB Pro (@jmackey33_ifbbpro)

[Related: The Best Sled Workouts for Muscle, Strength, Fat Loss, and Recovery]

Here are the respective results for the other Men’s divisions competing in the 2022 Tampa Pro. 

212 Division

1. Keone Pearson
2. Kerrith Bajjo
3. Nathan Epler
4. Cody Drobot
5. Ricky Moten Jr.
6. Ahmed El Wardany
7. Jason Joseph
8. Stephen Didoshak
9. Derik Oslan
10. Kevin Johnson

Classic Physique 

1. Courage Opara
2. Adely Annorat
3. Valentin Petrov
4. Armando Aman
5. Kim Santos
6. Keith Holmes
7. Matt Maldonado
8. Kiran Shrestha
9. Felix Burgos
10. Joe Brighty

Men’s Physique

1. Daniel Ammons
2. Andre Ferguson
3. Arya Saffaie
4. Burak King
5. Deke Roderique-Walker
6. Micah Thomas Jr.
7. Matthew Greggo
8. Josh Bridgman
9. Aroldson Etienne
10. Cam Harris

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Related: How to Do the Bent-Over Barbell Row for a Bigger, Stronger Back]

Women’s Results

Here are the results for the Women’s divisions competing at the 2022 Tampa Pro:

Women’s Bodybuilding

1. Chelsea Dion
2. Sheena Ohlig
3. Sherry Priami
4. Victoria Dominguez
5. Gabriela Pena
6. Janeen Lankowski
7. Pauline Nelson
8. Tina Mauer Guadarrama
9. Tamara Makar
10. Jennifer Sweeney

Fitness

1. Aurika Tyrgale
2. Cerise deCardenas
3. Alayne Corum
4. Michele Gales
5. Kamarae Morales
6. Savahannah Byczek
7. Maria Laura Cerbelli
8. Cong Mou
9. Tess Mikayla
10. Corey Brueckner

Bikini

1. Aimee Leann Velasquez
2. Jasmine Gonzalez
3. Ivanna Escandar
4. Romina Basualdo
5. Daraja Hill
6. Danielle Combs
7. Jordan Brannon
8. Jodie Yuncker
9. Shelby Pierce
10. Niccole Guggia

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Related: Everything You Need to Know About How to Burn Fat]

Figure

1. Jessica Reyes Padilla
2. Cherish Richardson
3. Maggie Watson
4. Autumn Cleveland
5. Madison Dinges
6. Ashley Felperin
7. Jennifer Zienert
8. Larhannah Robinson
9. Paula Rojo
10. Danielle Rose

Women’s Physique

1. Jeannie Feldman
2. Ana Harias
3. Elena Aviles Romero
4. Diana Schnaidt
5. Michele Steeves
6. Heather Grace
7. Lenore Gregson
8. Yarelis Ramos Perez
9. Ashlynn Richardson
10. Racheal Brewer

Wellness

1. Diana Laura Verduzco Carreno
2. Priscilla Lynd
3. Alexis Adams
4. Lili Dong
5. Nerilde Garcia Strey
6. Bridgiamell Rodriguez Cruz
7. Alejandra La Fonseca
8. Kat Williams
9. Amanda Werner
10. Daphney Carter

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Related: How to Do the Goblet Squat for Lower Body Size and Mobility]

The next IFBB Pro League calendar contest will be the 2022 Texas Pro. That contest will take place on August 12-13, 2022, in Irving, Texas. The competition many of these athletes are working toward, the 2022 Mr. Olympia, will occur on December 16-18 in Las Vegas, NV. 

Featured image: @w_wittmannphoto on Instagram

The post 2022 Tampa Pro Results — Full Steam Ahead for Akim Williams appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

On July 24, 2022, Mackey’s coach Miloš Šarčev shared an update on Mackey’s physique where largely every aspect of the athlete’s body — like his arms, legs, shoulders, and abs — looks positively ripped. Check out the physique update below:

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Milos Sarcev (@milossarcev)

[Related: The Best Sled Workouts For Muscle, Strength, Fat Loss, And Recovery]

The 58-year-old Šarčev is a former IFBB competitor who notably won the 1989 Mr. Universe contest. Mackey expressed appreciation for Šarčev’s continued tutelage over his own Instagram profile. He also complimented the Dragon’s Lair Gym in Las Vegas, NV — owned by seven-time 212 Olympia winner Flex Lewis — while hinting at more regular appearances in Sin City.  

“Great workout and posing with my coach [Miloš Šarčev],” Mackey writes. Huge thanks to the Dragon’s Lair Gym. Top-notch facility with a great environment and equipment. Definitely will be my go-to place when I’m in Vegas.”

At the time of this article’s publication, Mackey hasn’t confirmed his plans to try and qualify for the 2022 Mr. Olympia — taking place on Dec. 16-18. 

Mackey’s Road Ahead

In late April 2022, Mackey joined the 900-pound deadlift club. He followed that personal record (PR) by deadlifting 385.5-kilograms (850 pounds) during the 2022 Iron Wars VI. While those achievements are noteworthy, winning the 2022 Texas Pro could open a lot of bodybuilding doors for Mackey.

For one, per the IFBB Pro League’s standards, a victory would garner Mackey an automatic qualification to the 2022 Olympia. Should Mackey fall short of the top spot on the podium in Texas, a top-five result in the Tier 4 contest would at least give him some points (one through four from fifth to second place, respectively) in the overall qualification process. Provided Mackey finishes in the top three amongst Men’s Open competitors at the end of the Olympia qualification period on November 20, 2022 — he would capture a spot in the prestigious contest. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Joe Mackey IFBB Pro (@jmackey33_ifbbpro)

[Related: The 20 Best Leg Exercises For Size And Strength]

According to NPC News Online, Mackey’s best result in five IFBB Pro League competitions since 2016 is an eighth-place finish at the 2020 Tampa Pro. In his most recent appearance on an official stage during the 2021 Chicago Pro, Mackey finished in 12th place. The bodybuilder competed in the Men’s Open division during both contests.

Given his recent training progress, the steady hand of a bodybuilding legend helping him, and overall versatility, it might be foolish to overlook Mackey’s coming chances. In due time, a berth for Mackey in the 2022 Mr. Olympia could seem inevitable. 

Featured image: @milossarcev on Instagram

The post Bodybuilder Joe Mackey Looks Chiseled Ahead of the 2022 Texas Pro appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

Now, it appears that Mackey is backing off of the iron and eyeing the stage.

On June 7, 2022, Mackey shared where his physique stands through a mutual post on Battle Up Productions’ Instagram. The update shows off Mackey’s body as he prepares for the 2022 IFBB Pro League Texas Pro on August 12-13, 2022, in Irving, Texas. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Related: Everything You Need To Know About How To Burn Fat]

Notably, the 2022 Texas Pro winner automatically qualifies for the 2022 Mr. Olympia on December 16-18, 2022, in Las Vegas, NV. While Mackey hasn’t confirmed this year’s Mr. Olympia is his long-term goal, it likely adds more incentive for the 37-year-old athlete. Mackey has not competed in a Mr. Olympia to this point in his career.

In this regard, Mackey sits in an interesting position. The bodybuilder routinely shares videos of himself attacking a variety of arms and leg workouts on his social media. That he trains strength like this while polishing his gargantuan physique is a delicate balance to juggle.

Given Mackey’s plans for training his body, it doesn’t seem to be much of an issue for him. He confirmed as much in another recent Instagram post. 

“Having a plan every time I go to the gym has been what’s kept me successful with my training and my strength and shape,” Mackey wrote. “I know exactly how many reps, drop sets, and movements I’ll do per body part.”

Mackey’s Bodybuilding Life

Mackey first burst onto the competitive bodybuilding scene when he won the 2015 Ronnie Coleman Classic as a super-heavyweight (225-plus pounds). He eventually earned his IFBB Pro League Card by finishing in second place at the 2016 National Physique Committee (NPC) Nationals.  To date, through five professional competitions, Mackey’s highest-ever result is an eighth-place finish at the 2020 Tampa Pro. His most recent bodybuilding contest was the 2021 Chicago Pro, where he took home a 12th-place result. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Joe Mackey IFBB Pro (@jmackey33_ifbbpro)

[Related: Why You Should Be Greasing The Groove During Your Workouts]

As a Texas native, history might even be on Mackey’s side. Bodybuilding legend Ronnie Coleman also hails from the Lone Star State, as does rising star Hunter Labrada. 

Winning the 2022 Texas Pro outright would be a sizable step forward for Mackey. Whether he intends to relay a potential fantastic result to a Mr. Olympia stage might be a conversation he has after this next contest. 

The 2022 IFBB Pro League Texas Pro will take place on August 12-13, 2022, in Irving, Texas. 

Featured image: @jmackey33_ifbbpro on Instagram

The post Check out Bodybuilder Joe Mackey’s Impressive Physique Update During Prep for 2022 Texas Pro appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

This year’s field featured many elite strength athletes of different disciplines and focuses from all over the world. Bodybuilder Joe Mackey — an International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Pro League Men’s Open competitor — had one of the more impressive showings.

During the competition, Mackey captured a 385.5-kilogram (850-pound) deadlift. In roughly two minutes, he also pulled 21 reps at 226.8 kilograms (500 pounds). Mackey wore a lifting belt and lifting straps for both feats. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Joe Mackey IFBB Pro (@jmackey33_ifbbpro)

[Related: Ben Thompson Sets Silver Dollar Deadlift World Record With Pull Of 577.2 Kilograms (1,272.5 Pounds)]

Elsewhere in the competition, powerlifter and current bench-press world record holder Julius Maddox gave spectators another taste of his prowess. As Maddox continues his pursuit of the rare 800-pound bench press club, he completed a 317.5-kilogram (700-pound) bench press triple. The powerlifter completed his lift raw without any additional equipment. 

Notably, Maddox completes the triple relatively easily. After all, Maddox has pressed far more — 361 kilograms (796) pounds as of May 10, 2022. Maddox gained the approval of Iron Wars organizer and former powerlifter/bodybuilder C.T. Fletcher — who praised the bench press extraordinaire over social media. 

“The bench king [Julius Maddox] showing why he’s number one in the world by showing up to the greatest show on earth and accepting all the smoke from anybody with the ‘testicular fortitude’ to show the [expletive] up!” wrote Fletcher of Maddox. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Related: Larry Wheels Crushes A 661-Pound Paused Bench Press]

Mackey’s Feat in Context

As for Mackey, his 385.5-kilogram (850-pound) pull isn’t his heaviest ever. The bodybuilder/strength sports athlete did unofficially join the 900-pound deadlift club in an April 2022 training session. While there’s no way to check for official bodybuilding deadlift marks, at the time of this writing, it may be the unofficial heaviest pull ever by a professional bodybuilder. 

Yet, considering that he logged 21 reps at 226.8 kilograms (500 pounds) afterward, the one-rep pull is worthy of acclaim. Per a caption from the bodybuilder’s Instagram, this figure was Mackey’s long-running goal for the 2022 Iron Wars VI while he prepares for other competitions.

It comes on the heels of an apparent rapid change in his body composition. 

“I made it up in my mind that I’d do 850 pounds prior to the event regardless of how lean I am for prep,” Mackey wrote. “I knew that my weight had dropped 20 pounds since the last time I did 900 pounds. However, that didn’t stop me from knowing what I could still do to show up and show out.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Joe Mackey IFBB Pro (@jmackey33_ifbbpro)

[Related: Powerlifter Krzysztof Wierzbicki Records 502.5-Kilogram Deadlift (1,107 Pounds), The Heaviest Deadlift In History]

What Lies Ahead

With the 2022 Iron Wars VI in the rearview mirror, Mackey and Maddox can return to their usual focuses.

Mackey hasn’t confirmed his next competition at the time of publishing, but he may try to compete in the 2022 Mr. Olympia, which will occur on December 16-18, 2022, in Las Vegas, NV. Though, Mackey needs a few top-notch results to qualify for that first. 

Meanwhile, Maddox also hasn’t set a date for his next competition. The strength sports world could finally see him join the 800-pound bench press club whenever that happens. 

Featured image: jmackey33_ifbbpro

The post Bodybuilder Joe Mackey Notches 385.5-Kilogram (850-Pound) Deadlift at Iron Wars VI appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

Check out the lift below — where Mackey dons a lifting belt and lifting straps — courtesy of his Instagram profile:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Joe Mackey IFBB Pro (@jmackey33_ifbbpro)

[Related: Bodybuilder Hunter Labrada Powers Through A 495-Pound Banded Squat For 17 Reps]

Not Without a Fight

Mackey could not contain excitement over finally reaching the staggering mark in the caption of his Instagram post. 

“It was not the prettiest, but I told you and myself I was going to do it, and I did just that,” Mackey wrote. “I know I don’t say this often, but holy sh*t, that was heavy!”

Indeed, Mackey does appear to show strain in pushing through the lift — understandable, given the weight. The feat would likely not have counted in a meet due to Mackey hitching the barbell, but he persevered and locked out the rep anyway. 

“If you look midway thru the lift, you’ll see I shake my head no because doubt kicked in and said drop it,” Mackey said.”But that wasn’t going to happen without a fight.”

After expressing gratitude for his achievement, Mackey finishes the post by dedicating the 900-pound feat to his friend, the late Cedric McMillan. McMillan’s death was initially reported on April 12, 2022.

Rest in paradise big bro

Shortly after news of McMillan’s passing circulated around the bodybuilding community, Mackey shared a few private message interactions he had with his friend. The overarching sentiments centered around McMillan making sure Mackey took care of his health.

A fact certainly appreciated by Mackey — before and after. 

“I appreciate it, big bro,” Mackey wrote back to McMillan. “I’m going to go for the goal in the deadlift, and then I’ll back off the extreme heavy weight.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Joe Mackey IFBB Pro (@jmackey33_ifbbpro)

[Related: Bodybuilder Derek Lunsford Shows Off Endurance By Squatting 315 Pounds For 100 Total Reps]

A Long Time Coming

Mackey has documented his journey to the 900-pound deadlift quite well of late. 

In January of 2022, Mackey completed an 855-pound deadlift that ESPN’s SportsCenter highlighted on Instagram. A little over a month later, Mackey notched an 870-pound pull that he said was a then-PR. With roughly two more months of steady progress, Mackey can now boast a deadlift that is 30 pounds heavier.

There is no thorough database of lift records for bodybuilders to check where Mackey officially stands amongst his peers. Nonetheless, Mackey assuredly knows his deadlift likely enters a rare territory. Here’s where Mackey stands compared to other notable top deadlift marks that were recorded for famously strong bodybuilders:

Notable Bodybuilder Deadlift PRs

• Ronnie Coleman — 800 pounds
• Johnnie Jackson — 832 pounds
• Stan Efferding — 837.7 pounds
• Dallas McCarver — 845 pounds
• Kyle Kirvay — 855 pounds
• Joe Mackey — 900 pounds

While it’s not possible to check for any official record, Mackey can at least share his deadlift feat with some incredibly esteemed company. 

The Next Level

It could be fair to say Mackey is still seeking a significant breakthrough as a bodybuilder. In five career IFBB Pro League competitions dating back to 2017, Mackey’s highest result is an eighth-place finish at the 2022 IFBB Tampa Pro while competing in the Open division. During his last competition, in the 2021 Chicago Pro last summer, Mackey finished 12th overall. 

There is no word on when Mackey’s next bodybuilding competition will happen. He’ll have to place high in several proceeding shows or even notch his first career victory if he wants to qualify for the 2022 Mr. Olympia — set to occur on December 16-18 in Las Vegas, NV. In the meantime, Mackey can bask in joining an exclusive, impressive club of deadlifters. 

Featured image: @jmackey33_ifbbpro 

The post Bodybuilder Joe Mackey Logs Bar-Bending 900-Pound Deadlift PR appeared first on Breaking Muscle.