While some athletes merely lift weights, the world’s strongest bodybuilders have moved mountains in their pursuit of physical perfection.
You’ll discover how legends like Ronnie Coleman redefined human potential by squatting 800 pounds while maintaining competition-ready aesthetics.
From Franco Columbu’s jaw-dropping 700-pound deadlifts to Bev Francis shattering gender barriers, these titans didn’t just build bodies – they revolutionized what’s possible in strength sports. Their remarkable achievements will transform your understanding of human capability.
Powerhouses in the sport, these legendary bodybuilders have redefined strength alongside aesthetics.
You’ll find incredible strength feats from Mr. Olympia winners like Ronnie Coleman, who deadlifted 800 pounds while maintaining massive muscle mass.
Franco Columbu, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s closest training partner, showcased remarkable powerlifting numbers despite his lighter frame.
Stan Efferding and Johnnie Jackson brought competitive powerlifting achievements to the bodybuilding stage, while Bev Francis revolutionized women’s strength standards.
Today’s bodybuilding icons like Nick Walker continue this legacy of exceptional power. From Dallas McCarver’s superhuman gym lifts to Janae Marie Kroc’s remarkable strength transformation, these athletes prove that elite bodybuilding requires more than just looks – it demands raw power and unstoppable determination.
1. Franco Columbu
A powerlifting legend turned bodybuilding icon, Franco Columbu dominated multiple strength sports while standing just 5’5″ tall. You’ll find his name etched in the history books of bodybuilding giants, having claimed two Mr. Olympia titles and set numerous powerlifting meet records.
His most impressive feat came in 1972 when he deadlifted 700 pounds for three reps – a demonstration of his incredible muscle endurance and raw strength.
Before becoming Arnold Schwarzenegger’s closest training partner, Columbu excelled in boxing and competed in the inaugural World’s Strongest Man contest. He even clean & jerked 400 pounds, proving that size isn’t everything in strength sports.
After winning the 1981 Mr. Olympia, he retired from competition, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire athletes at the Arnold Classic and beyond.
2. Bev Francis
Breaking multiple barriers in strength sports, Bev Francis established herself as a true pioneer for women in both powerlifting and bodybuilding during the 1980s.
She made history as the first woman to bench press 300 pounds in competition, achieving this feat at the 1980 Australian National Championships while also setting a remarkable 479.5-pound squat in 1983.
Francis’s impact on bodybuilding was equally impressive, earning three third-place finishes at the Ms. Olympia competition.
Even at age 66, she continues to dominate, setting four world records in 2021 in the Masters 65-69 category. Her achievements include a 209.4-pound squat, 132.3-pound bench press, and 264.6-pound deadlift.
Squat — 95 kilograms (209.4 pounds) — Powerlifting Australia World Record
Bench Press — 60 kilograms (132.3 pounds) — Powerlifting Australia World Record
Deadlift — 120 kilograms (264.6 pounds) — Powerlifting Australia World Record
Total — 275 kilograms (606.3 pounds) — Powerlifting Australia World Record
Today, you’ll find Francis running her successful gym in Syosset, New York, where she continues to inspire the next generation of strength athletes.
3. Ronnie Coleman
Legendary bodybuilder Ronnie Coleman redefined what’s possible in the sport, combining unprecedented mass with superhuman strength during his dominant reign as Mr. Olympia.
His strength feats are the stuff of legend – crushing 800-pound squats and deadlifts for doubles, showcasing raw power that many consider unmatched in bodybuilding history.
You’ll find proof of Coleman’s extraordinary capabilities in “The Unbelievable,” where he’s documented pressing 200-pound dumbbells for 12 reps on flat bench, followed by six reps plus a forced rep on incline – all in the same workout.
Though multiple surgeries followed his 2007 retirement, he’s made an impressive comeback, reaching 285 pounds by December 2021.
His legacy stands as a manifestation of what’s achievable when elite-level strength meets professional bodybuilding.
4. Johnnie Jackson
Similar to his former training partner Coleman, powerlifting phenom Johnnie Jackson dominated two strength sports simultaneously.
His strength prowess was evident in both bodybuilding, where he claimed six pro titles including the 2017 Arnold Classic South Africa, and powerlifting, where he posted incredible raw totals well into his career.
You’ll find few athletes who’ve maintained Jackson’s level of longevity across both disciplines. At age 50, he was still pulling 744 pounds in competition, though it didn’t match his lifetime best raw deadlift of 832 pounds.
The Texas native, who trained at the legendary Metroflex Gym, earned his pro card by winning the 2001 NPC Nationals Overall title.
While competing at bodybuilding’s highest level, he achieved top-ten Mr. Olympia finishes in both 2007 and 2012.
5. Stan Efferding
Raw power and IFBB Pro physique merged perfectly in Stan Efferding, who’d go on to claim the World’s Strongest Bodybuilder title in 2010.
At that year’s Mr. Olympia, he dominated with a massive 628-pound bench press and 800-pound deadlift, defeating previous champion Johnnie Jackson.
You’ll appreciate that Efferding’s strength journey didn’t end with bodybuilding. After earning his pro card at the 2009 Masters Nationals, he’d push his powerlifting limits even further.
His crowning achievement came at the 2013 SPF March Madness meet, where he set the raw total world record in the 275-pound class.
His numbers were staggering: an 865-pound squat, 600-pound bench press, and 837-pound deadlift, totaling 2,303 pounds.
Squat — 865.3 pounds
Bench Press — 600.7 pounds
Deadlift — 837.7 pounds
Total — 2,226.6 pounds. Though he never won a pro bodybuilding show, his strength accomplishments are legendary.
6. Janae Marie Kroczaleski
Few athletes have revolutionized training techniques quite like Janae Marie Kroczaleski, whose signature “Kroc Row” became a staple in strength programs worldwide.
The exercise, which combines brute strength with explosive athleticism, demonstrates how to engage your central nervous system for maximum power output properly.
You’ll be amazed to learn that Kroczaleski could perform this demanding movement with a 310-pound dumbbell for multiple repetitions. This feat showcases the perfect blend of raw power and technical mastery.
Her achievements extend beyond this namesake exercise, including a record-breaking powerlifting total of 2,551.8 pounds at the 2009 UPA Nationals as a 220-pound competitor.
As a former Marine turned strength icon, she’s proven that innovative training methods can create lasting impacts on the fitness world.
7. Dallas McCarver
A true phenomenon in professional bodybuilding, Dallas McCarver burst onto the scene in the mid-2010s with a physique that reminded many of eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman.
His massive frame would’ve made him right at home in today’s IFBB Pro League alongside giants like Big Ramy.
While some bodybuilders focus purely on aesthetics, McCarver proved his incredible strength with training volume that’d put many World’s Strongest Man competitors to shame.
In 2016, he shattered Coleman’s legendary 800-pound deadlift record by pulling 845 pounds – a feat that would’ve torn most muscle fit shirts to shreds.
Tragically, McCarver’s promising career was cut short when he passed away in 2017 at just 26 years old, but his legacy lives on in countless UFC gym highlight reels.
8. Hunter Henderson
The remarkable Hunter Henderson stands as one of powerlifting’s most versatile athletes, shattering records while seamlessly shifting between strength sports and bodybuilding.
You’ll find her 2021 performance particularly inspiring, as she dominated the Kern US Open by setting two all-time world records in the 75kg class. She squatted an incredible 650 pounds and achieved a total of 1,548 pounds.
But Henderson wasn’t done there – she proved her exceptional versatility by winning the women’s bodybuilding division at the NPC USA Championships just months later, earning her IFBB Pro card.
While she narrowly missed qualifying for the Olympia at the Tampa Pro, her trajectory as a strength athlete suggests she’ll soon join the ranks of elite bodybuilders on the sport’s biggest stage.
9. Nick Walker
Rising powerhouse Nick Walker has dominated the bodybuilding scene since earning his pro card in 2020, living up to his nickname “The Mutant” through jaw-dropping feats of strength and mass.
You’ll find his training method is as intense as his results, proven by his incredible victories at both the New York Pro and Arnold Classic in 2021.
His legendary gym performances showcase why he’s earned his place among bodybuilding’s elite, with one notable feat captured on video showing him crushing 225-pound dumbbells for five reps on the incline press.
When you witness Walker in the power rack, you’ll understand why even 212 Olympia champion Shaun Clarida stood amazed.
His combination of low body fat and superhuman strength has revolutionized modern bodybuilding standards, making him one of today’s most watched athletes.
10. Amanda Kohatsu
Powerhouse athlete Amanda Kohatsu shattered expectations in 2021 by achieving dual IFBB Pro status in both Figure and Women’s Physique divisions. Her path to bodybuilding success was paved through her impressive powerlifting career, where she demonstrated remarkable strength and dedication.
At the 2019 USPA Lock It Out Desert Wars meet, you’ll be amazed by her jaw-dropping numbers: a 424.4-pound squat, 237-pound bench press, and a massive 490.5-pound deadlift.
These lifts combined for an incredible 1,151.9-pound total, showcasing her raw power and athletic prowess. While she hasn’t made her pro bodybuilding debut yet, her powerlifting background gives her a significant advantage in the gym.
With her dual-sport expertise, she’s proving that strength and aesthetics can coexist at the highest levels.
The Strengths of Size
Building massive muscles isn’t just about looking good – it’s about developing real-world strength that matches your physique.
You’ll find that today’s mass monsters don’t just pose on stage; they’re putting up impressive numbers in the gym through training hard and heavy.
From the benchpress king’s incredible lifts to strongman legend Brian Shaw’s crossover success in bodybuilding, there’s clear evidence that size and strength go hand in hand.
When you’re watching Olympia competitions, you’re not just seeing aesthetic physiques – you’re witnessing athletes who’ve built their bodies through high-volume leg training and intense workouts.
The greatest bodybuilders have always understood that true muscular development comes from pushing heavy weights and challenging their limits, proving that impressive looks and powerful performance aren’t mutually exclusive.
To Wrap It All Up
Like titans of iron, these legendary bodybuilders have blazed a trail of excellence that you can follow. They’ve proven that with dedication and persistence, you’re capable of achieving extraordinary strength while maintaining aesthetic excellence.
As you pursue your own fitness journey, let their accomplishments light your path forward. Their feats of power aren’t just records – they’re blueprints for what’s possible when you push beyond perceived limits.
FAQs
Who Are the Strongest Bodybuilders of All Time?
Ronnie Coleman, Johnnie O. Jackson, and Stan Efferding are considered the strongest bodybuilders of all time. Coleman deadlifted 800 lbs, Jackson competed in both bodybuilding and powerlifting, and Efferding set raw powerlifting records while maintaining a muscular physique.
What Defines a Strong Bodybuilder vs a Muscular One?
The main difference between a strong bodybuilder and a muscular one is strength performance. A strong bodybuilder lifts heavier weights with functional strength, while a muscular bodybuilder focuses on size and symmetry for aesthetics, not maximum lifting ability.
How Do Bodybuilders Train for Strength vs Size?
Bodybuilders train for strength by using low reps (3–6), heavy weights, and longer rest periods. For size (hypertrophy), they use moderate reps (8–12), lighter weight, and shorter rest. Strength training targets neural adaptation, while hypertrophy increases muscle fiber volume.
Who Is Stronger: Powerlifters or Bodybuilders?
Powerlifters are generally stronger than bodybuilders in terms of raw lifting ability. Powerlifters specialize in the squat, bench press, and deadlift with maximal loads, while bodybuilders train for muscle development and symmetry, not maximum strength.
Strongest Bodybuilder Workout Routines
The strongest bodybuilders follow routines built around compound lifts like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses. Their programs use low reps, heavy weights, progressive overload, and long rest intervals. Ronnie Coleman’s routine included 800 lb deadlifts and 200 lb dumbbell presses.
I'm Khirul Alam, aka NILOY FITNESS, a devoted bodybuilder and fitness expert. I write about fitness, bodybuilding, and mental health at Hercules Bodybuilding to inspire and help people reach their fitness goals. I'm committed to making a positive impact in the fitness community.
