When you think of the world’s strongest men, you’ll find incredible athletes who’ve pushed human potential to its limits. From Paul Anderson’s legendary 6,270-pound backlift to Eddie Hall’s groundbreaking 1,102-pound deadlift, these titans have redefined what’s possible.
As Arnold Schwarzenegger once said, “The worst thing I can be is the same as everybody else,” – and these 14 powerhouses certainly took that to heart. Let’s explore their jaw-dropping achievements that have earned them spots among history’s mightiest.
Strongest Men in History
When examining the pantheon of history’s strongest men, you’ll find a fascinating blend of modern athletes and legendary figures who’ve pushed the boundaries of human potential.
The list includes powerhouse Žydrūnas Savickas, who’s dominated strongman competitions with eight Arnold Strongman Classic victories, and Eddie Hall, who achieved a world-record 500kg deadlift.
You’ll recognize Mariusz Pudzianowski’s explosive strength, earning him five World’s Strongest Man titles, while Jon Pall Sigmarsson’s legendary status comes from his four WSM wins.
Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, known for his role in Game of Thrones, has proven his might with numerous records and titles.
The incredible Magnús Ver Magnússon rounded out Iceland’s dominance in strength sports with his four World’s Strongest Man championships, showcasing the small nation’s outsized impact on the sport.
1. Ray Williams
Among powerlifting’s most legendary figures, Ray Williams stands as a titan who revolutionized raw squatting by becoming the first person to break the 1000-pound barrier in IPF competition without supportive equipment.
From his early days playing football to becoming one of powerlifting’s most dominant champions, Williams has redefined what’s possible in the squat lift.
His epic feats include a mind-boggling 477.5kg (1,053lb) raw squat at the 2023 Arnold Classic, cementing his status as one of the strongest men in history.
While his international victories speak volumes, it’s his unique training philosophy of prioritizing technique over heavy weights that sets him apart.
Driven by the memory of his daughter, Williams’ legendary lifts continue to inspire powerlifters worldwide, though his strength primarily shines in powerlifting’s three core movements.
2. Kirill Sarychev
Russian powerlifting legend Kirill Sarychev has dominated the bench press like few others in strength sports history.
Standing 6’6″ and weighing up to 386 pounds, he’s shattered multiple strength records in raw powerlifting federation competitions.
While he’s performed impressive deadlift numbers, his true legacy lies in the bench press, where he currently holds the world record at 738.5 pounds.
Starting powerlifting at age 15, Sarychev methodically built his strength until breaking the 660-pound barrier in 2010.
His journey to becoming one of the world’s strongest men peaked in 2015 when he crushed the previous record with a monumental 737-pound bench press at the SN PRO Cup.
Though he’s never competed in traditional strongman events like the log lift, his raw pressing power remains unmatched in the sport’s history.
3. Yury Belkin
Powerlifting phenom Yury Belkin redefined what’s possible in the sport with his superhuman deadlift capabilities at 242 pounds bodyweight. Born in Arkhangel, Russia, in 1990, he’s established himself as one of powerlifting’s most dominant forces.
At the 2017 WRPF World Championships, Belkin shocked the strength world by pulling a 440kg (968lb) deadlift without a belt, using hook grip. This feat set an all-time world record in the 242lb class.
His total of 1,055kg (2,321lbs), including an 858lb squat and 495lb bench press, earned him another world record.
What’s most impressive about Belkin’s achievements is that he nearly hit a 1,016lb deadlift on his third attempt, suggesting even more potential for this Russian powerlifting sensation.
4. Joseph Pina
One remarkable high school athlete shattered expectations when Joseph Pena squatted an astounding 805.8 pounds at the World Powerlifting Championships, setting both sub-junior and junior super heavyweight records.
This youth talent emerged as a powerlifting prodigy at just 14 years old, squatting 600 pounds when most teens his age could barely lift a fraction of that weight.
By 15, he’d already made national headlines squatting 727 pounds.
You’ll be amazed to learn that Pena’s incredible strength led his school to build its powerlifting program around him.
Standing 5’9″ and weighing 285 pounds at age 14, he wasn’t your average teenager.
While some questioned the depth of his world record squat, Pena’s performance enhancement through proper training has established him as a strongman goat in the making.
5. Mark Henry
When it comes to discussing true legends of strength sports, you’ll find Mark Henry standing in a league of his own as the only athlete to simultaneously excel at powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, and strongman competitions.
Henry’s achievements are staggering – he represented the USA at the 1996 Olympics while also claiming the national powerlifting title that same year.
He’d go on to win the Arnold Classic strongman competition in 2002, defeating many World’s Strongest Man competitors. You might also know him from his WWE career, where he showcased his incredible strength by breaking a solid steel chain-locked cage door – a feat that wasn’t staged.
His early years were equally impressive, squatting 600 pounds at just 14 and setting teenage world records with an 832-pound squat and 2,033-pound total.
6. Eddie Hall
Speaking of incredible strength records, Eddie Hall stands as one of the most remarkable powerhouses in modern history.
This 6’3″ British strongman revolutionized the sport by becoming the first person to deadlift 500kg (1,100lbs), though the feat nearly killed him, causing burst blood vessels and nose bleeds.
You’ll be amazed to learn that Hall isn’t just a one-lift wonder – he’s a true static allrounder with incredible overhead press capabilities.
His journey to becoming the World’s Strongest Man in 2017 included setting multiple records across different lifts.
While not considered the greatest strongman due to his slower movement in dynamic events like the keg toss, his static strength numbers are unmatched: a 405kg squat, 300kg bench press, and 211kg strict log press.
7. Leonid Taranenko – Weightlifter
Among the titans of Olympic weightlifting, Leonid Taranenko stands as a legendary figure whose records have remained untouchable for over three decades. Born in the USSR in 1956, this 5’11” powerhouse dominated international sports with his superhuman strength, particularly in the clean and jerk.
In 1988, Taranenko achieved what many thought impossible: a 266-kilogram clean and jerk and a total of 475 kilograms. While today’s weightlifting champions, from Nick Best to modern Olympic Games competitors, display impressive strength, none have matched Taranenko’s feats.
Though the International Weightlifting Federation’s weight class restructuring means his records aren’t officially recognized, the raw numbers speak for themselves. Whether attempting an axle press or participating in the Strongman Super Series, today’s athletes still measure themselves against Taranenko’s legendary performances.
8. Brian Siders – Powerlifter
American powerlifting legend Brian Siders has shattered records and redefined human potential with his extraordinary performances in all three power lifts.
At 6’2″ and 345 pounds, his raw strength achievements are even more impressive considering he competed without performance enhancement, relying solely on genetics and intense training.
Siders’ remarkable numbers speak volumes: a 1,019-pound squat, 799-pound bench press, and 865-pound deadlift, totaling an astounding 2,651 pounds.
His raw lifting accomplishments include a 650-pound bench press and 840-pound deadlift, cementing his place among history’s strongest humans.
These feats demonstrate that with dedication and proper technique, the boundaries of human strength can be pushed to extraordinary limits.
His legacy continues to inspire powerlifters worldwide who aim to achieve greatness through natural means.
9. Victor DeLamarre
Despite his small 5’4″ frame and 150-pound bodyweight, French Canadian strongman Victor DeLamarre proved that supreme strength isn’t limited by size. Known as the “Canadian Samson,” he developed his incredible strength working as a lumberjack from age 13, regularly lifting his 150-pound uncle for practice.
DeLamarre’s most impressive feat came in 1914 when he shattered his idol Louis Cyr’s world record with a 309.5-pound bent press. This lift wasn’t just remarkable for breaking Cyr’s previous 273-pound record – it established four unprecedented achievements, including the heaviest bent press in history and the distinction of lifting twice his bodyweight overhead with one hand.
Throughout his career, you’d find DeLamarre performing incredible feats of strength, from carrying horses up ladders to bending quarters between his fingers.
10. Paul Anderson
Standing at 5’10” and weighing 275 pounds, Paul Anderson emerged from obscurity in 1952 to become one of history’s strongest humans.
Without any warm-up, he squatted 550 pounds for two reps, nearly matching the world record of 575 pounds.
Known as the “strongest man alive,” Anderson pioneered the pin squat, now a staple in strength training. He’d dig holes in his yard to perform these lifts, adding dirt to adjust the height.
His raw power earned him Olympic gold in 1956, despite competing with an illness.
Anderson’s most incredible feat came in 1957 with his legendary backlift of 6,270 pounds – the heaviest weight ever lifted by a human being.
This record-breaking achievement, along with his innovative training methods using homemade equipment like concrete-filled barrels, cemented his legacy in strength sports forever.
11. Brian Shaw – Strongman
While Paul Anderson amazed crowds with his raw power in the 1950s, modern strongman Brian Shaw has taken human strength to new heights. Standing 6’8″ and weighing 435 pounds, Shaw has dominated the sport with four World’s Strongest Man titles, including his memorable 2015 victory.
You’ll find Shaw’s incredible feats scattered across strongman competitions, particularly at the Arnold Strongman Classic. His competition records include a staggering 1,140-pound Hummer tire deadlift and a 1,014-pound standard deadlift, both performed with straps.
In the gym, he’s posted jaw-dropping numbers: a 903-pound squat, 535-pound bench press, and 1,025-pound deadlift. Born in 1982, this American giant has consistently proven himself as one of the most powerful athletes in history, mastering everything from atlas stones to vehicle pulls.
12. Andy Bolton – Powerlifter
When powerlifting needed a new champion to push the boundaries of human strength, Andy Bolton emerged as the sport’s innovator. Born in England in 1970, this 6-foot, 350-pound powerlifter revolutionized what many thought possible in the sport.
You’ll find Bolton’s name etched in history as the first human to deadlift 1,000 pounds in competition. He didn’t stop there – he went on to pull 1,003 pounds and later 1,008 pounds.
His phenomenal strength extended beyond deadlifts, as he recorded the fourth-highest squat ever at 1,213.63 pounds.
With a total of 2,806.34 pounds across three lifts, Bolton ranks third in powerlifting history. While his dream of a 3,000-pound total remained elusive, his achievements redefined the limits of human potential in powerlifting.
13. Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson — Strongman, actor
From raw power to Hollywood stardom, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson represents a new era of strength athletics.
The Icelandic giant, standing 6’9″ and weighing 414 pounds, has dominated strongman competitions with unprecedented consistency.
You’ve probably seen him as “The Mountain” on Game of Thrones, but his real-life achievements are even more impressive.
Björnsson’s resume includes winning World’s Strongest Man in 2018, three consecutive Arnold Strongman Classic victories (2018-2020), and nine consecutive titles at Iceland’s Strongest Man.
He’s also shattered Eddie Hall’s previous record by deadlifting an astounding 501kg (1,105 lbs) – the heaviest weight ever lifted in history.
What’s remarkable about Björnsson is how he’s transformed from a regional competitor into a global strength icon, proving that raw power and mainstream appeal aren’t mutually exclusive.
14. Louis Uni – Strongman
Two remarkable traits defined Louis Uni, better known as Apollon the Mighty: his superhuman grip strength and his pioneering role as the world’s first strength athlete.
Standing at 6’3″ and weighing 260 pounds, this French strongman dominated strength sports from 1862 to 1928. His huge hands allowed him to lift bars that other strongmen couldn’t even grasp, cementing his place among history’s all-time greats.
While many of his achievements lack precise documentation, you’ll find his legacy lives on through accounts of his remarkable physical abilities and athletic versatility.
Unlike many strongmen of his era, Uni maintained exceptional fitness and agility, regularly taking on wrestling challenges to prove his functional strength. His unique combination of raw power and athletic prowess set a new standard for strength athletes.
To Wrap It All Up
You’ve witnessed the evolution of strength through these legendary figures who’ve pushed human potential beyond imagination. Like Hercules of ancient myth, they’ve demonstrated what’s possible through dedication and grit.
Whether it’s Ray Williams’ squat records or Björnsson’s mountain-moving feats, these titans remind us that we’re all capable of extraordinary achievement. They’ve set the bar—literally and figuratively—for future generations of strength athletes.
FAQs
Who Is Considered the Strongest Man in History?
The strongest man in history is often considered Paul Anderson, who set a backlift world record of 6,270 pounds (2,840 kg) in 1957. His feats in Olympic weightlifting and powerlifting remain unmatched in verified competition records.
Were Ancient Warriors Stronger Than Modern Athletes?
Ancient warriors were not stronger than modern athletes when measured by verified lifts. Modern strength training, nutrition, and sports science enable athletes to achieve greater measurable strength than ancient soldiers could develop through combat training alone.
Strongest Men in History Ranked by Verified Lifts
The strongest men in history ranked by verified lifts include Paul Anderson (6,270 lb backlift), Eddie Hall (500 kg deadlift), Hafthor Bjornsson (501 kg deadlift), and Bill Kazmaier (661 lb bench press). Rankings rely on official competition or verified exhibition records.
Who Is Stronger—Powerlifters or Strongmen?
The main difference between powerlifters and strongmen is the focus of strength. Powerlifters excel in maximal lifts in squat, bench press, and deadlift, while strongmen display broader functional strength across varied events like carries, pulls, and overhead lifts.
Best Biographies of Historical Strongmen
The best biographies of historical strongmen include Paul Anderson: The Mightiest Minister, The Mighty Atom: The Life and Times of Joseph Greenstein, and Louis Cyr: The Strongest Man in History. These works document training methods, feats, and personal lives in detail.
