Some people hear their own inner voices with great clearness. And they live by what they hear. Such people become crazy... or they become legend. - Jim Harrison
All Time Top Ten
A few weeks ago I was informed that a popular "fitness" magazine listed the all time Top 10 Powerlifters. While I agreed with many of the selections I think they missed one of the greatest lifters of all time, Steve Goggins. I don't feel this way because he has been a part of team elitefts™ for years or for the influence he has had on my own training. I feel this way because it is simply true as you will see below. I think the best way to address this is by simply asking...
What will YOU do when you are 49 Years Old?
We are in the process of compiling all the stats to write a Take it to the Meet article for Steve but this will take time. There are over thirty years of world record lifts and top ten rankings we need to look up!
To make this even more impressive, Steve has NEVER torn a muscle or had a training-related injury except for one hamstring pull that occurred when he did an exhibition 965-pound deadlift with straps.
Let me repeat that. The guy is 49 years old, has been competing and breaking World Records at the highest level for over thirty years and only remembers pulling a hamstring...once! Oh, and he is still lifting BIG ASS weights today!
I forgot one - based on the videos and stats below Steve has been Deadlifting 800 pounds or more than a quarter of a century! This is assuming the first time he pulled 800 was in 1987. I'm sure when we dig around more we will discover he did pull 800 before 1987 so 26 years is a low estimate.
Recent training videos of Steve at 49 years old...
800-Pound Deadlift at the Elitefts™ UGSS
800-Pound Raw Training Squat with Wraps and a Belt
Bonus Videos:
900-Pound Hook Grip from 2001
1100-Pound Squat in 2003
* NOTE: THIS is still the most impressive lift I have ever seen in the sport of Powerlifting.
Quick Stats - Steve Goggins
Personal Records: 1,102 Squat, 600 Bench Press, 881 Deadlift
Steve Goggins (US/63) 3/1/03 (500.0 kg. @ 120.45 kg. First man to squat 1,100 pounds.) (Columbus, Ohio) (WPO)
All Time Top 20 Rankings
220-Pound Class #9 in the Deadlift with 821 set in 1,987 (one of the longest standing on any top 20 list)
242-Pound Class #9 in the Squat with 1,045 set in 2005
242-Pound Class #4 in the Deadlift with 871.9 set in 2004
242-Pound Class #10 in the Total with 2,481 set in 2004
275-Pound Class #7 in the Squat with 1,102 set in 2003
275-Pound Class #7 in the Deadlift with 881 set in 2003
275-Pound Class #15 in the Total with 2,535 set in 2003
SOURCE: Powerlifting Watch
These condensed stats demonstrate that while the "fitness" guys might think Steve shouldn't be included in the all time top ten, his numbers, considering his ALL-TIME top ten listings began in 1987 and span 18 years, tell otherwise.
This is not to mention being the first man to squat 1,100 pounds, the numbers he still puts up today, and the "legend" status he has achieved.
When people think Powerlifting Legend, Steve Goggins always comes to mind.
In the end, does it really matter where someone falls on a list compiled by people who know little about the sport?
No, but it did give me a reason to post all these great videos.
| What Will You Do When You Are 49 Years Old? |
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