The 1000 Pound Bench Press

The first ever recorded 1,000 lb bench press was set by Eugène Rychlak Jr.-- more widely known as Gene Rychlak-- in 2006. Gene Rychlak was a powerlifter who competed in the early 2000's, also squatting over 1,005 lb in competition.

Not only was Gene the first ever person to perform a 1,000 lb Bench Press, he was also the first ever to perform the 900 lb bench press in 2003.

Unfortunately, in 2019, Gene Rychlak passed away due to a heart condition. His name still lives on within the community.

The 1000 Pound Squat

Dave Waddington is a former powerlifter and strongman from Ohio, United States. He is widely known amongst the community as the first ever athlete to break the 1000 lb barrier in the competition squat.

In 1981, Waddington became the first person to ever squat over 1000 lb. He also has quite a variety of titles in various powerlifting and strongman competitions.

His remarkable squat is officially listed in the Guinness Book of World Records from 1981.

The 1000 Pound Deadlift

The deadlift has first been seen in history originating in the early 1700's when archaeologists found a large boulder on the Greek Island of Thera inscribed with the words, "Eumastas, the son of Critobulus, lifted me from the ground."

Further on, more and more boulders throughout history have been seen with similar inscriptions from various people in a variety of locationswho have lifted them and or hoisted them.

Obviously, this isn't the same act as a traditional "Barbell Deadlift", however, symbolically it maintains the same idea; picking up a dead weight from the ground and lifting it to one's waist.

In 2006, Andrew Bolton from Dewsbury, Yorkshire became the first man to ever deadlift 1000 lb. This event took place under the WPO (World Powerlifting Organization).

Bolton also holds the world record in the total amount lifted with 1273 kg/2806 lb.