So myself, after years of hard training on squat and deadlift and competing in strongman contests, I decided to take a break and try something new. Totally new to what I've always done. The Bench Press. The RAW Bench Press. Since I don't think much of the triple layers slingshot suit and that kind of crap.

So, being the intellectual that I am, I've done research about my new found passion. And for inspiration and motivation source I've got some big numbers about the famous bench pressers of this world and the others. In the following lists, I've certainly forgot to include some big names. Sorry, but feel free to send me e-mail to let me know about your knowledge on the subject.

Let's begin with the top of the troop:

700 pounds CLUB

Evidently, professional bencher Scot Mendelson reigns supreme with an official RAW 715-pound bench press. Born in 1969, the 5'9", 290-310-pound monster has rocked the world with multiple raw and assisted bench press records.

In my book, the most respectable bencher is the 6'4", 400+pounds Jim "Hollywood" Henderson easily benched 711 lbs RAW & DRUG-FREE in a plain white t-shirt. He loves to brag and joke around (I would too), claiming to be the strongest bench presser of ALL TIME. Having never failed a drug test, I think he is the strongest bencher of all time.

World class bencher Ted Arcidi. At 5'10", 290 lbs, Arcidi benched a world record 705 lbs on March 3, 1985, with only a light bench shirt to keep his shoulders warm. Football player Larry Allen bench pressed raw 700 lbs with spotters and 43 reps with 225 lbs. Amazing feat!

I certainly didn't mention some big time benchers in this select club. But the article is all about raw benching.

600 pounds CLUB

The first man to officially bench press 600 lbs was Pat Cassey. One of the most talked about member of this select club is certainly UFC brawler Tank Abbott. With his easy, unassisted 600 lbs bench press. World's Strongest Man Bill Kazmier had the world record in the 80s with a raw 660 lbs bench press with a narrow grip. The ripped 6'3", 265-pound football player Mike Kudla max benchs 610 lbs. Football offensive lineman Justin Geisinger benches 600 lbs along with 225 for 43 reps. Giant MMA fighter and former NFL player Bob Sapp's max bench is over 600 lbs. MMA fighter Mark Coleman claims a 600-pound bench press when he was bulkier. Jeremy Hoornstra claims a 675 lbs raw bench but he "only" managed to do 605 lbs in an official powerlifting competition with a shirt?!? 80s wrestler Nikolaï Volkoff got a 600 lbs bench press. Physical specimen, pro bencher and pro wrestler Tony Atlas, at 6'3", 297 lbs, 22" guns and a claimed 4% body fat, benched 650 lbs. That's a lot of weight!

Bodybuilder Greg Kovacs and his team, claims he benched close to 600 lbs for 10 reps. But like all his claims, it's probably B.S. He only lifts on smith-machine and all of his lifts seem to be partials and exaggerated.

And the dark horse of this club, French Canadian 80s WWE wrestler Dino Bravo. He attempted to break the time bench press world record with a televised 711 lbs lift. The only problem is that there were four bogus 45 plates on the bar which reduce the weight to 531 lbs. And he needed assistance from the spotter Jesse Ventura to complete the lift?!? But different witnesses claimed he regularly bench pressed 675 lbs (7 plates per side). Some official source said he was a legit 575 lbs bencher. But one thing for sure, he was a legit 500+lbs bencher.

500 pounds CLUB

The first man to bench press 500 lbs was Doug Hepburn. The 500 pounds club also includes Road Warriors Hawk and Animal, along with amateur wrestler and UFC fighter Ron Waterman. Wrestler and World's Strongest Man competitor "Superstar" Billy Graham and, as witnessed by one of my friends on TV, French Canadian PCO got it at 585 lbs. Legendary and herculean former WWE world champion Bruno Sammartino has a drug-free 565 lbs bench to his credit and a stunning 315 lbs for 38 reps bench. The "British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith claimed an easily believable 535 lbs bench. UFC heavy hitter Dan Bobbish also benches 535 lbs. Another MMA slugger that I suspect to be in this club is the huge Jimmy Ambriz and TNA wrestler Scott Steiner. "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka claimed a 525 lbs bench press in his early years as a bodybuilder. NWA TV commentators used to say that powerhouse Lex Luger benched 500 lbs in his peak years. Not hard to believe since he was seen doing 5 reps with 405 lbs at the WCW Power Plant wrestling school when he was only 235 pounds. And old-timer French wrestler, Edouard Carpentier said he was the first man to bench press 500 lbs in Montreal, Quebec.

Other suspects are wrestler Big John Studd (who once attempted 700 lbs on TV), Warlord (gigantic wrestler who "made" 19 reps with 500 pounds on a wrestling show, probably a "work") Olympian Ken Patera and others that I forgot.

400 pounds CLUB

"Human Wrecking Machine" Brock Lesnar's max bench is 475 lbs. Legendary football lineman William "The Refrigirator" Perry used to bench a max of 465 lbs. Arnold Schwartzenegger benched 455 lbs. Big Shaquille O'Neil once made a 455 lbs bench off-season. Hockey goon Tony Twist also hits 455. MMA fighter Marco Ruas claimed to max bench 440 lbs. Movie star and wrestler The Rock got a max bench of 425 lbs. Olympic hero Kurt Angle used to bench 420 lbs and squat 630 lbs. Impressive for a 220-lb man. WWE wrestler Randy Orton benched 400+lbs coupled with a 525-pound squat. Physical phenom "Masterpiece" Chris Masters got a max around 400 lbs. UFC fighter Ian Freeman claims a lifetime best of 396 lbs for 8 reps on the bench. Bret "The Hitman" Hart claims a triple with 405 lbs. Movie icon Sylvester Stallone said that in his best years he benched between 385 to 400 lbs and squatted 500 lbs. And probably most NFL lineman are good for a high 400 to a low 500.

Below 400

Actor Will Smith got a lifetime best of 385 lbs. K-1 fighter Jerome LeBanner maxed out at 353 lbs. Golf champion Tiger Woods got a 320 lbs max bench. NBA "midget" Earl Boykins supposedly benched 315 lbs at 5'5" and 133 lbs!?! And, surprisingly, huge WWE wrestler Triple H has only ever benched 315 lbs for 2 reps. As he said, he trains like a bodybuilder, not a powerlifter.

Even President Bush caught on to the bench press fantasy; he is able to bench 185 lbs for 5 reps.

I Just hope that you enjoy this short list of benchers and hope that it's inspire you to compare to famous people and athletes.

Always believe and hit the weight hard!

Author: PYGOD

Date Posted: August 12th, 2007 

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