Strength to bodyweight ratios- are some feats of strength more impressive?

[NicholasAstro]

Halfthor has a new YouTube video in which he deadlifts 1036lbs on a Rogue Elephant bar and his coach hints he weights “about 195kg-200kg”.

If we assume Halfthor weights exactly 195kg, then a 2.5x bodyweight deadlift for him would equate to 487.5 kilo or 1074.75 pounds.

Richard Hawthorn, another popular powerlifter, is 5’3 and a 130lb competitor who has deadlifted 600lbs in competition; over 4.5x bodyweight.


Both of these guys are rather extreme examples in illustrating the question: is a 2.5x bodyweight (or higher) squat or deadlift equally impressive in all ratios of bodyweight to bar weight? Or rather, is our awe skewed in instances like Halfthor where the bar weight is in excess of 1000lbs because the numbers are so far outside of the norm?

[Mark Rippetoe]

It is normal for lighter-bodyweight guys to lift more as a % of bodyweight than heavier guys. This is what Weight Classes are for.

[NicholasAstro]

It is normal for lighter-bodyweight guys to lift more as a % of bodyweight than heavier guys. This is what Weight Classes are for.

Thanks for the professional observation, Mark. I tend to think that the heavier weights at higher body weights are more impressive. Due to the longer commitment to training and overall discipline than the lighter weights. Not to imply a 2.5x body weight, lower body lift, is unimpressive. But there’s a reason guys are the Arnold don’t weight 193lbs.

[zinedine kilbane]

Also, yes absolute records are obviously more impressive than records in restricted classes.