Strange implements and odd objects are not unusual on a competitive strongman stage. Examples include the World’s Strongest Man (WSM) featuring monster truck parts in a loading medley, the Rogue Strongman Invitational routinely using a rollercoaster frame to haul 600-pound sandbags, and the Arnold Strongman Classic using a 10-foot long deadlift bar (Elephant bar) with a separate set of world records unto itself.

While flipping Fingal’s Fingers or launching kegs into the air are common practices for strongmen, entering the Guinness Book of World Records is a more unique experience. However, that’s exactly what Graham Hicks of the UK did on Feb. 13, 2024, when he stood on the Tower of Power to deadlift a bell for five reps in one minute. Check it out below:

[Related: Mateusz Kieliszkowski Withdraws from 2024 Europe’s Strongest Man Citing Achilles Injury]

The Tower of Power is not an unknown apparatus. It has been a common feature of the Rogue Strongman Invitational for several years. However, lifting a giant tower bell underneath is new, and it scored Hicks his first Guinness World Record in Milan, Italy, on the set of Lo Show Dei Record.

You are officially amazing!

Hicks scored five reps while using lifting straps in a conventional stance. Per the Guinness Book of World Records, Hicks is the first athlete to hold this title, which would be contested for reps in the future.

To attempt a new record, prospective athletes must apply at https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records/apply-to-set-or-break-a-record. The application process is a simple submission form detailing the desired record the applicant wishes an attempt to break. If accepted, the Guinness Book of World Records will provide next steps.

[Related: Watch Strongman Martins Licis Pull The “Grave Digger” Monster Truck]

While claiming an official world record is a highlight of any athlete’s resume, Hicks is likely still in the hunt for the all-time deadlift world record. He is among the few elite strongmen who have attempted but not yet achieved the colossal 505-kilogram deadlift.

Ivan Makarov and two-time WSM champion Tom Stoltman are also among those who have thrown their names into the hat of world-record-deadlift contenders. The heaviest deadlift ever pulled on camera remains Hafthor Björnsson‘s 501-kilogram deadlift from May 2020.

While Hicks may compete sooner, he is expected to compete in the 2024 USA Strongman Championships in Las Vegas, NV, on Sept. 28, 2024. That competition will feature the 2024 World Deadlift Championships.

[Read More: 2024 Giants Live Tour Schedule]

Featured image: @grahamhicksuk on Instagram

The post ICYMI: Strongman Graham Hicks Is in the Guinness Book of World Records for Deadlifting a Tower Bell appeared first on BarBend.

Prior to the commencement of the 2024 IWF World Cup in Phuket, Thailand, rumors swirled about the gravity of the event. Lead event commentator Seb Ostrowicz called this year’s Cup “the biggest weightlifting meet of the last few years,” citing it as the final qualification opportunity for any Paris hopeful.

On Apr. 4, 2024, Ostrowicz’s prophecy came to pass. In a historic upset, Indonesian weightlifter and Junior world record holder Rizki Juniansyah set a new world record in the Total of 365 kilograms — dislodging teammate and 18-month leader Rahmat Erwin Abdullah at the last second.

[Related: The Best Weightlifting Belts You Can Buy]

It’s impossible to overstate the enormity of Juniansyah’s achievement in Phuket. Having only returned to the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) stage in late 2023 after undergoing appendix surgery, Juniansyah was considered a long shot pick for the gold medal in Phuket.

But when the dust had settled, he had beaten both teammate (and clean & jerk world record holder) Abdullah as well as two-time Olympic Champion Shi Zhiyong.

Rizki Juniansyah | 2024 IWF World Cup

Snatch: 155, 164x, 164

Clean & Jerk: 192, 201, 203x

Total: 365 | World Record

How It Happened

Since the IWF unveiled the Paris-recognized bodyweight divisions for the 2024 Olympics, the Men’s 73-kilogram middleweight category has been a hotbed of world-class performers.

For the better part of the 18-month Paris qualification period, no athlete could contend Abdullah, who repeatedly widened his lead over every other athlete in the class, setting multiple world records in the 73 and 81-kilogram divisions.

Teammate Juniansyah underwent surgery towards the end of 2023. Prior to this year’s Cup, his best Total was 353KG — 10 full kilograms behind Abdullah.

But when push came to shove in Phuket, Juniansyah pulled it off against both his countryman and one of China’s most dominant weightlifters ever:

2024 IWF World Cup | Men’s 73-Kilogram

Rizki Juniansyah (INA): 365 (164/201)

Shi Zhiyong (CHN): 356 (165/191)

Rahmat Erwin Abdullah (INA): 355 (160/195)

Editor’s Note: The notation above reads as “[Total] [(Snatch/Clean & Jerk)]”

Speculation was rife in Phuket about the efforts of Zhiyong, who took a long hiatus from the sport after his win in the same category at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. After placing first in the snatch, it looked like Zhiyong was back in top form.

But come the clean & jerks, the now-former world record holder in the Total couldn’t muster the strength he needed to claim the number-one slot in the 73-kilogram category. However, Zhiyong now sits in third place. Pending the outcome of the heavier divisions in Phuket, Zhiyong may receive an invitation to Paris.

As the competition concluded, Abdullah was forced to attempt 206 kilograms — a new world record — in order to reclaim the top slot from Juniansyah. He failed it on his second attempt, sat down on the platform for less than a minute, and tried again with 90 seconds of allotted rest time to spare. He was unsuccessful.

Abdullah spent almost two years in the driver’s seat. When he and Juniansyah last met at the 2024 Asian Championships, Abdullah came out 10 kilograms ahead. At the final stop before the Paris Olympics, Juniansyah returned the favor, in one of the most stunning upsets in modern weightlifting history.

Credit: Jessie Johnson / @barbellstories

[Related: Why Weightlifting Sucks to Watch in 2024]

More From the IWF World Cup

Hampton Morris Sets First USA Senior Men’s World Record in Over 50 Years

Won Hyon Sim Sets Triple World Records at 2024 IWF World Cup

Hou Zhihui (49KG) Sets 97KG Snatch World Record at 2024 IWF World Cup

Featured Image: Jessie Johnson / @barbellstories

The post Historic Upset: Rizki Juniansyah (73KG) Sets World Record Total, Steals Olympic Slot From Teammate Rahmat Erwin Abdullah appeared first on BarBend.

The guys at B.Friendly fitness interviewed with Mat Fraser on April 3rd. Here’s a summary (you can find the full interview below.)

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Mat Fraser’s life is rapidly changing. Fatherhood has transformed his world, and he’s tackling the challenge with his signature dedication.  

This article dives into his journey of balancing family, fitness, and growing a fitness brand, HWPO.  Get ready for an update on Mat Fraser 2.0 – dad, entrepreneur, and still a fitness inspiration.

Embracing a New Chapter: Family, Fitness, and Finding Balance

With the arrival of his first child, Mat entered a transformative phase of life, reshaping his priorities and daily routines around the new center of his universe. 

The challenge of balancing professional aspirations with the responsibilities of parenthood became a central theme in his life.

Adjusting to this new role, Matt approached fatherhood with the same dedication and strategic thinking that characterized his athletic and business successes. 

He recognized that maintaining a balance between his professional commitments and family life required a deliberate restructuring of his time and energy. 

Integrating his training and work schedules around his family’s needs became paramount, illustrating a commitment to not just being present but actively involved in his child’s upbringing.

Expanding HWPO

Expanding HWPO isn’t just about reaching a broader audience; it’s about creating a comprehensive ecosystem that supports both athletes and affiliates worldwide.

By bringing in seasoned professionals, we’re not just scaling our operations; we’re enriching our brand with a level of expertise that ensures our content and coaching are second to none.

Mat Fraser

Strategic Growth and Team Dynamics

Mat has pivoted to a role that could arguably leave a more lasting impact than his competition days. 

Spearheading HWPO, he has ventured into new territories, pushing for a holistic fitness brand that resonates on a global scale. 

The recruitment of seasoned professionals into the HWPO fold isn’t just about scaling operations; it’s about enriching the brand with diverse expertise, ensuring the content and coaching are unparalleled.

Operational Excellence and Innovation

HWPO’s recent foray into multilingual content and affiliate programming exemplifies a commitment to inclusivity. This strategic direction, focusing on accessibility, reflects an understanding of CrossFit’s global community and the necessity of a unified approach to fitness and wellness.

Fostering Community Engagement and Personal Growth

The Power of Inclusivity

Creating spaces where every individual feels valued is at the heart of Mat’s mission. 

By hosting events and engaging with the community, HWPO has become a beacon for inclusivity in fitness. 

These initiatives not only support individual growth but also strengthen the communal fabric of CrossFit, making it a more welcoming space for everyone, regardless of their fitness level or background.

Watch the full update here:

Records continue to fall left, right, and center at this year’s IWF World Cup. The 2024 Cup, which runs from Mar. 31 to Apr. 11 in Phuket, Thailand, is the last stop on the 18-month journey to the 2024 Olympics in Paris this summer.

North Korean weightlifter Ri Won Ju capped off the Men’s 67-kilogram event in spectacular fashion when he set a new world record in the clean & jerk; 189 kilograms, or 416.6 pounds.

[Related: The Best Weightlifting Belts on the Market]

Ju faced stiff competition in the snatch portion from Italy’s Sergio Massidda, who typically competes in the Men’s 61 kilogram. Massidda placed first in the snatches with 145 kilograms, but couldn’t contend with Ju’s strength during the clean & jerks.

Ri Won Ju | 2024 IWF World Cup

Snatch: 135, 141, 144

Clean & Jerk: 174, 182, 189 | World Record

Total: 333

Prior to the Cup, the clean & jerk world record was already in the hands of North Korea. Pak Jong-Ju hit 188 back in 2019 and stood uncontested for the last five years.

[Related: Why Can’t North Korea Compete in Weightlifting at the 2024 Olympics?]

North Korea Returns in Force

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK or PRK) returned to the international weightlifting circuit in the back half of 2023 after a five-year hiatus from the sport. Since their comeback, PRK athletes have claimed more world records in less than a year’s time than any other nation by a large margin.

However, the People’s Republic is ineligible to compete in weightlifting at the Paris Olympics this August for failing to appear at mandatory events earlier in the qualification cycle.

Without having to abide by the qualification structure that binds other nations, PRK have had free reign to pursue world records in non-Olympic weight categories such as the Women’s 64-kilogram or Men’s 67-kilogram, as Ju did. Notably, in the Women’s 45-kilogram featherweight division, PRK athlete Won Hyon-Sim is the only individual to reach world-record weights since the division was created in 2018.

If North Korea makes an appearance at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, expect them to be serious gold medal contenders in almost every category.

More Weightlifting News

Hampton Morris Sets America’s First Senior Men’s Weightlifting World Record in 50 Years

Weightlifter Ri Song Gum (49KG) Sets 221KG Total World Record at 2024 IWF World Cup

Weightlifter Hou Zhihui (49KG) Sets 97KG Snatch World Record at 2024 IWF World Cup

Featured Image courtesy of Weightlifting House

The post Weightlifter Ri Won Ju (67KG) Sets 189KG World Record Clean & Jerk at 2024 IWF World Cup appeared first on BarBend.

The Virginia-based acac Fitness & Wellness Centers now counts 14 locations across three states

La Maison Health & Fitness, a family-owned fitness club serving the Main Line neighborhood of Philadelphia, has been acquired by Virginia-based acac Fitness & Wellness Centers. The facility will soon be rebranded under the acac name.

The move gives acac 14 clubs in Virginia, Pennsylvania and South Carolina.

“We’re thrilled to be part of the vibrant and active Main Line community,” said acac CEO Chris Craytor. “Our plan is to improve the member experience in the form of new equipment, system upgrades and cosmetic enhancements.”

Current La Maison members will be able to upgrade their memberships and access acac’s other nearby health and fitness facilities in West Chester and Eagleview, Pa.

“We are excited that the 40-year legacy of La Maison Health & Fitness will continue under the ownership of acac, another family-owned fitness organization,” said Stephanie Sposato, president of La Maison.

Sposato took to social media to follow up on the news of the deal, assuring members that La Maison staff have been welcomed into acac’s operations.

“We feel that acac will keep the family feel that we have while taking the gym to the next level,” she said in a video. “You’re going to be in such great hands.”

Similar to acac’s offerings, La Maison provides members with a full scope of health and wellness services such as cycling, yoga, barre and aquatic classes, personal training, fitness programs for kids, health and nutrition coaching, recovery and physical therapy services and a shake bar. Acac locations also offer medical wellness programming.

The post Acac Acquires La Maison Health & Fitness in Latest Expansion appeared first on Athletech News.

Mahlum’s latest investment in fitness and wellness, Apothékary offers plant-based remedies that support a host of health benefits

Serial entrepreneur Anne Mahlum has invested $500,000 in herbal medicine brand Apothékary, a plant-powered and woman-owned business.

It’s the latest move by the philanthropist and founder of Solidcore and Back on My Feet, following prior investments in The Athletic Clubs, a New York-based fitness startup and Ice Barrel, a maker of ice bath tubs used for cold water therapy.

“Investing in Apothékary is not just a financial decision for me; it’s a commitment to supporting innovation and empowering entrepreneurs who are reshaping industries,” said Mahlum, who sold her entire stake in Solidcore last year for $84 million. “With this investment, I am excited to see how Apothékary will further expand its reach to drive positive change and promote healthier living.”

Personalized Herbal Remedies

The Virginia-based Apothékary offers clean, plant-based products that support sleep, digestion, energy, skin health, immunity, hormones, pre and post-natal phases and cognition. Shoppers can take a brief quiz to get personalized herbal recommendations to meet their wellness goals.

Apothékary blends include “The Honest Youth,” a blend of mushrooms, herbs and berries designed to restore skin, boost collagen and hydrate, and “Take the Edge Off,” a combination of combination of nervine herbs designed to calm stress and ease tension.

In addition to offering products with trendy functional mushrooms, the brand also sells wine alternatives for those who are ‘sober-curious’ or prefer a non-alcoholic lifestyle. Live classes covering a variety of wellness topics (and hosted by clinical herbalists) are also available.

Apothékary Eyes Retail Expansion, Partnerships

Shizu Okusa, Apothékary’s founder and CEO, said partnering with Mahlum was a “no-brainer” due to the Solidcore founder’s track record in wellness as well as the pair’s “long-standing personal relationship.”

Okusa told Athletech News that the investment will be utilized “to further propel Apothékary’s aggressive brand goals – all of which ladder back to general brand awareness and accessibility.”

“A few highlights for the year are new key national and global partnerships, retail expansion, funding clinical studies for our proprietary products and formulations, and expanding our team – we’re currently hiring for 8 roles,” Okusa said. “Additionally, we’re focused on developing personalized herbal medicine technology and a new format as we look to 2025.”

“This is just the beginning for Apothékary and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have Anne on this journey with us,” she added.

Besides Mahlum, other Apothékary investors include Bonobos founder Andy Dunn and MuteSix founder Steve Weiss. 

The post Solidcore Founder Anne Mahlum Backs Herbal Medicine Brand Apothékary appeared first on Athletech News.

How expansive a range can an adjustable dumbbell set go? Of course, the wider the range, the more space can be saved in a home gym, garage gym, or the like. On April 3, 2024, the fitness world received the latest evolution of adjustable dumbbells.

REP Fitness and PÉPIN partnered to release the “FAST Series Adjustable Dumbbell,” which ranges from 10 to a staggering 125 pounds. Check out the promo video below from REP’s YouTube channel:

[Related: The Best Adjustable Dumbbells for Your Home Gym]

The FAST Series Adjustable Dumbbell sets are made of steel with “CNC-cut plates with a black powder coating,” according to REP Fitness’s website, the Colorado-based equipment company founded in 2012.

This new product is part of REP’s Inventor Series, a line of products they manufacture in partnership with various equipment inventors. “The goal is to simultaneously lift up other gym equipment inventors while making their amazing products more accessible to more people,” REP writes on their website. “It’s a win-win-win.”

Colorado-based REP Fitness was founded in 2012 by brothers Ryan and Shane McGrotty. They’re known for producing American-made, high-quality strength equipment, ranging from power racks to barbells, weight plates, and training benches. PÉPIN is based and Canada and is a small shop known only for their FAST series adjustable dumbbells. The fitness reviews site Garage Gym Reviews ranked the FAST dumbbells 4.5 out of 5 stars.

The design is purposefully compact without impacting the above-average weight range. REP also extensively dropped test the steel dumbbells to ensure durability, and the steel cradles ensure you won’t wear out your dumbell holsters over time. Each dumbbell is adjustable in 10-pound increments via magnetic pop-pins. Smaller increment plates weighing 2.5 pounds each are included.

FAST Series Adjustable Dumbbell Features

Per REP Fitness, the Fast Series Adjustable Dumbbell Features include:

Nickel-plated handles with volcano-style knurling

Functional side rails with rounded outside edges

UMHW protective liners to prevent scratches from steel-on-steel contact

Laser-etched weight markings

Flat-bottom heads to prevent rolling on the ground

FAST Series Adjustable Dumbbell Measurements

Cradle Length — 18.9″

85lb Dumbbell Length — 14.5″

105lb Dumbbell Length — 16.4″

125lb Dumbbell Length — 18.3″

Cradle Width — 5.3″

Height (Cradle With Dumbbell) — 7.2″

Height (Cradle Without Dumbbell) — 4.9″

Usable Handle Length — 4.9″

Handle Diameter — 34mm

Plate Diameter — 7.0″

Cradle Weight (When Empty) — 10.8 pounds

[Related: The Best Dumbbells for Any Budget or Fitness Goal]

FAST Series Adjustable Dumbbell Pricing

The “FAST Series Adjustable Dumbbell” has three versions currently available for pre-order on their website. The pricing is as follows:

Up to 85 Pounds — $899.99

Up to 105 Pounds — $1,099.99

Up to 125 Pounds — $1,299.99

Lighter dumbbell sets are upgradeable to heavier variations. Orders will ship starting on Sept. 3, 2024. Shipping is free.

Featured image: Courtesy of REP Fitness

The post REP Fitness Teams With PÉPIN to Release “FAST Series Adjustable Dumbbell” That Ranges From 10 to 125 Pounds appeared first on BarBend.