“Anything Above 5 Reps Is Cardio”: Lifting Community Challenges 430 Lbs Strongman Legend by Quoting His Own Training Philosophy

Days after the Arnold Strongman Classic UK, Hafthor Bjornsson posted his “350 kg (771.6 lbs) for 10 reps,” clip from the Arnold event. Needless to say, the former World’s Strongest Man’s epic deadlift stunned fans. In fact, they were so stunned that they thought it looked too easy. So they hilariously used the former three-time Arnold Strongman Classic winner’s training philosophy to suggest that he could’ve lifted more weight.

The strength sports icon returned to competitive strongman at the Arnold Strongman Classic 2024. Despite suffering a devastating pec tear last year, Bjornsson made an almost miraculously quick recovery to compete in Ohio. Although he had to settle for a fourth-place finish, no one could come close to matching the Icelandic strongman’s insane deadlift onstage.

While preparing for the Arnold Strongman Classic, Hafthor Bjornsson wasn’t 100%. Owing to this, he refrained from lifting heavy upper body movements during training, although his injury had healed. So, the former champion went all out on lower body and back-focused movements like deadlifts. The 2018 WSM winner’s goal was to win the deadlift event and smash it out of the park.

The 35-year-old made the bar look weightless during the initial reps and only struggled slightly during the final rep. However, the stiff-bar deadlift wasn’t the only deadlift event where Bjornsson made a statement. The strongman legend lifted a mind-boggling 1006 lbs (456 kg) to win the elephant bar deadlift event at the Arnold Strongman Classic.

Fans were even more impressed because the strongman had not competed for two years. Besides not competing, the 35-year-old took up boxing and lost tons of muscle from his frame. So fans couldn’t help but praise Hafthor Bjornsson, even if it meant resorting to humor.

Read More | “Strongest Man in History”: Hafthor Bjornsson’s 1000lbs Deadlift at Arnold Classic Leaves Fitness World Flabbergasted

Fans could only compare the strongman with himself

“This is cardio!” wrote a fan, seeing how easily Hafthor did ten reps. “Too easy. Practically CrossFit!” commented another fan, echoing the same sentiment. “‘Anything above 5 reps is cardio’ – Thor Bjornsson,” commented a third fan. Although these comments were hilarious, the fans indicated that maybe Hafthor could’ve lifted much more weight for five reps.

However, others were simply in awe to come up with clever comments. “Strongest human that has ever walked the earth,” wrote one stunned fan. “King of deadlift,” stated another. The strongman icon could’ve undoubtedly lifted more weight for 5 or 8 reps. However, he chose not to push too hard on his first competition after recovery. What did you think of the clip? Write your thoughts in the comments.

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