How much was Ronnie Coleman's max squat?
Ronnie Coleman, the iconic eight-time champion of Mr. Olympia, is known for his incredible strength and physique. His lifting capabilities, particularly his squatting, have become legendary.
On July 11, 2013, Coleman, 49 years old at the time, shared a video on his YouTube channel highlighting his first ever 800 lb squats.
You can watch it here:
In 2021, Coleman uploaded a reaction video where he analyzed his thought process before the famous lift.
Here's the video:
Coleman even claimed he could have done three or four more squats but decided to stick with two reps.
Understanding Ronnie Coleman's unmatched strength
Ronnie Coleman's training routine was intense and demanding as it focused on heavy weights and a high volume of super quads aside from his other sets.
Apart from being physically active, Coleman suggested that in order to grow in the bodybuilding community, one must retain the mentality they had as a beginner.
He once wrote in an article for muscleandfitness.com:
"Body Bodybuilding is something you’re driven to do, no matter what... To me, though, every workout is brand new because I have a brand-new goal,"
Coleman's dedication to his passion as a bodybuilder is evident in the way he does his routines. He pushed his body to its limits and never settled for mediocrity when doing heavy squats that seemed impossible at the time.
"Squats are ideal for supersets. No other position permits such a quick and easy transition from one exercise to another," Coleman wrote in the same article.
Ronnie Coleman compared to other famous bodybuilders
If we are to compare Ronnie Coleman's strength to other famous bodybuilders, it is clear that stands in a league of his own. This is especially considering he did the 800 lb squat, which remains one of the most talked-about achievements in the sport, at the age of 49.
Other notable bodybuilders, such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jay Cutler, also achieved remarkable feats during their careers. However, Coleman's combination of size, muscle density, and lifting capacity puts him head and shoulders above the rest.