Article Rundown

• How I built my 1306 lb world record squat
• My team and support
• Obstacle’s I had to overcome
• Changes in my training
• Widening my squat stance
• SquatMax MD
• Bands, chains, and more!

Building the 1306-Pound Squat: A World Record Journey

In this video, I share the story behind my world record 1306-pound squat, achieved on October 3rd, 2020. I discuss the training process, the team that supported me, and the changes I made to my approach. This was during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when shutdowns were widespread, and the restrictions that followed presented significant challenges. Some of the people who helped me train for this achievement were unable to attend the meet due to travel restrictions.

Acknowledging My Support Team

First and foremost, I want to thank everyone who helped me during this journey, especially those who were able to attend the meet. This includes my training partners Tom, Steve, Shane, Dave, Byrd, Rudy, Ant, Spud, and my wife Ria. During the pandemic, we had to take our two six-month-old twins on a ten-hour drive to Tennessee, which required sacrifices from everyone involved. I am deeply grateful for their support—thank you!

Overcoming Obstacles: A Rocky Year

Leading up to the meet, 2020 was a challenging year for me. In April, my twin girls were born, and I faced a series of setbacks: I tore my pec, contracted shingles, and then got COVID-19—all while continuing to train for the meet. After recovering from a severe bout with COVID, I quickly returned to my training routine. However, just a month before the meet, I tore my bicep off the bone during a deadlift session. This injury forced me to make a difficult decision.

I didn’t want to pull out of the meet, but I felt defeated after the bicep tear. On the Saturday following the injury, I wondered if I could still compete in a squat-only event. While I couldn’t bench press or deadlift due to the injury, perhaps I could still perform a squat. At that time, I hadn’t even broken a 1200-pound squat, and I wanted to set a new record. I decided to postpone my bicep surgery and pursue the meet with a torn bicep. Two days after the meet, I had the surgery.

Training for the Record: Key Changes and Strategies

Several key factors contributed to my ability to achieve this world record squat. The first—and most obvious—was the increase in body size and weight. For years, I struggled to stay above 270 pounds, as gaining weight often left me feeling physically broken. However, after taking time off from supplements to restore my fertility and prepare for the birth of my twins, I noticed that I gained size without the typical negative effects.

By 2019, I had increased my body weight to 290 pounds without significant discomfort. Once I resumed testosterone therapy under my doctor’s supervision, my weight climbed even further, pushing me into the 300-pound range for the first time in years. This allowed me to build strength without experiencing the usual aches in my hips, back, and knees. The extra body mass was crucial in helping me push to new levels of strength.

Widening My Stance and Improving Technique

Another change I made was widening my squat stance. This advice came from Dave Hoff, who encouraged me to try a wider stance for years. After a squat session with Dave in March 2020, I finally decided to take his advice. This adjustment and the new OverKill gear I was wearing allowed me to squat heavier than ever before. Of course, this came with the cost of some hip arthritis, but it was a risk I was willing to take. I owe a big part of my success to Dave Hoff’s guidance.

SquatMax MD: A Game Changer

In 2019, I also acquired a SquatMax MD belt squat. A long-standing issue in my training was finding ways to strengthen my quads and hamstrings without overloading my back, knees, and spine. The SquatMax allowed me to target my quads without the wear and tear of traditional squatting or leg pressing. It was far more effective than any other belt squat machine I had used, and it helped me build strength in ways I hadn’t been able to before. If you want to try the SquatMax, use my discount code for $50 off your purchase. You can find the link [HERE].

Incorporating Bands, Chains, and Specialty Bars

Another major shift in my training was the increased use of bands and chains. This allowed me to add more variety to my lifting, particularly in my raw training. I also incorporated specialty bars, such as the safety squat bar, which put me in a more disadvantaged position and helped build different areas of my squat. Additionally, I made a concerted effort to strengthen my core through exercises like good mornings, which helped build a stronger foundation for my lifts. I also used more exercises that I hadn’t done as much, such as heavy carries, more stir-the-pot, sled drags, and more intense good mornings. These exercises pushed me to develop new areas of strength that were crucial for achieving this record.

Pushing Beyond Limits

Ultimately, these changes and adjustments helped me push my limits and surpass my comfort zone. The process required significant sacrifices, including gaining weight and pushing my body beyond what it had been used to. Lifting with a torn bicep was risky—it could have permanently damaged my arm—but I was willing to take that risk in pursuit of my goal. I understand this approach isn’t for everyone, and many would hesitate to sacrifice their long-term health for a single lift. However, this was a goal I had to achieve before retiring from competitive lifting. On meet day in October 2020, the risks paid off with a world record squat.

Learn More About My Journey

If you want a more detailed look at how I achieved this squat, I highly recommend watching the full video [HERE], where I dive deeper into the specifics of my training and preparation. Additionally, please check out the Gift of Injury documentary [HERE], which goes into more depth about the journey leading up to the meet and highlights the people who helped me achieve such an important goal in my life.

BRIAN DOES ONLINE AND IN-PERSON COACHING!

Back Injured Average Mary or Joe who wants their life back

Back Injured Athlete Wanting to Return to Sport

Lift and exercise coaching & cueing to troubleshoot form

Program adherence & accountability coaching