What did Arnold Schwarzenegger bench press? His powerlifting records revealed

Arnold Schwarzenegger is a name that needs no introduction; the name itself is enough. Despite the generation you belong to, almost every child has looked up to Schwarzenegger to start his fitness journey.

Even after retiring from professional bodybuilding in 1975, he has influenced the younger generation toward fitness. The 76-year-old was a walking beast and had some iconic records in the gym. Let's find out how much the bodybuilding giant lifted in his prime.

Despite being a bodybuilder, the Austrian Oak was a legendary powerlifter back in the golden era of bodybuilding. Schwarzenegger started his warmup set at 135 pounds, then gradually increased the weight. After this, he moved to 225, then 275, 315, 375, 405, 445, and lastly, he ended his bench press with 495 pounds. He tried to perform at least three reps with his last weight, either 445 or 495, depending on the day.

Last year, around November, the Austrian Oak was featured on the Pat McAfee show and revealed his unofficial gym benchpress record. He shared that the maximum bench press he did for one rep was 525 pounds, which left everyone awe-struck. This is just the start of the tales of his iconic lifts.

Apart from being a professional bodybuilder, Schwarzenegger was also a formidable opponent in the powerlifting world. He made his debut in 1966, deadlifting 551 pounds and squatting a staggering 375 pounds. But the bodybuilding icon was not satisfied with his records and tried his luck one more time.

Arnie made a comeback at the German Powerlifting Championship in 1967 and broke his previous records with a flying difference. That year, he deadlifted 617 pounds and squatted 441 pounds. The Austrian Oak finished second that year, surprising everyone with his inhumane strength.

Fact about Schwarzenegger that will blow your mind

There is a lesser-known fact about Schwarzenegger that many people don't know. The seven-time Mr. Olympia participated in Olympic weightlifting events as a teenager. He performed overhead presses, snatch, and clean & jerk at the Austrian Olympic Lifting Championship.

The Terminator lifted 264 pounds in the overhead press, continuing with 298 pounds in the clean & jerk. He even lifted 243 pounds in the bout of snatch. The guy just didn't know when to stop and even participated in a stone-lifting competition in Germany. There, he lifted the stone, weighing an astonishing 560 pounds.

Contrary to the popular belief that bodybuilders aren't as strong as powerlifters or weightlifters, the Terminator proved everyone wrong.

After witnessing such immense lifts from the Austrian Oak, were you also left dumbstruck? Let us know in the comments.