Hafthor Bjornsson has left an unerasable mark in Strongman’s history, but, as he recently revealed, he is now ready to come out of retirement and add to his legacy. So, Hafthor’s preparation is in full force, which is why he has already made some huge improvements. His strength is coming back much quicker than anyone could have anticipated, as proven by his recently shared 400-kilogram (881.8-pound) elephant bar deadlift.
Hafthor Bjornsson holds an All-Time Deadlift World Record on the standard barbell, but he has also set numerous records on the elephant bar as well. Most notably, he performed a 1,046-pound (474.5-kilogram) elephant bar deadlift in 2019. So, seeing how he is already back to lifting 400 kilograms (881.8 pounds), it remains to be seen if he can catch up to his previous best.
The elephant barbell is significantly longer than the standard one, which means that it is capable of bending much more as well. This alters the movement completely, giving it a special feeling. Hafthor Bjornsson has always been great in this event, which is why he only needed a lifting belt and lifting straps to lock out 400 kilograms (881.8 pounds). As expected, he made it look very easy.
“400kg/881lbs Deadlift on the elephant bar. First time using it since 2020.”
Watch the lift here:
View this post on InstagramGet Fitter, FasterLevel Up Your Fitness: Join our 💪 strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter. Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!
Related: Hafthor Bjornsson Nails Heaviest Deadlift On Elephant Bar Ever
The reason why Hafthor Bjornsson opted to perform the deadlift with an elephant bar instead of a standard one is very simple. His next appearance will be at the 2024 Arnold Strongman Classic, which will take place on March 1-2 in Columbus, Ohio. The events for this competition were revealed recently, and the ‘Elephant Bar Deadlift’ was listed as one of them.
While he did share the 400-kilogram (881.8-pound) deadlift on Instagram, Hafthor Bjornsson also posted a full video of his workout on YouTube. During the video, Hafthor revealed that he is much lighter than he was the last time he performed elephant bar deadlifts in 2020. At that time, he weighed around 208 kilograms (458.6 pounds), while his current bodyweight is 176 kilograms (388 pounds). However, he will not withhold himself from putting on some more weight, as the plan is to find a bodyweight that he feels most comfortable at.
Hafthor Bjornsson’s plans for next year also contain two more appearances. So, after he makes his comeback official, Hafthor will also take part in the 2024 Arnold Strongman Classic UK and the 2024 Rogue Invitational. His goals are also large, as he revealed in a talk with Brian Shaw that he is still capable of doing a lot of damage.
Watch Hafthor Bjornsson’s full workout video here:
Related: Hafthor Bjornsson Shares Graphic Footage Of His Successful Pec Tear Surgery
All that Hafthor Bjornsson has achieved is even more impressive considering that it was done after a major pec tear. It still might limit him a bit at the 2024 Arnold Strongman Classic, but he will undoubtedly be back to his best by the end of next year.