Powerlifting Icon Jen Thompson Smashes a 335-lb (152-kg) Raw Bench Press PR

The sport of powerlifting obviously consists of three lifts, which are the squat, bench press and deadlift. The bench press is arguably the most notable of the three, as both professionals and standard gym goers seek to achieve supreme strength with it. Well, it is hard to argue that anyone has ever performed this lift more impressively than Jen Thompson. Despite her previous successes, Jen has outdone herself in her most recent training session. She did that by crushing a 335-pound (152-kilogram) bench press PR. This PR was also raw, since Thompson only used wrist wraps to aid her in completing it.

Jen Thompson also used her new 335-pound (152-kilogram) bench press PR as an opportunity to educate and motivate her followers. In an effort to achieve one rep max, she pointed out how much of a role mentality plays in the success of these attempts. Jen’s first attempt at claiming this PR was unsuccessful, but she took some time to reset her mind, then came back and managed to perform this incredible feat of strength effortlessly.

“There have been times I have failed the lift only to get mad and come back and get it.

Why? I stick by my earlier statement that 90% of this stuff is mental. Fear of failure? A new weight? Not excited enough about it. Or just feeling it in your hands that one time makes it easier to lift it again the second time…..”

Watch the lift here:

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Jen Thompson (@jenthompson132)

Jen Thompson’s bodyweight at the time of the lift is unknown, but she usually competes in the 67.5-kilogram (148.8-pound) weight class. If she is currently weighing that much, then her new bench press PR would be 2.25x her bodyweight, which is absolutely mind-blowing.

At 49 years old, Jen Thompson has already built an impressive and lasting powerlifting career. She has completed over 100 sanctioned competitions since her debut at the 1999 USAPL National Bench Press Championships. Jen has too many victories to keep track of and has also broken World Records countless times.

Jen Thompson’s Competition PRs:

Squat: 157.5 kilograms (347.2 pounds) — (2022 USAPL Mega Nationals)
Bench Press: 145.5 kilograms (320.7 pounds) — (2022 USAPL Arnold A7 Pro Bench Bash)
Deadlift: 207.5 kilograms (457.4 pounds) — (2018 USAPL Raw Nationals)
Total: 502 kilograms (1,106.7 pounds) — (2022 USAPL Mega Nationals)

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Jen Thompson (@jenthompson132)

Jen Thompson’s Competition History

Personal Bests

Equip	Squat	Bench	Deadlift	Total	Dots
Raw	347.2	320.8	347.2	1106.7	546.89
Single-ply	402.3	330.7	402.3	1151.9	581.05

Competition Results

Place

Fed

Date

Competition

Division

Total

Dots

USAPL

2022-06-18

UBU Dallas Expo

FR-PRO

303.1

145.13

USAPL

2022-06-18

UBU Dallas Expo

FR-PRO

1030.7

493.44

USAPL

2022-06-08

Mega Nationals

FR-O

1106.7

531.16

USAPL

2022-06-08

Bench Nationals

F-M1

314.2

150.34

USAPL

2022-06-08

Mega Nationals

FR-M1

1106.7

531.16

USAPL

2022-06-08

Bench Nationals

F-O

314.2

150.34

USAPL

2022-06-08

Bench Nationals

FR-M1

308.6

147.7

USAPL

2022-06-08

Bench Nationals

FR-O

308.6

147.7

USAPL

2022-03-05

Arnold A7 Pro Bench Bash

FR-O

320.8

153.1

USAPL

2022-03-04

Arnold Masters of Iron Pro Bench

FR-M1

303.1

144.86

USAPL

2021-12-04

Virginia Pro

FR-M1b

1025.1

498.91

USAPL

2021-06-14

Raw Bench Nationals

FR-M1

275.6

134.94

USAPL

2021-06-14

Raw Bench Nationals

FR-O

275.6

134.94

USAPL

2021-06-14

Equipped Bench Nationals

F-M1

314.2

153.04

USAPL

2021-06-14

Equipped Bench Nationals

F-O

314.2

153.04

USAPL

2021-06-14

Raw Nationals

FR-O

1069.2

524.12

USAPL

2020-12-13

SC State Championship

FR-G

1054.9

516.64

NAPF

2020-03-07

Arnold Con-Cret Pro Bench Bash

FR-O

303.1

149.59

USAPL

2019-08-31

Bench Nationals

F-M1

303.1

148.9

USAPL

2019-08-31

Bench Nationals

F-O

303.1

148.9

USAPL

2019-08-31

Bench Nationals

FR-M1

314.2

154.16

USAPL

2019-08-31

Bench Nationals

FR-O

314.2

154.16

IPF

2019-05-18

World Bench Press Championships

Masters 1

303.1

148.81

IPF

2019-05-18

World Bench Press Championships

Open

308.6

151.46

USAPL

2019-03-02

Arnold SBD Grand Prix

FR-O

622.8

307.28

USAPL

2019-03-02

Arnold Titan Pro Bench Bash

FR-O

308.6

152.86

USAPL

2018-10-11

Raw Nationals

FR-M1

1103.4

541.99

USAPL

2018-10-11

Raw Nationals

FR-O

1103.4

541.99

USAPL

2018-09-15

Bench Press Nationals

FR-O

319.7

156.1

USAPL

2018-09-15

Bench Press Nationals

FR-M1

308.6

149.43

USAPL

2018-09-15

Bench Press Nationals

FR-O

308.6

149.43

USAPL

2018-09-15

Bench Press Nationals

FR-M1

319.7

156.1

IPF

2018-06-06

World Classic Powerlifting Championships

Open

1085.8

535.01

Location	Canada
Competition	World Classic Powerlifting Championships
Division	Open
Age	44
Equipment	Raw
Class	138.9
Weight	136.6
Squat	292.1	325.2	-341.7	325.2
Bench	275.6	308.6	314.2	314.2
Deadlift	374.8	446.4	-457.5	446.4
GLP	108.9

IPF

2018-05-14

World Classic Bench Press Championships

Open

317.5

155.4

NAPF

2018-03-03

The Arnold Grand Prix by SBD

Open

1101.2

546.89

NAPF

2018-03-03

The Arnold SSP Nutrition Pro Raw Bench

Open

308.6

152.36

USAPL

2017-10-10

Raw National Championships

FR-O

1080.3

535.94

USAPL

2017-10-10

Raw National Championships

FR-M1

1080.3

535.94

USAPL

2017-09-09

Bench Press Nationals

FR-O

303.1

148.6

USAPL

2017-09-09

Bench Press Nationals

FR-M1

314.2

154.01

USAPL

2017-09-09

Bench Press Nationals

FR-O

314.2

154.01

USAPL

2017-09-09

Bench Press Nationals

FR-M1

303.1

148.6

IPF

2017-04-22

World Classic Bench Press Championships

Open

303.1

150.23

NAPF

2017-03-04

Arnold SSP Nutrition Pro Raw Bench

313.1

155.77

IPF

2017-01-29

Reykjavík International Games

Masters 1

1039.5

506.37

USAPL

2016-10-13

Raw Nationals

FR-M1

1051.6

522.79

USAPL

2016-10-13

Raw Nationals

FR-O

1051.6

522.79

USAPL

2016-09-10

Bench Press National Championships

F-M1

303.1

150.09

USAPL

2016-09-10

Bench Press National Championships

F-O

303.1

150.09

USAPL

2016-09-10

Bench Press National Championships

FR-M1

303.1

150.09

USAPL

2016-09-10

Bench Press National Championships

FR-O

303.1

150.09

IPF

2016-06-19

World Classic Powerlifting Championships

Open

1050.5

525.04

IPF

2016-04-19

World Bench Press Championships

Masters 1

303.1

148

NAPF

2016-03-05

Arnolds SSP Nutrition Pro Raw Bench

305.3

150.76

NAPF

2016-03-05

Arnolds Slingshot Pro American

Open

1071.4

529.59

USAPL

2015-10-15

Raw Nationals

FR-O

1041.7

513.7

USAPL

2015-10-15

Raw Nationals

FR-M1a

1041.7

513.7

2015-09-12

Pacific Invitational II

Open

1030.7

510.56

USAPL

2015-06-26

Summer Showdown

FR-O

303.1

149.94

USAPL

2015-06-26

Summer Showdown

FR-O

418.9

205.75

USAPL

2015-06-26

Summer Showdown

FR-O

1045

516.88

IPF

2015-06-05

World Classic Powerlifting Championships

Open

1059.3

525.02

Location	Finland
Competition	World Classic Powerlifting Championships
Division	Open
Age	41
Equipment	Raw
Class	138.9
Weight	135.4
Squat	286.6	308.6	314.2	314.2
Bench	275.6	303.1	309.7	309.7
Deadlift	352.7	418.9	435.4	435.4
GLP	106.92

NAPF

2015-03-06

SSP Raw Bench Bress

Open

303.1

149.79

NAPF

2015-03-06

Arnold - Raw Challenge

Masters 1

1036.2

514.59

USAPL

2014-07-17

Raw Nationals

FR-O

1069.2

529.4

USAPL

2014-07-17

Raw Nationals

FR-M1a

1069.2

529.4

IPF

2014-06-01

World Classic Powerlifting Championships

Open

1052.7

525.76

Location	South Africa
Competition	World Classic Powerlifting Championships
Division	Open
Age	40
Equipment	Raw
Class	138.9
Weight	133.7
Squat	286.6	314.2	-330.7	314.2
Bench	275.6	303.1	-309.7	303.1
Deadlift	352.7	418.9	435.4	435.4
GLP	107.14

NAPF

2014-03-02

SSP Nutrition Raw Bench Press

Open

308.6

153.91

NAPF

2014-02-28

StartingStrength.com Pro Raw Challenge

Masters 1

1058.2

527.53

Location	USA-OH
Competition	StartingStrength.com Pro Raw Challenge
Division	Masters 1
Age	40
Equipment	Raw
Class	138.9
Weight	134.1
Squat	286.6	314.2	325.2	325.2
Bench	275.6	303.1	308.6	308.6
Deadlift	352.7	424.4	-440.9	424.4
GLP	107.48

IPF

2013-09-24

World Masters Powerlifting Championships

Masters 1

1036.2

512.98

Location	USA-FL
Competition	World Masters Powerlifting Championships
Division	Masters 1
Age	40
Equipment	Raw
Class	138.9
Weight	135.6
Squat	286.6	308.6	314.2	314.2
Bench	275.6	297.6	303.1	303.1
Deadlift	363.8	418.9	-440.9	418.9
GLP	104.46

USAPL

2013-08-17

Bench Press Nationals

F-M1a

303.1

148.9

USAPL

2013-08-17

Bench Press Nationals

F-O

303.1

148.9

USAPL

2013-08-17

Bench Press Nationals

FR-O

303.1

148.9

USAPL

2013-07-19

Raw Nationals

FR-M1a

1047.2

519.01

USAPL

2013-07-19

Raw Nationals

FR-O

1047.2

519.01

USAPL

2013-05-18

Womens National Championships

F-O

1070.3

532.1

USAPL

2013-05-18

Womens National Championships

F-M1

1070.3

532.1

NAPF

2013-03-01

Raw Challenge

Masters 1

1057.1

528.23

USAPL

2012-08-03

Raw Nationals

FR-O

1027.4

516.58

IPF

2012-06-12

World Classic Powerlifting Cup

Open

1030.7

509.79

NAPF

2012-03-02

Raw Challenge

FR-O

1045

526.56

NAPF

2011-10-08

North American Bench Press Championships

Open

330.7

164.23

USAPL

2011-08-19

Raw Nationals

FR-O

1027.4

517.67

USAPL

2011-05-21

Womens Nationals

F-O

1151.9

581.05

NAPF

2011-03-05

Browns Gym Pro Invitational

Open

USAPL

2011-03-04

Raw Challenge

FR-O

987.7

498.2

NAPF

2010-10-07

North American Invitational Bench Press Championships

Open

314.2

158.98

USAPL

2010-08-28

Bench Press Nationals

FR-O

286.6

144.32

USAPL

2010-07-16

Raw Nationals

FR-O

986.6

497.33

IPF

2010-05-24

World Bench Press Championships

Open

325.2

164.03

USAPL

2009-09-19

Night of the Living Dead

F-O

347.2

175.34

USAPL

2009-09-12

Bench Nationals

F-O

325.2

165.62

USAPL

2009-07-24

Raw Nationals

FR-O

931.5

471.15

NAPF

2009-03-08

Titan Pro Bench Bash

Open

286.6

145.5

IPF

2008-10-30

World Powerlifting Championships

Open

1080.3

545.84

Location	Canada-NL
Competition	World Powerlifting Championships
Division	Open
Age	35
Equipment	Single-ply
Class	132.3
Weight	131.3
Squat	352.7	374.8	380.3	380.3
Bench	-308.6	308.6	314.2	314.2
Deadlift	352.7	385.8	-402.3	385.8
GLP	91.43

USAPL

2008-08-30

Bench Press Nationals

F-O

308.6

156.59

NAPF

2008-03-02

Arnold International Pro Bench

Open

308.6

156.19

USAPL

2008-02-15

Womens National Powerlifting Championships

F-O

1052.7

533.28

Location	USA-TX
Competition	Womens National Powerlifting Championships
Division	F-O
Age	34
Equipment	Single-ply
Class	132.3
Weight	130.7
Squat	336.2	-363.8	363.8	363.8
Bench	292.1	-309.7	-309.7	292.1
Deadlift	352.7	385.8	396.8	396.8
GLP	89.32

USAPL

2007-11-18

Bench Nationals

FR-O

270.1

136.26

IPF

2007-05-29

World Bench Press Championships

Open

303.1

151.74

USAPL

2007-02-16

Womens Nationals

F-O

1008.6

510.95

USAPL

2006-11-18

States Championships

F-G

1020

512.88

USAPL

2006-11-18

States Championships

F-G

320

160.91

USAPL

2006-09-02

Bench Nationals II

F-O

319.7

161.49

RAW

2006-08-12

National Powerlifting Championships

Open

280

140.8

IPF

2006-05-23

World Bench Press Championships

Open

303.1

153.89

USAPL

2006-03-25

Bench Press Nationals

F-O

248

125

USAPL

2005-02-05

Womens Nationals

F-O

1003.1

506.37

IPF

2004-12-02

World Bench Press Championships

Open

292.1

147.66

USAPL

2004-09-10

Bench Press Nationals

F-O

286.6

144.72

USAPL

2004-07-09

Womens Invitational

F-O

876.3

440.65

USA-UA

2004-05-01

Bench America II

Open

314.2

158.71

IPF

2003-12-05

World Bench Press Championships

Open

292.1

149.93

USAPL

2003-10-25

Bench Press Open

F-G

314

157.89

USAPL

2003-08-22

Bench Press Nationals

F-O

314.2

157.97

USAPL

2003-01-25

Womens National Powerlifting Championships

F-O

986.6

496.07

IPF

2002-12-05

World Bench Press Championships

Open

286.6

144.8

USAPL

2002-08-24

Bench Press Nationals

F-O

292.1

146.88

USAPL

2002-02-09

Womens National Powerlifting Championships

F-O

881.8

443.42

IPF

2001-12-07

World Bench Press Championships

Open

281.1

142.24

USAPL

2001-09-22

National Bench Press Championships

F-O

275.6

139.75

USAPL

2001-01-20

Womens National Powerlifting Championships

F-O

931.5

469.85

IPF

2000-12-08

World Bench Press Championships

Open

270.1

136.96

USAPL

2000-09-16

National Bench Press Championships

F-O

253.5

127.48

USAPL

2000-06-10

Viking Open

F-O

826.7

415.7

IPF

1999-12-09

World Bench Press Championships

Open

253.5

128.99

USAPL

1999-09-18

National Bench Press Championships

F-O

220.5

110.85

Show All

Data Source: Open Powerlifting. Last Updated: August 3, 2022

It is not clear when Jen Thompson will compete again, but her 335-pound (152-kilogram) raw bench press PR shows that she is getting ready for something. It is no secret that she is one of the best pound-for-pound bench pressers in the world and she intends to maintain this status well into the future.