Fitness Volt
  • Workouts
  • Nutrition
  • Training
  • Exercises
  • Food Facts
  • News
    • Deals
    • Videos
    • Bodybuilding
    • Arnold Classic
    • CrossFit
    • Powerlifting
    • Strongman
    • MMA
  • Reviews
No Result
View All Result
Fitness Volt
  • Workouts
  • Nutrition
  • Training
  • Exercises
  • Food Facts
  • News
    • Deals
    • Videos
    • Bodybuilding
    • Arnold Classic
    • CrossFit
    • Powerlifting
    • Strongman
    • MMA
  • Reviews
No Result
View All Result
Fitness Volt
No Result
View All Result
Powerlifting

Julius Maddox Talks Drug Use and Upcoming 800 lb Bench Press Attempt

The all-time raw bench press world record holder shares details about his rough past and looking forward to achieving an 800 lb bench press.
Matthew Magnante

Written by Matthew Magnante

Last Updated onApril 9, 2021

Julius Maddox Bench Attempt

Julius Maddox Bench Attempt - Image via Instagram

Julius Maddox is a beast among beasts, having set the all-time world record for the raw bench press multiple times, and most recently putting up his best performance with a 355kg/782.6 lbs bench press on February 21, 2021, at the Hybrid Showdown, Miami, Fl. 

There was clearly more in his tank as crazy as it sounds and now he’ll be re-attempting an 800 lb bench press of which he failed last year. Although, the misloaded bar and him suffering a minor injury as a result probably played a role.

Anyhow, Maddox recently sat down for a video interview with the one and only Dave Palumbo of RX Muscle. The conversation involved different parts of the former’s life and at one point, Maddox talked about his identity crisis and struggles as a young athlete. 

Drugs, Girls, and Partying

Maddox was a promising young basketball player in high school and mentioned being a lost talent after getting caught up in drugs, girls, and partying.

“I struggled with an identity crisis. Didn’t know who I was, wasn’t confident in who I was.”

So he was willing to do anything for some validation. 

“Things that made me feel good, or gave me some kind of notoriety, I gravitated to“. 

He explained being an up-and-coming athlete with a lot of hype around him in his Freshmen year, and he partied with the varsity guys a lot. 

“I wanted to fit in so bad.”

Getting Kicked Off The Team and Regretting His Life Choices

From there, it became his lifestyle, and eventually, he was kicked off the football team for good and it haunted him for about ten years, especially when his dream was always to play for the NFL.

“Even after I got clean, say I saw someone throwing a football, or driving by the high school to see the football stadium, even watching NFL games on TV, it reminded me of how big of a failure I was, that I basically threw my life down the drain because I wanted to party.”

He also mentioned his father not playing much of a positive role in his life being addicted to alcohol and cocaine which also affected his life path. 

Watch: Julius Maddox Bench Presses 355kg (782.6lbs); Sets New World Record

Discovering His Gift For The Bench Press

It wasn’t until Maddox went into a drug treatment facility in 2013 that he discovered his bench pressing gift. He mentioned crying out to God and losing the desire to continue the path that would keep him in a bad place. 

So at the time, he was working a job and every day after his shift, he’d go to the basement at the facility that had dirt floors and some equipment that was donated and he’d workout. 

He didn’t know much about training and did basic stuff like the overhead press, bench press, curls, and rows almost every day. 

“It made me feel good, and I got that pump. I felt like I was achieving something, I felt good about myself.”

Bench Pressing 505 lbs at the Drug Treatment Facility

Maddox said he’d bench 275 for sets and reps but he still didn’t realize how strong he was or how much potential he had. One day someone in the gym bet he could lift all the weight there so he went for it and pressed 505 lbs for three reps. 

He said he probably never would have tried the weight if it wasn’t for that instance. 

One of the guys showed him videos of other famous men who were powerhouses and he instantly knew he wanted to be like them. And within the same year or year and a half, he achieved a 600 lb bench press.

Setting The All-Time Raw Bench Press Record

From there, he was convinced that he needed to start competing. Shortly after, he competed in his first meet in Kentucky and managed to press 625 lbs with a pause. He then had his eye on Kirill Sarychev’s all-time record which he broke in 2019 with a 739.6 lb bench press. 

He’s gradually improved upon that record to a current 355kg/782.6 lbs. 

Palumbo teased about his lifts looking effortless which is very accurate. 

Related: Breaking Bench: What You Need to Know About the Bench Press

Upcoming 800 lb Bench Press Attempt

Maddox will be attempting an 800 lb bench press once again, on June 19th, 2021. 

He talked about the ESPN, CoreSports event last where he first attempted 800 lbs of which he not only came up short after a bar misload but said he was gypped due to not receiving the payout he was promised. In fact, he lost money on the deal. 

But this time around, he’ll be attempting the feat at Wrigley Field and the Chicago Cubs major league baseball team will be sponsoring the event. 

He plans to do more than the record and bench press 805 lbs or more, and based on his recent performance, this looks very possible. 

Can Julius Maddox Bench Press 900 lbs? 

Palumbo asked if Maddox thought 900 lbs (raw) could be possible.

His response… “At this point, we don’t know, we don’t know what the potential is“. He says it was never a thought that the body would ever be capable of handling so much weight. 

But if he’s honest, “I think that 900 lbs is very achievable.”

He believes he and his coach Josh Bryant are the perfect recipe for great greatness and he’s not far off. But only time will tell. 

Maddox currently weighs 443 lbs at 6’3″ and if any behemoth is going to press 900 lbs it’s probably him, especially since he’ll most likely surpass 800 lbs. 

But let’s first break the record at Wrigley Field on June 19 and then they can talk about 900 lbs. 

Watch the full interview below… 

For the latest news and updates please follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Facebook Twitter Reddit Flipboard LinkedIn
Categories: News Powerlifting
Previous Post

How Much Protein To Gain Muscle? A Simple Guide To Optimal Gains

Next Post

Zack George Ends 2021 CrossFit Games Season Due to Hip Injury

Matthew Magnante

Matthew Magnante

Matthew has had a passion for fitness since elementary school and continues to research and learn how to build muscle effectively through training and diet. He also loves to help others to achieve their fitness goals and spread the knowledge where needed. Matthew's other passions include learning about mindfulness, strolling through nature, and always working to improve overall.

Recommended For You

Sherine Squat

Powerlifter Sherine Marcelle Crushes a New Squat Triple PR Of 620-lb (281.2-kg)

Sherine Marcelle is renowned for being one of the greatest female powerlifters, especially in the squat event. She has performed...

Jordanne Panton Deadlift

Powerlifter Jordanne Panton Deadlifts Unofficial Raw USAPL Record Of 235-kg (518-lb) in Training

Jordanne Panton is one of the best 22-year-old powerlifters out there, having already claimed several incredible victories and records. The...

Rudy Kadlub

73-Year-Old Rudy Kadlub Squats An Unofficial World Record With a 454-pound (206-kilogram) Lift 

The phrase "age is just a number" has some truth to it, as Rudy Kadlub is living proof of it....

Nicolaas Du Preez

Powerlifter Nicolaas du Preez Totals 1037.5-kg (2,287.3-lb) To Win The 2022 RPC Elite Raw

The 2022 RPC Elite Raw took place on May 14, in Pretoria, South Africa, and Nicolaas du Preez put up...

Bobb Matthews

Powerlifter Bobb Matthews Hits An Unofficial USAPL Record With 383.5-kg (845.5-lb) Raw Deadlift

Bobb Matthews is getting noticed more and more lately as one of powerlifting's rising stars because of his incredible training...

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest

Justin Rodriguez Profile 1

Justin Rodriguez — Complete Profile: Training, Diet, Height, Weight, Biography

Grip Tips For Productive Workouts

Grip Tips For More Productive Workouts

Best DMAA Pre Workout Alternatives

Top 12 Best DMAA Pre-Workout Alternatives for 2022

Recent Reviews

Best DMAA Pre Workout Alternatives

Top 12 Best DMAA Pre-Workout Alternatives for 2022

Best Turkesterone Supplements

10 Best Turkesterone Supplements of 2022

Gorilla Mode Pre Workout Review

Gorilla Mode Pre-Workout Review — The Best Pre-Workout To Grab Today?

Fitness Volt

At FitnessVolt.com Our mission is to help our readers to achieve their fitness goals, regardless of where you’re at on your journey, we are on a mission to educate You with the latest from strength and fitness space. Read more.

Email: sm(at)fitnessvolt.com

Disclosure: FitnessVolt.com has an affiliate relationship with different brands and is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. However, our reviews are based on well research backed analysis.

Follow Us

Trending Topics

  • Mr. Olympia
  • Bodybuilding
  • Strongman
  • Powerlifting
  • CrossFit
  • At Home Workouts
  • Bodyweight Exercises
  • Best Pre-workouts
  • Best Fat Burners
  • Bodybuilding Diet
  • Bicep Workouts
  • Triceps Workouts
  • Chest Exercises
  • Back Workouts
  • Leg Workouts
  • Front Squat Guide
  • Calf Workouts & Exercises
  • Forgotten Exercises
  • Jefferson Deadlift

Calculators

  • Calorie Burning Calculators
  • IF Calculator
  • TDEE Calculator
  • Calorie Calculator
  • Keto Calculator
  • RMR Calculator
  • Macronutrient Calculator
  • Creatine Calculator
  • Wilks Calculator
  • EER Calculator
  • FFMI Calculator
  • IBW Calculator
  • LBM Calculator
  • Fat Intake Calculator
  • Calories Burned Swimming
  • Calories Per Meal Calculator

  • Food Nutrition Analysis
  • Carb Cycling Calculator
  • Weight Gain Calculator
  • Weight Loss Calculator
  • Calories Burned Calculator
  • Strength Standards
  • One Rep Max Calculator
  • Body Fat Calculator
  • EER Calculator
  • Weight Loss Percentage
  • Treadmill Calorie Calculator
  • Body Surface Area Calculator
  • Running Pace Calculator
  • Bench Press Calculator
  • Protein Calculator
  • Water Intake Calculator
  • Body Type Quiz
  • Steps to Miles Calculator
  • Calorie Deficit Calculator
  • Home
  • About
  • Jobs
  • Accessibility
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Syndication
  • Sitemap
  • DMCA
  • Copyrights
  • Terms
  • Privacy

© Copyright 2010 - 2022 Fitness Volt IBC. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Bodybuilding
  • Powerlifting
  • Strongman
  • CrossFit
  • Workouts
  • Mr. Olympia
  • Exercise Guides
    • Arms
    • Back
    • Chest
    • Core
    • Legs and Glutes
    • Shoulders
  • Training
  • Nutrition
  • Reviews
  • More
    • Diet
    • News
    • Arnold Classic
    • Motivation
    • Videos
    • Food Facts
    • Deals
    • Fitness Calculator

© Copyright 2010 - 2022 Fitness Volt IBC. All Rights Reserved.