Vedad is a journalist specializing in strength sports, with three years of experience covering powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, strongman, armwrestling and bodybuilding. He is a lifelong fitness...
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The squat is considered one of the “big three” lifts in powerlifting and is a highly respected exercise in the strength and fitness community. The ability to perform a heavy squat requires a combination of strength, power, technique, and mental fortitude, making it a true test of overall athletic ability. The sight of a lifter successfully squatting a heavy weight is often met with applause and admiration from onlookers. One of those is definitely Phillip Herndon, since he is one of the greatest pound-for-pound squatters in history. This is especially the case now, as Herndon just completed a massive 910-pound (412.8-kilogram) squat in his most recent training session.
Phillip Herndon’s recent 910-pound (412.8-kilogram) squat has sent shockwaves throughout the powerlifting community for good reasons. It was not only a personal best for Herndon, but it has also unofficially broken the All-Time World Record in the U125KG weight class for raw squats. The current record holder is Dennis Cornelius, having squatted 903.9 pounds (410 kilograms) at the 2017 USPA Freedom Fitness Classic. So, this World Record has stood for six years, but it seems that Herndon will break it soon enough.
Herndon’s recent 910-pound squat was a raw lift by powerlifting standards, as he only used a lifting belt, knee sleeves, and wrist wraps.
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Apart from the squat, Phillip Herndon also displayed his 500-pound (226.8-kilogram) bench press and an 848-pound (384.6-kilogram) deadlift in the same Instagram post. These represent his greatest lifts from the entire preparation for the upcoming competition.
Phillip has been a top competitor in the 110-kilogram weight class for three years, but his recent move to the 125-kilogram weight class has allowed him to make significant gains in his lifting numbers. The increase in muscle mass has given him an advantage in lifting heavier weights, and his 910-pound squat, as well as the bench and deadlift, are a testament to how much improvement he has made already. In addition, Phillip revealed that his exact bodyweight is 265 pounds (120.2 kilograms), which means he can still put on around 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) of body mass before he reaches the limit of this weight class.
Phillip Herndon has competed in 39 sanctioned powerlifting competitions so far, coming out victorious on 26 occasions. Despite competing professionally for almost a full decade, Herndon is just 27-years-old. It is likely that he will achieve a lot more victories and world records in the future.
Data source: OpenPowerlifting. Data through July 25, 2026.
Phillip Herndon’s name is written on the 2023 WRPF Ghost Clash 2 roster, which is where he will compete next. This competition is set to take place on February 18-19, in Florida. The top prize is $5,000, and Herndon plans to try to break some World Records in the process.
If you have any questions or need further clarification about this news, please leave a comment below, and Vedad will get back to you as soon as possible.
Vedad is a journalist specializing in strength sports, with three years of experience covering powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, strongman, armwrestling and bodybuilding. He is a lifelong fitness enthusiast, passionate about all aspects of strength training. Vedad's in-depth knowledge of training methodologies and dedication to constant research fuel his insightful and engaging reporting. He works hard to deliver accurate content while continuously seeking to improve his craft.
