Strongman Deadlift: The Event, Variations & Records

Deadlift variations in strongman

The bar or implement changes the lift completely. A standard or elephant bar starts the plates at the usual height; block, silver dollar and 18-inch pulls raise the starting point so the bar travels a shorter distance and far heavier loads are possible. The car and frame deadlifts shift the load behind the athlete and change the balance point.

• Elephant bar: a long, flexible bar that bends and "rolls" the weight off the floor.
• Silver dollar / 18-inch: partial-range pulls from blocks, allowing maximal loads.
• Car deadlift: the athlete lifts the rear of a car frame using handles, often for reps.
• Frame / Hummer tire deadlift: a loadable frame or tire-loaded bar pulled for max or reps.

Max versus reps

A max deadlift event gives the field a few attempts to pull the heaviest single, and the bar climbs until one athlete is left standing. A reps event fixes a heavy weight and counts how many full lockouts the athlete can complete in the time limit. Reps events reward grip with straps removed, lower-back endurance and pacing.

A rep is good when the athlete stands fully upright with knees and hips locked and the bar under control. Hitching the bar up the thighs is allowed in most strongman rules, unlike in powerlifting.

History

The deadlift has been part of strongman since its earliest televised contests, and the introduction of the thinner, flexible "elephant" bar in the 2010s reset what fans thought was possible. Partial-range block pulls pushed the headline numbers even higher, making the deadlift one of the sport's most-watched single-lift records.