The most weight ever bench pressed in an equipped powerlifting competition is an astonishing 635 kilograms (1,401 pounds).
This monumental feat was achieved by American powerlifter Jimmy Kolb on July 29th, 2023. He set this new world record at the 2023 IPA Tristar Bash meet, successfully locking out 635 kg (1,401 lb) and surpassing the previous record by 23 kg (51 lb).
Understanding Equipped Bench Press
It's important to note that this record falls under the 'equipped' category of bench pressing. In equipped powerlifting, lifters wear specialized bench shirts made of very tight, supportive material, often a blend of polyester, denim, or canvas. These shirts are designed to store elastic energy during the descent of the bar, which then assists the lifter in pressing the weight back up. This mechanical advantage allows equipped lifters to move significantly more weight than in 'raw' (unsupported) bench press competitions, where no supportive gear beyond a belt is allowed.
Bench Press World Record Holder Details
For a quick overview of this record-breaking achievement, refer to the table below:
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Record Holder | Jimmy Kolb |
| Weight Lifted | 635 kg (1,401 lb) |
| Date Achieved | July 29, 2023 |
| Event | 2023 IPA Tristar Bash meet |
| Record Type | Equipped (with specialized bench shirt) |
