54-YO Nick Best Sinks a 771-lb (349.7-kg) Squat With Knee Wraps In Training

May 28, 2023
7 min read

There are not many athletes in the Strongman community who are more famous than Nick Best. Moreover, he is arguably the most impressive man in modern Strongman history, as he has been defying the aging process for years now. Even after more than a decade of pressuring his body with massive weights, Nick still continues to push his limits. So, most recently, he challenged himself with a 771-pound (349.7-kilogram) squat and successfully completed it.

Nick Best made his way to the “Dragon’s Lair Gym” in Las Vegas, which is owned by 7x 212 Mr. Olympia Flex Lewis. He then geared up for the 771-pound (349.7-kilogram) squat by putting on a pair of knee wraps, a lifting belt, and some wrist wraps. The only thing left to do was find some spotters before attempting the lift. Luckily for Nick, the All-Time Squat World Record holder, Joe Sullivan, was present to assist him alongside two other men.

Nick Best slowly dipped down with 771 pounds (349.7 kilograms) on his back, but quickly ascended back up. After re-racking the weight back, Nick excitedly stated:

“That was easy. That was kind of crazy.”

Watch the lift here:

Related: Strongman Nick Best Scores 10 Reps Of 700-lb (317.5-kg) 13-Inch Deadlift At 2022 Clash Of The Masters

Nick Best also performed his first heavy deadlift single in training which came out to 675 pounds (306.2 kilograms). While it wasn’t his heaviest deadlift, Nick expects to be back to pulling 800 pounds (362.9 kilograms) soon.

Nick Best is currently in the process of coming back from nephrectomy. This is a process of removing a kidney due to a tumor. Nick had undergone the surgery back in January, but things are just now starting to fall back in place. Interestingly, he recently revealed that the kidney tumor was found accidentally, as he originally went to the hospital due to a bench press incident.

Nick Best retired from Strongman competitions in 2022, but still left the door open for a few more powerlifting appearances. Consequently, this is why his focus has shifted towards powerlifting events and why a 771-pound (349.7-kilogram) squat seems effortless to him.

Nick Best, known for his remarkable strength, recently made headlines with his incredible 771-pound (349.7-kilogram) squat. However, it’s not just his squats that amaze people; he frequently showcases astonishing deadlift feats as well. For example, during the 2022 Mr. Olympia Expo, Nick loaded 600 pounds (272.2 kilograms) onto the bar and crushed 15 repetitions.

As a Strongman, Nick Best took part in 41 International and National competitions and came out victorious three times. However, he was admired by everyone due to his resilience and impressive stationary strength.

Nick Best’s powerlifting career is nothing short of incredible as well. He took part in 33 sanctioned competitions and won 20 of them. Furthermore, he set two Masters World Records in his most recent appearance at the 2022 WRPF FQ Classic 2.

Related: Strongman Nick Best Defies Age By Deadlifting 500lb For 50 Reps At 53 Years Old

Nick Best’s Powerlifting History

Personal Bests

Equip Squat Bench Deadlift Total Dots
Wraps 870.8 529.1 870.8 2226.7 555.07
Single-ply 815.7 551.2 815.7 2155 537.54

Competition Results

Place Fed Date Competition Division Total Dots
1 WRPF 2022-05-01 FQ Classic 2 M50-54 2028.3 506.13
3 WRPF 2021-04-24 Kern US Open Open 2028.3 505.81
NS WRPF 2019-04-27 Kern US Open Open
1 IPL 2018-11-17 Old Dogs World Cup Masters 50-54 2182.6 543.64
2 IPL 2018-09-14 Olympia Pro Powerlifting Open 2155 537.54
3 USPA 2017-04-15 CETC US Open Powerlifting Championships HW 2226.7 555.07
1 USPA 2017-01-07 American Cup Los Angeles Fit Expo Open 2221.2 552.13
1 USPA 2016-04-23 Nevada State Powerlifting Championships Open 2171.6 540.78
1 USPA 2016-04-23 Nevada State Powerlifting Championships Masters 45-49 2171.6 540.78
DQ USAPL 2000-07-09 Mens National Powerlifting Championships M-O
1 USAPL 1999-04-10 California State Open 1973.1 507.25
3 USAPL 1998-07-03 Mens National Powerlifting Championships M-O 1940.1 501.06
1 USAPL 1998-04-03 California State Open 1973.1 507.25
1 USAPL 1997-07-26 Mens Nationals Open 1989.7 511.5
1 ADFPA 1997-02-01 California State Open 2022.7
1 WDFPF 1996-08-24 World Powerlifting Championships Open 1907 490.24
1 ADFPA 1996-06-15 Mens Nationals Open 1967.6 505.83
1 ADFPA 1996-04-13 California State Championships Open 2006.2 515.75
4 ADFPA 1995-07-15 Mens Nationals Open 1901.5 488.83
1 ADFPA 1995-03-25 California State Open 1885 484.58
1 ADFPA 1994-12-11 Outlaw Christmas Open Open 479.5 128.82
1 ADFPA 1994-10-15 Beale Open and California State Deadlift Open 1796.8 482.7
5 ADFPA 1994-07-16 Mens Nationals Open 1857.4 498.98
1 ADFPA 1994-04-23 California State Open 1758.2 472.33
2 ADFPA 1994-01-23 California State Squat Open 661.4 170.03
1 ADFPA 1993-10-23 Azusa Classic Open 1769.2 475.29
4 ADFPA 1993-07-10 Mens Nationals Open 1780.2 478.26
2 ADFPA 1993-03-13 California State Championships Open 1802.3 484.18
7 ADFPA 1992-06-06 Mens Nationals Open 1648 442.72
1 ADFPA 1991-11-02 Northern California Open 1631.4 438.28
1 USPF 1991-08-24 East Beach Open Natural 1625.9 436.8
1 USPF 1991-08-24 East Beach Open Open 1625.9 436.8
3 USPF 1985-04-01 El Dorado Gold Championships High School 940 288.83

Data Source: Open Powerlifting. Last Updated: April 12, 2023

It is nice to see that Nick Best is almost back to his best form after his kidney surgery just a few months ago. He is already putting up humongous lifts in training and setting new goals for the future. So, it is just a matter of time until he enters another powerlifting competition and sets some more World Records.

Leave a Reply

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