The Internet has provided a launching pad for many people for both good and bad reasons. While some find fame through prank videos, others gain attention for their incredible feats of strength. In a recent video posted on Instagram, a high school principal left his students in shock by lifting a huge 585-pound deadlift in the gym.
Deadlifts are one of the most productive exercises one can perform in the training room. The compound movement takes advantage of multiple muscle groups and contributes toward increasing strength in a functional manner. For powerlifters, it’s an essential exercise that they test themselves on along with bench presses and squats. It’s also a staple for strongman athletes.
While professional contenders are expected to inspire others with their heavy lifts, there have been several instances where the inspiration came from unexpected places. In Jul. 2022, a female TikToker influencer named Alice Elizabeth left her fellow gym-goers stunned with her strength after performing a huge 264.5-lb (120-kg) deadlift for six reps. The other male members had a hard time believing how easily she could lift the heavyweight.
Rapper Blueface teamed up with social media fitness influencer Bradley Martyn for a collaborative training session earlier this year. He impressed Martyn in a major way by lifting over 300 pounds on the deadlift.
86-year-old powerlifter Brian Winslow defied his age and crushed the National and World records on the deadlift three months ago. He set the new British and world record by lifting a 171-pound deadlift in the 132 pounds category for ages 85-89 at the 2023 British Drug-Free Powerlifting Championships.
74-year-old Rudy Kadlub celebrated his latest birthday in style by scoring a new PR that would leave even the younger gym-goers envious two months ago. He recorded a massive 524 pounds (237 kilograms) raw deadlift for two reps using the sumo stance.
High School principal shocks students with an insane 585-pound deadlift
In a recent Instagram post, a high school principal left the students in shock after crushing a massive 585-pound deadlift in the school gym. The students applauded after the lift.
The man in the video from last year is Alexander Mercieca of Grissom High School in Huntsville, Alabama. He is an avid fitness enthusiast who is also a certified CrossFit trainer. He continues to train hard and lifted an impressive 550-pound deadlift for three reps with ease five weeks ago.
Reactions from the fitness community came pouring in on the clip. While many praised the man for his feat of strength, some found areas to criticize regardless.
“Teaching the students a thing about lifting,” the post captioned.
“No belt straps or even right clothes,” noted a user.
“W teacher,” wrote one.
“Only belt is to hold his pants up,” commented a user.
“No belt, no wraps, jeans and a tie….. BEAST!!!” wrote another.
“Maybe he could teach them to set the bar back down instead of dropping it,” criticized one.
“Impressive, but can he teach,” criticized another.
“He can absolutely do more,” wrote a user.
One responded, “If you can pick this up, you get an ‘A.’”
“The dad strength displayed is unreal,” commented a poster.
Read also World’s Heaviest Deadlift Performances of All Time
Legendary rapper Method Man, real name Clifford Smith Jr., of the iconic hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan, encouraged his massive fanbase with a workout update by performing heavy deadlifts at the age of 52 last month.
Fitness fans took motivation from 73-year-old powerlifter Mary Duffy who managed to smash a 310-pound deadlift, over 2.5x her body weight, with chains in a training session weeks ago.
Speaking of deadlifts, Inderraj Singh Dhillon set a new IPF deadlift World Record of 851 pounds (386-kg) in the. 120-kg weight class at the 2023 IPF World Classic Open Powerlifting Championships a few days ago. Farhanna Farid achieved a similar feat after pulling a 447.5-pound (203-kg) raw deadlift in the 52-kg category to set a new all-time World Record at the same event.
The school principal’s resurfaced clip would surely give a dose of motivation to many considering the weight he lifted at an old age.