Watch Powerlifter Chris Duffin Become the First Person to Squat and Deadlift Over 1,000 Pounds for Reps

Emily Shiffer
·6 min read
Photo credit: @mad_scientist_duffin - Instagram
Photo credit: @mad_scientist_duffin - Instagram

From Men's Health

Powerlifter and strength expert Chris Duffin wasn't going to let anything—even a global pandemic—stop him from achieving what no other human has done (to our knowledge): squat and deadlift over 1,000 pounds for multiple reps.

Duffin successfully completed three reps at 1,001 pounds as four guys spotted him at Kabuki Strength Lab in Clackamas, Oregon.

View this post on Instagram

1001x3 squat today. Despite all the uncertainty in the world and our lives right now, I set out on a clear and defined path 4 years ago. A path to do something epic, to inspire, and to raise money and build awareness for causes I believe in. It was a major battle for me in the last year to pull off the last portion of this goal. With where my body, mind, and health are...there was no way of repeating this training cycle again after current events pass. It was now or never. With the original event at IHRSA in San Diego shutdown along with everything else, we adapted to the changing circumstances. I was going to finish what I said I was going to do. Commitment, perseverance, victory. It’s how I live my life and hope to inspire in others. If you are going to talk the talk, you must walk the walk or your words are no different than the sound of the wind. Words can’t accurately convey how challenging this training was mentally, physically, or emotionally...but I can say I’m proud to have finished things on my own terms. Yeah, it’s not recorded in any record books anywhere, but I don’t give a rat’s ass... my goal was to be the first person to deadlift and squat 1000+lbs for reps. I did it, and no one can take that away. DONE ➖ Grand goals shirts still available with 💯 of proceeds going to the Leukemia and Lymphoma foundation. ➖ FREE AUDIO Download of my life changing book below! www.chrisduff.in ➖ CO-Founder @KabukiStrengthLab VISION: A Better World Through Strength ▪️strength equipment ▪️research-based education ▪️world-class strength coaching ▪️doing good in the world @kabuki_virtualcoaching www.kabuki.company ➖ CO-Founder @BearFootAthletics ▪️ Optimizing the human to ground interface 👣 www.bearfoot.store ➖ CO-Founder @BuildFastFormula ▪️Nutrition and training before supplementation ▪️ Research-backed formulas & effective dosages ▪️ full-disclosure labels & no-BS claims ▪️ manufactured in NSF-certified facilities. www.buildfastformula.com ➖ #kabukistrength #chrisduffin #kabukistrengthlab #powerlifting #strengthandconditioning #strengthcoach #americanmanufacturing #strong #squat #strengthtraining #weightroom #barbell #bearfoot #barefoot #buildfastformula

A post shared by Chris Duffin (@mad_scientist_duffin) on Mar 21, 2020 at 6:04pm PDT

After finishing his third squat rep and racking the weight, Duffin broke down in tears—which were well-warranted as he completed this awesome feat. While the event wasn't sanctioned, Duffin is likely the first person ever to both squat and deadlift over 1,000 pounds, according to BarBend.

Duffin was set to complete his Grand Goals challenge at an IHRSA event in San Diego over the weekend, but the meet was cancelled due to the coronavirus. Still, he was determined to finish his mission, which has been four years in the making after another impressive feat of strength. Duffin first sumo deadlifted 1,001 pounds for two reps back in 2016.

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1001.6 for almost a triple. Raw with straps sumo deadlift. Full video on YouTube (link in bio) and FB. ••••• Visit www.kabukistrength.net to purchase the #GrandGoals shirt, limited quantities available. A portion of profits from sales will go to the Home Builders Foundation of Metro Portland. This charity provides housing and shelter for temporarily houseless individuals in our community. We chose them because we want these people in need to be able to pursue their #GrandGoals too. If you feel called, or an opportunity presents itself - we encourage you as well to help others in any way that you can so they can also pursue their own #GrandGoals. ••••• #GrandGoals describes my vision and philosophy. Yesterday I accomplished the first part of my #GrandGoals by deadlifting 1001.6 pounds for almost 3 reps at an APA/WPA Sanctioned exhibition event in front of 2 APA chair persons and many independent witnesses. This lift will be submitted to the Guinness Book of World Records for acceptance as the "Heaviest Sumo Deadilft" ••••• In this video I also discuss my inspiration and philosophy behind #GrandGoals. ••••• What are your #GrandGoals? Who are you? Where are you going? ••••• Use code "GRANDGOALS" to save 10% on all store orders until Sunday. ••••• One more thing - Any order over $200 will get an autographed shirt for free. Please include your size in the order comment as well as a preference on where on the shirt you would like the autograph to be. ••••• http://www.kabukistrength.net http://instagram.com/kabukistrengthlab/ https://www.facebook.com/kabukistrength/

A post shared by Chris Duffin (@mad_scientist_duffin) on Oct 12, 2016 at 9:58am PDT

Since then, we've also seen strongman Hafthor Björnsson pull over 1,000 pounds for reps—and mistakenly claim that he was the first in the world to do so—but he hasn't squatted for reps, too.

Duffin's emotion at completing his goal is evident even in his Instagram caption, especially considering the peculiar challenge of completing it during such a tumultuous time.

"1001 x 3 squat today. Despite all the uncertainty in the world and our lives right now, I set out on a clear and defined path 4 years ago. A path to do something epic, to inspire, and to raise money and build awareness for causes I believe in. It was a major battle for me in the last year to pull off the last portion of this goal," he wrote in part of his Instagram caption.

And though Duffin acknowledges his record wasn't 'official,' he's pretty damn proud.

"Words can’t accurately convey how challenging this training was mentally, physically, or emotionally...but I can say I’m proud to have finished things on my own terms. Yeah, it’s not recorded in any record books anywhere, but I don’t give a rat’s ass... my goal was to be the first person to deadlift and squat 1000+lbs for reps. I did it, and no one can take that away. DONE," he wrote.

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