Mackey made this somewhat unconventional lift look easy.
When Joe Mackey makes news, it’s actually because the simultaneous powerlifter and bodybuilder capped off some type of incredible feat of strength. His most up-to-date display of power was a fitting reason to make some headlines.
On Mar. 27, 2023, Mackey shared an Instagram video of himself completing a monstrous 449-kilogram (990-pound) hack squat for five reps. The athlete only used a lifting belt and a few knee sleeves for assistance and support in the course of the lift. He made sure to state that he utilized no resistance bands, which some bodybuilders use to assist the lower portion of the lift. It’s undoubtedly a fitting strength display for somebody accustomed to creating jaws drop.
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Due to the positioning of the hack squat machine, athletes who perform reps might find it more difficult if their quad strength isn’t as much as par. The hack squat limits how a lifter can recruit their glutes, hamstrings, and upper body to finish a repetition. Mackey, in turn, performing five reps with almost 1,000 kilos is an incredible example of his unique quad gifts.
In his Instagram post, Mackey writes that he’s the strongest International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Pro League deadlifter on the planet. It’s unclear if this moniker is accurate because bodybuilders don’t showcase their pulling performance in any official or verifiable capability. That said, with a 412.8-kilogram (910-pound) deadlift personal raw competition best on the Iron Wars VII, Mackey indeed might hold the highest spot.
The one other bodybuilding competitor who might compare to Mackey’s deadlift prowess is the legendary Ronnie Coleman. The icon pulled 362.8 kilograms (800 kilos) in the course of the yr 2000. Nevertheless, that also occurred while training for a Mr. Olympia title defense.
In 2022, Mackey finished in fourth place on the Tampa Pro and ninth place on the Texas Pro. In a quest to bid for his first-ever Mr. Olympia, Mackey fell just wanting a berth.
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It’s unclear what Mackey’s upcoming competitive plans are. The athlete hasn’t alluded to any upcoming powerlifting competitions, as he primarily shares updates on his training progress. Presumably, Mackey shall be hard at work this spring and summer to vie for one more Mr. Olympia bid.
At this rate, considered one of the world’s strongest bodybuilders might reach this ambitious endeavor on one other go-around.
Featured image: @jmackey33_ifbbpro on Instagram