How specialized gear transformed the limits of the bench press
In short: In the world of powerlifting, the difference between a raw lift and an equipped one is monumental. While some athletes rely purely on muscle, others use specialized shirts to shatter records, creating a massive gap between what the human body can do alone and what it can achieve with mechanical assistance.
The evolution of the bench press is defined by the divide between 'raw' and 'equipped' lifting. In raw lifting, athletes are prohibited from using bench shirts, though they may utilize wrist wraps, singlets, and belts. This discipline focuses on the lifter's pure strength. For example, American Julius Maddox holds the current raw world record at 355 kg (782.6 lb), a mark he achieved by surpassing his own previous lift of 349 kg (770 lb). In the women's category, April Mathis from the United States set a raw record of 207.5 kg (457.4 lb) in 2016.
The landscape changed significantly in 1985 with the advent of bench press shirts. These specialized garments support the shoulders and provide upward force, allowing lifters to move much heavier loads. This mechanical advantage has driven records to unprecedented heights. The current equipped world record belongs to American Jimmy Kolb, who successfully locked out 635 kg (1,401 lb) on July 29, 2023, at the IPA Tristar Bash meet. This feat surpassed the previous record by 23 kg (51 lb).
Governance and rules have also shaped these numbers. The International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) serves as an official governing body, and its formation led to the resetting of many previous records to ensure compliance with new rules, such as the outlawing of elbow bandages. This regulatory environment ensures that records are measured against specific standards, whether they are being set under IPL standards, such as Ashleigh Hoeta's 317.5 kg (700 lb) women's equipped record, or under Paralympic regulations, which prohibit the use of belts or wrist wraps.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Progression of the bench press world record
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