Some people amaze you with their unusual abilities. For example, in 2005, American ultramarathoner Dean Karnazes ran a distance of 560 kilometers in 80 hours without stopping. And British artist Stephen Wiltshire is able to accurately paint a landscape that he has only seen once. And of course, you may have heard about the Dutchman Wim Hof, who, using a special breathing technique, is able to survive in conditions with extreme low temperatures. Some people have amazing endurance and memory, but what about lifting heavy weights? What is the maximum weight that the strongest man in the world can lift and how does he manage to do it?
You will be surprised, but some people can lift a load several times their own weight. Source: drive2.ru
The most powerful people on Earth
The heaviest weight ever lifted by a person is 2422 kilograms or 2.42 tons. This record was set by Canadian powerlifter Gregg Ernst in 1993 during the South Shore Expo. It is held every year in the Canadian town of Bridgewater and includes agricultural shows, entertainment attractions and concerts.
Gregg Ernst after setting a world record. Source: CTV News
As part of the performance, Canadian strongman Gregg Ernst was able to lift a platform on which there were two cars with drivers. It is noteworthy that at first representatives of the Guinness Book of Records assumed that the man was not cheating. The record was officially adopted only in 2015. A power trick in which a person lifts a platform on his back is called a backlift. Gregg Ernst's impressive record has yet to be broken.
Report on Gregg Ernst on CTV News
There are many strong people in the world. One of them is Icelandic athlete Hafthor Bjornsson, who is best known for his role as Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane in the TV series Game of Thrones. He has been recognized as the strongest man in Iceland ten times. In 2015, he dragged a 10-meter log weighing 650 kilograms forward for 5 steps. In doing so, he broke the record of the Viking Orm Storolfsson, who in the early 5th century carried a ship's mast for three steps and suffered a terrible injury.
Hafthor Bjornsson lifts a log to set a new world record. Source: kp.ru
Read also:Who actually owned the “horned” Viking helmets?
How people become strong
People are able to lift heavy weights thanks to hard training and special nutrition systems. In addition, when setting records, athletes wear equipment that helps them maintain proper technique and prevent injury. You've probably noticed that powerlifters always wear bench shirts, belts and knee pads.
To avoid injury, powerlifters wear special equipment. Source: psmag.com
But you should understand that some people, even with the most diligent training, will not be able to break the records listed above. Genetics plays a very important role in human physical development. Many people are born with high muscle fiber density and strong ligaments and tendons. Also, to lift record weights you need psychological preparation.
You will be interested:The strongest people in the world – they can lift weights weighing several tons
People lift cars under the influence of adrenaline
At the same time, in emergency situations, even the weakest people are amazing with their strength. There have been cases when women lifted the car to save a child who was trapped under it.
A person's strength may increase briefly due to the strong release of adrenaline in response to stress and threat. This causes a person's heart rate and strength to increase, which increases blood flow to the muscles. Adrenaline also improves lung function, increases blood sugar levels to produce additional energy, and blocks pain. This last factor is especially important because it allows a person to use their full strength without being held back by pain.
Adrenaline can give a person amazing strength. Source: factrepublic.com
In 1982, under the influence of adrenaline, American Angela Cavallo lifted a Chevrolet Impala to save her son. The accident occurred when her now adult son was working under the car using a jack. The car suddenly fell, and the woman held the car for several minutes while neighbors put another support under the car and pulled out the young man.
In 2006, American Tim Boyle witnessed how a Chevrolet Camaro pinned an 18-year-old guy. He ran to the car and lifted it so that the driver could pull out the victim.
You will learn even more amazing facts by reading our other articles. You can find them in our Zen channel.
It is noteworthy that while lifting weights, people can unconsciously curse, sometimes very loudly. It is believed that swearing helps us cope with pain, and there is a scientific explanation for this.