Tom Platz is a name that’s synonymous with bodybuilding and strength training. His impressive lower body workouts were what made him famous, earning him the nickname “Quadfather.” Platz’s legs were not just a spectacle to behold, but also incredibly strong, with feats that remain unmatched even today. Among his many remarkable accomplishments was a 23-rep squat set with 525 pounds on the barbell, a feat he achieved in 1992. Since then, many world-class athletes have attempted to match or beat his record.
The Powerlifting Connection
Powerlifting has long been associated with incredible feats of strength, including impressive squatting abilities. It’s no surprise, then, that many powerlifters have taken on the Tom Platz Challenge. The latest to try his hand at the challenge is Bradon Gulch, a 22-year-old powerlifter who put his maximum effort into achieving the incredible feat.
Bradon Gulch’s Attempt
Bradon Gulch’s attempt at the Tom Platz Challenge was impressive, to say the least. He managed to perform an incredible 21-rep 525-pound squat set, using only a pair of knee sleeves and a lifting belt, making it raw by most standards. Bradon didn’t seem to struggle much until he hit his 18th rep, but he pushed through and managed to eke out three more. Unfortunately, he failed to complete his 22nd repetition, falling back onto the floor after the spotters took the barbell from his back. He remained on the floor until the burning sensation in his legs dulled. Despite not beating Platz’s record, Gulch’s attempt was still a remarkable feat of strength and endurance.
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Platz’s squat challenge attracts elite powerlifters
Elite powerlifters are constantly in search of new challenges to prove their strength and endurance. One such challenge is Tom Platz’s legendary 23-rep squat set with 525 pounds on the barbell. Recently, Bradon Gulch took up the challenge and managed to complete 21 reps, just two reps shy of Platz’s record. However, Bradon isn’t the first elite powerlifter to attempt the challenge.
Joe Sullivan, a World Record holder, attempted the same challenge a year ago but was only able to complete 20 repetitions, putting him behind Bradon. With the bar set high, elite powerlifters are keen to put their skills to the test and etch their names in the record books.
Bodyweight considerations during the challenge
The weight of the lifter can play a crucial role in the success of the squat challenge. During Platz’s 23-rep 525-pound squat set, he weighed 198 pounds. In contrast, Bradon Gulch’s bodyweight during his attempt was unknown. However, just two weeks prior to the challenge, Bradon participated in a powerlifting competition where he weighed 271.2 pounds.
While a heavier bodyweight can provide an advantage in the squat, it can also pose a challenge for the lifter. Bradon’s weight, combined with the heavy barbell, must have made the challenge even more difficult. Nevertheless, his performance was impressive and highlighted his strength and determination.”
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Focusing on One-Rep Max vs. AMRAP Sets
For powerlifters like Bradon Gulch, there are different training methods to improve strength and endurance. One such method is the AMRAP (As Many Reps As Possible) set, where the athlete attempts to perform as many repetitions as possible with a given weight. However, for Bradon, his primary goal is to improve his one-rep max on the squat.
Bradon’s Heaviest Squat
Bradon Gulch’s impressive squat numbers do not stop with his attempt at Tom Platz’s challenge. In fact, his heaviest official squat during competition was 705.4 pounds. This is a significant improvement over Platz’s reported personal record of around 600 pounds. However, this achievement does not diminish the difficulty of Platz’s 23-rep set, which requires a different kind of endurance and mental toughness.
Up-and-Coming Powerlifter
At just 22 years old, Bradon Gulch has already made a name for himself in the powerlifting community. He has participated in 11 sanctioned powerlifting competitions, winning seven of them. Even though he has only been competing for two years, his dedication and hard work suggest that he will continue to improve and achieve even greater feats in the years to come.
Bradon Gulch’s Competition PR
- Squat: 320 kilograms (705.4 pounds) — (2022 USAPL Liftmas Open)
- Bench Press: 212.5 kilograms (468.4 pounds) — (2023 USAPL Arnold Pro Bench)
- Deadlift: 300 kilograms (661.4 pounds) — (2022 USAPL Liftmas Open)
- Total: 825 kilograms (1,818.8 pounds) — (2022 USAPL Liftmas Open)
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Will Bradon Gulch Break Tom Platz’s Squat Record?
As one of the strongest powerlifters in the world, Bradon Gulch is making waves in the fitness community with his recent attempt at Tom Platz’s legendary 23-rep squat set with 525 pounds on the barbell. With 21 impressive reps, Gulch came just two reps short of matching Platz’s feat, setting himself up as the closest contender to breaking the record.
While Platz’s bodyweight during his 23-rep set was 198 pounds, Gulch’s bodyweight is unknown, although he weighed in at 271.2 pounds just two weeks prior to the attempt. However, what sets Gulch apart from other contenders is his primary focus on improving his one-rep max on the squat, which he has achieved at an impressive 705.4 pounds – significantly heavier than Platz’s reported PR of around 600 pounds.
It remains to be seen whether Gulch will shift his focus to improving his AMRAP sets or continue on his path to perfecting his one-rep max. Nevertheless, with 11 sanctioned powerlifting competitions under his belt and seven victories to his name, it is clear that Gulch is a rising star in the powerlifting world and one to watch in the coming years. As he continues to improve and fine-tune his training methods, there is a good chance that Bradon Gulch could break Tom Platz’s legendary squat record in the future.
Overview
A recent attempt by 22-year-old powerlifter Bradon Gulch to complete the legendary 23-rep squat challenge set by renowned bodybuilder Tom Platz has garnered significant attention in the fitness community. Though Gulch fell short of Platz’s record, completing an impressive 21-rep 525-pound squat set, his dedication and hard work have earned him respect among elite powerlifters. Gulch’s heaviest official squat during competition was 705.4 pounds, and he has won seven of the 11 sanctioned powerlifting competitions in which he has participated. While Gulch aims to improve his one-rep max on the squat, the AMRAP training method is also popular among powerlifters. Though bodyweight can play a crucial role in the success of the squat challenge, powerlifters are keen to etch their names in the record books by proving their strength and endurance. Despite Gulch’s young age and relative inexperience, his impressive performance suggests that he will continue to improve and achieve even greater feats in the future.
Featured Image @ bradon.gulch_ @ tomplatz (Instagram)
