Joe Mackey is known for his incredible feats of strength and his recent display of power is no exception. The simultaneous powerlifter and bodybuilder made headlines on March 27, 2023, when he shared an Instagram video of himself completing a monstrous 449-kilogram (990-pound) hack squat for five reps. Mackey’s feat was even more impressive because he only used a lifting belt and knee sleeves for assistance and support during the lift, and he did not use any resistance bands, which some bodybuilders use to aid the lower portion of the lift.
Unconventional Lift Made Easy
Mackey’s hack squat made news because it’s a somewhat unconventional lift that limits how a lifter can recruit their glutes, hamstrings, and upper body to complete a repetition. Because of the positioning of the hack squat machine, athletes who perform reps might find it more challenging if their quad strength isn’t up to par. However, Mackey’s unique quad gifts allowed him to perform five reps with almost 1,000 pounds and make it look easy.
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Quad Strength: The Key to Mackey’s Impressive Lift
Mackey’s impressive feat highlights his exceptional quad strength. The positioning of the hack squat machine makes it a challenging exercise, but Mackey’s quad strength allowed him to perform five reps with almost 1,000 pounds. His achievement is a testament to his training and dedication to his craft.
Mackey’s Deadlift Prowess
In his Instagram post, Mackey writes that he’s the strongest International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Pro League deadlifter in the world. While bodybuilders do not showcase their pulling performance in any official or verifiable capacity, Mackey’s deadlift personal raw competition best at the Iron Wars VII is 412.8-kilogram (910-pound), which is an incredible achievement.
Comparison to Ronnie Coleman
The only other bodybuilding competitor who might compare to Mackey’s deadlift prowess is the legendary Ronnie Coleman. The icon pulled 362.8 kilograms (800 pounds) during the year 2000. However, that also occurred while training for a Mr. Olympia title defense.
Competition Performance
In 2022, Mackey finished in fourth place at the Tampa Pro and ninth place at the Texas Pro. Although he fell short of a berth for his first-ever Mr. Olympia, he remains committed to his training and is likely to compete again.
Upcoming Competitive Plans
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 will be hard at work this spring and summer to vie for another Mr. Olympia bid. With his impressive strength and dedication to his craft, it’s likely that one of the world’s strongest bodybuilders will succeed in this ambitious endeavor on another go-around.
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Overview:
Joe Mackey’s impressive display of strength is a testament to his dedication to his craft and the exceptional gifts that he possesses. His ability to perform a 449-kilogram hack squat for five reps is a remarkable achievement, and his deadlift prowess is also awe-inspiring. Although he fell short of a Mr. Olympia berth in 2022, Mackey remains committed to his training and is likely to compete again soon. It will be exciting to see what he accomplishes in the future, and we can’t wait to see what he has in store for the powerlifting and bodybuilding world.
Courtesy Image @jmackey33_ifbbpro (Instagram)
