Mackey made this unorthodox lift look easy.
When Joe Mackey makes the news, it’s usually because he’s simultaneously a powerlifter and bodybuilder covering some kind of amazing feat of strength. His recent show of strength was a fitting reason to make some headlines.
On March 27, 2023, Mackey shared an Instagram video of him completing the monster 449-kilogram (990-pound) hack squat for five reps. The athlete used only a lifting belt and some knee braces for assistance and support during the lift. He made sure to mention that some bodybuilders didn’t use any resistance bands to help with the lower part of the lift. It’s undoubtedly a show of strength fit for anyone who’s used to dropping jaws.
Because of the positioning of the hack squat machine, athletes performing reps may find it more challenging if their quad strength is not up to par. A hack squat limits how well a lifter can recruit his glutes, hamstrings, and upper body to complete a repetition. Mackey, in turn, performed five reps with nearly 1,000 pounds, a tremendous example of his unique quad gifts.
In his Instagram post, Mackey writes that he is the strongest International Federation of World Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) pro league deadlifter. It is not clear if this moniker is accurate as bodybuilders do not demonstrate their pulling performance in any official or verifiable capacity. That said, Mackey could really top the list with a 412.8-kilogram (910-pound) deadlift individual raw competition at Iron Wars VII.
The only bodybuilding competitor who could compare to Mackey’s deadlift prowess was the legendary Ronnie Coleman. In 2000, the Icon towed 362.8 kilograms (800 pounds). However, that happened while Mr. Olympia was training for a title defense.
In 2022, Mackey finished fourth at the Tampa Pro and ninth at the Texas Pro. His first Mr.
It’s unclear what Macy’s upcoming competing plans are. The athlete has not mentioned any upcoming powerlifting competitions as he primarily shares updates on his training progress. Presumably, this spring and summer, another Mr. Mackey is hard at work competing for the Olympia bid.
At this rate, one of the world’s strongest bodybuilders may succeed in another go at this ambitious endeavor.
Featured Image: @jmackey33_ifbbpro on Instagram