I get a lot of PR videos. Some of them are great and they end up on the site. Some have questionable depth (squats, always), or standards (Daniel Tyminski’s famous “my elbows don’t extend” thrusters on his 3:10 “Framanda”), and others I get after they’re relevant to post (or…I forget I have them).

Sometimes, however, I get one that has a number in the subject line which is so unbelievable, that I have to read it ten times, then take a screenshot to confirm the weight on the bar, before I can believe what I’m watching. The last time I can remember it happening, was Paul’s first 320# Snatch. That number was so unprecedented for a competitive exerciser, that it truly shocked me, and IMO pushed the envelope of the sport.

Yesterday it happened again.

I always say the biggest difference between exercisers and Weightlifters, is the Weightlifters have much greater overall leg strength (squat strength specifically), and it’s this deficiency that will eventually slow the progress of the top end lifts of the exercisers. Apparently the gap is closing.

Gentlemen (and ladies), let me introduce you to the man you’re all now chasing, at a little over 94k (seriously, he’s under 220#), Nick Bloch…

Nick Bloch – 545# Back Squat:

WOD 131231:

BBG

1) 10 min. to establish a 2RM Clean from blocks (at power position) + 1 Jerk (after 2nd Clean).

2) EMOM for 5:00 – 2 Cleans from blocks (at power position) + 1 Jerk @ 80% of max double from #1.

Strength/Skill

1a) 4X5 Muscle-Ups (see note below) + ME Ring Dips (kipping or strict, begin RD after 5th MU) – rest 90 sec.

Note: The 5 reps per set are a starting point for those with less than 10 UB reps. If your best max UB set is more than 10 reps then sets should be half of whatever your max number is (example: max UB 18 reps – perform 4 sets of 9 reps with ME dips after rep 9). For those with less than 10 UB reps the preference for the sets of 5 is UB reps, but not required.

1b) Back Squat: 1X8@70%, 2X8@75%, 1X5@80% ­ quick up and down with no pause every set, rest 90 sec.

Conditioning

2 X Row 2k

Take resting heart rate before first 2k. Rest as needed for heart rate to return to within 10 BPMs of original RHR, then begin second 2k.