1,000 pounds Max Bottom Position Squat aka Anderson Squat
Max Bottom Position Squat
The Anderson squat is a variation created by the late great Paul Anderson, a world-renowned Olympic gold medalist weightlifter and strongman. Paul Anderson was possibly the strongest man ever to walk the earth. The Anderson squat was one of his preferred ways to develop lower body strength.
When setting up the Anderson squat, the barbell is placed in a position that puts the athlete in hip and knee flexion at or below 90 degrees. The best way to do this is to use a squat rack and safety pins, providing the most stable surface to begin the lift.
Anderson Squat = Start at the bottom → lift upward → no lowering, no bounce, no games.
There is no doubt that the Anderson Squat is a true test of raw lower body strength — more honest than the traditional squat.
The maximal effort method uses training weights greater than 90% of the current one rep max, performed for a top set of 1-3 repetitions. The intent is to recruit the largest motor units, significantly improving absolute strength. I personally do not agree with this. If a powerlifter can squat 1,000 lbs there is no way he can squat 900 lbs starting from the dead bottom.
With that being said,
Here’s the heaviest Anderson Squat known and recorded to human existence.
No suit, no wraps.
1000 lb bottom position squat using only a belt.
Bud Jeffries squats 1000 pounds starting from the bottom (dead) position- which is much harder! No suit, no wraps- just a belt.
Edit: To all the haters. I have seen many videos of elite lifters doing conventional squats with 1000+ lbs.
I defy you to show me a single video of anyone else doing anything close to 1000lbs from the bottom position. You won’t find any- anywhere.
This is a feat of strength that is on par with Andy Bolton breaking the 1000 lb barrier in the deadlift. If you disagree, then post a video of someone duplicating- or even coming close- to what Jeffries does in the video.
RIP, Bud Jeffries.
Bud passed away suddenly on Friday, January 21 2022. RIP to an inspiring, one-of-a-kind individual and one of strongest men who ever lived.