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Some call it innovation. Others call it cheating.
The Elephant Bar deadlift has become one of the hottest debated lifts in the world of strength sports. With viral videos of titanic pulls and broken records, the bar itself has taken on mythic status—but it has also stirred deep controversy.
First introduced on a major stage at the Arnold Strongman Classic, the Elephant Bar was designed to push boundaries. Its unique characteristics allow strongmen to deadlift weights that seem otherworldly. But critics argue that these numbers don’t stack up against traditional deadlifting standards.
Unlike traditional bars, the Elephant Bar is over 9 feet long and allows for more plates to be loaded. Its key feature is its dramatic flex, or “whip,” when the lift begins. This whip delays the engagement of all the plates, creating a smoother and longer pull from the floor.
The design means that while the bar still tests brute strength, it also demands control and timing. Due to this delayed engagement, lifters can pull more weight, particularly from the floor, which is often the hardest part of a standard deadlift.
In a traditional deadlift, all the weight engages almost instantly. But with the Elephant Bar, the flex causes a cascading effect. The plates come off the floor one by one, making the initial pull range shorter and the bar easier to break from the ground.
It has a profound impact on technique. Lifters need to be patient, resisting the urge to jerk the bar. Manage the whip to keep the lift controlled. Timing, positioning, and bar path all become more nuanced. While the bar helps with the start, it also demands discipline mid-lift.
Other notable lifts include Jerry Pritchett’s 1,031 lbs and Mateusz Kieliszkowski’s high-rep performances that demonstrated both power and endurance.
However, many question the context. Supportive gear such as figure-eight straps, lifting suits, and the allowance for hitching (where you drag the bar up the thighs) make it hard to compare to traditional powerlifting standards. Some say the lift is “easier” due to bar mechanics, but others argue that it simply challenges strength differently.
In favor of recognition, proponents say athletes use the Elephant Bar in a sanctioned, highly competitive event. The Arnold Strongman Classic is not an exhibition—it’s judged, scored, and held to elite standards. Lifters must still demonstrate extreme strength, coordination, and mental focus. The flex doesn’t eliminate difficulty; it shifts it.
Critics argue against recognition, pointing to the lack of consistency. Most federations do not use the Elephant Bar, and rules vary. Some lifters use suits, others don’t. The reduced range of motion at the bottom makes it incomparable to the classic deadlift. For these reasons, many say it shouldn’t overwrite records set on standard bars under strict powerlifting rules.
Hafthor Bjornsson has defended the legitimacy of his Elephant Bar record, emphasizing the technical skill required and the scale of the event. Brian Shaw, another strongman legend, has supported it as a valid test of strength, just a different one.
Eddie Hall, a former world record holder in the standard deadlift, has criticized Elephant Bar lifts for being “gimmicky.” He stresses that pulling over 1,000 lbs on a bar with less flex and strict judging is a different achievement altogether.
From the powerlifting side, athletes like Dan Green have expressed cautious respect, acknowledging the weight lifted while still insisting that context matters. Coaches and judges from federations like the IPF generally do not accept Elephant Bar lifts as comparable to standard deadlifts.
Consistency is crucial. Establishing unified rules around supportive gear, judging standards, and allowable techniques would help settle the debate. Standardizing the bar itself across all competitions would further legitimize the event.
Recognizing feats of strength in different formats doesn’t require invalidating others. The key is to respect each discipline’s rules, tools, and purpose.
Due to bar flex, it can be easier off the floor, but it also requires control and timing. The difficulty shifts, not disappears.
Why does the Elephant Bar whip so much?
Its extra length and collar size increase flex, which delays full plate engagement during the pull.
Do Elephant Bar lifts count as world records?
Strongman competitions like the Arnold Classic recognize them, but powerlifting federations do not accept them.
The Elephant Bar deadlift has become one of the hottest debated lifts in the world of strength sports. With viral videos of titanic pulls and broken records, the bar itself has taken on mythic status—but it has also stirred deep controversy.
First introduced on a major stage at the Arnold Strongman Classic, the Elephant Bar was designed to push boundaries. Its unique characteristics allow strongmen to deadlift weights that seem otherworldly. But critics argue that these numbers don’t stack up against traditional deadlifting standards.
What Is the Elephant Bar Deadlift?
The Elephant Bar deadlift, courtesy of Rogue Fitness, made its debut at the Arnold Strongman Classic in 2016. It was designed specifically for elite-level strongmen—athletes capable of lifting weights far beyond typical human limits.Unlike traditional bars, the Elephant Bar is over 9 feet long and allows for more plates to be loaded. Its key feature is its dramatic flex, or “whip,” when the lift begins. This whip delays the engagement of all the plates, creating a smoother and longer pull from the floor.
The design means that while the bar still tests brute strength, it also demands control and timing. Due to this delayed engagement, lifters can pull more weight, particularly from the floor, which is often the hardest part of a standard deadlift.
How It Differs from Standard Deadlift Bars
Compared to a powerlifting bar like the IPF-approved Eleiko or Texas Deadlift Bar, the Elephant Bar has a significantly longer shaft and larger collars. The extra length allows for more bar flex under heavy loads.In a traditional deadlift, all the weight engages almost instantly. But with the Elephant Bar, the flex causes a cascading effect. The plates come off the floor one by one, making the initial pull range shorter and the bar easier to break from the ground.
It has a profound impact on technique. Lifters need to be patient, resisting the urge to jerk the bar. Manage the whip to keep the lift controlled. Timing, positioning, and bar path all become more nuanced. While the bar helps with the start, it also demands discipline mid-lift.
Current Record and Who Holds It
The most famous lift with the Elephant Bar remains Hafthor Bjornsson’s 1,046 lbs pull in 2019 at the Arnold Strongman Classic. The feat stunned audiences and was one of the heaviest deadlifts ever performed in a competition setting.Other notable lifts include Jerry Pritchett’s 1,031 lbs and Mateusz Kieliszkowski’s high-rep performances that demonstrated both power and endurance.
However, many question the context. Supportive gear such as figure-eight straps, lifting suits, and the allowance for hitching (where you drag the bar up the thighs) make it hard to compare to traditional powerlifting standards. Some say the lift is “easier” due to bar mechanics, but others argue that it simply challenges strength differently.
The Debate: Should It Be a Recognized World Record?
There are strong arguments on both sides of the legitimacy debate.In favor of recognition, proponents say athletes use the Elephant Bar in a sanctioned, highly competitive event. The Arnold Strongman Classic is not an exhibition—it’s judged, scored, and held to elite standards. Lifters must still demonstrate extreme strength, coordination, and mental focus. The flex doesn’t eliminate difficulty; it shifts it.
Critics argue against recognition, pointing to the lack of consistency. Most federations do not use the Elephant Bar, and rules vary. Some lifters use suits, others don’t. The reduced range of motion at the bottom makes it incomparable to the classic deadlift. For these reasons, many say it shouldn’t overwrite records set on standard bars under strict powerlifting rules.
What Strength Experts and Lifters Are Saying
The lifting community has split, but insightful opinions.Hafthor Bjornsson has defended the legitimacy of his Elephant Bar record, emphasizing the technical skill required and the scale of the event. Brian Shaw, another strongman legend, has supported it as a valid test of strength, just a different one.
Eddie Hall, a former world record holder in the standard deadlift, has criticized Elephant Bar lifts for being “gimmicky.” He stresses that pulling over 1,000 lbs on a bar with less flex and strict judging is a different achievement altogether.
From the powerlifting side, athletes like Dan Green have expressed cautious respect, acknowledging the weight lifted while still insisting that context matters. Coaches and judges from federations like the IPF generally do not accept Elephant Bar lifts as comparable to standard deadlifts.
What Should Be the Standard Moving Forward?
The lifting world may need to treat the Elephant Bar deadlift as a unique discipline, like log presses or axle deadlifts in strongman competitions. Creating its official record category would preserve its prestige without diminishing classic deadlifting achievements.Consistency is crucial. Establishing unified rules around supportive gear, judging standards, and allowable techniques would help settle the debate. Standardizing the bar itself across all competitions would further legitimize the event.
Recognizing feats of strength in different formats doesn’t require invalidating others. The key is to respect each discipline’s rules, tools, and purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Elephant Bar deadlift easier than a standard deadlift?Due to bar flex, it can be easier off the floor, but it also requires control and timing. The difficulty shifts, not disappears.
Why does the Elephant Bar whip so much?
Its extra length and collar size increase flex, which delays full plate engagement during the pull.
Do Elephant Bar lifts count as world records?
Strongman competitions like the Arnold Classic recognize them, but powerlifting federations do not accept them.