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Getbig Main Boards => Gossip & Opinions => Topic started by: pamith on December 19, 2020, 04:57:22 PM
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Srs, how strong was Lou Ferrigno in his prime?
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The internet says he benched 560 lbs
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The internet says he benched 560 lbs
It's possible...he was 318-lb at the 1993 Mr. Olympia which was just around his 42nd birthday. Lou was a legit 6'5". Maybe even 6'5" and change. I would think being a long-limbed bodybuilder, that would impede him for getting deep into the 500's in the bench press though, despite being very strong. It's just that the range of motion inhibits a lot of men that tall / long-limbed from benching deep into the 500's. Deep into the 400's maybe. I wouldn't doubt 460-lb, but 560-lb is approaching what was world class at the time - which was in the 600 to 700 range. I think there may have only been one or two full on raw 700-lb bench pressers at the time.
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It's possible...he was 318-lb at the 1993 Mr. Olympia which was just around his 42nd birthday. Lou was a legit 6'5". Maybe even 6'5" and change. I would think being a long-limbed bodybuilder, that would impede him for getting deep into the 500's in the bench press though, despite being very strong. It's just that the range of motion inhibits a lot of men that tall / long-limbed from benching deep into the 500's. Deep into the 400's maybe. I wouldn't doubt 460-lb, but 560-lb is approaching what was world class at the time - which was in the 600 to 700 range. I think there may have only been one or two full on raw 700-lb bench pressers at the time.
The internet says Lou claimed 560 lbs
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The internet says Lou claimed 560 lbs
It's within the realm of possibility...he was 318-lb in contest shape...he may have been over 345-lb offseason. That's 1.6x body weight on bench. Not quite like a 200-lb guy benching 320-lb or even a 300-lb guy benching 480-lb, but ultimately it's not like it was triple his body weight...or even double.
I think it's possible. I've heard that claim too. I'm not sure when that would have been...maybe sometime between 1989 and 1993, when he was bigger than during his 1970's Olympia days, and still young enough to pull off a lift that heavy...and Lou didn't sustain any injuries that would have automatically disqualified him from a heavy bench like that.
So...it's possible. And I've heard that claim too, as I said. But I've never seen any video or other evidence proving it happened. Bodybuilders tend to embellish a bit...maybe he hit 505 for a double, and just decided to round up without actually trying it. There's also injury risk in bodybuilders going that heavy, so I can imagine a scenario where he probably was strong enough to bench 565, but didn't actually attempt it, out of fear of tearing a pec or getting another injury.
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It's within the realm of possibility...he was 318-lb in contest shape...he may have been over 345-lb offseason. That's 1.6x body weight on bench. Not quite like a 200-lb guy benching 320-lb or even a 300-lb guy benching 480-lb, but ultimately it's not like it was triple his body weight...or even double.
I think it's possible. I've heard that claim too. I'm not sure when that would have been...maybe sometime between 1989 and 1993, when he was bigger than during his 1970's Olympia days, and still young enough to pull off a lift that heavy...and Lou didn't sustain any injuries that would have automatically disqualified him from a heavy bench like that.
So...it's possible. And I've heard that claim too, as I said. But I've never seen any video or other evidence proving it happened. Bodybuilders tend to embellish a bit...maybe he hit 505 for a double, and just decided to round up without actually trying it. There's also injury risk in bodybuilders going that heavy, so I can imagine a scenario where he probably was strong enough to bench 565, but didn't actually attempt it, out of fear of tearing a pec or getting another injury.
And what about deadlift and squat?
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what a child...why dont you ask if lou could beat up waller or something equally stupid next
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He won the car deadlift in the world's strongest man against powerlifters. Yes, I would say he was strong. Also in the Super stars competition where he slimed down for the endurance events he easily won his bracket against the best athletes out there. Granted in the finals he had a really bad day. I would say it was inexperience and trying too hard in the final. It messed up some sports he could have easily racked up points.
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what a child...why dont you ask if lou could beat up waller or something equally stupid next
I'm sure he could
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He won the car deadlift in the world's strongest man against powerlifters. Yes, I would say he was strong. Also in the Super stars competition where he slimed down for the endurance events he easily won his bracket against the best athletes out there. Granted in the finals he had a really bad day. I would say it was inexperience and trying too hard in the final. It messed up some sports he could have easily racked up points.
Can Lou deadlift 600-900 lbs in his prime?
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Strongest man in Hollywood
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Strongest man in Hollywood
By far!
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Standing preses with 205 while weighing 250 in Pumping Iron kicked hi ass.
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Standing preses with 205 while weighing 250 in Pumping Iron kicked hi ass.
Ya he didn't seem that strong in pumping iron. Wasn't he inclining just 275?
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My cock is bigger than ferrignos bench press
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Lou was as strong as this ;D ;D ;D
[ 4K UHD ] Lou Ferrigno The Incredible Hulk ;D
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Didn't he do pretty well in that strong man competition back in the 70s?
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Srs, how strong was Lou Ferrigno in his prime?
It'll cost you $20 to find out.
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It's possible...he was 318-lb at the 1993 Mr. Olympia which was just around his 42nd birthday. Lou was a legit 6'5". Maybe even 6'5" and change. I would think being a long-limbed bodybuilder, that would impede him for getting deep into the 500's in the bench press though, despite being very strong. It's just that the range of motion inhibits a lot of men that tall / long-limbed from benching deep into the 500's. Deep into the 400's maybe. I wouldn't doubt 460-lb, but 560-lb is approaching what was world class at the time - which was in the 600 to 700 range. I think there may have only been one or two full on raw 700-lb bench pressers at the time.
Lou was a legit 6'4", not 6'5". John Laroquette had noticeable height on Lou when he appeared on Night Court in 1985. Today he's between 6'2" and 6'3" due to age and having had a complete hip replacement.
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Standing preses with 205 while weighing 250 in Pumping Iron kicked hi ass.
He was a lot heavier than 250 pounds in Pumping Iron. His offseason weight was 275 pounds in 1975 and his competition weight at the Mr. Olympia that year was 268 pounds. He got a lot stronger in later years. Just watch him at the World's Strongest Man competition held in 1977. His strength had increased a lot by the late 70's and into the early 80's.
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Lou was a legit 6'4", not 6'5". 6'4" John Laroquette had noticeable height on Lou when he appeared on Night Court in 1985. Today Lou's he's between 6'2" and 6'3" at 69 years old, due to age and having had a complete hip replacement.
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Lou was a legit 6'4", not 6'5". John Laroquette had noticeable height on Lou when he appeared on Night Court in 1985. Today he's between 6'2" and 6'3" due to age and having had a complete hip replacement.
Jeeze, when you are so damn thick in the chest, arms, and delts who needs a six pack.
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And what about deadlift and squat?
That's a good question...I can answer with a story that someone posted, but I forget who...once at Gold's Gym Venice, there was a normal-sized guy who loaded 800-lb on the squat rack...allegedly to squat it. Obviously that had to have been a super strong normal-sized guy, so it drew a crowd, including Lou Ferrigno.
I think the guy ended up having the weight slip/fall off his back right away and smash all over the ground. Something like that. But the fact that Lou Ferrigno allegedly took a moment out of his workout to watch that fiasco is evidence to me that he considers an 800-lb squat to be very impressive. If he was squatting 700 or 800 in his prime, I highly doubt he would care if anyone else did it, regardless of size, or regardless of anything, really.
Because of that - and because Lou is very tall which makes him a powerful guy, but not necessarily on the conventional strength lifts [basic compound movements = bench press, squat, deadlift]. I suspect he could have probably pulled a lot of weight from the knees [rack pull], or performed heavy dumbbell chest flies, but that his range of motion would limit him from moving big numbers.
I's sort of like Brock Lesnar having a 475-lb bench press. That's very impressive for anyone, but it's particularly impressive for Brock, because he has an 84" wingspan/reach. If you wanted to make an apples-to-apples comparison for upper body strength between Brock Lesnar and I, you would have to see much he could lift for a 70" reach. I have a shorter range of motion, which helps my bench but hurts my deadlifts.
Being Lou's height, and being a bodybuilder whose goal was mass and not strength [as well as potential for injury], my guess is that he wouldn't have had super high numbers on the three main lifts, but would have still been a very strong guy.
That bench press claim is believable simply because Lou was massive - massive in all three [1] chest, [2] shoulders, and [3] triceps, which are the main muscles being used for bench press. So despite his reach, yeah, I could believe Lou hitting a 560-lb bench. But what I believe and what I can prove are two separate things. Even if he did bench that much, I would assume it would have been in the gym with a bounce [rather than strict contest form], and I'd still need some actual proof.
I think it might have been Tom Prince who recounted the Gold's Venice story where the normal guy put 800-lb on the squat rack to squat it. From what I recall, the guy was described as someone you wouldn't expect to be squatting 800. So he could have been described as 5'9" and 210-lb, or 6'1" and 180-lb for all I know - but just a normal/fit guy, from what I recall from the post...or an older than what you would expect...so just not the kind of guy you'd expect to see squatting heavy.
And a crowd sort of covertly watched...not necessarily gathered around him, but just sort of paused what they were doing to look over his way, or peek. And Lou Ferrigno was said to be one of the people at Gold's Venice that day, watching this happen, only for the guy to un-rack the weight and for it to all come smashing down to the ground. Then again, if it was Tom Prince who posted this story online...Tom also claimed to have a Master's Degree in English Literature and teach students at the university where he lived. That story turned out to be complete hooey. Not remotely true. I noticed Tom spelled "hundreds" as "100's" in one post, and I was like "There's no way that this guy has any degree in English."
And I was right.
I could see him lie to include Lou Ferrigno in a story like the one above, but I didn't doubt the story when I heard it...so I assumed if Lou would take notice of a guy squatting 800, that he probably didn't over 675-lb himself. I mean...that's seven plates per side. I'm just really not seeing that.
More likely, I suspect Lou was probably squatting with 405-lbg to 495-lb for reps in his heyday. But again, what I believe and what I can prove are not the same thing.
I wouldn't be surprised if Lou's bench, squat, and deadlift were all in the mid-500's.
I feel like my blabbering on is not getting you an answer to your question. So maybe this will help...Lou Ferrigno's documentary "Stand Tall" came out in 1997, when Lou was 45-46. He's still in amazing shape in the documentary, and massive. Since he goes through some of his training sessions in the documentary, that might give you an idea of some of his strength. And don't assume he can do anything not shown. Often people make claims but don't back them up when they have the opportunity too. If Lou was extremely strong, he would have wanted to share those strength achievements in this documentary.
Watch it now, before Lou sues the Greek [I think] guy for $20 who uploaded it to YouTube:
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Lou was a legit 6'4", not 6'5". John Laroquette had noticeable height on Lou when he appeared on Night Court in 1985. Today he's between 6'2" and 6'3" due to age and having had a complete hip replacement.
I didn't notice those photos earlier when I saw your post. I'm not sure if my browser is having issues, or if you dug them up online to upload here.
But I'm going to see if I can find that clip on YouTube to see if you're right about that. Interesting point if true. I don't doubt that Lou could have lost some height...but I don't see how you would go even from 6'4" to 6'3" by age 33-34. And Lou would have been turning 34 in November of 1985. So I will see about finding that clip on YouTube.
John Laroquette has a French name because he is from New Orleans. I had no idea how French Louisiana is. There are more Fleur-de-lis' there than there are in Quebec, here in Canada!
Here is the flag of the city of New Orleans, Louisiana next to the flag of the province of Quebec in Canada, for perspective:
[PS - LOL...skip to the 17:00 mark of the Lou Ferrigno documentary posted above and start listening briefly if you want a good laugh. ;D]
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Lou was a legit 6'4", not 6'5". John Laroquette had noticeable height on Lou when he appeared on Night Court in 1985. Today he's between 6'2" and 6'3" due to age and having had a complete hip replacement.
Laroquette was a legit 6'6" though with his boots
Dwarfing Kevin Nealon here
Richard Moll was 6'8"
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMjA1OTY1OTcyMl5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwODY2NzEyMjE@._V1_FMjpg_UX500_.jpg)
(http://www.sitcomsonline.com/photopost/data/684/3nightcourt1909.jpg)
Richard Moll and Lou
(https://cheappopculture.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_1076.png?w=825&h=619)
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Very strong. But remember for most "lifts" used to measure strength, you need both skill, co-ordination and flexibility. Which Lou didn't have.
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Very strong. But remember for most "lifts" used to measure strength, you need both skill, co-ordination and flexibility. Which Lou didn't have.
What are you talking about? In the superstars competition against the greatest athletes of the day he won his heat beating them in baseball hitting and bowling. He won the rowing race too.
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What are you talking about? In the superstars competition against the greatest athletes of the day he won his heat beating them in baseball hitting and bowling. He won the rowing race too.
How dare you argue with getbigs resident financial overlord!
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Standing preses with 205 while weighing 250 in Pumping Iron kicked hi ass.
I love it
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Didn't he do pretty well in that strong man competition back in the 70s?
Yes he did
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That's a good question...I can answer with a story that someone posted, but I forget who...once at Gold's Gym Venice, there was a normal-sized guy who loaded 800-lb on the squat rack...allegedly to squat it. Obviously that had to have been a super strong normal-sized guy, so it drew a crowd, including Lou Ferrigno.
I think the guy ended up having the weight slip/fall off his back right away and smash all over the ground. Something like that. But the fact that Lou Ferrigno allegedly took a moment out of his workout to watch that fiasco is evidence to me that he considers an 800-lb squat to be very impressive. If he was squatting 700 or 800 in his prime, I highly doubt he would care if anyone else did it, regardless of size, or regardless of anything, really.
Because of that - and because Lou is very tall which makes him a powerful guy, but not necessarily on the conventional strength lifts [basic compound movements = bench press, squat, deadlift]. I suspect he could have probably pulled a lot of weight from the knees [rack pull], or performed heavy dumbbell chest flies, but that his range of motion would limit him from moving big numbers.
I's sort of like Brock Lesnar having a 475-lb bench press. That's very impressive for anyone, but it's particularly impressive for Brock, because he has an 84" wingspan/reach. If you wanted to make an apples-to-apples comparison for upper body strength between Brock Lesnar and I, you would have to see much he could lift for a 70" reach. I have a shorter range of motion, which helps my bench but hurts my deadlifts.
Being Lou's height, and being a bodybuilder whose goal was mass and not strength [as well as potential for injury], my guess is that he wouldn't have had super high numbers on the three main lifts, but would have still been a very strong guy.
That bench press claim is believable simply because Lou was massive - massive in all three [1] chest, [2] shoulders, and [3] triceps, which are the main muscles being used for bench press. So despite his reach, yeah, I could believe Lou hitting a 560-lb bench. But what I believe and what I can prove are two separate things. Even if he did bench that much, I would assume it would have been in the gym with a bounce [rather than strict contest form], and I'd still need some actual proof.
I think it might have been Tom Prince who recounted the Gold's Venice story where the normal guy put 800-lb on the squat rack to squat it. From what I recall, the guy was described as someone you wouldn't expect to be squatting 800. So he could have been described as 5'9" and 210-lb, or 6'1" and 180-lb for all I know - but just a normal/fit guy, from what I recall from the post...or an older than what you would expect...so just not the kind of guy you'd expect to see squatting heavy.
And a crowd sort of covertly watched...not necessarily gathered around him, but just sort of paused what they were doing to look over his way, or peek. And Lou Ferrigno was said to be one of the people at Gold's Venice that day, watching this happen, only for the guy to un-rack the weight and for it to all come smashing down to the ground. Then again, if it was Tom Prince who posted this story online...Tom also claimed to have a Master's Degree in English Literature and teach students at the university where he lived. That story turned out to be complete hooey. Not remotely true. I noticed Tom spelled "hundreds" as "100's" in one post, and I was like "There's no way that this guy has any degree in English."
And I was right.
I could see him lie to include Lou Ferrigno in a story like the one above, but I didn't doubt the story when I heard it...so I assumed if Lou would take notice of a guy squatting 800, that he probably didn't over 675-lb himself. I mean...that's seven plates per side. I'm just really not seeing that.
More likely, I suspect Lou was probably squatting with 405-lbg to 495-lb for reps in his heyday. But again, what I believe and what I can prove are not the same thing.
I wouldn't be surprised if Lou's bench, squat, and deadlift were all in the mid-500's.
I feel like my blabbering on is not getting you an answer to your question. So maybe this will help...Lou Ferrigno's documentary "Stand Tall" came out in 1997, when Lou was 45-46. He's still in amazing shape in the documentary, and massive. Since he goes through some of his training sessions in the documentary, that might give you an idea of some of his strength. And don't assume he can do anything not shown. Often people make claims but don't back them up when they have the opportunity too. If Lou was extremely strong, he would have wanted to share those strength achievements in this documentary.
Watch it now, before Lou sues the Greek [I think] guy for $20 who uploaded it to YouTube:
Holy crap you go on and on and on...a lot of blah blah blah!
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I believe Lou could deadlift 850 lbs in his prime
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I love it
In fairness, I think he was doing standing presses with at least 225 on his first filmed set, after which he called for "teh moe pouns" on, as his training partner clarified, per side?, to which Lou clarified, "Eh!"
So, it would seem he was heaving 245+ on his "Ahnolt! Ahnolt!" set. : )
Still, earlier in the movie, he definitely had no more than 205 on an incline when he told Matty, "Lemme complete uh fehr rep" before he gassed after a dozen or so reps. Unimpressive, but I think that was probably filmed toward the end of a workout. I sincerely doubt the lug could ever bench 500, but seeing as how many of us actual lifters could incline 205-225 for the set Louie did, I stand by my guess that he was worn out when he did that set.
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In fairness, I think he was doing standing presses with at least 225 on his first filmed set, after which he called for "teh moe pouns" on, as his training partner clarified, per side?, to which Lou clarified, "Eh!"
So, it would seem he was heaving 245+ on his "Ahnolt! Ahnolt!" set. : )
Still, earlier in the movie, he definitely had no more than 205 on an incline when he told Matty, "Lemme complete uh fehr rep" before he gassed after a dozen or so reps. Unimpressive, but I think that was probably filmed toward the end of a workout. I sincerely doubt the lug could ever bench 500, but seeing as how many of us actual lifters could incline 205-225 for the set Louie did, I stand by my guess that he was worn out when he did that set.
I guess you have a point
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The internet says he benched 560 lbs
Not a chance.
Lou was never of the mind to lift that heavy. Ever.
I’d not think he ever exceeded mid-fours. At any time.
During his comeback, when he was at his most gassed/biggest, he didn’t even barbell bench.
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I believe Lou could deadlift 850 lbs in his prime
No disrespect, but you’re SO out to lunch in matters of strength.
Lou never came within two-hundred pounds of an 850 dead.
He NEVER did the specific training to even kind of approach such an elite mark.
During his time, 850 was the domain of perhaps two or three top-flight superheavy powerlifters.
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No disrespect, but you’re SO out to lunch in matters of strength.
Lou never came within two-hundred pounds of an 850 dead.
He NEVER did the specific training to even kind of approach such an elite mark.
During his time, 850 was the domain of perhaps two or three top-flight superheavy powerlifters.
You seem angry
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I got some of the facts wrong on the superstars competition. I was working from memory and it was 1976. I think he got second in the push press in the finals with 325lbs taken off the squat racks. The world record holder in the shot put Brian Oldfield beat him in the push press.
This gives the facts of the preliminaries. He competed against Hall of fame boxer Ken Norton. Hall of famer football player Lynn Swann and other athletes like undefeated full contact Karate champ Bill Wallace.
http://www.thesuperstars.org/comp/76pr4.html
This is the 1977 Worlds strongest man where Lou came in 4th. Here he is winning the bar bend competition.
This shows Lou winning the car deadlift competition. I bet he was good for 800lbs plus deadlift. He beat the powerlifters and Franco. They filled the trunk with plates. It's later in the video.
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Two things I can tell you about Lou Ferrigno
He never benched 560 lbs
He has an aversion to telling the truth.
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Lou lifted heavy when he was younger but his long limbs don't give him an advantage on lifts like bench press or shoulder press. His legs were undersized , he never worked them hard. Forget about big squat or deadlift numbers. During his comeback he was a pure pumper using light weights for volume. All drugs.
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560 lb bench 850 lb deadlift
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Holy crap you go on and on and on...a lot of blah blah blah!
He's def high af. Nobody sober could post that much run on bullshit
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Holy crap you go on and on and on...a lot of blah blah blah!
Yeah, but I'm not buying it. I think he probably had the genetics to be a 560-lb bench presser, but I have been following bodybuilding and reading bodybuilding history since 2000, and no videos of Lou being that strong have emerged.
He definitely looks like he could be a 560-lb bench presser. But he's also very long-limbed. And again - there's no evidence anywhere posted that I have seen.
Is it possible he lifted that much, or had the potential to? Yes. There's just no evidence. What I believe is possible and what I can prove are two different things.
What makes you think he benched 560-lb?
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He's def high af. Nobody sober could post that much run on bullshit
In my case, I have a massive text-based bodybuilding [article] website that goes back to 2003, with how many thousands of pages I wrote. Then going back to 15, I was top in my keyboarding class.
It's just genetic, considering I typed this fast from almost as soon as I started using a keyboard.
You and I should just upload videos of us taking an online typing test. If you saw how fast I typed, it would make sense. You'd be typing at half my speed, and I'd be still typing faster than you if you were drinking coffee and I was sedated with something. I'd bet any money on that one.
And that's what makes your being high statement so retarded - I could literally be half asleep and type faster than you if you were high on drugs [or just drinking coffee, for that matter].
It's funny to me that your brain operates so slowly that you are incapable of expressing your ideas to a keyboard anywhere near the rate I can, so you assume drugs. So I process information faster than you do, so it must be drugs?
Yes, and Walter Sobchack says my lifts are the product of steroid use, and I have literally the thickest and fastest growing hair of any human being I've ever met. I should take this as a compliment. If I posted a video taking an online typing test, you'd see just how fast I churn out posts.
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LOL...great timing for this video to auto-play...I was watching a video called "Guilty Until Proven Innocent" from the same channel, then this came on...
He was given Coke by the police, but wanted heroin. Which Getbigger is this?:
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Standing preses with 205 while weighing 250 in Pumping Iron kicked hi ass.
He was curling 100lb dumbbells in one scene with his dad.
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In my case, I have a massive text-based bodybuilding [article] website that goes back to 2003, with how many thousands of pages I wrote. Then going back to 15, I was top in my keyboarding class.
It's just genetic, considering I typed this fast from almost as soon as I started using a keyboard.
You and I should just upload videos of us taking an online typing test. If you saw how fast I typed, it would make sense. You'd be typing at half my speed, and I'd be still typing faster than you if you were drinking coffee and I was sedated with something. I'd bet any money on that one.
And that's what makes your being high statement so retarded - I could literally be half asleep and type faster than you if you were high on drugs [or just drinking coffee, for that matter].
It's funny to me that your brain operates so slowly that you are incapable of expressing your ideas to a keyboard anywhere near the rate I can, so you assume drugs. So I process information faster than you do, so it must be drugs?
Yes, and Walter Sobchack says my lifts are the product of steroid use, and I have literally the thickest and fastest growing hair of any human being I've ever met. I should take this as a compliment. If I posted a video taking an online typing test, you'd see just how fast I churn out posts.
Matt Aspy,
You are not special, you are special needs.
You self-diagnosed autism is really a spastic version of mild retardation.
As far as weightlifting or bodybuilding go, nothing you have done there is special, it’s farcical on its best day.
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You seem angry
I’m always angry.
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Lou likely could have pulled over eight and pressed into the fives/low sixes IF he focused on strength specificity.
But he never did.
There are a few folks here who haven’t much of a clue about upper-elite strength and numbers.
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I used to see Louie in World Gym Santa Monica while he was training for his first Hercules movie. 1980 ish. First off he was a loud mouth, 2nd he used to bench press 315 for a shitty 6 to 7 reps. And he was huge for that movie.
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In fairness, I think he was doing standing presses with at least 225 on his first filmed set, after which he called for "teh moe pouns" on, as his training partner clarified, per side?, to which Lou clarified, "Eh!"
So, it would seem he was heaving 245+ on his "Ahnolt! Ahnolt!" set. : )
Still, earlier in the movie, he definitely had no more than 205 on an incline when he told Matty, "Lemme complete uh fehr rep" before he gassed after a dozen or so reps. Unimpressive, but I think that was probably filmed toward the end of a workout. I sincerely doubt the lug could ever bench 500, but seeing as how many of us actual lifters could incline 205-225 for the set Louie did, I stand by my guess that he was worn out when he did that set.
;D
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I used to see Louie in World Gym Santa Monica while he was training for his first Hercules movie. 1980 ish. First off he was a loud mouth, 2nd he used to bench press 315 for a shitty 6 to 7 reps. And he was huge for that movie.
He was HUGE for Hercules!
Must've been quite large when training in Santa Monica
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I used to see Louie in World Gym Santa Monica while he was training for his first Hercules movie. 1980 ish. First off he was a loud mouth, 2nd he used to bench press 315 for a shitty 6 to 7 reps. And he was huge for that movie.
He was training for bodybuilding and cutting fat. Again he held his own against world champ power lifters, field athletes and top shelf Olympic lifters in the World's strongest man.
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I used to see Louie in World Gym Santa Monica while he was training for his first Hercules movie. 1980 ish. First off he was a loud mouth, 2nd he used to bench press 315 for a shitty 6 to 7 reps. And he was huge for that movie.
He's near deaf so he talks loud like everyone with hearing issues.
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I saw him train in 1993.
He wasn’t strong. He was a tall guy with long arms and legs so had terrible leverage for strength though.
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Not a chance.
Lou was never of the mind to lift that heavy. Ever.
I’d not think he ever exceeded mid-fours. At any time.
During his comeback, when he was at his most gassed/biggest, he didn’t even barbell bench.
In terms of size, Lou had the biggest chest ever though
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Lou was stronger than Arnold and Franco, no? (and Ronnie)
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Lou was stronger than Arnold and Franco, no? (and Ronnie)
Weak troll. He wouldn't even get in the same zip code as Ronnie strength wise
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He's near deaf so he talks loud like everyone with hearing issues.
It was not about him speaking loud. He was more obnoxious and arrogant with people in the gym.
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He was HUGE for Hercules!
Must've been quite large when training in Santa Monica
He was huge. He could have competed easily.
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Weak troll. He wouldn't even get in the same zip code as Ronnie strength wise
Lou was taller (6'5'') and more muscle mass
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That's a good question...I can answer with a story that someone posted, but I forget who...once at Gold's Gym Venice, there was a normal-sized guy who loaded 800-lb on the squat rack...allegedly to squat it. Obviously that had to have been a super strong normal-sized guy, so it drew a crowd, including Lou Ferrigno.
I think the guy ended up having the weight slip/fall off his back right away and smash all over the ground. Something like that. But the fact that Lou Ferrigno allegedly took a moment out of his workout to watch that fiasco is evidence to me that he considers an 800-lb squat to be very impressive. If he was squatting 700 or 800 in his prime, I highly doubt he would care if anyone else did it, regardless of size, or regardless of anything, really.
Because of that - and because Lou is very tall which makes him a powerful guy, but not necessarily on the conventional strength lifts [basic compound movements = bench press, squat, deadlift]. I suspect he could have probably pulled a lot of weight from the knees [rack pull], or performed heavy dumbbell chest flies, but that his range of motion would limit him from moving big numbers.
I's sort of like Brock Lesnar having a 475-lb bench press. That's very impressive for anyone, but it's particularly impressive for Brock, because he has an 84" wingspan/reach. If you wanted to make an apples-to-apples comparison for upper body strength between Brock Lesnar and I, you would have to see much he could lift for a 70" reach. I have a shorter range of motion, which helps my bench but hurts my deadlifts.
Being Lou's height, and being a bodybuilder whose goal was mass and not strength [as well as potential for injury], my guess is that he wouldn't have had super high numbers on the three main lifts, but would have still been a very strong guy.
That bench press claim is believable simply because Lou was massive - massive in all three [1] chest, [2] shoulders, and [3] triceps, which are the main muscles being used for bench press. So despite his reach, yeah, I could believe Lou hitting a 560-lb bench. But what I believe and what I can prove are two separate things. Even if he did bench that much, I would assume it would have been in the gym with a bounce [rather than strict contest form], and I'd still need some actual proof.
I think it might have been Tom Prince who recounted the Gold's Venice story where the normal guy put 800-lb on the squat rack to squat it. From what I recall, the guy was described as someone you wouldn't expect to be squatting 800. So he could have been described as 5'9" and 210-lb, or 6'1" and 180-lb for all I know - but just a normal/fit guy, from what I recall from the post...or an older than what you would expect...so just not the kind of guy you'd expect to see squatting heavy.
And a crowd sort of covertly watched...not necessarily gathered around him, but just sort of paused what they were doing to look over his way, or peek. And Lou Ferrigno was said to be one of the people at Gold's Venice that day, watching this happen, only for the guy to un-rack the weight and for it to all come smashing down to the ground. Then again, if it was Tom Prince who posted this story online...Tom also claimed to have a Master's Degree in English Literature and teach students at the university where he lived. That story turned out to be complete hooey. Not remotely true. I noticed Tom spelled "hundreds" as "100's" in one post, and I was like "There's no way that this guy has any degree in English."
And I was right.
I could see him lie to include Lou Ferrigno in a story like the one above, but I didn't doubt the story when I heard it...so I assumed if Lou would take notice of a guy squatting 800, that he probably didn't over 675-lb himself. I mean...that's seven plates per side. I'm just really not seeing that.
More likely, I suspect Lou was probably squatting with 405-lbg to 495-lb for reps in his heyday. But again, what I believe and what I can prove are not the same thing.
I wouldn't be surprised if Lou's bench, squat, and deadlift were all in the mid-500's.
I feel like my blabbering on is not getting you an answer to your question. So maybe this will help...Lou Ferrigno's documentary "Stand Tall" came out in 1997, when Lou was 45-46. He's still in amazing shape in the documentary, and massive. Since he goes through some of his training sessions in the documentary, that might give you an idea of some of his strength. And don't assume he can do anything not shown. Often people make claims but don't back them up when they have the opportunity too. If Lou was extremely strong, he would have wanted to share those strength achievements in this documentary.
Watch it now, before Lou sues the Greek [I think] guy for $20 who uploaded it to YouTube:
That video was a Great Find Matt. Thanks..
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That video was a Great Find Matt. Thanks..
I'm glad you liked it, pkaz. Incidentally, did you catch what Lou said shortly after the 17:00 mark? ;D
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I'm glad you liked it, pkaz. Incidentally, did you catch what Lou said shortly after the 17:00 mark? ;D
Yes. And I love the 1% bodyfat comment. I think he would be dead....
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Srs, how strong was Lou Ferrigno in his prime?
Retard Strong!
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It was not about him speaking loud. He was more obnoxious and arrogant with people in the gym.
He has always been an asshole. Makes watching him get owned by Arnold in Pumping Iron enjoyable.
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Fuck Ferrigno worst personality ever.
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Weak troll. He wouldn't even get in the same zip code as Ronnie strength wise
Lou was stronger than Ronnie in at least least one regard: Pull-Ups. I saw a video of Lou repping out on pull-ups and I can guarantee that Ronnie would’ve been unable to keep up. Lou probably weighed 300 or more in the video.
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Fuck Ferrigno worst personality ever.
Why do you hate him? Lou is sweet guy
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Yes. And I love the 1% bodyfat comment. I think he would be dead....
Lol, yeah. I think he must have used the same calipers that measured Flex Wheeler's body fat at 0% in 1993 at Gold's Gym Venice.
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Why do you hate him? Lou is sweet guy
I haven't met Lou, so I personally prefer not judging unless I have personally met them. If I had to speculate on why others think poorly of Lou [some people do - not everyone], it's because he's apparently pretty bad at expos in terms of letting people take his photo. For example, someone on this board said that Lou called him over after taking a picture, and demanded that it [the photo of Lou] be deleted.
While I can see why Lou would have to put his foot down for taking free photos with people without a purchase, I don't get why he would care about just people taking pictures of him.
I also think that Lou has an inflated sense of his Hollywood star. Simply put - his prime is behind him, and his autographed photos are not worth $300 each, as he once claimed in MD. But IMO, Lou thinks his star is worth more than its actual market value, and that has led to clashes at expos, where he has earned a reputation as being cheap.
To be honest...I was giving Lou the benefit of the doubt until he sued his brother. Is there anything missing from that story? Was his brother not nice to him while growing up? I'm not claiming brothers are perfect - but to sue your own brother without something more to the story...strikes me as not cool. If his brother was abusive to Lou, that's a whole other story.
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Lou lifted cars in the incredible hulk
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Lou lifted cars in the incredible hulk
And no one ever figured out that Banner was The Hulk even when he was walking around in torn up clothes right after the Hulk rampages. :-X
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And no one ever figured out that Banner was The Hulk even when he was walking around in torn up clothes right after the Hulk rampages. :-X
;D :-X
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Lou was taller (6'5'') and more muscle mass
You're correct on the taller part
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I haven't met Lou, so I personally prefer not judging unless I have personally met them. If I had to speculate on why others think poorly of Lou [some people do - not everyone], it's because he's apparently pretty bad at expos in terms of letting people take his photo. For example, someone on this board said that Lou called him over after taking a picture, and demanded that it [the photo of Lou] be deleted.
While I can see why Lou would have to put his foot down for taking free photos with people without a purchase, I don't get why he would care about just people taking pictures of him.
I also think that Lou has an inflated sense of his Hollywood star. Simply put - his prime is behind him, and his autographed photos are not worth $300 each, as he once claimed in MD. But IMO, Lou thinks his star is worth more than its actual market value, and that has led to clashes at expos, where he has earned a reputation as being cheap.
To be honest...I was giving Lou the benefit of the doubt until he sued his brother. Is there anything missing from that story? Was his brother not nice to him while growing up? I'm not claiming brothers are perfect - but to sue your own brother without something more to the story...strikes me as not cool. If his brother was abusive to Lou, that's a whole other story.
If I remember an old MuscleMag International article correctly, Ferrigno claimed that the reason he did that is because fans were also doing that to the other pro bodybuilders at the other booths. His defense was that, while he can afford to take free pics, the other bodybuilders (who weren't Hollywood stars, past or present at the that point) couldn't eat the loss of income.
I think some fans were even taking pics with Ferrigno's $20 per picture sign, just as a gag.
I get the point to a degree. I had no plans of paying for Stan "Topamania" McCrary's 8x10s back in 2005 at the NPC Southeastern USA. But, fearing for dear life, I didn't take any cell phone pics either.
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If I remember an old MuscleMag International article correctly, Ferrigno claimed that the reason he did that is because fans were also doing that to the other pro bodybuilders at the other booths. His defense was that, while he can afford to take free pics, the other bodybuilders (who weren't Hollywood stars, past or present at the that point) couldn't eat the loss of income.
I think some fans were even taking pics with Ferrigno's $20 per picture sign, just as a gag.
I get the point to a degree. I had no plans of paying for Stan "Topamania" McCrary's 8x10s back in 2005 at the NPC Southeastern USA. But, fearing for dear life, I didn't take any cell phone pics either.
Stan was bad for that, LOL. One wonders if Stan believes in the theory of "From Goo to You by Way of the Zoo!"?
Maybe a better theory would replace You with Lou? Or Zoo with Lou.
Speaking of Lou, and how he framed that...I seem to recall him saying that too. If I'm not mistaken...he also said that he had to provide the photos he signed. Whereas at MuscleTech, where bodybuilders gave out their photos for free, both the booth and the photos were supplied by MuscleTech. Lou's booth was supplied by Joe Weider...but not the photos themselves.
The way I see it, Lou probably made a few grand a weekend from expos + had his travel expenses paid. He probably also got some royalties for Hulk-related stuff, but I don't see Lou making more than $500,000 a year. That's basically $10,000 a week, and how much money do you make selling autographs in a line that no one is in? I have no doubt that Lou was wealthy and successful [especially if he saved his money], but I don't think he had a net worth of $50+ million or anything.
On the high end, I could see him banking $10 million - if he was good with money and all that [which, from what I can tell, no one is].
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If I remember an old MuscleMag International article correctly, Ferrigno claimed that the reason he did that is because fans were also doing that to the other pro bodybuilders at the other booths. His defense was that, while he can afford to take free pics, the other bodybuilders (who weren't Hollywood stars, past or present at the that point) couldn't eat the loss of income.
I think some fans were even taking pics with Ferrigno's $20 per picture sign, just as a gag.
I get the point to a degree. I had no plans of paying for Stan "Topamania" McCrary's 8x10s back in 2005 at the NPC Southeastern USA. But, fearing for dear life, I didn't take any cell phone pics either.
Big mistake. That autograph would’ve been worth about a quarter million dollars by now.
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;D :-X
Yes, glasses were a great disguise for Superman.
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Big mistake. That autograph would’ve been worth about a quarter million dollars by now.
In what, Djiboutian Franks?
If anything, there were more prominent pro bodybuilders at the Orlando Pro Xtreme show I saw in 2004, such as Darrem Charles who won that show. But, he was with MuscleTech (I think); so maybe his pics were free.
I lived in Jacksonville, at the time, so it was only a 2-hour drive. So I didn't have to spring for any hotel fare. Just drive to the show and drive back home.
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I believe Ferrigno could deadlift 850 lbs
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I believe Ferrigno could deadlift 850 lbs
Not even close.
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Not even close.
Bro...
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Prime Ferrigno was stronger than prime Coleman, there, I said it
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low dose not that strong.
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Ferrigno was stronger than Arnold and Franco. Proof me wrong.
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he didnt even charge me for it
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^In that pic Lou was good looking, no homo
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he didnt even charge me for it
How tall are you?
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How tall are you?
6 feet dead on the button
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^In that pic Lou was good looking, no homo
In that pic EVacnam looked even better!
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Ferrigno was stronger than Arnold and Franco. Proof me wrong.
How about you proving yourself right?
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In that pic EVacnam looked even better!
You forgot to say no homo
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ALL HOMO / ALL SCHLOMO
Just a Promo
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^That's not ok with God or the Bible. On another note, Ferrigno strength stats in his prime, 560 lb bench, 850 lb deadlift, 750 lb squat. This is my opinion
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I wonder if Big Louie charged Jan Todd $20.00 today?
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I wonder if Big Louie charged Jan Todd $20.00 today?
Is he wearing a French beret or some shit?
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Ferrigno was stronger than Arnold and Franco. Proof me wrong.
You're making the claim therefore the burden of proof is on you. Show proof that you are right.
Using your logic, I can just easily say that I've been in 200 fights and have never lost. Prove me wrong.
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Re: Lou Ferrigno - How strong was he?
Retard Strong.
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Re: Lou Ferrigno - How strong was he?
Retard Strong.
;D
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LOL @ fucking Abe !! ;D
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You're making the claim therefore the burden of proof is on you. Show proof that you are right.
Using your logic, I can just easily say that I've been in 200 fights and have never lost. Prove me wrong.
I believe you. Some people don't learn after the first beatdown and require repeated lessons.
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I believe you. Some people don't learn after the first beatdown and require repeated lessons.
LOL. I should have picked a different analogy.
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5...STICK....7...8....AH H...AHH
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Lou was strong af, stronger than Arnold and Franco
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Who wins in a fight prime Arnold or prime Lou?
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Who wins in a fight prime Arnold or prime Lou?
Prime Lou via knockout blow after inability to hear the bell
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Prime Lou via knockout blow after inability to hear the bell
:D
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Fuck Ferrigno worst personality ever.
This.
He would go to bodybuilding shows backstage talk about himself, his projects. and trash steroids use.
Imagine! The guy had the nerve to criticize publicly bodybuilders that use steroids to compete. And then talk about FERRIGNO LEGACY’ and how it was soon to be a contest like the Olympia lol.
During the 80s he would attend shows (everything covered for him) . And he would open his mouth just to say that if anyone at said contest was on steroids should be disqualified
There might b clips of it on YouTube.
Out of all people Lou ; who owns everything he has to roids.
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This.
He would go to bodybuilding shows backstage talk about himself, his projects. and trash steroids use.
Imagine! The guy had the nerve to criticize publicly bodybuilders that use steroids to compete. And then talk about FERRIGNO LEGACY’ and how it was soon to be a contest like the Olympia lol.
During the 80s he would attend shows (everything covered for him) . And he would open his mouth just to say that if anyone at said contest was on steroids should be disqualified
There might b clips of it on YouTube.
Out of all people Lou ; who owns everything he has to roids.
You should see the YouTube comments for Ferrigno videos. “What a great guy! So humble!”
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(https://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=670234.0;attach=1320530;image).
Black New Balances and not grass stained? Full head of hair? Lean? Tall?
What if Lou is the counter balance to the life blood of bodybuilding, the schmoe? The Yin to its Yang?
(https://i.postimg.cc/vH2ZyXvx/Yin-and-yang-svg.png).
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(https://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=670234.0;attach=1320530;image).
Black New Balances and not grass stained? Full head of hair? Lean? Tall?
What if Lou is the counter balance to the life blood of bodybuilding, the schmoe? The Yin to its Yang?
(https://i.postimg.cc/vH2ZyXvx/Yin-and-yang-svg.png).
;D
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(https://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=670234.0;attach=1320530;image).
Black New Balances and not grass stained? Full head of hair? Lean? Tall?
What if Lou is the counter balance to the life blood of bodybuilding, the schmoe? The Yin to its Yang?
(https://i.postimg.cc/vH2ZyXvx/Yin-and-yang-svg.png).
Brilliant
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You should see the YouTube comments for Ferrigno videos. “What a great guy! So humble!”
They have obviously never been here.
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My sources say his best was a 560 bench and 850 deadlift.
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Prime Lou via knockout blow after inability to hear the bell
Bro...