Another funny exchange -
Michael Bales
Hims got hims feels hurt.
Brian Hankins
No one’s feelings are hurt just pointing out the absurdity of powerlifters the last 30 years telling me they are superior because what they did for 1 rep with bullshit form. The metrics are Wrong this is not strength
Michael Bales
Brian Hankins that is literally the definition of stronger. But I’ve done your max squat for 14 reps on the bench. I’ve done your max squat plus some for a set of 20 on squats. You aren’t that strong. You are barely strong by local bro gym standards. I personally know several of the folks posting in this thread, and they are all stronger than you. Most of them by a large margin
Brian Hankins
This isn’t about me or you. I am old and injured I never claimed to be that strong but I am certainly very strong. This is about the concept that using everything other than the intended muscle you theoretically developed the movement to train to move the weight the shortest range of motion while wrapped up in belts and sleeves that is not the definition is strength. Modern powerlifting is absolutely not the definition of stronger. Cns adaptation and technique is not the same as stronger. I want to stress the muscle as much as possible with as little weight as possible to prevent injury. That means preexisting and isolation and mind muscle connection. I want to use a full range of motion. What you can lift for reps using the actually intended muscle that is strength. Isolation is harder than compound training everything for reps in isolation develops more actual strength than 1 repping the same movement forever. Powerlifters are not stronger than bodybuilder and never have been you develop strength in the exercises and rep ranges you train. One rep maxing is a great way to get injuries and slow down gains
Brian Hankins
You also underestimate my strength just because I have spent my life deadlifting and squatting doesn’t mean I have not been lifting for 30 years. My strength gym has never been better I am strong as hell right now
Michael Bales
Brian Hankins you aren’t strong as hell. Jesus you’re delusional
Brian Hankins
How strong do you think I am? Using your standards which are wrong btw but regardless if you were to guess. I bet you are off by 30%. My knee is what holds me back not my legs not my back. That is why I train higher reps. I have plenty of strength. I also have a new cadaver tendon in my chest so yeah I am taking it easy but I am strong as hell. I have never been stronger. This morning at 217lbs. I am also not a spring chicken I turn 50 next year.
https://i.postimg.cc/7YS2jHzV/Screenshot-2026-03-27-10-52-53-PM.png .
Brian Hankins
Look at my back from
Yesterday you are going to tell me I am not strong because I don’t compete in powerlifting? Gtfo I can ad a godam plate a side to everything I do if I wanted
https://i.postimg.cc/J0Zswxs0/Screenshot-2026-03-27-10-54-36-PM.png .
EB Farnam
Michael Bales He's also 0-2 in MMA. Ask him about the time Jason Clegg beat him up. He quit on his stool.
Brian Hankins
I beat the hell out of that dude whatever. I stand by my statement. I am a world class athlete if anyone feels different and is my age by all means put your today pick up I am in better shape than most pro athletes and I am old
Michael Bales
Brian Hankins my ex wife and my little sister can both lift that. My little sister can lift quit a bit more. Both lifetime natural and both 40 lbs lighter than you. You aren’t strong. I was trying to be polite before, but you aren’t even strong for a natty gym bro.
EB Farnam
Brian Hankins You are 0-2, see here -
https://combatreg.com/figh.../Brian-Hankins:ECB4D1C2D3088E64 . Not a World Class Athlete, Varsity Athlete, etc......
Brian Hankins
Lift what? You seem to think you know my max strength abilitie
Brian Hankins
And regardless of what you think I can or can not lift it doesn’t change the fact that powerlifting is letting bullshit pass as a bench press.
Brian Hankins
Also legs and lower back are cool and all but you can’t train the entire body with 3 lifts. Shoulders, abs, delts, arms, these things all count as well. No one cares if you can deadlift and squats a thousand pounds without upper body development
Michael Bales
Brian Hankins you have to have an extra chromosome. All of those things are trained with the big 3, but even if they weren’t, you’re really stupid if you believe powerlifters don’t train accessory lifts. My legs are probably the size of your waist, but they look small in comparison because I have so much upper body development. I’m gonna bow out of this conversation now, because I’m starting to think you really are mentally handicapped.
Brian Hankins
I have bone in bone in all 4 quadrants of both knees so yes I do not have massive quads. However I bet I can out strict curl you. Go ahead tell me what you think I can lift I want to hear how wrong you are
Brian Hankins
When do you think you are training your biceps in the big 3?? When you use a mixed and try to detach them on deadlifts??? We see powerlifters with big legs and small arms and shoulders and bellies all the time
