Author Topic: pound for pound how does franco compare with todays powerlifters? (Read 3017 times)

Whiskey · « **on:** November 24, 2006, 11:18:36 AM »

Discuss

Whiskey · « **Reply #1 on:** November 24, 2006, 11:21:27 AM »

Anyone see him train?

body88 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 24, 2006, 11:23:02 AM »

I think onlyme trained with him a few times. He posted about how he saw Franco doing bent over rows with 405 like it was nothing. Pretty amazing at 185 lbs.

Whiskey · « **Reply #3 on:** November 24, 2006, 11:24:56 AM »

Franco was only 185lbs

body88 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 24, 2006, 11:29:18 AM »

Quote from: Whiskey on November 24, 2006, 11:24:56 AM

Franco was only 185lbs

Yes. He was prob one of the strongest men, if not the strongest man pound for pound ever.

Whiskey · « **Reply #5 on:** November 24, 2006, 11:30:14 AM »

I like arnold but I doubt he could keep up with franco

body88 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 24, 2006, 11:33:39 AM »

Quote from: Whiskey on November 24, 2006, 11:30:14 AM

I like arnold but I doubt he could keep up with franco

Guy was strong as all hell. Did you see him in PI. With (405?) sitting on his chest and he was laughing. Then he pressed it no problem.

Whiskey · « **Reply #7 on:** November 24, 2006, 11:34:03 AM »

He was boxing champion of italy aswell no?

chris_mason · « **Reply #8 on:** November 24, 2006, 11:35:30 AM »

It's hard to compare with the powerlifting gear being used today. Franco was reportedly quite strong.

body88 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 24, 2006, 11:35:40 AM »

Quote from: Whiskey on November 24, 2006, 11:34:03 AM

He was boxing champion of italy aswell no?

Yep. He looked great in PI. His height held him back.

Whiskey · « **Reply #10 on:** November 24, 2006, 11:36:42 AM »

I think it was 315 body88 but I get your point.
The guy was just raw power

body88 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 24, 2006, 11:37:23 AM »

Quote from: chris_mason on November 24, 2006, 11:35:30 AM

It's hard to compare with the powerlifting gear being used today. Franco was reportedly quite strong.

What where his stats? 750 + dl , 450-500ish bench, No idea on the squat. At 180 those are big numbers.

body88 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 24, 2006, 11:38:35 AM »

Quote from: Whiskey on November 24, 2006, 11:36:42 AM

I think it was 315 body88 but I get your point.
The guy was just raw power

I could not remember if it was 315 or 405. For some reason I think it was more than 315?

Whiskey · « **Reply #13 on:** November 24, 2006, 11:44:08 AM »

Quote from: chris_mason on November 24, 2006, 11:35:30 AM

It's hard to compare with the powerlifting gear being used today. Franco was reportedly quite strong.

"quite strong" might be a bit of an understatement chris
I believe the word "freak" might be more suited for franco

Whiskey · « **Reply #14 on:** November 24, 2006, 11:48:31 AM »

It was 3 45s on either side plus the bar body88

Franco had one of the best backs of the 70s

body88 · « **Reply #15 on:** November 24, 2006, 11:50:35 AM »

Quote from: Whiskey on November 24, 2006, 11:48:31 AM

It was 3 45s on either side plus the bar body88

Franco had one of the best backs of the 70s

For some reason I thought there where some 25's also. Been awile since I watched PI. Gonna watch it later!

brianX · « **Reply #16 on:** November 24, 2006, 11:59:03 AM »

His strength has been exaggerated over the years. He never benched anywhere near 500.

body88 · « **Reply #17 on:** November 24, 2006, 12:03:49 PM »

Quote from: brianX on November 24, 2006, 11:59:03 AM

His strength has been exaggerated over the years. He never benched anywhere near 500.

So what would u guess?

750 dl.... 425 bench..... I think his bench would be in the low 450's

carvedoutofwood · « **Reply #18 on:** November 24, 2006, 01:02:28 PM »

is he wearing NO BELT in that pic where he's pulling 7 plates on each side.. hahaah om fucking god

The Squadfather · « **Reply #19 on:** November 24, 2006, 01:05:38 PM »

Quote from: Whiskey on November 24, 2006, 11:44:08 AM

"quite strong" might be a bit of an understatement chris
I believe the word "freak" might be more suited for franco

absolutely, Franco was an animal.

JaggyShortBuff · « **Reply #20 on:** November 24, 2006, 01:07:21 PM »

Quote from: carvedoutofwood on November 24, 2006, 01:02:28 PM

is he wearing NO BELT in that pic where he's pulling 7 plates on each side.. hahaah om fucking god

And that says alot compared to guys these days...I have trained with powerlifters plenty of times and I am not trying to cut them down or anything but they would be benching close to 500 without a shirt and they put that shirt on and they can bench close to 600 and sometimes over it...I always pray that the shirt doesn't tear either cause I have been there when that happens too...

onlyme · « **Reply #21 on:** November 24, 2006, 01:08:22 PM »

Quote from: carvedoutofwood on November 24, 2006, 01:02:28 PM

is he wearing NO BELT in that pic where he's pulling 7 plates on each side.. hahaah om fucking god

No Belt and No straps. Franco was awesome to watch. He would take his shirt off to do Bent Over's with 405 and his lats would just spread out so far. Chinups for was like nothing for him with weights. I don't really remember seeing hm bench. I saw him row and some other stuff. But it was this time when I sw him do the Bent Over's that sticks in my mind more than anything. ANd also the fact that he would give us all free massages. Certain thing stick in mymond from back then. Like doing rows with Tony Pearson and seeing hwo huge and thick his back was.

carvedoutofwood · « **Reply #22 on:** November 24, 2006, 01:10:08 PM »

Quote from: JaggyShortBuff on November 24, 2006, 01:07:21 PM

And that says alot compared to guys these days...I have trained with powerlifters plenty of times and I am not trying to cut them down or anything but they would be benching close to 500 without a shirt and they put that shirt on and they can bench close to 600 and sometimes over it...I always pray that the shirt doesn't tear either cause I have been there when that happens too...

no straps or wrist wraps

The Squadfather · « **Reply #23 on:** November 24, 2006, 01:11:06 PM »

Quote from: onlyme on November 24, 2006, 01:08:22 PM

No Belt and No straps. Franco was awesome to watch. He would take his shirt off to do Bent Over's with 405 and his lats would just spread out so far. Chinups for was like nothing for him with weights. I don't really remember seeing hm bench. I saw him row and some other stuff. But it was this time when I sw him do the Bent Over's that sticks in my mind more than anything. ANd also the fact that he would give us all free massages. Certain thing stick in mymond from back then. Like doing rows with Tony Pearson and seeing hwo huge and thick his back was.

Tony was awesome in his day, Keith, he used to train here in St. Louis under George Turner, unbelievably wide lats.

bmacsys · « **Reply #24 on:** November 24, 2006, 03:03:41 PM »

Quote from: brianX on November 24, 2006, 11:59:03 AM

His strength has been exaggerated over the years. He never benched anywhere near 500.

I have a book he wrote, Winning Bodybuilding. Published in 1978 when Franco was 37. He said his best bench was 485. On his web site he is now claiming 520 pounds.