Ed Coan & Brian Shaw.

[Matt]

This picture might explain some of Ed Coan's genetic gifts...

So Ed had very long arms, but a short upper arm, by the looks of it. So this would put him at an advantage for deadlifts, without putting him at the same disadvantage for bench press as a man with long upper arms and short forearms - did I describe that right?

Also, does anyone know what type of suit Ed Coan was in, in video below, with a 2,463 total? From what I'm aware, the equipment was not as advanced back then [around 1998], and this type of suit didn't offer him a huge advantage.

[Humble Narcissist]

Was Coan 4 feet tall?

[BB]

This picture might explain some of Ed Coan's genetic gifts...

So Ed had very long arms, but a short upper arm, by the looks of it. So this would put him at an advantage for deadlifts, without putting him at the same disadvantage for bench press as a man with long upper arms and short forearms - did I describe that right?

Also, does anyone know what type of suit Ed Coan was in, in video below, with a 2,463 total? From what I'm aware, the equipment was not as advanced back then [around 1998], and this type of suit didn't offer him a huge advantage.

Coan used Marathon Gold Lines for wraps and an Inzer suit (Z Suit) for the video. In the 80's, it was a Marathon Super Suit. He wasn't getting much at all out of them. Less from the Marathon.

[BB]

Was Coan 4 feet tall?

Most say 5' 6", but he's been credited between 5' 5" and 5' 7" in his prime. I wouldn't doubt he might be a decent bit shorter now because of age, and all the medical work he's had done.

[Humble Narcissist]

Most say 5' 6", but he's been credited between 5' 5" and 5' 7" in his prime. I wouldn't doubt he might be a decent bit shorter now because of age, and all the medical work he's had done.

That sport tears up the body worse than bodybuilding.

[oldtimer1]

Power lifting is just bs. Want to show you're powerful, strong, fast and strong?  Lift the bar off the floor over head. All of the Olympia contestants couldn't lift 315lbs over their head from the floor. Bet almost all of the National power lift champions couldn't do it either.

 I think the old AAU contests had it right.  You had to get athletic points by Olympic lifting the day of the contest. You couldn't show up depleted and weak.  They didn't have massive totals because they are bodybuilders not specializing in the lifts but they showed they were athletes.

The picture below is what bodybuilding should be in my opinion. 1957 Mr. America AAU.

[IroNat]

Matt,

I think you have it right that a short upper arm gives you a leverage advantage in pressing.

You can't be a great presser with poor natural leverages.

[sway]

This interview says he’s 5’7 and 215. He was at his best when he competed in the 220 class IMO.



https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-12-20-8704040762-story.html

[Hulkotron]

It's funny in the video how his thighs don't look that big, yet he squats 1000 lbs.  Maybe it's the angle.

[jude2]

Was Coan 4 feet tall?

Shaw is just a monster.

[Marty Champions]

ed coan SUCKS all his lifts the bar never moves more than 7 inches

[SOMEPARTS]

ed coan SUCKS all his lifts the bar never moves more than 7 inches

Yeah, the problem is...he moves those weights 7 more inches than you or most other people can. 

[chaos]

Shaw is just a monster.

Nicest monster in the sport.

[Matt]

Matt,

I think you have it right that a short upper arm gives you a leverage advantage in pressing.

You can't be a great presser with poor natural leverages.

Thank you for the reply, IroNat.

After the 200 days of gym closures here, and turning 40 next month - I decided to take my training and nutrition both more seriously than before.

My training was always ok - but my nutrition was way off [picture 100g protein, 200g carbs, when it should have been the reverse].

A former Getbigger recommended a calorie counting app that I will be downloading. I want to hit my targets every day for 175- to 180-lb.

I just want to try to figure out what strength legends like Ed Coan had, and focus on the environmental inputs into his strength.

I want to be realistic about how strong I can get - and only want to follow any technique advice or training style suggestions from top lifters, if they can actually benefit me.

I just don't even get how these guys are so strong, lol.

My goals are as follows [for 175-lb, and hopefully 15% body fat or less, with no steroids or supplements]:

Bench/Squat/Deadlift = 315/405/495.

Ideally, I'd like to see that bench press in contest form, and hit 350 in the gym.

I also feel that I can squat 455 in contest form [with knee wraps].

Deadlift...I have short arms, so I don't see myself getting too mu h more than that - unless I plan to get some chemical assistance to help me.

I'm just trying to be realistic - and not be disappointed if I fail miserably at these goals.

[Matt]

This interview says he’s 5’7 and 215. He was at his best when he competed in the 220 class IMO.



https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-12-20-8704040762-story.html

Nice find, sway!

I don't know how to read these units, but Ed must be strong, if the machine didn't go that high:

[Humble Narcissist]

ed coan SUCKS all his lifts the bar never moves more than 7 inches

Yeah, one of the greatest strength athletes of all time sucks at lifting.

[MAXX]

the best pressers have short arms in comparison to their bodies

the best deadlifters have long arms in comparison to their bodies.

there are exeptions to the rule but this is in general the advantage

[Marty Champions]

Yeah, one of the greatest strength athletes of all time sucks at lifting.

Coan is liteerally doing a rack deadlift because of the plate height, lol he sucks

[Matt]

the best pressers have short arms in comparison to their bodies

the best deadlifters have long arms in comparison to their bodies.

there are exeptions to the rule but this is in general the advantage

Coan had an amazing deadlift - at over 900-lb - yet managed a pretty dang good bench press of a paused double with 565-lb, and his best contest bench being around there.

Is there something specific to the structure of his long arms themselves?

I.e., looking at that shot with Brian Shaw, Ed's forearm seems to be as long as Shaw's.

Could that be the advantage that gave him both a strong deadlift AND a strong bench press with his long arms - having a long forearm, and short upper arm?

[Marty Champions]

Coan had an amazing deadlift - at over 900-lb - yet managed a pretty dang good bench press of a paused double with 565-lb, and his best contest bench being around there.

Is there something specific to the structure of his long arms themselves?

I.e., looking at that shot with Brian Shaw, Ed's forearm seems to be as long as Shaw's.

Could that be the advantage that gave him both a strong deadlift AND a strong bench press with his long arms - having a long forearm, and short upper arm?

the shorter you are the less ROM on any lift=less work

[Humble Narcissist]

Coan had an amazing deadlift - at over 900-lb - yet managed a pretty dang good bench press of a paused double with 565-lb, and his best contest bench being around there.

Is there something specific to the structure of his long arms themselves?

I.e., looking at that shot with Brian Shaw, Ed's forearm seems to be as long as Shaw's.

Could that be the advantage that gave him both a strong deadlift AND a strong bench press with his long arms - having a long forearm, and short upper arm?

Aren't all men's forearms the same length?

[Matt]

Aren't all men's forearms the same length?

I didn't know that. Is that true? This Polish study shows some variation:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2562693/

[joswift]

Ronnie deadlifted 800lb for two reps 5 weeks out from the Olympia in single digit body fat

[SOMEPARTS]

I didn't know that. Is that true? This Polish study shows some variation:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2562693/

Oh shit, there goes your week - intense studying time inbound.

[Humble Narcissist]

I didn't know that. Is that true? This Polish study shows some variation:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2562693/

Most are pretty close to identical length. It's the upper arm that causes the longer length.