The Beast's Legacy: Revisiting Eddie Hall's 500kg Deadlift And The Record That Broke Him

The 500-kilogram deadlift is a feat of human strength that was once considered impossible, a mythical barrier reserved for comic book characters. On a single, electrifying day in 2016, British strongman Eddie Hall—known universally as "The Beast"—shattered that barrier, stepping into the history books as the first man to lift a half-tonne from the floor. This monumental achievement was not just a world record; it was a career-defining moment that pushed the human body to its absolute limit, resulting in a physical and mental breakdown that Hall still discusses today. This article, updated for , dives deep into the details of that legendary lift, the fierce rivalry it sparked, and the current status of the all-time deadlift world record.

The sheer weight of 500 kg (1,102 lbs) represents a turning point in the sport of Strongman, establishing a new benchmark for raw, conventional strength. Hall's commitment to this single goal was obsessive, requiring a punishing training regimen and a diet that saw him consume over 10,000 calories a day. The lift itself was a dramatic, high-stakes moment that captivated the world and cemented Hall's legacy, even after the record was officially surpassed.

Eddie 'The Beast' Hall: A Strongman's Profile and Biography

Eddie Hall’s journey from a troubled youth to the summit of the Strongman world is one of relentless dedication and transformation. His career is marked by a series of national titles and, most notably, his two biggest achievements: the 500kg deadlift and the World's Strongest Man title.

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• Full Name: Edward Stephen Hall
• Nickname: The Beast
• Date of Birth: January 15, 1988
• Place of Birth: Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, England
• Nationality: British (English)
• Height: 6 ft 3 in (190.5 cm)
• Strongman Career Highlights:
  • World's Strongest Man (WSM) Winner: 2017
  • World Deadlift Record (Former): 500 kg (1,102 lb)
  • UK's Strongest Man: 5-time winner (2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016)
  • England's Strongest Man: 3-time winner (2010, 2011, 2012)
• Early Career: Began as a competitive swimmer, becoming a national age-group champion before transitioning to a truck mechanic. He started his Strongman career in 2008.

The Anatomy of the 500kg Deadlift: July 9, 2016

The 500-kilogram deadlift was not a spontaneous decision; it was the culmination of a multi-year effort that saw Hall systematically break his own world records. He was already the record holder, having lifted 462 kg (1,019 lb) in 2015, followed by 463 kg at the Arnold Strongman Classic, and then 465 kg in March 2016. The final target, 500 kg, was set for the Giants Live World Deadlift Championships in Leeds, England.

The Event and The Lift

On July 9, 2016, the First Direct Arena in Leeds was the stage for history. Hall, weighing over 400 lbs, approached the bar, which was loaded with custom plates to reach the half-tonne mark. The atmosphere was electric, with thousands of Strongman fans chanting his name.

The lift itself was a brutal, slow-motion battle against gravity:

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• The Setup: Hall used a conventional stance and a mixed grip, wrapping his hands tightly around the bar.
• The Pull: With a roar and a visible strain across his entire body, Hall initiated the pull. The bar bent under the immense pressure, and his face turned crimson.
• The Lockout: After a torturous few seconds, he locked the weight out, holding it momentarily before dropping it. The crowd erupted into a frenzy.

The Immediate Aftermath: Price of Glory

The physical toll of the 500kg deadlift was immediate and terrifying. Upon dropping the bar, Hall collapsed, surrounded by his team. The extreme internal pressure caused blood vessels to burst in his face and head.

"I actually passed out," Hall later recalled. "I had nose bleeds, and I actually burst a few blood vessels in my brain, temporarily. It was the moment I realised I'd pushed my body too far." This dangerous experience led Hall to declare that he would never attempt to break the 500kg mark again, believing the risk was too high. He had achieved his goal, but at a severe cost to his own health and longevity in the sport.

The Rivalry and The New All-Time Deadlift Record

Eddie Hall’s 500kg record stood for nearly four years, creating a legendary benchmark that his rivals, particularly Icelandic Strongman Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (known as "The Mountain" from Game of Thrones), were determined to break. This rivalry became one of the most intense in Strongman history.

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The Contested 501kg and 505kg Lifts

The record was officially surpassed in 2020, but the circumstances sparked significant debate within the Strongman community, primarily revolving around the setting of the lift:

• Hafþór Björnsson's 501 kg: On May 2, 2020, Hafþór Björnsson successfully deadlifted 501 kg (1,104.5 lb). Crucially, this lift was performed at his home gym in Iceland, not at a sanctioned, international Strongman competition. While Guinness World Records acknowledged the lift, the lack of a traditional competition setting was a point of contention for many, including Eddie Hall himself, who insisted a true record must be set on a neutral platform.
• The 505 kg Record: Despite the initial controversy over the 501 kg lift, the bar was raised even higher. Hafþór Björnsson later set the current all-time deadlift world record by successfully pulling 505 kg (1,113 lbs). This lift is widely recognized as the heaviest conventional deadlift ever performed in the sport of Strongman.

The rivalry between Hall and Björnsson escalated dramatically after the record was broken, culminating in a highly publicised boxing match, dubbed "The Heaviest Boxing Match in History." While Hall lost the fight, the focus remains on the incredible deadlift records that defined their Strongman careers.

Eddie Hall's Legacy and The Future of the Deadlift

Despite no longer holding the official all-time world record, Eddie Hall's 500kg deadlift remains a monumental achievement. It was the first, a psychological barrier broken under the intense pressure of a live, international competition—the World Deadlift Championships. This context gives his lift a unique place in Strongman lore, separate from the subsequent records set in different environments.

Hall's success in the 2017 World's Strongest Man competition, where he defeated both Hafþór Björnsson and four-time WSM winner Brian Shaw, solidified his status as one of the greatest Strongmen of all time. He retired from the WSM circuit immediately after his victory, citing the toll on his body. His career is a testament to the fact that pushing the boundaries of human strength often requires a singular, almost reckless, dedication to a goal.

The progression of the deadlift record—from 462 kg to 500 kg, and now 505 kg—shows that the limits of human strength continue to be tested. While the current record is held by Björnsson, Hall's 500kg pull will forever be remembered as the moment the impossible became reality, paving the way for the next generation of athletes like Iron Biby and others to chase the elusive 510 kg mark and beyond.