Athena Vale
Eddie Hall, also known as Big Muscle Eddie and Eddie 'the Beast' Hall, is a British strongman, boxer, and deadlift champion. Standing at 6 feet 2.5 inches (189 cm) tall, Hall has weighed between 313 and 434 pounds (142-197 kg) over the course of his strongman career. He is best known for his 2016 world-record-setting 1,102-lb (500-kg) deadlift. Hall's muscle volume and structure have been the subject of research by scientists at Loughborough University, who have compared his physique to that of various other athletic, trained, and untrained populations. The findings reveal insights into muscle strength, athletic performance, injury prevention, and healthy aging. Hall's training regimen includes weight sessions, swimming, and boxing, and he has expressed a preference for the latter due to the discomfort of his previous size.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Eddie Hall |
| Nickname | The Beast |
| Occupation | Strongman, Boxer |
| Height | 6 feet 2.5 inches (189 cm) |
| Weight | 313-434 pounds (142-197 kg) |
| Achievements | 2017 World's Strongest Man, 2016 1,102-lb (500-kg) deadlift world record |
| Training Schedule | 2 weight sessions, 2 swimming sessions, 5 boxing sessions per week |
| Injuries | Torn bicep, back injury, calf injury |
| Rivals | Hafthor Bjornsson |
| Muscle Characteristics | +202% sartorius muscle, +157% semitendinosus muscle, +140% gracilis muscle, +120% plantar flexors muscle |
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What You'll Learn
Eddie Hall's athletic genetics
Eddie Hall is a former professional strongman turned boxer, who has won multiple Britain's Strongest Man competitions, England's Strongest Man, UK's Strongest Man, and the World's Strongest Man in 2017. He also holds the world record for a deadlift at 500kg.
Hall is 6'3" and weighed 186kg at his peak strength. He is considered a genetic anomaly, as he does not possess the genetic variants that are typically associated with strength athletes. Despite this, he has achieved incredible feats of strength that have required both power and endurance.
Hall's athletic abilities are likely due to a combination of genetic variants working in tandem with his environment, motivation, diet, and coaching. While genetic traits are important, they do not predetermine an athlete's success or the type of athlete they will be. For example, Hall's variants suggest he should be an endurance athlete, yet he has excelled in strength sports.
Hall's training regimen has included a variety of exercises such as boxing, swimming, bench presses, squats, deadlifts, medicine ball slams, and burpees. He has also suffered various injuries, including a torn bicep, back injuries, and a torn calf muscle. Despite these setbacks, he has continued to train and improve, showcasing his dedication and work ethic.
In conclusion, while Eddie Hall may not possess the typical genetic traits associated with strength athletes, his success as a strongman and boxer can be attributed to a combination of genetic variants, a rigorous training regimen, and his dedication to his sport. His story serves as an example that success in athletics is not solely determined by genetics, but rather a complex interplay between nature and nurture.
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His 'God complex'
Eddie Hall, also known as "The Beast", is a British strongman, deadlift champion, and retired boxer. Standing at 6 feet 2.5 inches (189 cm) tall, he has weighed between 313 and 434 pounds (142-197 kg) during his strongman career. Hall is best known for his 2016 world-record-setting 1,102-lb (500-kg) deadlift.
Hall's extraordinary strength has been a subject of interest for researchers at Loughborough University in the UK, who sought to understand the factors contributing to his power. They found that Hall's lower-body muscle mass was almost twice (+96%) that of untrained men, with significant differences in specific muscle groups.
Hall himself has acknowledged that his physical prowess led to a sense of invincibility, or what he referred to as a "God complex." In an interview, he reflected on his time as the World's Strongest Man, stating:
> "I had a bit of a God complex in a sense. I mean, you do when you’ve got the title of the World’s Strongest Man. When you’re walking around and you’re like, ‘I’m the World’s Strongest Man,’ it’s a great feeling. I will say though, it’s a very uncomfortable life being that size."
Hall's "God complex" is evident in his statement, where he describes the psychological effects of holding the title of the World's Strongest Man. The feeling of being the strongest led to a sense of invincibility and an inflated sense of self. However, he also acknowledges the physical discomforts and limitations that came with his extreme physique, such as difficulties with everyday tasks and mobility.
Hall's training regimen has evolved to focus on different disciplines, including boxing. He has adjusted his weekly schedule to include swimming sessions and reduced weight sessions, emphasizing cardio and mobility work. This shift in training reflects his recognition of the limitations and health implications of maintaining an extremely muscular physique.
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Injuries sustained
Eddie Hall, also known as "The Beast", is a British strongman, deadlift champion, and media personality. He is best known for his world-record-setting 500 kg (1,102 lb) deadlift in 2016, and for winning the 2017 World's Strongest Man competition.
Hall has sustained several injuries throughout his career. One notable incident occurred when he nearly bled to death after a weight-lifting accident. During this accident, heavy weights landed on his penis, causing a severe injury that required hospitalization and stitches. Hall also tore tendons in his arm during the UK's Strongest Man competition in 2011, which impacted his ability to compete in the World's Strongest Man competition that year.
Additionally, Hall has experienced various other injuries, including a torn bicep, a back injury that put him out of action for five weeks, and a badly pulled calf muscle. He acknowledges that boxing comes with its own set of risks and niggles, such as concussions, neck muscle strains, and ankle twinges.
Hall's training regimen has evolved to focus on maintaining his muscle mass and preventing further injuries. He has reduced his weight-lifting sessions from four to two per week and incorporated more cardio and mobility work, including swimming. Despite the risks, Hall continues to push his body to its limits, showcasing his incredible strength and determination.
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Rival Hafthor Bjornsson
Eddie Hall, also known as "Big Muscle Eddie", has a long-running rivalry with Hafþór Björnsson, also known as "Thor". Both men have won the title of World's Strongest Man, with Hall taking the title in 2017. The rivalry began when Björnsson accused Hall of cheating to win the 2017 World's Strongest Man competition.
In 2016, Hall set a world record in deadlifting with 500 kg (1,102 lb) at the 2016 Europe's Strongest Man competition. However, Björnsson broke this record in 2020 by deadlifting 501 kg (1,105 lb) at the World's Ultimate Strongman - Feats of Strength series. Immediately after, Björnsson challenged Hall to a boxing match, which was dubbed "The Heaviest Boxing Match in History" and took place on March 19, 2022.
In the lead-up to the fight, the rivalry between the two men intensified, with a video emerging of them almost coming to blows in the gym. During the fight itself, Björnsson kept his composure, focusing on solid jabs and better footwork, while Hall continuously threw haymakers. Björnsson ultimately won the fight via unanimous decision, winning all but the second round.
Both men have sustained injuries during their athletic pursuits. Hall has suffered a torn bicep, a back injury, and a calf injury, while Björnsson has had to deal with the physical toll of reducing his body weight and body fat. Despite the challenges, both athletes continue to train hard and push the boundaries of strength and endurance.
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Muscle strength insights for researchers
The muscles of Eddie Hall, a British strongman and deadlift champion, have provided researchers with valuable insights into muscle strength and its application in athletic performance, injury prevention, and healthy aging.
Hall, also known as "The Beast," possesses extraordinary strength, as demonstrated by his 2016 world record-setting 1,102-lb (500-kg) deadlift. Researchers from Loughborough University in the UK conducted a series of tests, including MRI scans, to understand the underlying factors contributing to his extreme strength.
One surprising finding was the significant development of the "guy ropes" muscles—the sartorius, gracilis, and semitendinosus—which stabilize the pelvis and thigh. These muscles were 2.5 to three times larger in Hall compared to untrained individuals. This discovery highlights the importance of focusing on stability training and developing stabilizing muscles for overall strength performance.
Additionally, Hall's lower-body muscle mass was found to be almost twice (+96%) that of untrained men, emphasizing the importance of overall lower body development. His calf muscles, or plantar flexors, were also significantly larger, suggesting that calf strength may play a more crucial role in overall strength than previously recognized.
The research also revealed that muscles used for less demanding movements, such as hip flexors, showed more modest differences, with only 23-65% larger muscle volume compared to untrained individuals. This indicates that muscles are much more adaptable to training than tendons, as evidenced by the relatively smaller size of his patella tendon (only 30% larger) despite twice the quadriceps muscle size.
By understanding the muscular adaptations and underlying muscle use in individuals with extreme strength, researchers can provide insights to optimize training regimens and improve muscle function and performance for athletes and non-athletes alike. This knowledge can empower individuals to maximize their strength potential and achieve their fitness goals.
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Frequently asked questions
Eddie Hall, also known as Eddie 'the Beast' Hall, is a British strongman, deadlift champion, and retired boxer.
Eddie Hall stands at 6 feet 2.5 inches (189 cm) tall.
Over the course of his strongman career, Eddie has weighed between 313 and 434 pounds (142-197 kg).
Eddie trains five days a week, with two weight sessions, two swimming sessions, and five boxing sessions.
Eddie Hall and Hafthor Bjornsson have a long-running rivalry that stems from their competition in strongman events.
