He lifted hard, ate a lot and competed for so long and in so many contests, why? Bill was always a big kid when he was growing up like his father. His father, William Bart. Kazmaier, was born in 1895 in Lancaster County, PA. Kaz's grandfather was born in 1871 in Germany and was a brewer by occupation living in Columbia, PA. His grandmother was Mimmie E. Wisser who was born in 1868 in Marietta, PA. There is some reason to believe that she is of Native American decent.
Bill grew up in the Southern Lakes region of Wisconsin. He was an excellent high school football player for Burlington High School. He also held the high school's records in the shot put and in the 100 meter dash. He had trouble with his grades. So, despite his great athletic talent, the University of Wisconsin was the only place that gambled on his admission. He was admitted on a five year program for financially challenged students. (If you were to ask him today, if he had any advise to young weightlifters what would it be, he would reply train hard and hit the books harder.) He played for Wisconsin from 1973-4 as their fullback. While at Wisconsin, he discovered his destiny: lifting weights.
Bill decided to leave school and become the top powerlifter in the world. He achieved this in short order. By 1979, at the young age of 25 years old, he did so winning the American powerlifting championships and the IPF world championship that year in the superheavyweight class.
Before he launched his career as a strongman, he worked as an oil rig rough neck, lumberjack and a bouncer in some really rough bars. He is remembered for his powers of concentration and perseverance over adversity. He was the first human to bench press over 300 kg. or 660 pounds. He held the world record bench at 661 pounds for a long time. He was the first man to lift all five McGlashen Stones in competition. He remains the only man to lift the Thomas Inch Dumbell overhead. He could cheat c*rl 315 pounds for fifteen reps. He still has the IPF and USPF Senior American record total in powerlifting (1100 kg. or 2420 lbs.). He set this in 1981 in Columbus, Georgia. He was an IPF champion twice in 1979 and 1983. In the 1978 national championships in the 125+ kg class in Dayton, Ohio, he squatted 865 lbs. He benched 622 pounds. He deadlifted 804 pounds. This gave him a total of 2292 pounds. In 1983 when he won again in Gothenberg, Sweden in the 125+ kg. weight class. He squatted 848 pounds. He benched 501 pounds with a sever pec injury. He deadlifted 799 pounds. This gave a total of 2149.
He also competed in the World's Strongest Man Contests. He competed in six of them. In 1979, he came in third. From 1980 until 1982, he won the competitions handsomely. He was the first man to win the WSM title three times in a row. In 1981, he tore his pec while bending cold rolled steel bars in the WSM. This makes his 1983 IPF championship all that much more significant. After this tear, he lost more than one-hundred pounds off his bench. He was forced by the organizers of the WSM into a premature retirement in those competitions. He was simply too dominant in the WSM. The organizers decided not to invite the reigning WSM back to compete for several years. Instead of throwing in the towel and giving up, he continued to compete in lesser known strong man tournaments, such as the Ultimate Challenge and the Le Defi Mark Ten. He returned to the World's Strongest Man Contest in 1988 and came in second to John Paul Sigmarsson. In 1989, he competed again. He came in fourth because he severely strained his ankle in the first event.
He is perhaps the single most studied human in history. While he worked as the Strength and Conditioning coach at the University of Auburn, the University's National Strength Research Center evaluated every aspect of Kaz. His power is the basis for the Holden Thesis concerning Sauropods. In 1983, he returned for a brief stint in the WFL. He turned down offers from the Jacksonville Bulls. In 1981, he tried out for the Green Bay Packers; however, he had to leave camp because of his pec injury.
He also wrestled in the WCW. On September 5, 1991 in Augusta GA, Bill Kazmaier teamed up with Rick Steiner in a WCW tournament to decide who would take over the vacant tag team title. Bill Kazmaier proved how fake WCW really is when he lost to Arn Anderson (6'3" 225 pounds) and his other partner on the Enforcers. Give me a break! At Holloween Hacov 1991, in Chattanooga, Tennessee Bill beat Oz by submission. At the 1991 Starcade Battlebowl: The Lethal Lottery, Bill and his partner Jushin "Thunder" Liger defeated Diamond Dallas Page and Mike Graham in Norfolk, VA.
He participated in Rings. He had one match and lost it.
Right now, he is still active in the sport, although he is not competing. He served as a commentator for the 1997 WSM in Prim, Nevada. He owns an exercise equipment import/export company called DynaKaz Inc. in Alabama. He imports Air Machine and Panatta. He exports TicenT.
This June, Bill was inducted into the York Barbell Hall of Fame. He has a son. He says that his idol when he was growing up was the great Jim Thorpe, not only for his obvious atheletic ability, but also his ability to persevere over trials of adversity.
Best Lifts
Please Note that He Did Not Use Bench Shirts or Squat Suits. Also, in the Squat, He Kept his Back Perpendicular to the Ground, Not like the Good Mornings that Pass as Squats
Competition Squat: 925 pounds-wr
Competition Bench: 661 pounds-wr
Competition Deadlift: 887 pounds-wr
Total in Competition: 2425 pounds-wr
Career Statistics
These are just a few of his accomplishments in his life.
Junior National Powerlifting Champion-275 Pound Class-(760-512-760-2033) in 1978
Senior National Powerlifting Champion-275 Pound Class-(782-534-804-2121) in 1978
World Record-Bench Press-Superheavyweight-617 in 1979
World's Strongest Man Contest-Third in 1979
World Powerlifting Champion-Superheavyweight-(865-622-804-2292) in 1979
World Record-Bench Press-Superheavyweight-622 in 1979
Strongbow Superman Contest-Winner-374 Clean and Jerk, 837 Deadlift, 120sX17 Dumbell Press in 1980
World Record-Bench Press-Superheavyweight-634 in 1980
World Record-56 lb. Weight Toss Over Bar-Scottish Highland Games-Height: 16 feet and 3 inches in 1980
World's Strongest Man Contest-Winner in 1980
Powerlifting Competition-Best Squat-Superheavyweight-925 in 1981
World Record-Bench Press-Superheavyweight-639 in 1981
World Record-Bench Press-Superheavyweight-661 in 1981
World Record-Powerlifting Total-Superheavyweight-2424 in 1981
World Record-Dumbell Press in Exhibition-a Pair of 155sX10 repetitions; a Pair of 165sX5 repetitions in 1981
World's Strongest Man Contest-Winner in 1981
World Record-Deadlift-Superheavyweight-887 in 1981
#2 All-Time Squat in World's Strongest Man Competition of 969 pounds in 1981
World's Strongest Man Contest-Winner in 1982
Senior National Powerlifting Champion-Superheavyweight Class-(870-540-837-2248) in 1982
#3 All-Time Deadlift in World's Strongest Man Competition of 1055 pounds in 1982
World Powerlifting Champion-Superheavyweight Class-(848-501-799-2149) in 1983
Powerlifting Exhibition Best Deadlift-Superheavyweight-904 in 1983
World Record-56 lb. Weight Toss Over Bar-Scottish Highland Games-Height: 18 feet and 3 inches in 1984
World Record-Barbell C*rl-440 lbs. in 1985
Ultimate Challenge-Runner up in 1987
Le Defi Mark Ten International-Winner in 1987
World Record-Seated Barbell Press-(Previous Record: Chuck Arens-407) Kaz: 448X3 in 1988
Muscle Power Classic-1st Place in 1988
World Record Log Press-375 lbs. in 1988
World's Strongest Man Contest-Runner up in 1988
Pure Strength II Team Competition-1st Place with Stuart Thompson as his partner in 1988
McGloshen Stones-First Man to Ever Lift all Five Stones in Competition in 1988
Louis Cyr Dumbell Side Raise and Hold-(Louis Cyr-88 lbs. in one hand and 97 lbs. in the other); Kaz-89 in one hand and 101 in the other for 6 reps. in 1988
Pure Strength II Team Competition-2nd Place with partner with OD Wilson in 1989
Louis Cyr Dumbell Front Raise and Hold-(Louis Cyr-131 lbs. for 1 rep.); Kaz-210 lbs. for six reps.
World's Strongest Man Competition-4th Place in 1989
#2 All-Time Loglift in World's Strongest Man Competition of 363 pounds in 1989
World Record-Dumbell Press-100 lbs.X40 reps. in 1989
Guinness Book of Records-Member of 10 Man Team that Pulled a 14 ton Tractor and Attached Caravan for 2 Miles
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 321 to 350 lbs.
Measurements:
60" chest
23" biceps
17" forearms
22+" neck
40" waist
32" thigh
20.5" calfs
Monday
- Bench (heavy) warm up, then 4 sets x 10 reps
- Wide Grip Bench 3 sets x 10 reps
- Narrow Grip Bench 3 sets x 10 reps
- Front Delt Raise 4 sets x 8 reps
- Dumbell Seated Press 4 sets x 10 reps
- Side Delt Raise 4 sets x 10 reps
- Lying Tricep Push (after 2 warm up sets) 6 sets x 10 reps
- Tricep Push Down 4 sets x 10 reps
Tuesday
- Squat (heavy) warm up, then 4 sets x 10 reps
- Deadlift (light) warm up, then 3 sets x 10 reps
- Shrugs 2 sets x 15-40 reps, 1 set x 10-20 reps
- Seated Hammer Curls 4 sets x 12 reps
- Standing Curl 4 sets x 10 reps
- Close Grip Chin Ups 3 sets x max on each set
- Seated Row 4 sets x 10 reps
- Leg Extensions 3 sets x 10 reps
- Leg Curl 3 sets x 10 reps
- Calf Raise 3 sets x 15-25 reps
Thursday
- Bench (light) warm up, then 3 sets x 10 reps
- Wide Grip Bench 3 sets x 10 reps
- Narrow Grip Bench 3 sets x 10 reps
- Dumbell Seated Press (heavy) warm up, then 4 sets x 8 reps
- Front Delt Raise 4 sets x 10 reps
- Tennis Backhand Cable Extensions 4 sets x 10 reps
- Prone Tricep Extension 4 sets x 10 reps
Saturday
- Deadlift (heavy) warm up, then 4 sets x 8 reps
- Squat (light) warm up, then 4 sets x10 reps
- Shrugs (heavy) 4 sets x 10-15 reps
- Seated Hammer Curl 4 sets x 8 reps
- Concentration Curl 4 sets x 12 reps
- One Arm Row – 3 positions 3 sets x 10 reps
- Wide Grip Pull (down to chest) 4 sets x 10 reps
- Leg Extensions 3 sets x 10 reps
- Leg Curl 3 sets x 10 reps
- Calf Raise 3 sets x 15-25 reps
- (Ab Work When Possible)
Here is the program that Bill used for his World Record Bench Press. In his own words.
BILL KAZMAIER 10-WEEK BIG BENCH PROGRAM
Here’s a 10-week program that I used to top off my bench training with a world record. It’s so intense that I recommend only two upper body workouts per week, one light and one heavy day per week. Note: 225/10 means, 225 lbs. for 10 reps. 225/3/15 means, 3 sets of 15 reps with 225 lbs.
Week 1:
Light Day:
Regular bench presses
225/10
315/10
410/3/15
Narrow and wide bench presses
350/3/10
Dumbbell presses
100/3/10
Front raises
75/3/10
Lateral raises
75/3/10
Modified triceps presses
300/4/15
Decline triceps presses
335/3/15
Heavy Day:
Regular bench presses
225/10
315/10
405/10
435/3/15 (wow)
Narrow and wide bench presses
375/3/10
Assistance work same as my light day.
Week 2:
Light Day:
Regular bench presses
225/10
315/10
420/3/15
Narrow and wide bench presses
360/3/10
* Deltoid work same as week one
Modified triceps presses
310/4/15
Decline triceps presses
345/3/15.
Heavy Day:
Regular bench presses
225/10
315/10
405/10
455/3/10
Narrow and wide bench presses
385/3/10
Assistance work same as my light day.
Week 3:
Light Day:
Regular bench presses
225/10
315/10
430/3/12
Narrow and wide bench presses
400/3/10
Dumbbell presses
100/3/10
Front raises
75/3/10
Lateral raises
75/3/10
Modified triceps presses
320/4/15
Decline presses
355/4/10
Heavy Day:
Regular bench presses
225/10
315/10
405/10
480/3/8
Narrow and wide bench presses
400/3/10
Assistance work same as my light day
Week 4:
Light Day:
Regular bench presses
225/10, 315/10
440/3/12
Narrow and wide bench presses
380/3/10
Dumbbell presses / Front and Lateral raises, same as week 3
Modified triceps presses
330/4/15
Decline triceps presses
365/4/10
Heavy Day:
Regular bench presses
225/10
315/10
405/10
500/3/8
Narrow and wide bench presses
410/3/10
Assistance work same as my light day
Week 5:
Light Day:
Regular bench presses
225/10
315/10
405/10
450/3/10
Narrow and wide bench presses
390/3/10
Dumbbell presses
110/3/10
Front and Lateral raises
85/3/10
Modified triceps presses
340/3/15
Decline triceps presses
375/4/10
Heavy Day:
Regular bench presses
225/10
315/10
405/10
495/10
525/5/5
Narrow and wide bench presses
420/3/10
Assistance work same as my light day
Week 6:
Light Day:
Regular bench presses
225/10
315/10
405/10
460/3/10
Narrow and wide bench presses
400/3/10
Dumbbell presses, Front and Lateral raises, same as week 5
Modified triceps presses
350/4/15
Decline triceps presses
350/4/10
Heavy Day:
Regular bench presses
225/10
315/10
405/10
495/8
545/4/5
Narrow and wide bench presses
430/3/10
Assistance work same as my light day
Week 7:
Light Day:
Regular bench presses
225/10
315/10
405/10
470/3/8
Narrow and wide bench presses
410/3/10
Dumbbell presses
120/3/10
Front & Lateral Raises
85/3/10
Modified triceps presses
370/5/10
Decline triceps presses
395/4/10
Heavy Day:
Regular bench presses
225/10
315/10
405/10
495/8
540/5
570/3/5
Narrow and wide bench presses
440/3/10
Assistance work same as my light day
Week 8:
Light Day:
Regular bench presses
225/10
315/10
405/10
480/3/8
Narrow and wide bench presses
420/3/10
Dumbbell presses, Front and Lateral raises, same as week 7.
Modified triceps presses
380/5/10
Decline triceps presses
405/4/10
Heavy Day:
Regular bench presses
225/10
315/10
405/10
495/8
570/5
590/3/3
Narrow and wide bench presses
450/3/10
Assistance work same as my light day
Week 9:
Light Day:
Regular bench presses
225/10
315/10
405/10
490/3/6
Narrow and wide bench presses
430/3/8
Dumbbell presses
130/3/10
Front and Lateral raises
95/3/10
Modified triceps presses
390/5/10
Decline triceps presses
415/4/8
Heavy Day:
Regular bench presses
225/10
315/10
405/10
495/8
570/5
610/2/3
Narrow and wide bench presses
465/3/10
Assistance work same as my light day
Week 10:
Light Day:
Regular bench presses
225/10
315/10
405/10
500/3/6
Narrow and wide bench presses
440/3/8
Dumbbell presses, Front and Lateral Raises, same as week 9.
Modified triceps presses
400/5/10
Decline triceps presses
425/4/8
Heavy Day:
Regular bench presses
225/10
315/10
405/10
495/8
550/5
590/5
635/3
Narrow and wide bench presses
475/3/10
Assistance work same as my light day.
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