55-Year-Old Sets Weight-Lifting World Record

Guinness World Records | Marianne Natoli View full size image

Robert Natoli, 55, set the Guinness World Record for the most weight lifted by arm curls in one hour, lifting a total weight of more than 60,000 pounds. All it took was 1,277 curls of a 47-pound barbell.

The previous holder of the title was Eamonn Keane of Ireland, who set the record in 2007 by lifting 51,314.8 pounds over the course of 60 minutes. Natoli's record attempt was held in the fitness room of his office building in Oswego, N.Y., on May 12.

Besides aiming to break the previously-held record, Natoli also wanted to beat his own personal goal of lifting 60,000 pounds. To achieve this, he maintained a strict schedule of about 11-repetition sets with a 15-second break after each set. Natoli completed 10 sets every five minutes and barely touched his water or sports drinks , taking just two sips throughout the entire hour, according to a GWR judge who witnessed the event.

With Natoli's business partner keeping time, he broke the previous record with 8 minutes remaining and continued pumping iron until he'd reached and surpassed his personal goal, finishing with a record total of 60,019 pounds.

Natoli had already broken the record for the most chin ups in one minute, once in 2006 for 40 repetitions and again in 2007 for 44. He also broke the record for the most squat thrusts in one minute by doing 56 thrusts in 2007.

GWR judges announced Natoli's new record title on May 16.

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