Is a 500lb Deadlift Rare: Understanding the Strength and Rarity of Pulling 227kg

How Rare Is a 500lb Deadlift? The Truth About This Strength Feat

Is a 500lb Deadlift Impressive or Common?

So, you’re wondering if pulling 500lbs off the floor makes you a beast or just another lifter in the gym? Well, let me tell you—it’s a big deal. A 500lb (227kg) deadlift isn’t something you just stumble into. It takes dedication, solid genetics, and years of grinding. But exactly how rare is it? Let’s break it down.

Who Can Deadlift 500lbs? The Reality Check

1. The Average Gym Lifter

Most people who casually lift weights will never touch 500lbs. That’s not an exaggeration. The majority of gym-goers hover around the 200-300lb range for deadlifts. Maybe a bit more if they train consistently.

Honestly, if you're deadlifting 405lbs (four plates per side), you’re already ahead of most people in a commercial gym. But 500lbs? That’s next level.

2. Strength Standards by Experience Level

To put numbers behind it, let’s use strength standards for an average, natural lifter (no steroids, just good training and nutrition).

If you're lifting 500lbs, you’re well above the "advanced" level and getting into elite territory.

What Does It Take to Deadlift 500lbs?

1. Time and Consistency

You don’t just walk into the gym and pull 500lbs. Most lifters spend at least 3-5 years of serious, structured training to reach this milestone.

2. Bodyweight Matters

A 150lb guy deadlifting 500lbs is insanely rare (think world-class powerlifter rare). But if you weigh 220lbs+, it’s far more achievable. Strength scales with body size.

3. Genetics & Leverages

Some guys are just built for deadlifting—long arms, short torso, big traps. If that’s you, congrats, your path to 500lbs will be easier. If you have T-rex arms and a long torso? You’re in for a battle.

4. Proper Programming

You can’t just do random workouts and expect to pull 500lbs. Programs like 5/3/1, Starting Strength, Westside Conjugate, and Bulgarian Method all have proven results for serious lifters.

How Rare Is a 500lb Deadlift in Different Groups?

1. Among General Population?

Extremely rare. Less than 1% of men will ever deadlift 500lbs. Most people don’t even lift weights, let alone train seriously for years.

2. Among Gym Lifters?

Still pretty rare. I’d estimate maybe 5-10% of serious gym lifters ever get there. Most stop progressing around 315-405lbs because they don’t optimize training, diet, or recovery.

3. Among Powerlifters & Strength Athletes?

Among competitive lifters, 500lbs is solid but not crazy. Most serious powerlifters pull 500+ and chase 600-700+ lbs. If you want to be competitive in a powerlifting meet, 500lbs is a great milestone, but not the endgame.

Is a 500lb Deadlift Worth It?

Absolutely. It’s a number that commands respect in any gym, pushes your strength to high levels, and builds insane posterior chain power. But let’s be real—it’s not easy.

If you’re chasing 500lbs, be ready for:
Years of consistent lifting
Heavy squats & deadlifts weekly
Fixing weak points (grip, hamstrings, lower back, core)
Eating enough to fuel strength gains
Dialing in recovery (sleep, mobility, etc.)

Conclusion: Is a 500lb Deadlift Rare?

Yes, in the general population, it’s extremely rare. But in strength-focused gyms, it’s a strong but achievable milestone. If you hit 500lbs, you’re well above the average lifter and in the top tier of gym strength.

So, are you gonna chase it? Or are you happy pulling 315 while sipping a protein shake?

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.