The contrast between the athletes and the environment cannot be overstated. Planet Fitness, known globally for its "Judgment Free Zone" philosophy, typically caters to individuals seeking a low-pressure environment for general health and wellness. The franchise is famous for its "lunk alarm," a siren designed to discourage heavy weightlifting behaviors such as loud grunting or dropping weights. Conversely, Hall and Shaw represent the pinnacle of human force production, accustomed to training in specialized facilities equipped with Atlas stones, heavy-duty power racks, and specialized bars capable of holding over 1,000 pounds.
The Challenges of Scaling Strength to Commercial Equipment
The training session began with an immediate realization of the physical incompatibility between the athletes’ frames and the gym’s infrastructure. Most Planet Fitness locations eschew traditional squat racks in favor of Smith machines to prioritize safety and ease of use for beginners. For Shaw, who stands 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighs over 400 pounds, and Hall, who possesses one of the thickest torsos in the history of the sport, simply fitting inside the machine’s frame proved difficult.
During the Smith machine squats, the duo quickly reached the mechanical limits of the apparatus. They worked up to five 45-pound plates on each side of the bar. While this total—approximately 495 pounds—is significant for an average gym-goer, it represents a light warm-up for men of their caliber. Shaw noted that the fixed path of the Smith machine necessitated a change in his biomechanics, forcing him to hold onto the outer frame of the machine to maintain balance and proper depth.
The logistical hurdles continued as they transitioned to the abdominal crunch machine. Designed for the average human height and limb length, the machine struggled to accommodate the sheer mass of the two strongmen. Despite the awkward fit, both athletes completed their sets before moving to the leg press, a staple of bodybuilding and strength training.
Maxing Out the Sled: Leg Press and Isolation Movements
The leg press is often the one piece of equipment in a commercial gym where a strongman can move significant weight. Hall and Shaw loaded the machine with six 45-pound plates on each side, adding an additional plate on top of the sled for extra resistance. Even at this capacity, the weight moved with a speed and ease that suggested the equipment was providing insufficient stimulus for their primary muscle groups.
Following the leg press, the pair moved through a series of isolation movements, including leg extensions, adductor machines, and abductor machines. These machines are typically utilized by strongmen to maintain joint health and address minor muscular imbalances, rather than as primary drivers of strength. In the context of a Planet Fitness, these stations provided a rare moment where the equipment functioned as intended, though the weight stacks were pinned to their maximum settings for nearly every set.
The 20-Station Circuit Challenge
To conclude the session, Hall and Shaw engaged in a competitive "circuit race" within the gym’s dedicated 30-minute express circuit room. The challenge required each man to perform one repetition at the maximum available weight on 20 different machines in rapid succession. This format shifted the focus from pure strength to cardiovascular endurance and transition speed—areas that are increasingly important in modern strongman competitions.
The results of the challenge were remarkably close:
- Eddie Hall: 1 minute, 15.09 seconds
- Brian Shaw: 1 minute, 19 seconds
Hall’s victory in the circuit highlights his recent focus on mobility and conditioning. Since his retirement from full-time strongman competition in 2017 and his subsequent foray into professional boxing, Hall has maintained a leaner physique compared to his record-setting "Beast" era. Shaw, while still possessing immense static strength, found the rapid transitions between machines more difficult due to his larger frame and the cramped quarters of the circuit area.
Background Context: The Athletes and Their Trajectories
The collaboration between Shaw and Hall comes at a pivotal moment for both athletes. Brian Shaw remains a cornerstone of the strength world, not only as a competitor but as a promoter. His annual event, the Shaw Classic, has quickly become one of the most prestigious titles in the sport, offering some of the highest prize purses in strongman history. While Shaw is currently in an "off-season" phase, focusing on maintenance and business ventures, his training remains a matter of high interest for the lifting community.
Eddie Hall, on the other hand, is currently preparing for a highly anticipated return to the competitive stage. After five years away from the sport to pursue boxing and media projects, Hall is set to captain Team UK in the "World’s Strongest Nation" contest. This event, scheduled for late November 2022 at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, pits a team of British athletes against a team from the United States.
The U.S. team will be led by Martins Licis, the 2019 World’s Strongest Man champion. The rivalry between Hall and the American contingent adds a layer of competitive tension to what was otherwise a lighthearted gym visit. Hall’s performance at Planet Fitness serves as a subtle indicator of his "game shape," demonstrating that despite his time away, his ability to move weight and maintain a high work capacity remains intact.
Analysis of Implications for the Fitness Industry
The spectacle of world-class strongmen training at a budget-friendly commercial gym underscores several trends in the modern fitness landscape. First, it highlights the "content-first" nature of modern professional athletics. For Shaw and Hall, the video is more than a workout; it is a piece of media designed to bridge the gap between elite strength sports and the general public. By placing themselves in a relatable environment like Planet Fitness, they humanize the sport of strongman.
Second, the session exposes the limitations of the "one size fits all" approach to gym equipment. As the popularity of powerlifting, strongman, and functional fitness grows, more casual trainees are beginning to outgrow the capabilities of standard commercial machines. While Planet Fitness remains highly successful by catering to the 80% of the population that requires basic equipment, the presence of Shaw and Hall serves as a humorous reminder of the ceiling that exists in such facilities.
Official Responses and Public Reception
While Planet Fitness corporate has not issued a formal statement regarding the visit, the video has garnered millions of views and sparked widespread discussion on social media. Many viewers pointed out the irony of the "lunk alarm" remaining silent despite the presence of two of the world’s most powerful "lunks." Others praised the athletes for their humility and for demonstrating that a workout can be achieved in any environment, provided one is willing to adapt.
Observers within the strength community have noted that this type of "stunt" training actually serves a physiological purpose. "Deload" weeks—periods of reduced intensity to allow the central nervous system to recover—are a staple of strongman programming. Training at a facility like Planet Fitness effectively forces a deload, as the equipment simply does not allow for the 800-plus pound loads that these men usually handle.
Looking Ahead: World’s Strongest Nation
The broader impact of this training session will likely be felt in the lead-up to the World’s Strongest Nation competition. As Hall transitions from "content creator" back to "competitive athlete," his ability to adapt to different environments will be tested. The Liverpool event will feature unique team-based disciplines that require not just raw power, but strategy and coordination.
For Brian Shaw, the visit reinforces his status as the "ambassador" of the sport. By collaborating with his former rival, he continues to build a brand that transcends individual titles. Whether training in a state-of-the-art private garage or a neon-lit commercial gym, the presence of these two icons ensures that the sport of strongman remains in the public eye.
As the strength world moves toward the end of the 2022 competitive calendar, the Planet Fitness session stands as a testament to the versatility and enduring appeal of the world’s strongest men. It serves as a reminder that while specialized equipment is necessary for breaking world records, the drive to train and compete can find a home in even the most unlikely of places.
