For the uninitiated, the disparity between a specialized strength facility and a high-volume commercial gym like Planet Fitness is vast. Elite strongmen typically utilize implements such as 400-pound Atlas stones, 1,000-pound yokes, and custom-engineered log press bars—equipment that is virtually non-existent in the "Judgment Free Zone" promoted by Planet Fitness. The franchise is known for its accessibility to the general population, often featuring a "Lunk Alarm" intended to discourage loud grunting or the dropping of heavy weights, creating a stark contrast to the high-intensity, high-noise environment where Shaw and Hall usually reside.
The Physicality of Elite Strength Athletes vs. Standardized Equipment
The primary challenge encountered by Shaw and Hall was not the resistance provided by the machines, but rather the physical dimensions of the equipment itself. Brian Shaw stands approximately 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighs over 400 pounds, while Eddie Hall stands 6 feet 3 inches and has historically maintained a body mass exceeding 350 pounds.
Most commercial gym equipment is designed based on average human anthropometrics. When athletes of this magnitude attempt to use standardized machines, the ergonomics often fail. This was immediately apparent as the duo began their leg session with Smith machine squats. Planet Fitness famously eschews traditional squat racks and power cages in favor of Smith machines to prioritize safety and ease of use for beginners.
During the session, the sheer width of the athletes’ shoulders and the depth of their torsos made positioning within the Smith machine frame difficult. Shaw, in particular, had to adjust his grip and stance significantly, eventually resorting to holding the outer edges of the machine’s frame to maintain balance. Despite these hurdles, the pair managed to load the bar with five 45-pound plates on each side. While this represents a significant load for a typical gym-goer (approximately 495 pounds, depending on the weight of the Smith machine carriage), it is a fraction of the maximum squat capacity for both men, who have both surpassed the 700-pound mark in raw competitive settings.
Chronology of the Training Session
The workout followed a structured progression, beginning with compound movements and moving toward isolation exercises and a high-intensity finisher.
Phase 1: Compound Movements and Machine Adaptation
Following the Smith machine squats, the athletes moved to the abdominal crunch machine. This served more as a comedic interlude than a high-intensity set, as the weight stacks on these machines are rarely calibrated for the core strength of men who regularly deadlift half a ton.
The focus then shifted to the leg press, a staple of hypertrophy training. In a commercial setting, the leg press is often the only machine capable of holding enough weight to challenge an elite athlete. Shaw and Hall loaded the sled with six 45-pound plates on each side, supplemented by an additional plate placed on top of the sled. The ease with which they moved this weight—totaling roughly 585 pounds plus the weight of the sled—highlighted the "ceiling" of commercial equipment. For context, professional strongmen often perform leg presses with loads exceeding 1,200 pounds in specialized facilities.
Phase 2: Isolation and Accessory Work
The middle portion of the workout involved a circuit of isolation machines, including:
- Leg Extensions: Focused on quadriceps development.
- Adductor/Abductor Machines: Often referred to as "inner and outer thigh" machines, these are rarely the focus of strongman training but were utilized here to test the limits of the machine’s range of motion.
Throughout this phase, the athletes navigated the social environment of the gym. Planet Fitness’s "Judgment Free" philosophy was put to the test as two of the most recognizable figures in strength sports moved through a space typically reserved for casual fitness enthusiasts.
Phase 3: The Competitive Finisher
The session concluded with a "Circuit Race" in the gym’s dedicated 30-minute express circuit room. This room contains 20 stations designed for a full-body workout. The challenge was simple: perform one repetition at the maximum available weight on every machine in the room as quickly as possible.
This transition from pure strength to metabolic conditioning played to the athletes’ competitive natures. Eddie Hall, who has focused significantly on cardiovascular conditioning following his 2022 boxing match against Hafthor Bjornsson, completed the 20-station circuit in 1 minute and 15.09 seconds. Brian Shaw followed closely, finishing in 1 minute and 19 seconds. The four-second margin underscored the high level of athleticism these men maintain despite their massive size.
Background Context: Career Trajectories and Upcoming Competitions
The timing of this training session is significant for both athletes. Brian Shaw was in the midst of his off-season during the filming, focusing on maintaining his base strength while managing his various business ventures, including the Shaw Classic, which has become one of the premier events in the sport.
Eddie Hall, conversely, was preparing for a formal return to the strongman stage. After winning the World’s Strongest Man title in 2017, Hall effectively retired from the sport to pursue other interests, including media projects and a high-profile boxing match. However, the lure of competition brought him back as the captain of Team UK for the "World’s Strongest Nation" contest.
The World’s Strongest Nation event, scheduled for November 26, 2022, at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England, was designed as a team-based format. This event pitted Team UK, led by Hall, against Team USA, led by 2019 World’s Strongest Man Martins Licis. The inclusion of Hall as a captain added a layer of veteran prestige to the event, marking his first competitive strongman appearance in five years.
Analysis of Implications for the Fitness Industry
The spectacle of Hall and Shaw at Planet Fitness offers several insights into the current state of the fitness industry and the "influencer" era of sports.
1. The Accessibility of Strength Sports
By placing elite athletes in a common environment, the video demystifies the world of strongman. It demonstrates that while the implements may change, the fundamental principles of resistance training—progressive overload, effort, and consistency—remain the same. This type of content serves to bridge the gap between "hardcore" lifting and general health, potentially encouraging casual gym members to explore strength-based goals.
2. Equipment Limitations and Safety
The session highlighted the "functional ceiling" of commercial gyms. For 99% of the population, a Planet Fitness provides more than enough resistance to achieve health and aesthetic goals. However, for the 1% of elite powerlifters and strongmen, the lack of free-weight squat racks and heavy-duty platforms presents a genuine safety concern. Using a Smith machine for heavy squats, for example, forces the body into a fixed plane of motion that may not be biomechanically optimal for every lifter, particularly those of extreme size.
3. The "Judgment Free" Paradox
The presence of Hall and Shaw, who are naturally loud and take up significant physical space, serves as a lighthearted critique of the "Lunk Alarm" culture. While Planet Fitness aims to create an unintimidating environment, the video suggests that elite performance and a welcoming atmosphere do not have to be mutually exclusive. The athletes remained respectful of the facility and the other members, proving that "intensity" does not necessarily equal "disrespect."
Reactions and Broader Impact
While Planet Fitness has not issued an official corporate response to the video, the social media reaction was overwhelmingly positive. Fans of the sport noted the irony of two "World’s Strongest" titleholders training in a gym that famously discourages "lunk" behavior.
From a marketing perspective, the collaboration between Shaw and Hall continues to be a powerhouse in the fitness digital space. Their "odd couple" dynamic—Shaw the methodical, towering American and Hall the boisterous, explosive Brit—has garnered millions of views across platforms, helping to keep the sport of strongman in the public consciousness even during the off-season.
As the sport of strongman continues to evolve, events like the World’s Strongest Nation and unconventional training sessions like the Planet Fitness takeover indicate a shift toward entertainment-driven strength sports. By combining legitimate athletic prowess with accessible, humorous content, Shaw and Hall have expanded their reach far beyond the niche confines of the weightroom, cementing their status as global ambassadors for strength.
The session concluded not with a "Lunk Alarm" or an eviction, but with a handshake between two legends who proved that even in a "Judgment Free Zone," the pursuit of strength knows no bounds. Whether training in a state-of-the-art garage gym or a purple-clad commercial health club, the focus remains the same: moving weight and pushing the limits of human potential.
