In an unusual convergence of elite strength sports and mainstream fitness culture, two of the most decorated athletes in the history of the World’s Strongest Man (WSM) competition recently documented an attempt to conduct a high-intensity leg training session at a Planet Fitness location in Colorado. Brian Shaw, a four-time WSM champion, and Eddie Hall, the 2017 WSM winner, ventured into the commercial gym environment to test the limitations of standard health club equipment against the extreme physical requirements of professional strongmen. The session, captured and uploaded to Shaw’s YouTube channel, serves as both a comedic exploration of fitness subcultures and a practical demonstration of the logistical challenges faced by athletes of their stature.
The presence of Shaw and Hall in a Planet Fitness represents a stark contrast in training philosophies. Professional strongman training typically requires specialized implements such as Atlas stones, log press bars, heavy yokes, and farmer’s walk handles—equipment designed to withstand thousands of pounds of pressure and provide the functional instability required for the sport. Conversely, Planet Fitness is widely recognized for its "Judgment Free Zone" philosophy, which prioritizes a non-intimidating environment for the general population, often featuring "Lunk Alarms" to discourage loud grunting or the dropping of heavy weights. The juxtaposition of two men who collectively weigh over 800 pounds and possess world-record strength within this setting provides a unique case study in the versatility of commercial gym infrastructure.
Profiles of the Athletes: Shaw and Hall
To understand the significance of this training session, one must consider the pedigree of the participants. Brian Shaw, standing 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighing approximately 400 to 450 pounds depending on his competitive cycle, is one of the most successful strongmen in history. His four WSM titles (2011, 2013, 2015, 2016) place him in an elite tier of athletes who have dominated the sport through a combination of raw power and technical proficiency. Shaw is known for his meticulous approach to recovery and nutrition, as well as his massive private training facility in Colorado, which houses some of the most specialized strength equipment in the world.
Eddie Hall, known as "The Beast," gained international fame for becoming the first human to deadlift 500 kilograms (1,102 pounds) in 2016, a feat previously thought to be physically impossible. His victory at the 2017 World’s Strongest Man solidified his legacy before he transitioned into other ventures, including a high-profile boxing match against rival Hafthor Björnsson and various television projects. Hall’s return to the strength world in late 2022 marked a significant moment for the sport, as he prepared to captain Team UK in the World’s Strongest Nation competition.
The Training Session: A Chronological Account
The workout began with the duo attempting to find a suitable substitute for the traditional squat rack. Most Planet Fitness locations do not utilize free-weight squat racks, opting instead for Smith machines to enhance safety for novice users. For Shaw and Hall, the Smith machine presented immediate ergonomic challenges. The fixed vertical path of the bar, combined with the sheer width of their shoulders and frames, required significant adjustments.
Despite these constraints, the pair proceeded to load the machine with five 45-pound plates on each side. For an average gym-goer, 495 pounds on a Smith machine is an extraordinary weight, but for Shaw and Hall, it represents a moderate warm-up or accessory load. Shaw noted during the exercise that he had to physically stabilize the machine’s frame to ensure it did not shift under the torque of his movements.
Following the squats, the athletes moved to the abdominal crunch machine. This segment of the workout highlighted the physical dimensions of the athletes; the machines, designed for the average human torso, struggled to accommodate the thickness of Hall’s and Shaw’s midsections. Nevertheless, they completed several sets before transitioning to the leg press.
The leg press is often a staple in strongman accessory work to build quad volume without the systemic fatigue of heavy barbell movements. At Planet Fitness, the leg press machines are generally plate-loaded. Shaw and Hall maxed out the machine’s capacity by loading six 45-pound plates on each side, supplemented by an additional plate placed on top of the sled. While the weight was substantial for the equipment, both athletes moved the load with a speed and ease that underscored the disparity between their capabilities and the machine’s intended use.
The session continued with a circuit of isolation movements, including leg extensions, adductor machines, and abductor machines. These exercises are typically used by strongmen to maintain joint health and address minor muscle imbalances. The sight of two WSM champions using machines often associated with rehabilitative or aesthetic fitness provided a rare look at the "bodybuilding" side of strongman preparation.
The Competitive Climax: The 20-Station Circuit Race
The workout concluded with a "circuit challenge" in the gym’s designated 30-minute express circuit room. This area is designed for general fitness enthusiasts to perform a full-body workout by moving through 20 stations in a timed manner. Shaw and Hall transformed this into a high-stakes competition, agreeing to perform one repetition at the maximum available weight on every station in the room.
The challenge tested not just strength, but cardiovascular efficiency and transition speed. Eddie Hall, who has focused significantly on cardiovascular conditioning since his weight loss for boxing, completed the 20-station circuit in 1 minute and 15.09 seconds. Brian Shaw followed closely, finishing the circuit in 1 minute and 19 seconds. The narrow four-second margin demonstrated the competitive nature that has defined their careers, even in a casual gym setting.
Technical Analysis of Equipment and Infrastructure
The session highlighted several technical limitations of commercial gym equipment when subjected to elite-level stresses.
- Weight Capacity: Most commercial machines are engineered with weight stacks or sled capacities that top out at levels insufficient for elite strength athletes. This forces athletes to perform higher repetitions or find creative ways to add external resistance, which can compromise the safety of the machine.
- Biomechanics: Commercial machines are built based on "average" anthropometric data. Athletes like Shaw, who is nearly seven feet tall, often find that the pivot points on machines do not align with their joints, potentially increasing the risk of strain.
- Durability: The bushings and cables in standard health club machines are not always rated for the explosive force generated by a 400-pound athlete. During the video, the athletes were mindful of the equipment, demonstrating a level of "gym etiquette" that countered the "lunk" stereotype.
Broader Context and Competitive Implications
The timing of this video was particularly relevant for Eddie Hall. At the time of filming, Hall was preparing for his return to the competitive stage at the World’s Strongest Nation contest on November 26, 2022, in Liverpool, England. Serving as the captain of Team UK, Hall was set to face off against Team USA, captained by 2019 WSM winner Martins Licis. This Planet Fitness session served as a lighthearted break in what was otherwise a grueling training camp for Hall.
For Brian Shaw, the session occurred during his off-season. However, even in the off-season, Shaw maintains a level of strength that far exceeds the requirements of any standard commercial gym. The collaboration between the two serves as a significant marketing tool for their respective brands, Shaw Strength and Team Beast, while also humanizing the sport for a broader audience.
Official Responses and Public Reception
While Planet Fitness did not issue a formal corporate statement regarding the visit, the video garnered millions of views across social media platforms. The public response was overwhelmingly positive, with many viewers noting the politeness and professionalism of the two giants. Despite the potential for "Lunk Alarm" violations due to the sheer volume of weight being moved, the athletes remained respectful of the facility’s rules, effectively bridging the gap between the "hardcore" lifting community and the general fitness public.
Industry analysts suggest that content of this nature is vital for the growth of strength sports. By placing elite athletes in relatable environments, the sport moves away from its "fringe" status and enters the mainstream consciousness. It also highlights a growing trend of "hybrid" athletes who appreciate different facets of the fitness industry, from the convenience of commercial clubs to the specialization of private strength warehouses.
Conclusion: The Versatility of Strength
The training session of Eddie Hall and Brian Shaw at Planet Fitness demonstrates that while specialized equipment is optimal for elite performance, the fundamentals of resistance training remain universal. Whether using a $10,000 custom squat yoke or a standard Smith machine, the principles of muscular tension and mechanical advantage apply.
The event also underscored the physical reality of being a world-class strongman; the world is often literally too small for men of their size. From the narrow aisles of the circuit room to the compact seats of the leg extension machine, Shaw and Hall navigated a world designed for the average person with a mix of humor and athletic intensity. As they moved toward their respective competitive goals in late 2022, this Colorado gym session remained a testament to the fact that for the world’s strongest men, any environment can be turned into a proving ground.