Jonah Lomu’s Gym Records Put Today’s Rugby Stars to Shame

Standing around 6ft 5in and weighing close to 120kg at his peak, Lomu possessed the size of a forward and the speed of an international winger.

Even more remarkably, he did it as rugby was only beginning its professional era – and while battling a serious kidney condition.

The gym figures attributed to Lomu underline just how extraordinary an athlete he was.

He was reportedly capable of bench pressing around 175kg, while perhaps the most eye-catching claim is a squat of approximately 300kg.

Then there was his speed.

Despite weighing close to 120kg, Lomu was widely credited with being able to cover 100 metres in around 10.8 seconds.

That combination of size, strength and acceleration made him almost impossible to stop once he had space.

What makes Lomu's physical achievements even more remarkable is what was happening away from the pitch.

Lomu was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome, a serious kidney disorder, in 1995 – the same year he became a global superstar at the Rugby World Cup.

Despite the condition, he continued playing at the highest level.

He scored seven tries at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, including four in his iconic semi-final performance against England, before adding another eight at the 1999 tournament.

Lomu eventually finished with 37 tries in 63 Tests for New Zealand, with his remarkable international career documented by the All Blacks.

His kidney problems increasingly affected his career. He played his final All Blacks Test in 2002 and later required dialysis before undergoing a kidney transplant in 2004.

There is another important piece of context.

When Lomu made his New Zealand debut in 1994, rugby union was still officially amateur. The sport was declared open and professional by the International Rugby Board in 1995.

Today's stars have access to specialist strength coaches, nutritionists, sprint programmes, GPS monitoring and sophisticated recovery systems from an increasingly young age.

Lomu produced numbers that would still impress inside modern rugby gyms without growing up in that environment – while also dealing with a condition that ultimately cut short his time at the top.

It leaves one fascinating question.

Rugby players have always been renowned for their strength, but some of the numbers reportedly produced in the gym are genuinely staggering.

Unsurprisingly, the biggest lifts are dominated by forwards, with props and powerful back-rowers featuring heavily. However, there are also some remarkable numbers from backs, including Jonah Lomu and Manu Tuilagi.

It is worth noting that these figures come from interviews, player profiles and previously published reports rather than a standardised powerlifting competition, meaning conditions and technique will have varied.

Here are some of the biggest reported bench press records from rugby stars:

The former Samoa powerhouse sits at the top of the list with an extraordinary reported 250kg bench press. The Tuilagi Rugby Academy has claimed Henry could bench the weight raw for multiple repetitions.

The Moldovan international prop has been credited with a massive 230kg bench press, putting him among the strongest professional rugby players on record.

The giant Wales international prop has also reportedly hit 230kg, an enormous lift even by the standards of professional front-row forwards.

Perhaps the most remarkable name on the list. Lomu reportedly managed a 220kg bench press during his career, alongside a 340kg squat. Considering the All Blacks legend also possessed devastating speed, his combination of power and athleticism was extraordinary.

Former England and Lions prop Sheridan developed a reputation as one of rugby's great gym monsters. His reported 215kg bench press only adds to the legend surrounding his incredible physical strength.

The Wales prop has reportedly reached the 200kg landmark, placing him among a relatively small group of elite players credited with benching double century.

Henry wasn't the only seriously powerful member of the Tuilagi family. Former England centre Manu has reportedly benched 190kg, helping explain the explosive power that made him such a destructive ball carrier.

England and Lions lock Itoje has reportedly managed 187.5kg. Combined with his athleticism and conditioning, it is an impressive number for a player whose game has never been based purely on size.

The former Australia flanker reportedly reached 185kg despite standing around 6ft tall. Pocock's phenomenal strength over the ball was one of the defining features of his career.

The Springbok giant has been credited with a 175kg bench press. Interestingly, Etzebeth's most eye-catching gym stories have tended to involve other exercises, with his phenomenal overall strength becoming part of rugby folklore.