Ronnie Coleman Reflects on His Heaviest Lifts with Joe Rogan: “I Had Regrets, I Didn’t Go Heavy Enough”
Bodybuilding icon Ronnie Coleman forged one of the most dominant and freakishly massive physiques in history, owing to his relentless work ethic, intensity, and commitment to pushing the limits of human strength. Throughout his storied career, Coleman became synonymous with monstrous lifts, setting the bar impossibly high for aspiring bodybuilders. In a throwback episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Coleman sat down with Rogan to review some of his most legendary lifts, sharing insights into his mind-blowing feats of strength.
While Coleman seldom expressed regret regarding his career choices, he did admit to one particular hindsight realization.
“I had fun lifting all that heavy weight. You asked about regrets, I had some regrets that I didn’t go heavy enough.”
Coleman first burst onto the professional bodybuilding scene at the 1991 IFBB World Amateur Championships, earning his pro card. His breakout victory came in 1995 at the Canada Pro Cup, after which his dominance became unstoppable. Cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats, Coleman went on to capture a record-tying eight Mr. Olympia titles (alongside Lee Haney) and holds the distinction of having the most overall victories in IFBB history, with 26 professional wins.
Ronnie Coleman on His Most Jaw-Dropping Lifts
Throughout his prime, Coleman was no stranger to earth-shaking weights, frequently handling 800-pound squats and deadlifts with shocking ease. As he reviewed his lifts with Rogan, Coleman detailed his experience squatting that unfathomable weight, expecting it to feel heavier than it did.
After completing two deep, picture-perfect reps, Coleman believed he had significantly more left in the tank—a thought that still lingers in his mind to this day.
“There was one time when I was squatting 800. I thought it was going to be heavy because I’ve deadlifted that but I was squatting it this time and I didn’t take gravity into effect. When I went down for that first rep, I was like ‘is this 800?’ So I did another one, still easy, but I had in my mind two.”
“I put it up and I said ‘man, I could have did three or four more.’ That bothers me to this day.”
Rogan’s reaction mirrored that of bodybuilding enthusiasts worldwide, as he was left in awe of Coleman’s sheer power and iron will. One of the most mind-boggling lifts showcased during their discussion was Coleman’s legendary 2,300-pound leg press, where he piled on 50 plates and cranked out eight brutal reps with textbook control and unrelenting explosiveness.
“That doesn’t even make sense. That’s a car,” Rogan said.
“I had to add it up with a calculator.”
“Why would you lift so much weight,” Rogan asked.
“Because I could. No other reason.”
Overcoming Injuries and Looking Toward the Future
Despite his superhuman strength, Coleman’s career came with its share of physical tolls. Over the years, he has endured a staggering 13 surgeries, stemming from injuries dating back to his high school football days. His ongoing battle with injuries and subsequent recovery were extensively chronicled in the Netflix documentary Ronnie Coleman: The King, which is now available on Prime Video.
Currently, Coleman remains focused on regaining his mobility, working tirelessly to walk unassisted once again. He has set a personal goal of achieving this milestone within the next 18 months.
During their conversation, Rogan inquired about the condition of Coleman’s knees, considering the insane loads he lifted during his competitive years. Surprisingly, Coleman assured him that his knees remain in excellent shape, crediting his meticulous attention to proper form and joint health throughout his career.
Ronnie Coleman’s legacy in bodybuilding remains unparalleled, not only for his insane lifts but for his warrior mentality and unwavering dedication to the sport. As he continues his journey toward rehabilitation, fans worldwide remain inspired by his indomitable spirit and legendary strength.
“My knees are perfect. I wrapped up all the time. No problem whatsoever.”
