When it comes to strength, who reigns supreme—bodybuilders, powerlifters, or CrossFitters? Each discipline has its own claim to dominance, but when forced to compete head-to-head in the push press, only one could come out on top.
In a Gymshark-hosted challenge led by Noah Ohlsen, top athletes from different backgrounds battled to see who could lift the most weight overhead. The test? A one-rep max push press, a movement requiring both explosive power and upper-body strength.
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The Push Press: The Perfect Middle Ground
To keep the challenge fair, competitors took on the push press instead of a more specialized lift like the bench press or snatch. This movement sits between powerlifting’s brute strength, bodybuilding’s muscular control, and CrossFit’s athletic explosiveness.
The rules were simple:
- Feet under hips—no wide stances.
- Dip and drive—using momentum from the legs but no split jerk allowed.
- Full lockout overhead—arms straight, bar aligned with the body.
Who Lifted the Most?
Athletes started at 115 lbs, adding weight each round. The competition intensified as lifters cleared 185 lbs, then 225 lbs, with multiple athletes hitting 245 lbs.
At 275 lbs, the deciding moment came. Noah Ohlsen, known for his technical precision, nearly locked it out but lacked the final triceps strength to finish. Powerlifters and CrossFitters struggled at this stage. But then, Chris Bumstead, the reigning three-time Classic Physique champion, powered through and completed the lift—securing the win.
What the Challenge Proved
- CrossFitters excel in technique and explosiveness, but the lack of sheer pressing power showed at heavier weights.
- Powerlifters are built for raw strength, but the lack of leg drive in the push press limited some lifters.
- Bodybuilders, like Bumstead, had the upper hand—massive shoulder and triceps strength gave them the edge when it came to locking out heavy weight.
The Verdict?
Each discipline brings unique strengths, but in this challenge, bodybuilding power won the day. Chris Bumstead’s combination of size and strength proved too much for the competition, making him the ultimate push press champion.
What do you think? If the challenge changed to deadlifts or snatches, would the outcome be different? Let the debate begin.
