52-Year-Old Benches 300 Pounds
Powerlifter Jen Thompson continues breaking barriers at age 52, making benching 300 pounds look routine after competing since 1999. Thompson has become a legend in the bench press, with her performance at the 2022 USA Powerlifting Nationals highlighting her storied career. Her achievements demonstrate that age presents no barrier to top-tier strength performance.
- In March 2023, Thompson set an all-time world record for the Masters 50-59 age category with a bench press of 146 kilograms (321.8 pounds) in the 67.5-kilogram weight class. This lift is also an all-time record across all age categories. - Beyond her bench press specialty, her best raw competition lifts include a 155 kg (341.7 lb) squat, a 148.5 kg (327.4 lb) bench press, and a 207.5 kg (457.4 lb) deadlift. - Thompson is an 11-time International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) World Champion and has won 50 USA Powerlifting (USAPL) national titles throughout her career. - In recognition of her numerous achievements and contributions to the sport, she was inducted into the IPF Hall of Fame in 2019. - When not competing, Thompson works as a middle and high school teacher, where she has taught mathematics for 20 years and now teaches weight training and nutrition. She also hosts a powerlifting club after school. - At the 2022 USAPL Arnold A7 Pro Bench Bash, she set a world record by pressing 145.5 kg (320.7 lbs) while weighing only 65.3 kg (144.1 lbs), a lift that was 2.2 times her bodyweight. - Thompson's journey in powerlifting was inspired by a bench press competition she witnessed on her honeymoon at Venice Beach 25 years ago.
