Hambrick stated he set a goal for himself to bench press 350 pounds before his 71st birthday, when some friends suggested he go out for the record.
GEORGIA, USA — At 70 years old, a metro Atlanta man is not slowing down. In fact, he’s bench-pressing his way into the record books — and inspiring an entire community.
Phillip Hambrick, a retired Army helicopter pilot, plans to make history this summer when he attempts to set a Guinness World Record for bench pressing when he turns 71 on June 14.
Hambrick added he didn’t want to “let himself go” after retirement, so he turned to fitness to keep himself going and keep up his health.
“I had refused to let myself go during that transition… I said not me because I know that comes with bad health, overweight, and uh, and, uh, and a lot of sickness,” he added.
That drive — both physical and spiritual — has shaped his life. A devout Christian, Hambrick sees his health and strength as part of his purpose.
“My life is not just about me. I’ve always been a Christian person,” he said. “If I take care of it, I’m able to reach more people.”
He is also a part of Athens Kairos Prison Ministry, serving Hancock Maximum Security Prison in Hancock, Georgia, where not only does he help spread his faith, but he also answers questions for inmates who ask him about his health and fitness.
Hambrick said his wife, Kathryn, has been his biggest supporter and motivator.
“Now my wife does influence me. She does ensure that, you know, go to the gym because she knows, that’s my kind of second love of life,” he said.
He also has two sons who are also into fitness, and they have both stated that they have been inspired by their father.
Hambrick stated he set a goal for himself to bench press 350 pounds before his 71st birthday, when some friends suggested he go out for the record. Hambrick sees this journey not just as a personal milestone but as a chance to represent his home state on a larger stage.
“Breaking the Guinness World Record Bench Press for my age group was not a goal of mine, but after researching for myself and others’ research and encouraged me to go for the record,” he said. “Since agreeing to do it, I feel a sense of responsibility to represent Georgia communities about the importance of being healthy.”
Currently, there isn’t an official Guinness World Record for the highest bench press for a person in the 71-year-old age group, but Hambrick has applied to set a new category. His application has been accepted to proceed.
According to several reports, Rudy Kadlub has set the world record for bench press at the age of 71, of 303 pounds at the IPL Drug-Tested North American Championships held by the United States Powerlifting Association (USPA) in San Diego.
According to the Guinness World Records, the person with the highest bench press in the world is a 37-year-old Blaine Sumner, who bench pressed 885 pounds 2 ounces.
Hambrick hopes his story motivates younger generations to take better care of their health and stay active no matter their age.
“Keep moving. Stay active. Eat right. Care about your life,” he said. “If you care about your life, you gotta think about the things that you want to do to prolong it.”
