Benny Magnusson - Interview "neu"

hi leute

ein interview hatten wir ja bereits, nun hab ich ein zweites gefunden. muss sagen, ich finde ihn äußerst sympathisch - einer der weiß was er will und mit einer kräftigen portion humor!

enjoy it!!!

Initial Interview, November 9th, 2005 – 22 year old 970lb deadlifter





What are your age, bodyweight and occupation?



I am 22 years old. My bodyweight now is 160kg and hopefully going up.





What are your best lifts?



My best lifts are :



Squat: 405kg

Bench: 275kg

DeadL: 440kg



And best total : 1090kg





How long have you been lifting and where?



I started training deadlift in Steve Gym in Iceland (www.stevegym.net) when I was 17 and started competing in the IPF 2 weeks later.

Now I train at Jon Pal Sigmarsson’s old gym as well (www.gym80.is).





What style of training do you use?



I train a mixed combination of training. Off-season I run sprints, do a little cardio. And I change my training routine as often as possible to evolve!





What type of equipment do you use and how do you get the most out of it?



I try using as little equipment as possible. I usually just pick gear that has good color and logo, and is comfortable to wear.





Who are you?



I am the smallest male in my family. So I better stay the strongest. I like simple and beautiful things like deadlift, food, clean air, and pure water.

I love my country Iceland that is peaceful and does not have to create an army to keep peace for themselves. And for a country of less than 300,000 people, we still manage to breed good athletes.





Where do you train?



Outside my home. At the gym.





Who do you admire in the sport?



I like Brian Siders for his smile and good results, but I don’t know him at all personally. I like Tibor Meszaros for his great spirit and his training methods. But most of all, I just like all athletes that do it for fun and keep a positive attitude.





Do you see any up-and-coming lifters you'd like to acknowledge?



Yes. I saw a very promising IPF lifter in Finland, Jani Raneila, and gave him some tips in deadlift training. Asbjorn Olafsson (Iceland) and of course my training partner Stefan Solvi Petursson (19).





How did you start lifting? Did anyone help you coming up?



My best motivation was Jon Pall Sigmarsson to see him on TV when I was younger. He had good tactics and was a good positive acting idol for kids at his time. But later I met a track and field trainer Steve at Steve Gym and he showed me how to deadlift, and taught me Jon Pal’s secrets to become the best at anything with good sportsmanship and positive attitude.





What lifting technique suits you best in each of the three lifts, and what do you concentrate on most during your lifts?



For every time I start training heavy again, I always.... always just look at who has the best and newest methods and results at any event and just imitate that and mix it up with my own style.





Please list your training numbers in common movements.



I never do heavy in the gym. Only in competition.





What is your training routine?



I train every day. But I cant write down any single routine, there are so many. We are always evolving. I deadlift 2x a week during the off-season and every 7-8 days during the season. I only do cardio during the offseason.





What specific exercises do you believe have been effective in increasing your bench squat and deadlift?



Deadlift is the only one good for all events I think, and I do a lot of lifts from a platform. Squats I never do heavy except a few weeks before a competition. Sprints and jumping hurdles are good off-season for shocking the nerves.





Have you ever “plateaued” on any of your lifts and how did you correct the issue(s) causing the halt in progress?



Yes. I lost my grip at 335, so I started deadlift with front [double overhand] grip to make it stronger.





What has gotten you to your current level?



Keeping an open mind for trying new things all the time.





Have you ever had any injuries? How do you avoid them in training?



I had a very bad injury on my spine. I fixed that with a special training routine in deadlift. I tore a hamstring during sprints, and overcame that with very light deadlift and short walks and swimming. I tore a tricep and just did some light bench and wire training.





How do you feel about what you've accomplished so far and what are your goals?



I finally got the biggest deadlift in the world like I always wanted, and now I think I just have to make a new goal.





How do you intend on continuing to progress?



Learning new ways of training, learning new ways of thinking, have fun and stay positive.





What do you recommend non-elite lifters should concentrate most on in training?



Keep an open mind for trying new ways of training.





Describe your nutritional plan.



I always had a food plan, but now I know my body so well that I almost always know exactly when and what I need to eat. My favorite foods are cow and chicken and potatoes.





When and where is your next meet?



I want to go to the Arnold! I am working on that now.





Anyone you would like to thank?



Yes. My family. And everyone who believes in me. And also thanks the ones who don’t believe in me. So... everybody! Thank you all!





Thanks Benedikt.