John LaFlamme set a new record with a 357.9-pound lift.
John LaFlamme continues to reach new heights at 74 years old. Recently, LaFlamme put on a show during the 2025 AMP Age Division Nationals in Reno, NV. During the show, LaFlamme completed a 170.5kg (357.9lb) lift to set a new u74kg Masters National record.
LaFlamme began his performance with a 157.5kg (347.2lb) lift. He improved further for his second attempt before loading up the record-setting lift on his final attempt.
The previous record was held by Dale Garlitz. He set the previous mark of 170kg (374.8lb) during the 2024 AMP Classic Age Division National Championships.
John LaFlamme Continues to Shine in Powerlifting
John LaFlamme has been powerlifting since 1978. At the time, a 27-year-old LaFlamme began training to take on the sport head on. After taking a hiatus from competition, LaFlamme began training once again and has made waves in Masters divisions.
At 74 years old, LaFlamme continues to show incredible strength. He has been in the powerlifting game for 44 years. He began competing when he was 27 years old. LaFlamme made his debut at the 1978 AAU Maine State Powerlifting Championship. This began and long and successful career that has seen LaFlamme maintain his strength.
When looking at competition PRs for John LaFlamme, they have all come in the Masters’ category. The 2018 USAPL Virginia State Championships saw LaFlamme set three new PRs. He completed a 210kg (462.9lb) squat and 112.5 (248lb) bench press. This was part of a total of 557.5kg (1,229lb). In 2016, LaFlamme completed a 245kg (540.1lb) deadlift at the USAPL American Open & Police-Fire Nationals.
Advice to Amateur Strongmen
It is never too late to start thinking about bettering yourself in the gym. If your goals are to compete in powerlifting or Strongman, there is no one better to listen to than the 2025 World’s Strongest Man champion.
Generation Iron sat down with Rayno Nel for an exclusive, in-depth interview to uncover how a man with no professional background in strength sports rose to the very top of the mountain in record time.
Having risen from amateur ranks to World’s Strongest Man in just a few short years, Nel is in a unique position to speak to the next generation of lifters.
His advice is refreshingly practical:
- Train for events — not just lifts. Strongman isn’t about your bench press. It’s about awkward objects, carrying, loading, and grinding under fatigue.
- Compete often. Amateurs need experience more than perfect lifts. Get on a platform, make mistakes, and learn from them. Rayno Nel himself has about 6 competitions lined up for this year.
- Stay humble. Don’t compare yourself to social media lifters. Your only competition is yesterday’s version of you.
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