A look at the great Wilbur Miller, deadlifting 605 and making it look easy, circa 1963. Miller reported that the back strength developed through deadlifting helped his Olympic lifting totals considerably ~ which is a pretty radical concept these days. It should also be noted that Miller totaled over 1000 pounds in the three Olympic lifts in only his seventh lifting meet so there just may be something to it.
Wilbur Miller was a very strong lifter in the 1960’s who probably didn’t get as much recognition as he deserved.
Here’s an impressive feat: This picture was taken on one of the lifting platforms in the Ridge Avenue York Gym. A group of lifters placed this 500 pound barbell onto Wilbur Miller’s feet and he commenced to “leg press” it. Yikes! You can read more details about this picture in The Dellinger Files Volume I.
This is what 45-pound barbell plates looked like way back in the day. If you have some, count yourself lucky, they started disappearing in the 1960’s when The York Barbell Company came out with a more streamlined plate (they could only fit so many of these on a bar with guys like Wilbur Miller around). Two great grip strength challenges either to lift one of these plates by the hub or pinch grip a pair of them. You’ve got a pretty strong pair of mitts if you can do either (or both.)
Wilbur Miller
