Rolling Thunder®
One-hand deadlift rules and world records
One-hand deadlifts have long been a preferred means of testing and building one's grip strength, and to put an edge on the challenge, a thick-handled bar was employed—this was the proving ground of many a grip strength legend. IronMind® developed the Rolling Thunder Revolving Deadlift Handle in 1993 and since then, it's become known by strong men and women worldwide.
Included in backyard meets and major fitness competitons around the world, the Rolling Thunder soon became a staple of the grip strength world, and the first Rolling Thunder World Championships was held in 2000 in conjunction with Odd Haugen's Beauty and the Beast strongman contest—a contest that included three World's Strongest Man winners.
There's little technique to the Rolling Thunder, so it just comes down to how strong you are. Our feeling at IronMind is that if you can't pull at least 250 lb. or so on the Rolling Thunder and you think you've got a world-class grip, you must be swimming in the wrong pool.
Alexey Tyukalov (Russia) hit 130.5 kg on the Rolling Thunder at the 2013 IronMind Record Breakers, holding off a hard-charging Mike Burke for the event win and the absolute world record. IronMind® | ©Randall J. Strossen photo
The Rolling Thunder and the 15" Olympic loading pin and carabiner are available from the IronMind store, which has a complete selection of grip strength and hand health tools.
Rolling Thunder Contest Rules
If you're interested in training for or holding a Rolling Thunder® contest, here are the rules:
1. An authentic current-model IronMind® Rolling Thunder® handle must be used, it cannot have been modified in any way, and it must be inspected to ensure that it revolves freely: holding the handle, lift the triangular metal frame and rotate it until it is horizontal (parallel to the ground). Release the metal frame to demonstrate that it rotates back to its original vertical position (pointing toward the ground) under its own weight. The lift starts with the weight in between the lifter’s feet, using an IronMind 15" Olympic loading pin and carabiner. The Rolling Thunder must be wiped clean before each attempt. The plates must either be calibrated or can be weighed on a proven scale.
2. The lifter grabs the Rolling Thunder handle in approximately its center and lifts with the handle remaining approximately parallel to the ground. A thumbless grip is not permitted.
3. Any contact between the lifter's hand and the non-revolving portion of the handle disqualifies the lift; and other than incidental contact, the hand or Rolling Thunder handle must not touch the body before the lift is completed—dragging the hand or handle up the leg is cause for an immediate "No lift."
4. The lifter must fully straighten up (back erect, legs and hips locked out); once standing straight, the lifter must maintain control of the lift for 1 second before getting a down signal from the referee, and must then return the weight to the ground. Contact must be maintained between the lifter's hand and the Rolling Thunder® handle until the weight is resting on the floor. The referee then indicates whether the lift was passed or not.
5. In contest situations, the lifter is given 1 minute to complete the lift after his/her name is called; during that minute, there is no limit to how many times the lifter may try to complete the lift.
6. Ordinary chalk (magnesium carbonate) may be used on the lifter's hand, but nothing else is permitted (liquid chalk, for example, is specifically disallowed). Chalk may not be applied directly to the Rolling Thunder.
See also IronMind's grip contest rules for extra attempts.
Print out a copy of the Rules and Referee Form and take it with you to your official attempt. The referee will complete the form and return it to us.
Please contact sales@ironmind.com if you have any questions.
Men's World Record
| Alexey Tyukalov | June 30, 2013 | 130.5 kg (287 lb.) |
| Mark Felix | January 18, 2008 | 136.53 kg (301 lb.)* |
| Laine Snook | August 1, 2006 | 124.38 kg (274.2 lb.) |
| Andrus Murumets | June 16, 2003 | 121.11 kg (267 lb.) |
| Magnus Samuelsson | June 3, 2003 | 118.84 kg (262 lb.) |
| Jan Bartl | June 1, 2001 | 117.25 kg (258.5 lb.) |
Woman's World Record
| Ludmilla Gaiduchenko | September 22, 2012 | 77.2 kg (170.2 lb.) |
| Jaana Tanner | May 26, 2012 | 69.25 kg (152.67 lb.) |
| Jaana Tanner | January 28, 2012 | 66.75 kg (147.16 lb.) |
| Elizabeth Horne | April 7, 2007 | 65.51 kg (144.43 lb.) |
Teenage* Men's World Record
| Aleksandr Filiminov | May 13, 2017 | 98 kg (215.6 lb.) |
| Aleksandr Filiminov | May 14, 2016 | 90 kg (198.4 lb.) |
Teenage* Women's World Record
*Determined by the athlete’s age on the day of competition: driver’s license, passport or national ID (with photograph) are acceptable proof of identity and age
World standard 57 kg****World standard must be exceeded by a minimum of 1 kg to establish the inagural world record
