Who Am I?

Name: Ryan Hough

Qualifications: CYQ Level 2 & 3, 

Profession: Gym Owner Coaching various different clients on a daily basis with different body types, training experience and goals.

Just Started Training 2009

Here's a bit of background on my competition and lifting journey. I began training around seven years ago with fairly modest lifts—a 50kg bench press, 60kg squat, and a 90kg deadlift at 80kg bodyweight. Despite having no previous athletic experience, I was instantly hooked and committed to improving.

u90kg Junior BDFPA

I began competing in the u90kg strongman and powerlifting category in 2010, winning my first powerlifting competition at a BDFPA (British Drug Free Powerlifting Association) event as a junior. That same year, I placed in the top 10 at a u90kg strongman qualifier before moving up in weight. As a junior, I achieved a triple bodyweight deadlift, pulling 270kg.

u105kg Winning Bristols Strongest Man Open 2012

As my body naturally wanted to grow, I found it difficult to stay in the lower weight class, so I moved up to the u105kg category. At just over 100kg bodyweight, I pulled a 300kg deadlift. In 2012, I won Bristol's Strongest Man, despite it being an open weight class event against much larger competitors. That year, I also placed 2nd in the Southern Natural Qualifier u105kg and finished in the top 10 at Britain’s Strongest Natural u105kg event.

Breaking South West Deadlift Record @130kg bodyweight 2015

After taking some time off from competing to focus on gaining size, I returned in 2015 at 130kg bodyweight and competed in the u140kg BDFPA South West qualifier. During this event, I broke the all-time Drug-Free South West deadlift record with a lift of 302.5kg, which qualified me for the BDFPA Nationals. At the Nationals, I became the national champion by deadlifting 305kg.

Later that year, I transitioned to the British Powerlifting Union (BPU) and qualified for the Nationals. Despite being injured, I managed to deadlift 300kg and bench press 180kg, winning the u140kg single lift Nationals. This performance secured my spot on the British team to compete at the WPC World Championships in Portugal.

WPC World Championship Portugal 2015 with Holly and Josh Cannon

I travelled to Portugal with Holly Ware, who was also representing Team GB. I achieved a joint 3rd place in the bench press with a lift of 192.5kg, though I ultimately placed 4th due to bodyweight. In the deadlift, I secured 2nd place with a lift of 320kg, narrowly missing 1st due to an unsuccessful final attempt at 332.5kg although it got lifted it was not given. This experience capped off an incredible year for me in 2015.

Biggest Equipped Deadlift at Bodypower 2016 with 342.5kg

In 2016, I competed on the main powerlifting stage at Bodypower, where I won the u140kg Single Ply Bench Press with a lift of 260kg in my first equipped competition. I also claimed victory in the u140kg deadlift, pulling 342.5kg, which was the biggest equipped deadlift of the event.

WPC European Championship 1st Place u140kg (Middle)

I eventually competed at the WPC European Championship in the Raw Class u140kg, where I squatted 300kg, setting a BPU British Record. I also bench pressed 200kg, which earned me another BPU British Record. Finally, I deadlifted 342.5kg, achieving an ALL UK Federation deadlift record in the u140kg category, as well as a WPC World Record for both deadlift and total. The following day, I competed in the Single Ply Bench Press, lifting 240kg to secure 1st place.

Since retiring from competition, I’ve continued to focus on personal improvement, achieving impressive lifts including a 220kg paused bench press, a 365kg deadlift, a 390kg suited deadlift, and a 312kg spider bar box squat, among many other personal bests.

Over the past 14 years, I have progressed from 78kg to 146kg, gaining a total of 68kg in bodyweight. I also opened my gym, Kernow Gym, where I coach individuals daily, helping clients from various backgrounds achieve their fitness goals. Throughout my journey, I have successfully coached multiple members to national and international success in powerlifting and strongman.

In my endless quest for progessrubbed shoulders with some of the best lifters to ever live, hosting seminars with people such as Brandon Lily, Delroy Mcqueen, David Jenkinson, Josh Cannon, Benedikt Magnússon, Bill Kazmaier and Graham Hicks. 

At the end of 2022, I committed to improving my fitness and longevity. By following an extreme fitness regimen that included intermittent fasting, I reduced my bodyweight from 146kg to 99.5kg, losing over 100 pounds by the end of 2023. In 2024, I focused on regaining strength, gaining around 20kg bodyweight while developing new strategies to return to my biggest lifts while remaining healthier and lighter.