Phillip Hambrick, a retired Army helicopter pilot, set a new Guinness World Record for bench pressing on his 71st birthday. He made both world and state history when he broke the world record for bench press in his age category.
A group of people gathered to encourage him as he made his attempt on Saturday.
“What is most impressive for me is how so many people who came to support me, watched on Facebook or Instagram, have commented how they were inspired to take care of their life and be healthy,” Hambrick told 11 Alive.
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Hambrick accomplished both his personal goal of lifting 350 pounds and his objective of lifting 335 pounds to set a world record.
At first, the 350-pound bench press was his birthday objective. However, after some research and support from friends, he sent papers to Guinness World Records to make the attempt official.
His son, who is both a professional trainer and his coach, was present to spot and advise him.
Hambrick previously told 11Alive that he didn’t want to “let himself go” after retiring and that he turned to fitness and bench pressing in order to stay active and maintain his health.
“I had refused to let myself go during that transition… I said not me because I know that comes with bad health, overweight…and a lot of sickness,” he added.
The 71-year-old trained five days a week, with hopes to set a Guinness World Record.
Hambrick grew up in Stockbridge and graduated from Stockbridge High in 1972. He retired from the Army in 2000 after 26 years of flying helicopters. He then worked in the corporate sector, spending more than five years at Lexmark and twelve years at IBM.
Through it all, he noted that remaining strong was his main focus. After relocating to Canton with his wife, Kathryn, in 2021, Hambrick incorporated fitness into his daily routine—not only for himself, but also for people around him.
Before long, Hambrick gained a reputation for lifting a lot of weight at his Cherokee County neighborhood gym.
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Even now, he insists that his wife is his biggest supporter and motivator.
“Now my wife does influence me. She does ensure that I go to the gym because she knows that’s my kind of second love of life,” he said.
Hambrick wants his story to inspire the next generation to be more active and take better care of their health, regardless of age.
“Any fitness program that will better your health, e.g., running, walking, yoga, swimming, biking, just to name a few, will contribute to good health. Keep the body moving is the key,” he said.
