# Exercise Scientist Critiques Tom Haviland- Stronger Than Everyone!? Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7z83kmeBBU Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/H7z83kmeBBU Generated: 2025-11-28T17:36:57.441+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview Dr. Mike rates Tom Haviland's feats of strength as 'Goated' (10/10) and 'Monster' (17.5/20), highlighting the sheer difficulty and unusual nature of his training methods, such as towel pull-ups from a tree trunk and carrying heavy implements, which demonstrate exceptional strength and conditioning that translates well to real-world tasks, despite the slightly unsettling presentation of some clips. **Key Points:** - Tom Haviland performed towel pull-ups while hanging from a tree trunk, and later performed a 320kg/705lb two-second pause Zercher squat. - Haviland completed a 50m carry of 278lbs in each hand while wearing a Santa hat, demonstrating incredible grip and core strength. - The host notes that Haviland's feats, such as the 600lb bench press and the heavy carries, are 'out of normal' and indicate a high level of dedication. - Josh Bryant (Tom's coach) states that a thick, strong, muscular neck helps absorb force and greatly reduces injury risk, even in a car crash. - The host points out that Haviland's training often involves highly unconventional or 'wacky' homemade equipment, like the dual-wheel apparatus used for back work. - The host gives Tom Haviland an official rating of 'Goated' (10/10) and 'Monster' (17.5/20) based on his impressive feats and strength conditioning. - The video concludes with a warning that some of the clips shown are four years old, meaning Haviland's current strength level could be even higher. ![Screenshot at 00:07: Tom Haviland is shown performing towel pull-ups while hanging from a tree trunk, demonstrating an unconventional grip and upper body strength exercise.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/H7z83kmeBBU/00-00-07.png) **Context:** This video features Dr. Mike, an exercise scientist from RP Strength, reviewing and rating the strength feats of Tom Haviland, an Australian strongman known for his eccentric, often homemade, training methods. Dr. Mike analyzes clips showcasing Haviland's incredible feats across various disciplines, including advanced calisthenics, heavy carries, and squats, while also referencing nutritional notes from his coach, Josh Bryant, to contextualize his physical development. ## Detailed Analysis Dr. Mike rates Tom Haviland's strength feats, labeling him 'Goated' (10/10) and 'Monster' (17.5/20). The video showcases several impressive and often bizarre displays of strength from Haviland. Early clips include Haviland performing towel pull-ups while hanging from a tree trunk (00:02) and a 320kg/705lb two-second pause Zercher squat (01:25). Dr. Mike is particularly impressed by a 50-meter farmer's carry where Haviland carried 278lbs in each hand while wearing a Santa hat (04:34), noting the extreme grip and core requirement. He also highlights Haviland's 600lb bench press, performed with excellent technique and no bounce (03:32). The host references notes from Haviland's coach, Josh Bryant, who emphasizes the importance of a strong neck for absorbing force and reducing injury risk, even in a car crash (06:07). Dr. Mike expresses shock at the sheer scale of Haviland's strength, particularly his ability to perform exercises like the log seal row hold with 190kg/419lbs for 10 seconds (08:33), suggesting that this level of strength far exceeds typical gym standards. The host concludes that Haviland's dedication to intense, unconventional training, even using homemade equipment like the dual-wheel apparatus (12:47), is highly inspirational but also slightly unsettling, earning him the top rating. ### Feats of Strength - Towel pull-ups from a tree trunk - 320kg/705lb two-second pause Zercher squat - 50m carry of 278lbs per hand - 600lb bench press with excellent control ### Tom Haviland's Background - Australian strongman known for extreme, often homemade, training methods - Videos shown are up to 4 years old, suggesting current strength is even greater ### Training Philosophy - Coach Josh Bryant emphasizes strong neck development for absorbing force and reducing injury risk (06:07) - Haviland trains with extreme intention and effort in all lifts ### Equipment & Environment - Utilizes unconventional outdoor equipment like the tree trunk for pull-ups and a homemade wheel-based apparatus for back work (12:47) ### Official Rating - Dr. Mike rates Haviland as 'Goated' (10/10) and 'Monster' (17.5/20) for his overall strength, size, and unique approach. ![Screenshot at 00:05: A preview clip shows Haviland performing towel pull-ups while hanging from a tree trunk.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/H7z83kmeBBU/00-00-05.png) ![Screenshot at 00:08: A clip shows Haviland inside a metal structure using a dual-cable machine, emphasizing his large size relative to the equipment.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/H7z83kmeBBU/00-00-08.png) ![Screenshot at 01:24: A clip shows Haviland performing a 320kg/705lb two-second pause Zercher squat, highlighting the difficulty of the movement.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/H7z83kmeBBU/00-01-24.png) ![Screenshot at 04:41: Haviland is seen walking while carrying two heavy weights \(278lbs each hand\) while wearing a Santa hat, demonstrating his incredible grip strength.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/H7z83kmeBBU/00-04-41.png) ![Screenshot at 12:17: Josh Bryant states that underdeveloped traps scream 'physically flaccid' and compares them to a coiled cobra ready to strike.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/H7z83kmeBBU/00-12-17.png)