Powerlifter Dan Bell Suffers Injury After a Massive 425-kg (937-lb) Raw Squat

Muscle Insider

2 years ago

This year was supposed to be a real delight for all powerlifting fans, as Dan Bell and Hafthor Bjornsson both had goals to set new World Records and battle against each other. However, the situation has quickly changed for the worse, as both men injured themselves. Dan’s injury is the more recent one, having suffered it at the 2023 USA-UA Pioneer on the Beach and revealed it just a few days ago on Instagram.

Dan Bell injured himself while performing a 425-kilogram (937-pound) squat on his third attempt. He got stuck in the middle of the lift, but somehow managed to push through. Although it looked like it was time to celebrate, Dan immediately showed signs of injury, barely being able to walk out of the squat rack.

“This one hurt. Felt like my left glute was getting torn in half then following the leg simply locked up and wouldn’t work. It was wild.”

Dan Bell tried to rest for some time in the hopes that his injury was just a small tweak of some sorts. However, after a few days it only got worse.

“Woke up Monday 4/17 unable to feel or move my toes. Absolutely wild a week after.”

However, Dan Bell took a positive approach to this, hoping to find out what the injury is and recover in the best way possible. After visiting two different hospitals, he finally found out the extent of his injuries.

“Moving forward with morphine and 2 different hospitals finding one of the largest MRI machines in Florida to find out my spine and 6 bulging discs have seen better days.”

Dan Bell’s recovery process has begun and he wants to avoid surgery if possible. However, his future is currently very uncertain.

“Already in the process of working things out and avoiding surgery at all costs… Got to be honest the future is up in the air. Just one day at a time.”

Watch the squat here:

Dan Bell has experienced some injuries throughout his career, but he has always managed to come back better than he was. Thus, he built an incredible resume, appearing in 36 sanctioned competitions and winning 27 of them. Alongside that, Dan has claimed a number of World Records as well.

Dan Bell’s Raw Competition PRs

Squat: 455 kilograms (1,003.1 pounds) — (2020 RPS Sarasota Showdown)
Bench Press: 275 kilograms (606.2 pounds) — (2021 WRPF Kern US Open)
Deadlift: 412.5 kilograms (909.4 pounds) — (2022 APF Showdown at the Storm)
Total: 1,127.5 kilograms (2,485.7 pounds) — (2020 RPS Sarasota Showdown)

Dan Bell’s Competition History

Personal Bests

Equip	Squat	Bench	Deadlift	Total	Dots
Wraps	1113.3	606.3	1113.3	2607	606.47
Raw	1003.1	584.2	1003.1	2485.7	583.1
Multi-ply	1102.3	683.4	1102.3	2667.6	621.54

Competition Results

Place

Fed

Date

Competition

Division

Total

Dots

WRPF

2022-09-03

Clash on the Columbia

Open

2513.3

586.74

Location	USA-WA
Competition	Clash on the Columbia
Division	Open
Age	35
Equipment	Wraps
Class	308.6
Weight	391.3
Squat	948	1014.1	1047.2	1047.2
Bench	529.1	562.2	584.2	584.2
Deadlift	837.8	881.8		881.8

USPA

2022-07-30

Iron Knightmare 4

Open

2314.9

541.24

Location	USA-FL
Competition	Iron Knightmare 4
Division	Open
Age	35
Equipment	Raw
Class	308.6
Weight	389
Squat	749.6	-859.8	903.9	931.5	931.5
Bench	501.6	551.2	-584.2		551.2
Deadlift	749.6	804.7	859.8		859.8
GLP	105.22

RPS

2022-06-18

Showcase Super Classic 2

Pro Open

2446.4

568.3

APF

2022-05-28

Showdown at the Storm

M_OR_APF

909.4

211.68

UPA

2022-03-26

Ghost Strong Pro-Am

MOR

2474.7

574.74

Location	USA-IA
Competition	Ghost Strong Pro-Am
Division	MOR
Age	35
Equipment	Wraps
Class	308.6
Weight	399.5
Squat	1025.1	1074.8	-1107.8	1074.8
Bench	551.2	-584.2	-584.2	551.2
Deadlift	848.8			848.8

WRPF

2022-02-12

Ghost Clash

Open

2502.2

584.67

WRPF

2021-04-24

Kern US Open

Open

2579.4

603.92

Location	USA-CA
Competition	Kern US Open
Division	Open
Age	34
Equipment	Wraps
Class	308.6
Weight	386.9
Squat	1025.1	1069.2	1113.3	1113.3
Bench	573.2	600.8	606.3	606.3
Deadlift	859.8	-903.9	-903.9	859.8

WRPF

2021-02-20

Hybrid Showdown III

Open

2607

606.47

Location	USA-FL
Competition	Hybrid Showdown III
Division	Open
Age	34
Equipment	Wraps
Class	308.6
Weight	396.8
Squat	1025.1	1074.8	1102.3	1102.3
Bench	551.2	589.7	600.8	600.8
Deadlift	859.8	-903.9	903.9	903.9

WRPF

2020-09-26

The Showdown

Open

2403

562.14

APF

2020-07-25

Showdown at the Storm

M_OEM_APF

2667.6

621.54

Location	USA-FL
Competition	Showdown at the Storm
Division	M_OEM_APF
Age	33
Equipment	Multi-ply
Class	308.6
Weight	394.4
Squat	1014.1	1102.3	-1201.5	1102.3
Bench	683.4	-749.6		683.4
Deadlift	826.7	881.8		881.8

USPA

2020-07-11

Pioneer Open

Open

2491.2

581.27

RPS

2020-02-29

Sarasota Showdown

Pro Open

2485.7

583.1

WRPF

2019-11-23

American Barbell Club Open

Open

2518.8

583.62

Location	USA-FL
Competition	American Barbell Club Open
Division	Open
Age	33
Equipment	Wraps
Class	308.6
Weight	403.2
Squat	1003.1	1036.2	1063.7	1063.7
Bench	551.2	573.2	-584.2	573.2
Deadlift	837.8	-881.8	881.8	881.8

USPA

2019-08-03

The Tribute

Open

2292.8

537.13

SPF

2018-11-10

Slingshot Record Breakers

Open

2281.8

533.37

Location	USA-CA
Competition	Slingshot Record Breakers
Division	Open
Age	32
Equipment	Wraps
Class	242.5
Weight	389.4
Squat	903.9	-1003.1	-1003.1	903.9
Bench	-518.1	573.2	-600.8	573.2
Deadlift	804.7	-859.8		804.7

UPA

2018-04-21

National Championships

MOR

2458.2

579.54

Location	USA-IA
Competition	National Championships
Division	MOR
Age	31
Equipment	Wraps
Class	308.6
Weight	376.5
Squat	-1003.1	1003.1	1025.1	1025.1
Bench	523.6	551.2	-562.2	551.2
Deadlift	837.8	881.8	-903.9	881.8

UPA

2017-12-02

War of the Demigods

MOR

2243.2

535.39

ProRaw

2017-10-15

Big Dogs 2

M-OR

2375.5

563.66

Location	Australia-VIC
Competition	Big Dogs 2
Division	M-OR
Age	31
Equipment	Wraps
Weight	367.3
Squat	881.8	981.1	-1014.1	981.1
Bench	501.6	523.6	540.1	540.1
Deadlift	804.7	854.3	-903.9	854.3

UPA

2017-07-22

Iron Battle on the Mississippi

MOR

2403

565.11

Location	USA-IA
Competition	Iron Battle on the Mississippi
Division	MOR
Age	30
Equipment	Wraps
Class	308.6
Weight	380.3
Squat	959	-1014.1	1014.1	1014.1
Bench	501.6	529.1	540.1	540.1
Deadlift	804.7	848.8		848.8

UPA

2017-01-22

Raw Powerlifting Championship

MOR

2375.5

562.09

Location	USA-IA
Competition	Raw Powerlifting Championship
Division	MOR
Age	30
Equipment	Wraps
Class	308.6
Weight	371.3
Squat	881.8	959	1008.6	1008.6
Bench	501.6	523.6	-540.1	523.6
Deadlift	-804.7	843.3	-870.8	843.3

UPA

2016-07-16

Iron Battle on the Mississippi

MOR

2116.4

506.51

Location	USA-IA
Competition	Iron Battle on the Mississippi
Division	MOR
Age	29
Equipment	Wraps
Class	308.6
Weight	355.4
Squat	854.3	-914.9	-920.4	854.3
Bench	474	512.6	-534.6	512.6
Deadlift	749.6			749.6

RPS

2016-04-23

US Open

Pro Open

UPA

2016-04-16

Powerlifting Nationals

MOR

2270.8

547.02

Location	USA-IA
Competition	Powerlifting Nationals
Division	MOR
Age	29
Equipment	Raw
Class	308.6
Weight	346.6
Squat	848.8	903.9	942.5	942.5
Bench	501.6	523.6	-534.6	523.6
Deadlift	804.7	-837.8	-837.8	804.7
GLP	107.43

UPA

2016-01-24

Raw Powerlifting Championship

MOR

2303.8

562.16

Location	USA-IA
Competition	Raw Powerlifting Championship
Division	MOR
Age	29
Equipment	Wraps
Class	308.6
Weight	330.3
Squat	881.8	948	981.1	981.1
Bench	474	501.6	512.6	512.6
Deadlift	744.1	810.2	-826.7	810.2

SPF

2016-01-16

No Retreat No Surrender

Open

2200

532.76

UPA

2015-12-05

War of the Demigods

MOR

2155

536.34

UPA

2015-11-14

Power Weekend

MOR

2221.2

552.35

WUAP

2015-10-08

World Championships

Open

1967.6

480.38

Location	USA-IL
Competition	World Championships
Division	Open
Age	29
Equipment	Wraps
Class	308.6
Weight	329.6
Squat	777.1	-826.7	-832.2	777.1
Bench	418.9	440.9	-463	440.9
Deadlift	705.5	749.6	-815.7	749.6

UPA

2015-04-18

Powerlifting National Championship

MOR

2121.9

530.16

Location	USA
Competition	Powerlifting National Championship
Division	MOR
Age	28
Equipment	Wraps
Class	308.6
Weight	303.1
Squat	837.8	881.8	-925.9	881.8
Bench	457.5	-485	-501.6	457.5
Deadlift	749.6	782.6	-815.7	782.6

RUPC

2015-02-07

Raw Unity VIII

M-HW

2210.1

552.43

IPA

2014-10-18

Ohio Grand Prix

Pro Open

2200

547.19

UPA

2014-07-19

Iron Battle on the Mississippi

MOR

2039.3

507.33

Location	USA-IA
Competition	Iron Battle on the Mississippi
Division	MOR
Age	27
Equipment	Wraps
Class	308.6
Weight	307.8
Squat	788.2	-832.2	-854.3	788.2
Bench	440.9	474	-501.6	474
Deadlift	711	749.6	777.1	777.1

WUAP-USA

2014-06-28

National Powerlifting and Benchpress Championships

Open

2022.7

504.75

Location	USA-IL
Competition	National Powerlifting and Benchpress Championships
Division	Open
Age	27
Equipment	Wraps
Class	308.6
Weight	304.5
Squat	788.2	815.7	-837.8	815.7
Bench	424.4	451.9	474	474
Deadlift	705.5	733	-749.6	733

UPA

2014-02-15

Powerlifting & Bench Press National Chamionships

MOR

1907

476.16

Location	USA-IA
Competition	Powerlifting & Bench Press National Chamionships
Division	MOR
Age	27
Equipment	Wraps
Class	308.6
Weight	303.8
Squat	650.4	705.5	749.6	749.6
Bench	380.3	413.4	440.9	440.9
Deadlift	683.4	716.5	-749.6	716.5

APF

2005-03-12

Illinois State Meet

M_TCR_3_APF

Location	USA-IL
Competition	Illinois State Meet
Division	M_TCR_3_APF
Age	18
Equipment	Wraps
Class	308.6
Squat	451.9	-600.8	-617.3	451.9
Bench	319.7	352.7	-402.3	352.7
Deadlift	-501.6	-600.8	-600.8

Data Source: Open Powerlifting. Last Updated: April 12, 2023

Any injuries around the spine are extremely risky and complicated. So, Dan Bell definitely needs to take his time and make sure that he is healed properly before coming back to the sport. Luckily, Bell is experienced enough to avoid making any mistakes, which should be good enough to see him back on the stage in the future.