Jamal Browner Announces Transition From Powerlifting to Bodybuilding: “The Goal Is To Get My Pro Card And To Be The Strongest IFBB Pro Ever – Fitness Volt (2025)

Jamal Browner has been one of the greatest pound-for-pound powerlifters in the world for quite some time now. He always maintained a high level of performance across all three core lifts, but his deadlifts were what set him apart from other world-class powerlifters. However, with a new year, Jamal also developed some new goals. Specifically, he has made a decision to transition from powerlifting to bodybuilding.

Even as a powerlifter, Jamal Browner has built an exceptionally great physique, carrying a lot of muscle and not too much body fat. Moreover, his ability to move heavy weight could also be beneficial in building even more muscle. Jamal will continue performing squats, bench presses, and deadlifts as a part of his training for bodybuilding.

Jamal Browner has set major goals for himself already. Firstly, he wants to become an IFBB Pro, which is an incredible achievement on its own. However, Browner also wants to be viewed as the strongest professional bodybuilder in history. So, it remains to be seen how his strength progresses throughout the journey.

“I’m going to be stepping away from powerlifting. Powerlifting has been the biggest blessing in my life. I met a lot of people on the way, and I wouldn’t be able to have this platform without powerlifting…

I love lifting, but competing right now is all over the place, especially with the federations changing and the new bars and everything that is going on. It is just too much, and there is not enough incentive for me to continue to push for something that the majority is pushing for.

I am going to be venturing into bodybuilding. The goal is to get my pro card and to be the strongest IFBB Pro ever. I am thinking it will be something fun, a new challenge, and new goals,” said Jamal Browner.

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Watch Jamal Browner’s full video here:

Related: Powerlifter Jamal Browner Crushes 435-kg (959-lb) Raw Conventional Deadlift PR In Training

There have been quite a few elite powerlifters who took up bodybuilding, including Brianny Terry and Marianna Gasparyan. Stan Efferding is another iconic figure who topped the powerlifting leaderboards while also managing to secure an IFBB Pro Card. Larry Wheels, one of the biggest fitness influencers in the world, also set world records in powerlifting and later competed in a few bodybuilding competitions. It is important to note that Larry did not secure his IFBB Pro Card.

As for Jamal Browner, his years of success in powerlifting serve as a testament to his discipline, which will definitely come in handy in his pursuit of bodybuilding. Browner started powerlifting back in 2016 and has taken part in 17 sanctioned competitions since then. He won 12 of those competitions, setting multiple All-Time World Records along the way. However, one of Jamal’s greatest lifts came in the gym when he unofficially deadlifted 500 kilograms (1,102.3 pounds) with lifting straps.

Jamal Browner’s Competition PRs

• Squat: 370 kilograms (815.7 pounds) — [2022 USPA Pro Raw Championships]
• Bench Press: 227.5 kilograms (501.5 pounds) — [2022 USPA Pro Raw Championships]
• Deadlift: 460 kilograms (1,014.1 pounds) — [2024 WRPF The Ghost Clash 3]
• Total: 1,052.5 kilograms (2,320.3 pounds) — [2022 USPA Pro Raw Championships]

Related: Powerlifter Jamal Browner Sets Huge 235-kg (518-lb) Raw Bench Press PR In Training

Jamal Browner also revealed that he has been facing some private struggles and that he has been going to therapy to heal himself mentally. So, perhaps taking up bodybuilding and making a new step in his career will be the perfect move for him. However, in order to achieve his goals, Jamal will have to change his workout program and invest a lot of time and effort. Still, there is no doubt that his journey will be filled with success.

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