Robertson repeats leg-press claim but admits form wasn't proper

Pat Robertson leg pressing 2,000 pounds in the Founders Inn Fitness Center on February 1, 2003. (CBN)

By steven g. vegh
The Virginian-Pilot

VIRGINIA BEACH - Publicly commenting on it for the first time since his claim of a superhuman weight-lifting feat grabbed worldwide headlines, religious broadcaster Pat Robertson on Wednesday said that, yes, indeed, he did leg-press 2,000 pounds.

H e conceded, however, that his form wouldn't be considered proper by professional weight lifters.

On Wednesday's "The 700 Club," aired by the Christian Broadcasting Network, the 76-year-old Robertson showed a photo of the claimed 2003 leg-press and a video clip of himself pressing at a later date what he said was half a ton.

"That was 1,000 pounds. Well, if you're a professional weight lifter, you don't need me to tell you that wasn't the proper form for lifting weight," the chairman of Virginia Beach-based CBN said amiably.

Robertson's claimed 1-ton feat, which he referred to Wednesday as "a little, simple thing," was widely disputed after it was first reported in May in CBS SportsLine.com's online magazine. Sports Illustrated, in a recent issue, poked fun at the claim in a weekly feature called "Sign of the Apocalypse."

Dr. Charles Warne , Robertson's former physician, said during Wednesday's "700 Club" broadcast that he coached Robertson in weight lifting in 2003 and guided the evangelist through the leg press on an incline exercise machine.

"I put 2,000 pounds on that machine; you took and, with help, you extended it," Warne said during an interview with Robertson. "We layered the weight on you and, sure, you dropped it 8 to 10 inches, then you pressed it out and then that was it."

He said Robertson performed a single press from a position in which his legs were already part ly extended rather than a full leg press that requires a thrust from a squat-like posture. The latter is considered the proper form for such lifts.

Robertson said in an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday that he built up to the 2,000-pound feat for about three years, after a doctor encouraged him to leg-press weights to strengthen his bad knees.

He said that he did the lift on an incline press with the machine's brake on, which meant that he did not have to lift the weight all the way.

"When the professionals do it, they take the brake off and let the weight come all the way down on them. And if you don't have a lot of help, you've got a Volkswagen sitting on your hips. I didn't do that," he told AP.

CBN's Web site, whose posting of the weight-lifting claim prompted media scrutiny, says Robertson's energy is due in part to "his age-defying protein shake." The site offers a free recipe for the shake, which includes soy and whey protein, flaxseed oil and apple cider vinegar. The shake is also sold under license agreements with Robertson.

He said on "The 700 Club" on Wednesday that he was surprised by the public fascination with his leg press, "which isn't all that important in light of the world scene - but there seem to be a number of pundits who think it is."

• Reach Steven G. Vegh at(757) 446-2417 or steven.vegh@pilotonline.com.