Have you watched the prank video on social media where a janitor or cleaner casually lifts the heaviest weights and shocks the bystanders? If yes, the man in focus in those clips is Vladimir Shmondenko a.k.a Anatoly Powerlifter. But who is Anatoly Powerlifter, what does he do, and how did he get so famous?
We’re going to answer all such questions as we uncover the veil kept on the life of Vladimir Shmondenko, whom you’d probably know as Mr. Anatoly. The Ukrainian social media star rose to fame after his videos of lifting extensively heavyweights went viral and fans loved watching his unique gym antics.
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Who is Anatoly Powerlifter a.k.a Vladimir Shmondenko?
Anatoly Powerlifter is the social media persona of Ukrainian bodybuilder, powerlifter, and fitness celebrity Vladimir Shmondenko. Born in 1999, near the tiny village of Kryshtopivka, in Cherkasy, Central Ukraine, Shmondenko got interested in weightlifting after watching videos of American bodybuilders when his village got access to the internet.
His childhood was spent on a cattle farm and he started lifting at the age of 16 at his homemade gym made of wood, bricks, and Soviet-era tractor parts. When he was just 15, Vladimir Shmondenko was eating seven meals of cottage cheese and eggs a day. He was even made fun of by his classmates when he carried tubs of oatmeal to school to fulfill his caloric intake.
However, nothing was able to stop Vladimir Shmondenko as he developed a stunning physique. He also participated in weightlifting competitions as a teen and left the audience astonished. In 2018, Vladimir Shmondenko won 3rd place in the Teen category at the 2018 GPA World Championships in Ukraine.
How Did Vladimir Shmondenko Get So Famous?
Vladimir Shmondenko rose to fame after videos from his Russian language YouTube channel went viral. He had over 1.94 million subscribers there and appeared as Mr. Anatoly, who disguised himself as a janitor or pensioner to prank innocent gymgoers by lifting heavy weights.
Mr. Anatoly became highly famous on all social media platforms including TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. He has 12.1 million followers on TikTok, 13 million followers on Instagram, and 954,000 followers on Facebook. However, the weightlifter faced a setback due to the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Following that, he moved to Dubai (UAE) and started learning English language. Vladimir Shmondenko then created an English language-based channel on YouTube where he quickly amassed more followers than his previous channel. Currently, Anatoly (@vladimirfitness) has 3.61 million subscribers on YouTube.
Vladimir Shmondenko (Mr. Anatoly) Wiki & Stats:
Here are the key stats of Vladimir Shmondenko a.k.a Mr. Anatoly Powerlifter:
| Full name | Vladimir Shmondenko |
| Weight | 78 kg (171 pounds) |
| Height | 181 cm (5’11) |
| Nationality | Ukrainian |
| Year of birth | 1999 |
| Birthplace | Kryshtopivka , Cherkasy, Central Ukraine |
| Profession | YouTuber, Powerlifter, Bodybuilder, Fitness Influencer |
| Deadlift PR | 290 kg (639 lbs) |
| Squat PR | 210 kg (462 lbs) |
| Chest | 45 Inches |
| Waist | 34 Inches |
| Biceps | 15 Inches |
| Net Worth | $2-3 Million (approx.) |
Are Anatoly Powerlifter Videos Real?
Anatoly is best known for his gym cleaner prank where he pretends to be a janitor and then casually moves the biggest guy’s maximum deadlift weight to clean the floor and records the reactions of people who witness the crazy action. The onlookers are left perplexed and amused seeing the cleaner lifting such heavy weights.
In some of his clips, he even asks the gym goers if he can try to squat with the same weights as guys way more than his size, and then he easily lifts the barbell. A lot of viewers wonder if Anatoly’s prank videos are real. If you’re one of them, then let us tell you that all of his videos are entirely real and true.
Vladimir Shmondenko a.k.a Anatoly is a seasoned lifter and he can lift very heavy weights. His Squats personal record is 462 pounds (210 kg) and his Deadlift personal record is 639 pounds (290 kg), which is incredible for a person of his stature (Anatoly is 5 feet 11 and weighs 171 pounds).
How is Vladimir Shmondenko so Strong?
Vladimir Shmondenko has been training from a very young age. He started lifting using makeshift equipment of bricks, wood, and vehicle parts. He also used to consume high-protein farm foods such as cottage cheese, oatmeal, and more. Due to this, Vladimir Shmondenko developed a brilliant physique at an early age.
Not only did he look impressive, but he also worked a lot on his strength. As a teenager, Vladimir Shmondenko competed in powerlifting meets and weightlifting competitions. When he was 18, he weighed 145 pounds and he weighed a whopping 163 pounds at just 19.
His best competitive lifts back then were 331-pound squats, 270-pound bench presses, and 457-pound deadlifts. Vladimir Shmondenko a.k.a Anatoly made it possible by mastering the art of leveraging technique to its truest potential. He put more focus on developing strength to lift more weight rather than boosting size.
Due to having sheer strength, Vladimir Shmondenko has even participated in Strongman contests including the World’s Strongest Man. He holds several titles in the Ukrainian and European circuit. Hence, Anatoly is not only a comedian or prankster but a beast powerlifter.
How Does Mr. Anatoly Powerlifter Train?
Mr. Anatoly or Vladimir Shmondenko follows a unique training regimen. He goes to the gym three days a week where he trains extremely hard with a strenuous technique to maximize his strength. His regular workouts include heavy lifting, accessory work, and conditioning.
Here’s an ideal weekly workout routine of Vladimir Shmondenko a.k.a Anatoly Powerlifter:
Day-1: Squat Day
- Back Squats: 4 sets of 5 reps at 80% of your one-rep max (1RM)
- Front Squats: 3 sets of 8 reps
- Romanian Deadlifts: 3 sets of 8 reps
- Leg Press: 3 sets of 10 reps
- Calf Raises: 3 sets of 12 reps
- Planks: 3 sets, hold for as long as possible
Day-2: Bench Press Day
- Bench Press: 4 sets of 5 reps at 80% of your 1RM
- Close Grip Bench Press: 3 sets of 8 reps
- Dumbbell Flyes: 3 sets of 10 reps
- Overhead Shoulder Press: 3 sets of 8 reps
- Tricep Dips or Skull Crushers: 3 sets of 10 reps
- Barbell Rows: 3 sets of 8 reps
Day-3: Rest & Recovery
- Anatoly performs a light cardio activity and stretching only on the third day
Day-4: Deadlift Day
- Deadlifts: 4 sets of 5 reps at 80% of your 1RM
- Deficit Deadlifts: 3 sets of 6 reps
- Barbell Glute Bridges: 3 sets of 10 reps
- Pull-Ups or Lat Pulldowns: 3 sets of 8-10 reps
- Face Pulls: 3 sets of 12 reps
- Hanging Leg Raises: 3 sets of 12 reps
Day-5: Accessory Work Day
- Paused Bench Press: 4 sets of 5 reps at 70% of your 1RM
- Box Squats or Paused Squats: 3 sets of 5 reps at 70% of your squat 1RM
- Dumbbell Rows or T-Bar Rows: 3 sets of 8 reps each side
- Dumbbell/Barbell Bicep Curls: 3 sets of 12 reps
- Tricep Rope Pushdown: 3 sets of 12 reps
Day-6 & Day-7: Active Rest
- On the remaining two days, Anatoly performs cardio activity, mobility movements, stretching, and yoga.
Vladimir Shmondenko also takes care of his mental wellness efficiently. He believes that a healthy mind is as important as strength for lifting weights.
Final Words:
Now you know who is Anatoly Powerlifter, and his real name is Vladimir Shmondenko. The fitness YouTuber and prankster is widely popular for his amusing videos where he lifts extremely heavy weights pretending to be a normal guy like a janitor or retired person. His unique content is highly loved by his audience.
What Vladimir Shmondenko does is never easy and he has to train very hard regularly to maintain the strength to be able to lift such weights. He has been following a strict training regimen from a very young age and keeps his focus on building sheer strength rather than trying to maximize his size and definition.
That’s all for this post. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section.
Disclaimer: Do not follow the workout routine or diet followed by Vladimir Shmondenko a.k.a Anatoly Powerlifter blindly as it’s not meant for beginners. If you’re thinking about implementing his technique into your routine, make sure you have a word with a medical professional and your trainer first.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Here are the most frequently asked questions about Anatoly Powerlifter:
What is the real name of Anatoly Powerlifter?:
The real name of Anatoly Powerlifter is Vladimir Shmondenko (Volodymyr Shmondenko). He was born in 1999 in a small village named Kryshtopivka, in Cherkasy, Central Ukraine.
Is Anatoly a real powerlifter?:
Yes, Anatoly is a real powerlifter, bodybuilder, and strongman athlete. His real name is Vladimir Shmondenko and he has been competing in powerlifting contests since teenager. He first started training at the age of 16 using makeshift weights and went on to win the third prize at the 2018 GPA World Championships in Ukraine.
How much can Vladimir Shmondenko bench press?:
Vladimir Shmondenko can bench press 185 pounds raw, 250 pounds single, 204.1 pounds multi, and 200 pounds unlimited according to the Open Powerlifting organization.
Who is the girlfriend of Anatoly Powerlifter?:
Valery Shirshova, a famous lingerie model, is the girlfriend of Vladimir Shmondenko a.k.a Anatoly Powerlifter. She has more than 128k followers on Instagram where she regularly posts pictures of their workouts together, and their luxurious life in Dubai and Bali.
What is the net worth of Anatoly Powerlifter?:
According to multiple sources online, Anatoly Powerlifter a.k.a Vladimir Shmondenko has a net worth of $2 to $3 million. Most of his fortunes come from his viral YouTube videos, brand collaborations, and social media promotions. He has also earned by providing fitness training services to his clients.
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