Next Level Generation Vol 3: Abraham Casas (@bigboyweights)

If you have been on Instagram long enough and you find yourself watching deadlift videos, you will most likely see a handsome long hair dude in a beanie deadlifting insane amounts of weights. Yes, introducing none other than the man himself, Mr Bigboyweights and what got him into lifting big boy weights. My questions will be in bold for easier reading.

Hello Mr Bigboyweights, let us start by telling everyone where you are from and how old are you now, your current body weight as well as the gym you train at. 

I'm from a little city called Harlingen deep in the south of Texas, all the way down the United States. I just turned 22 in October. My current bodyweight is around 207lbs, gained about 16lbs from the meet I just did last month where I weighed in at 191lbs. I train out of Dave's Weight Club.


Can you tell me what are your numbers for the most recent meet/best meet as well as your best gym lifts (all time as well as coming into the meet)?

I just started competing this year, only done two meets so far, one in July and one last month in October. I'll be going for my third one before the year ends on December 6th. I hit a 545lb Squat, 315lb Bench, and a 650lb Deadlift my last meet which was also my best one. Added more than 200 points to my total from the meet in July and also ended up taking first in the 198lb weight class and overall best lifter. I would love to hit my best gym lifts at my next meet which would be a 550lb squat, 325lb Bench, and a 700lb Deadlift.


At what age did you started powerlifting and how long have you been powerlifting for? What got you into powerlifting?

 I started Powerlifting at age 21. I've been powerlifting for about a year now. I was bodybuilding for about 4 years before I started strength training. I made the switch over to Powerlifting because I got inspired by a Dan Green video and I knew from there where you could still be jacked and strong as hell.


What is your current training program/training philosophy? What were you doing before to get you to your current level and moving forward from here, what are your plans (this can be goals/numbers you want to hit on the platform etc.)

My favorite lift would also be my strongest which would be the deadlift. I hit deadlifts about two times a week. I usually work up to a heavy single, do 5 sets x 5 reps, then hit deficits and work on my lockout with barbell hyper extensions. I recently switched my form over to sumo because I believe I can pull more that way than conventional. (It was a personal choice.)

I'm currently on a legs, push, pull program. I train 6 days a week and hit the main lifts twice a week, sometimes 3 depending if I got a competition soon. I usually hit the main lifts first then do accessory work after like OHP, tricep pushdowns, pull-ups, incline chest presses, etc, bodybuilding exercises you can say. I know most powerlifters go by percentages, but I feel this is what works best for me so I'm going to keep training this way. My current goal right now is to hit a 1600 total and my next competition. My long term goal is to hit a 2000 total in the future. Anything in this life is possible depending on how hard you're willing to go to reach that goal.


What are some of the toughest obstacles you faced as a lifter or in life (if you don't mind sharing) and how you overcome them? (These can be injury related or a lift that is stalling)

One of the toughest and hardest things to ever happen to a lifter would have to be injury. I almost blew out a knee last year while failing a 455lb Squat. Now a days that would be a warm up squat but last year it was a different story, it's a good feeling knowing the strength progression one can make. I couldn't squat for about two months but thank God it wasn't to serious. Still I showed up to the gym to stretch and do bits of leg accessory work which that made me recover much faster. As for outside the gym, hardest thing an individual has to go through is a death to someone you really cared about. It's been two years since I lost my gramps to who I was extremely close to but I know he would be proud of me and the choices I've made to this day.

What are some advice you would give to your younger self should you be able to go back in time or to other young powerlifters?

If I can go back in time, I would tell my younger self to start lifting asap as well as do your research on nutrition and training. Because back then I would eat nothing but tuna and white rice, and I was actually one of those people who took cell tech haha thinking I would look like Jay Cutler that way. Everyday was upper body day as well...train your legs and do your squat fellas.

Hobbies/life outside of gym? (other commitments because we all know that we are not in the gym 24/7 or are we? LOL).

I work in the construction/house remodeling business. Love spending time with family/friends because in this life, without having people you love and care for, it's meaningless. (just my opinion) Going out with friends, meeting ladies having a few drinks. I'm not really the going out partying type, but once in a while doesn't hurt because I'm right in the gym the next day ;)

Last but not least, how much does the beanie add to your deadlifts?

My power comes from the beanie actually, it's here to stay :)

Thank you Abraham for your time brother. As mentioned, he trains out of Dave's Weight Club in South Texas and we are trying to patent his beanie of strength for mass production. You may follow him on Instagram @bigboyweights