If by any chance you are active in this fitness industry after 2016, then there is a huge chance you might know about David Laid. David, a fitness influencer whose height is about 6’2″ with a slim frame, with his dedication, consistency, and a little bit of controversy, built an aesthetic physique that’s still a dream to many.

David Laid was not only one of Gymshark’s top athletes, but he also became the fitness industry’s poster boy for that “lean, muscular yet strong” look. But the question is, did David Laid become so strong just from genetics and training, or was there something else behind him?

I have watched most of his videos, and today we will take a look at his physique and will break down his journey. Let’s get started.

The Flashback

David Laid started going to the gym in his early teens (14-15). At that time he was skinny, and his confidence was also low at that time. But as soon as he started training, his body responded so well. His epic genetics helped him frame his physique: broad shoulders, narrow waist, and long limbs. These all gave him a base to develop an aesthetic physique.

When he was 16-17, his transformation shook the whole internet. His transformation video went viral across all social media. His videos showed both strength and visual aesthetics. At that time, his deadlift was 545 lbs, the bench was 315 lbs, and the squat was around 405 lbs—all with a bodyweight of just 180 lbs.

Just think, he was that lean and still lifting so much weight.

Raw Training Style

His starting years were full of trial and error, just like many people used to do. David Laid follows different online templates and free programs. Sometimes he maxes them out, sometimes nothing at all, just leaving them. A well-structured training concept was still missing from his training.

Many experts out there say if at that time he follows a proper program, then he would definitely make more progress.

A turning point in 2016

In 2016, David hired a coach, Elliot Atwell. There has been a lot of controversy around this coach, but he gave structure to David’s training. Now David began to focus on volume, intensity, and recovery. Most importantly, he improved his nutrition. He went into a calorie surplus, which increased both his strength levels and muscle mass.

By 2017 he had deadlifted 635 lbs! But his bench and squat were still stable. Then came the summer of 2017, when everything changed.

Crazy Gains in a Month?

Between May and August David’s bench press totally blew up. He went from struggling at 315 lbs to doing 3 reps and then went from 365 lbs to 390 lbs in just a few half minutes.

Such gains are rare naturally, especially when someone has been training for 4.5 years.

People began to speculate—”Is “David Laid on PEDs?”

PEDs or Natural Talent?

Well, only David knows the truth. But there are some signs that people noticed:

• His body fat increased slightly.
• Arms and neck are visibly fine.
• There was a sudden jump in strength.

Was he on PEDs? There can be chances. Did his genetics and calorie surplus help him? Definitely yes.

Both these factors were working together. And this combination took his bench press to inhuman levels.

Record-Breaking Deadlifts

David’s strongest lift has always been the deadlift. In January 2018 he deadlifted 675 lbs (306 kg)—no straps, no hitching. He did this lift at the age of 19, just before his 20th birthday.

Although this was slightly behind the junior world record (the current record is held by Nathaniel Messiah), had that happened in 2013, the world record would have been his for sure.

Physique + Strength Combo

You know what the most surprising thing is? David never trained for powerlifting and other things. All he wanted was an insane aesthetic body. Still, he achieved a total of 530 kg, only in gym lifts.

He didn’t go into heavy bulk, nor did he build a body that resembled a “powerlifter.” Still, his lifts were enough to earn him respect in the powerlifting community.

Injury Stopped

When everything was going well, David made a mistake—overtraining. After 2018 he suffered a back injury. Deadlifts and squats almost stopped. He also had an issue with his shoulder, due to which the bench press also became limited.

He still trains today, but not like he did in 2017-2018. But he has retained a lot of muscle mass, which is a big win.

Personal Coaching Tips (From Me)

1. Early Programming Matters – Don’t do random training like David did in the beginning. Follow a structured plan.
2. Don’t Ignore Recovery—Take rest days to avoid injuries and work on stretching and mobility.
3. Nutrition Is King—Growth is difficult without a calorie surplus. Without a good diet, you won’t get the full benefit of training.
4. PEDs Are Not The Shortcut—Don’t compromise long-term health for short-term gains. Consistency, patience, and smart training are the real formulas.

Will David regain form?

I think he could regain his strength if he wanted to, but he has now become a motivational figure. He mentors rehab patients and young gym goers—and that is also an achievement.

Final Thoughts—One Lesson for You All

David’s story teaches us that:

• Genetics + Effort = Magic The basics of training should be clear.
• PEDs will give you something, but they also cost you.
• Injuries are part of the lifting journey, but how to deal with them is important.

So if you also want to make your own transformation and want a physique like David’s, then learn from his process, but make your own unique journey. Train according to your goals, eat well, and most importantly—enjoy the process.