Bob Merkh, a 41-year-old social studies teacher at Upper Township Middle School in South Jersey, has earned the nickname “The Worlds Strongest Teacher.” This moniker is not merely due to his imposing physical presence but also his outstanding powerlifting achievements. His impressive records include a best squat of 1165 lbs., a best bench of 1100 lbs., and a best deadlift of 805 lbs. Merkh holds the #4 total ranking across all weight classes for these lifts.
“I humbly would say that I have one of the biggest powerlifting titles in the world,” remarks Merkh, acknowledging his exceptional accomplishments. However, he remains modest, recognizing that there are individuals like NFL players who may surpass his strength. Despite his global recognition in powerlifting circles, Merkh maintains a grounded perspective on his achievements.
Merkh initially pursued powerlifting as a hobby, gradually progressing to meet professional standards as his strength and skill developed. While he finds immense satisfaction in lifting weights, his true passion lies in teaching. With a deep-seated interest in the American Revolution, a subject he even commemorates with a tattoo on his leg, Merkh instills a love for history in his students. He aims to inspire a similar enthusiasm for learning in the young minds he educates.
Through his job as a teacher, Merkh has found more ways to engage with his students and better his community. He leads the Special Olympics Powerlifting team in New Jersey, and he and his wife, Stacey, are founding members of We Belong, an organization of allies to the LGBTQ+ community that also organizes Pride Fest.
He says he always tells his students, “How you do anything is how you do everything,” and that same philosophy carries over into powerlifting. He continues, “I would say they’re related because the discipline required to be a great powerlifter is the same discipline required to be great at teaching.”
