NFL, NBA chiropractor mocks Zohran Mamdani's 135-lb bench press fail: 'It’s like a slap to your manhood'

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: Political pundits and social media users mocked New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani after a video showed him struggling to perform a bench press during the annual Men’s Day open streets event in Brooklyn last weekend. 

The 33-year-old Democrat required full assistance from a spotter to handle what observers estimated was a 135-pound weight, prompting critics to question his fitness and even his political strength. Now, a sports chiropractor has weighed in on his fail, saying Mamdani clearly struggled during the lift. 

Sports chiropractor jokes Biden and Trump can lift more than Zohran Mamdani

“If you’re not able to hit that, it’s like a slap to your manhood,” Dr Chad Teague, an NFL and NBA sports chiropractor, told Fox News Digital, adding, “I think Biden could probably lift more than that. I think that Trump could lift more than Mamdani. For sure.”

Teague noted Mamdani’s feet lifting during the press was “a pretty good sign of struggle” and said the weight typically serves as a warm-up for most middle-aged men. “Usually, most people aren't getting spots at 135,” he added.

The spectacle prompted rivals to weigh in. New York City Mayor Eric Adams branded Mamdani “Mamscrawny,” while former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo quipped, “This guy can’t bench his own body weight, let alone carry the weight of leading the most important city in the world.”

Chiropractor encourages Zohran Mamdani to hit the gym, shares lifting advice

Chad Teague, who co-founded Cleveland-based Code Chiro and works with NFL stars Myles Garrett, David Njoku, Raheem Mostert, and NBA players like Jonathan Kuminga, emphasized proper lifting form. “You want to have your feet more grounded… and ensure correct hand placement,” he said. He urged Mamdani to hit the gym, starting with form correction and a solid warm-up to prevent injury.

Teague recommends beginner lifters perform push-ups, rotator cuff drills and light barbell sets of 10-20 reps to prime the shoulders, gradually increasing weight. “Learn how your body reacts to 8-10 reps at a certain weight and then see how your body recovers,” he said.

Teague trains athletes with single-arm presses and landmine movements to strengthen the shoulders and chest. “Myles Garrett definitely has to be the strongest person I’ve ever worked with,” he said. “Raheem’s got to be up there.” He advises targeting the pectoralis major, triceps, and rotator cuff weekly to build pressing strength.