Superhuman strength

"Super-strength" redirects here. For the beverage, see Super-strength lager.

Superhuman strength, also called superstrength, super-strength, super strength, increased strength, or enhanced strength, is an ability commonly employed in fiction. (Nonfiction instances of temporary extraordinary strength is usually specifically considered hysterical strength.) It is the ability for a character to be stronger, tougher, more durable, and more physically powerful than humanly possible. Characters and deities with super strength have been found in many ancient mythologies and religions. Superhuman strength is a common feature across a wide range of media, such as novels, comic books, television, films, and video games.

Superhuman strength is used by several characters in fantasy and science fiction, with a variety of proposed mechanisms such as cyborg body parts or genetic modification and even telekinetic fields in science fiction, or divine or magical/supernatural sources in fantasy. A plethora of comic book superheroes and supervillains usually have a degree of super strength. The level of strength portrayed can vary greatly, from just outside the "normal" human range of the strongest weightlifters of a given size or muscle mass (e.g. unarmored Master Chief), to nearly or even unlimited (e.g. Hulk, Superman, Thor), and Goku.

See also

• Physical strength
• Hysterical strength
• Double-muscle mutation in humans
• Myostatin-related muscle hypertrophy
• Muscle hypertrophy