Svend Karlsen Bio

Official Site:
http://www.power-viking.com

Born: 061067

Height: 188 cm - 6`2

Weight: 135 kg - 300 lbs

Arms: 55 cm - 22 inch

Thigh: 80 cm - 32 inch

Calf: 55 cm - 22 inch

Chest: 150 cm - 61 inch

Waist: 94 cm - 37 inch

World's Strongest Man 2001

I started to lift weights at the age of 14, and my goal was allways to be number one, big and strong. My background is from Power-lifting and then Bodybuilding. I wanted to be like Arnold !. First I became a Power-lifter, so from 1986 to 1989 I broke about 30 Norwegian power-lifting records, 3 European and 1 world record. I won the Norwegian championship 3 times, the Nordic Championship and became 3’rd in both the European and the World Championship. In 1990 I decided to started to compete in bodybuilding and won the Norwegian Championship in the heavy weight division and several other titles. In 1993 I became number 2 in the World Games and that earned me a I.F.B.B Pro-card. I competed in a few pro-shows, but a muscle tore prevented me from getting any high placing. I entered shows like the 1994 New York Night of the Champions.

So in 1996 after retired from bodybuilding I got a call from Illka Kinunnen, one of the IFSA’s Vice Presidents. He wanted me to compete in Strongman, and the World Strongest Man Competition !. I was only one point ahead from getting into the final that year, so I decided to” give it a shot” ,train hard and heavy and really go for it!. ”NO GUTS, NO GLORY”!. “Once upon a time”, is no history……………

Strongman Svend Karlsen Video

Svend Karlsen 2004 Workout Schedule

Day 1

Barbell curl or Log curl: 2 - 3 sets of 6 - 12 reps
Tier flip: 3 sets of 6,8, and 10 flips
Stones: 3 sets of 5 reps
Close grip bench press: 1 set of 4-6 reps and 1 set of 10-14 reps
Laying French press: 2 sets of 8-12 reps
Push down: 2 sets of 8-12 reps
Crunches with weights: 3 sets of 12 reps +

Day 2

Front squat: 2 sets of 4-6 reps
Karlsen Squat: 3 sets of 8-12 reps
Leg extension: 3 sets of 12-16 reps
Calf raise: 3 sets of 20 reps
Concept II row: 3 sets of 500 meters

Day 3

Fast walking, or easy swimming for 1 hour !

Day 4

Apollon axle: 1 set of 1-3 reps and 1 set of 6-10 reps
Log lift: 1 set of 4-8 reps and 1 set of 8-12 reps
Side lateral: 1 drop set
Karlsen Crusefix flies: 2 sets of 3 x 8
Upright row: 2 sets of 8-12 reps
Incline log: 1 set of 3-6 reps and 1 set of 12 reps +
Cross over: 3 sets of 8-12 reps

Day 5

Dead lift: 2 sets of 3-6 reps
Seated row: 3 sets of 8-12 reps
Pull downs: 3 sets of 8-12 reps
Shrugs: 3 sets of 12 reps +
Bent over side lateral: 3 sets of 8-12 reps

Day 6

Fast walking, or easy swimming for 1 hour !

Day 7

Yoke race: 3 sets of 25 meters
Farmers walk: 2 sets of 2 x 35 meters
Conans wheel: 2 set of 3 laps, increase weight
Shrugs: 3 set of 12 reps +
Truck pull training: 3 set of 5-10 meters for start

Loading: 3 set of 5 kegs/sack 5 to 10 meter

PS ! On this day u can work other events also if needed ! And also change them from training to training !

Day 8

Rest and take massage and sauna if u can !

Svend Karlsen's Pics