The MA State Stongman/Woman Championships - Charity Competition
Critical Bench.com was proud to be a sponsor of this event held on Saturday July 23, 2005 at Wonderland Greyhound Park, Rever MA.
Professional Strongman Competitor Sean Smith Demonstrates the Critical Bench - Viking Press
Stongman Overview
The sport of strongman requires the brute strength of a powerlifter, the explosive, or speed strength, of a weightlifter or thrower, the speed and conditioning of a football player, the muscular endurance of freestyle wrestler, enduring grip strength and mental toughness. The sport is roughly 50% strength, and 50% skill. It's not always the strongest man that wins; more often, it's the best prepared.
Strongman competitions consist of several tasks that must be done under specific circumstances. Typical events of a competition might be flipping a truck tire a certain distance for speed, pressing a log overhead for maximum reps, farmer's carry of two heavy implements a certain distance for speed, or lifting a large, heavy stone to platforms of different heights for time. Points are awarded in each event based on placing and the one with the most points at the end is the winner. The fact that the events are not standardized makes the sport unique and it requires well-rounded preparedness by its athletes.
Stongman Divisions
LWW = Lightweight Women: 140 & Under
LWN = Lightweight Novice: and Under
LWM = Lightweight Men : 175 and Under, 176 to 321
HWW = Heavyweight Women : 141 and Over
HWN = Heavyweight Novice: 226 and Over
HWM = Heavyweight Men : 232 and Up
This year, Total Performance Sports was able to fundraise a nice
contribution for The Chelsea Soldier's Home and the Melrose Humane Society. It was a great day. For those of you not
familiar with strongman competitions the events are described below along with some pics of the event.
Strongman Event #1 - Atlas Stones
This event is one of the coolest, most traditional events in strongman history. Lifting
large, round stones of various weights onto (apx) 48" platforms. Stone must be placed on platform
under control. It cannot roll off. Athlete has to retrieve and reload if it does fall off. Scoring
starts with a time on the 3rd loaded stone. 75-second time limit.
This event is pretty straight forward with very little variation. The objective
is to get as many reps as possible in 75-seconds on this shoulder press looking apparatus.
Hands can be on the handles to start. Full lockout (Lockout will be: Elbows locked, feet even, hips inline
with shoulders and ankles, knees locked) must be achieved for the rep to count and the athlete must
wait for the referres signal to lower the weight.
The objective is to walk around the circle (the pipe is attached at the opposite end of where you lift it) as many times as possible within 75-seconds.
Chalk only...no other friction aiding substances (tacky, spracy etc) allowed. All belt buckles must be to the rear.
No resting the bar or the arms on the belt. Winner determinded by maximumm distance traveled.
Athlete will need to deadlift their assigned weight using 2" axle bar weighted with 15' car tires. Chalk only. No straps. Mixed grip is fine.
Ahtlete must wait for down signal from judge. Full powerlifting syle lockout required.
Stongman Event #5 - Super TPS Short & Heavy Death Medley
Athlete must complete each event before moving on to the next leg of the medley.
Tire Flip: The tire flip is one of the coolest events to perform, impressive
to watch, and physically taxing on the athlete. The tire will start in the down position. Athletes will
have 90-seconds to complete 3 full flips. The tire cannot roll on end at any time.
Farmer's Walk: The farmer's walk is seen in many of the strongman competitions today
and tests more than just the grip - it tests an athlete's agility, upper back and leg strength as well as their mental
toughness. Athlete will lift two farmer's walk handles loaded with appropriate weight and carry them for 25' as fast
as possible. the entire implement must cross the finish line. Unlimited drops are allowed. No dragging pushing or rolling
the implements down the course. Both implements must be carried together.
Tombstone: The Tombstone (a.k.a. Husafell Stone) is often shaped like a shield and is anywhere
from 200 to over 400 pounds in weight. The athlete will lift the stone off its stand, bear hug it, then walk it 25'. Implement
must be carried with no external aids of any type. If a belt is worn in the medley the buckle must be facing to the rear. No shouldering
will be permitted.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
