In the old days of strongman, the competitions relied on one rep brute
strength. The media was getting bored and strongman shifted directions. So,
today strongman competitions have an endurance factor to them. Unlike
powerlifting, where it's HIT or MISS, in strongman competitions the events can last for
minutes and perhaps hours. Strongman is a test of strength, ATTITUDE, WILL,
endurance and mobility with heavy objects. It's a contest about testing a
lifters soul and seeing what makes them say "I QUIT"! Entering a strongman
contest is grueling no matter what level of a lifter you are. In strongman
you could be pulling trucks, airplanes, dragging 300lbs sleds through grass,
and gripping onto weights until the body collapses.
In an amateur strongman
contest if you're one of the strongest, you will have to perform the events
the fastest. If you are a rookie, just completing the events can be very
challenging. However, the pride the sport gives you will last a lifetime. I
will never forget the strongman contest that I entered. I was pulling
trucks, pressing heavy 1-arm dumbbells over my head, putting kegs into
trucks to name a few events. The day was quite grueling, but I feel that no matter how you do,
you're a winner just for participating. The contest really shows what one is made of! So,
heart is one thing, but if you want to win, you should train like a
strongman. Here is a routine for strongman training:
Strongman Training Routine:
Saturday
Max effort legs/deadlift- Box squats- High bar squats- front
squats, or zercher squats- partial deads, regular deads, or a variation of
good mornings- Sled pulling.
Sunday
Max effort shoulders- Overhead press with chains or bands-Strict
press-Behind the neck press- standing dumbbell press, with a bust ass all out
rep set! Then choose between Inclines, close grip bench w/bands or chains,
skull crushers.
Tuesday
DE squats/deadlifts.... box speed squats, power cleans with fat
bar, high pulls, shrugs, rows, pulldowns, curls, abs
Thursday
Train the events-farmers walk, tire flip, sled pulls, and some
grip...
Different strongman competitions have different events. Also if you are
interested in strongman then please check out the USWA games. They have
unique events like the 2-man deadlift and odd lifts. The bottom line is:
There is nothing pretty about the power athlete, it is just a battle of pain
and heavy weights, but the feeling of accomplishing scary feats is amazing.
