Strongman

[the_alcatraz]

Let me first say that I'm sticking to DC training for now (at least the next 6 months)

With that being said, I'd like to move away from bodybuilding in the next 2-3 years completely and into strongman or something similar

Is it to late for me to get into that now?

How do you incorporate strongman training into regular bodybuilding routine?

can you do both simultaneously?

what do you need to do to compete?

Lots of questions, but I know there are a lot of people involved in strongman on here and it would help....

 

[cw1981]

I'm in the same boat

 

[Scotsman]

Let me first say that I'm sticking to DC training for now (at least the next 6 months)

With that being said, I'd like to move away from bodybuilding in the next 2-3 years completely and into strongman or something similar

Is it to late for me to get into that now?

How do you incorporate strongman training into regular bodybuilding routine?

can you do both simultaneously?

what do you need to do to compete?

Lots of questions, but I know there are a lot of people involved in strongman on here and it would help....

It's never too late to start something new. Od Hagen didn't start competing until he was in his 40's, he's now in his 50's and still competes on the world circuit.

As far as incorporating it into a bodybuilding routine that's going to be tough. You can use many of the motions/events for training but in order to train to compete imo you will have to choose one or the other. You can stay lean by maintaining a clean diet but you have to move away from hypertrophy training and into strength training. Also many of the marquis bodyparts in bb are neglected in strongman training. Chest for instance becomes a stabilizer and not a show piece.

In order to compete you just need to find amateur competitions to start. The best piece of advice I can give you is to start competing as soon as possible. Many people want to get good and then compete which is assinine to me. You learn more in 1 competition than in months of training. Also you get to meet more experienced people who can help you tremendously. The most important thing in order to do well in competition is to train using the implements. It doesn't matter how strong you are if you don't know the techniques involved you aren't going to do well. Also as you will find out very quickly in order to compete in strongman you have to love it. It is pure torture and pain so if you don't love it you'll quit very soon after beggining. I will warn you though if you get bit by the strongman bug it becomes a true passion.

The other great thing is that there is no contest dieting. Unless you need to make weight for a competition there isn't ever a need to lose weight. At least here in the US we have a full set of weight classes at the big comps (up to 180, 180-200, 200-231, 231-265, 265-300, and SHW). Smaller comps have two weight classes light and heavy with 231 being the cuttoff. So you don't have to compete with people far bigger than you for the most part.

Cheers,
Scotsman

 

[the_alcatraz]

It's never too late to start something new. Od Hagen didn't start competing until he was in his 40's, he's now in his 50's and still competes on the world circuit.

As far as incorporating it into a bodybuilding routine that's going to be tough. You can use many of the motions/events for training but in order to train to compete imo you will have to choose one or the other. You can stay lean by maintaining a clean diet but you have to move away from hypertrophy training and into strength training. Also many of the marquis bodyparts in bb are neglected in strongman training. Chest for instance becomes a stabilizer and not a show piece.

In order to compete you just need to find amateur competitions to start. The best piece of advice I can give you is to start competing as soon as possible. Many people want to get good and then compete which is assinine to me. You learn more in 1 competition than in months of training. Also you get to meet more experienced people who can help you tremendously. The most important thing in order to do well in competition is to train using the implements. It doesn't matter how strong you are if you don't know the techniques involved you aren't going to do well. Also as you will find out very quickly in order to compete in strongman you have to love it. It is pure torture and pain so if you don't love it you'll quit very soon after beggining. I will warn you though if you get bit by the strongman bug it becomes a true passion.

The other great thing is that there is no contest dieting. Unless you need to make weight for a competition there isn't ever a need to lose weight. At least here in the US we have a full set of weight classes at the big comps (up to 180, 180-200, 200-231, 231-265, 265-300, and SHW). Smaller comps have two weight classes light and heavy with 231 being the cuttoff. So you don't have to compete with people far bigger than you for the most part.

Cheers,
Scotsman

Thanks Scots

Will one need to find a specialized strongman gym, or can he do anything strongman related in any gym?

 

[SouthernLord]

Stones, tires, farmers implements, yoke, axle, etc

Unless your current gym has these it will be hard to train these events in a normal "Fitness Center" gym.

 

[SouthernLord]

I would love to get involved in SM. I don't have the gentics for bbing and I loathe the bench press so that rules out PL.

I've searched the net for local SM clubs and meets to no avail.

 

[joe d]

your current training is probably a good choice for between the 2. core lifts are important in any sport. the squat, dl, and overhead are always needed.

 

[the_alcatraz]

It will probably be easier for me to first get into powerlifting, especially since the bench is one of my strongest assets

 

[Big_BK]

Like scots said your training will have to prioritize what you want to do. With that being said after you get some experience if your strength is up to par and technique you can pretty much bullshit your training if you just want to do it for fun. I know a few guys who don't do much strongman training but will compete and place in local shows. Like i said tho if you really want to take it to the next level then you will have to completely focus on strongman training. So it is up to you how you want to train depending upon your goals. Also i would highly suggest training the events once a week because it is essential to learn the form, etc. Also as scotts said go compete at some local show and see how you do, you really learn LOADSSSSSSSSSSSS from your first show and it helps you alot! Most of the shows i go to usually have alot of guys who its their first or second show and everyone is very supportive and always willing to help even if they are competing against you.

 

[Big_BK]

I would love to get involved in SM. I don't have the gentics for bbing and I loathe the bench press so that rules out PL.

I've searched the net for local SM clubs and meets to no avail.

marund-muscle.com is where all the strongmen hang out go ask on there for people in your area. All the shows are posted on nastrongmaninc.com