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Strongman

the_alcatraz

the_alcatraz

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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....
 
the_alcatraz said:
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....
Click to expand...

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
 
Scotsman said:
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
Click to expand...

Thanks Scots

Will one need to find a specialized strongman gym, or can he do anything strongman related in any gym?
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
It will probably be easier for me to first get into powerlifting, especially since the bench is one of my strongest assets
 
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.
 
SouthernLord said:
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.
Click to expand...

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
 
I made the transition from PLing to Strongman - at least, I should say that I have been in the process of doing that for roughly the past year. Here is what I can tell you from my limited experience.

1) Find a SM who knows what they are doing. I have been very privileged to be able to work out with and be trained for it by one of the best there is. He and his brothers, and the rest of the "crew" have become some of my best friends.

2) SM will show you where you strength flaws are in a hurry.

3) It hurts like hell sometimes. Be prepared for lots of bruising. And just wait for your first experience with tacky. ;)

4) I train a modified PL style in the gym 4 days a week and event train one day a week. The SM day is the longest and most intense, often lasting 4 straight hours.

5) After a few sessions of event training, my functional strength shot through the fucking roof. Its one thing to DL 700, it is entirely a different thing to C&P a 300 lb axle or load a 400 lb stone to 54" (still working on that stone) or run with a 700-800 lb yoke on your back.

6) Most events are less than 90 seconds. This means you will be in an anaerobic state. You need to train to deal with being O2 depleted. Just pull a 50k lb truck 80 feet or do a 5 stone medley and you'll know what I'm talking about. The best thing for this that I have found is to do work on a rower set at its highest level and go balls out, 110%, for 500 meters.

If you want to give this a try, PM me and I'll see if I can help you find someone in your area that might let you come and give it a test run to see how you like it. Even more than PLing, and certainly more than BBing, I have never come across a group of athletes that are more interested in helping the beginners than SM. They are, with very few exceptions, one of the most welcoming bunch of people that I have ever had the pleasure of being with.

And to answer your other question about age, I am old enough to vividly remember JFKs inaugural address, and I just started this a year ago, and I can hang with (after a shit load of hard ass training, and some great coaching) just about any amateur I have come up against.

B-
 
bblazer said:
I made the transition from PLing to Strongman - at least, I should say that I have been in the process of doing that for roughly the past year. Here is what I can tell you from my limited experience.

1) Find a SM who knows what they are doing. I have been very privileged to be able to work out with and be trained for it by one of the best there is. He and his brothers, and the rest of the "crew" have become some of my best friends.

2) SM will show you where you strength flaws are in a hurry.

3) It hurts like hell sometimes. Be prepared for lots of bruising. And just wait for your first experience with tacky. ;)

4) I train a modified PL style in the gym 4 days a week and event train one day a week. The SM day is the longest and most intense, often lasting 4 straight hours.

5) After a few sessions of event training, my functional strength shot through the fucking roof. Its one thing to DL 700, it is entirely a different thing to C&P a 300 lb axle or load a 400 lb stone to 54" (still working on that stone) or run with a 700-800 lb yoke on your back.

6) Most events are less than 90 seconds. This means you will be in an anaerobic state. You need to train to deal with being O2 depleted. Just pull a 50k lb truck 80 feet or do a 5 stone medley and you'll know what I'm talking about. The best thing for this that I have found is to do work on a rower set at its highest level and go balls out, 110%, for 500 meters.

If you want to give this a try, PM me and I'll see if I can help you find someone in your area that might let you come and give it a test run to see how you like it. Even more than PLing, and certainly more than BBing, I have never come across a group of athletes that are more interested in helping the beginners than SM. They are, with very few exceptions, one of the most welcoming bunch of people that I have ever had the pleasure of being with.

And to answer your other question about age, I am old enough to vividly remember JFKs inaugural address, and I just started this a year ago, and I can hang with (after a shit load of hard ass training, and some great coaching) just about any amateur I have come up against.

B-
Click to expand...


Great post, thanks bro!
 
the_alcatraz said:
wow I just looked over the site and saw the events and athletes and I got goosebumps, this is so exciting

I'm considered light weight lol never been called light weight :(
Click to expand...

It's alright man I don't even get numbers for my weight class anymore. SHW is all that appears next to my name at comps.lol

Cheers,
Scotsman
 
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Consider BBing to Powerlifting, rather than strongman which is a separate event. I'm actually rather in the same boat myself (have a post at wannabebig but I can't link since I'm a n00b). If you can find a powerlifting gym and guys you can join in, then you are set.
 
Brian Shaw is a beast of a man. I think he's gonna be the new WSM very shortly. He's doing very well and he just towers over everyone like big z does.
 
this may sound like excuses, but there is no sight like marunde-muscle for the UK and Iv looked on websites before that show all the strongman gyms in the UK and there are none that are in my area. I dont really have space to train for strongman if I were to get some basic stuff like a tractor tire and kegs which are cheap and I live on a busy road so I cant do it in the road like Iv seen some people on youtube doing. But I would love to give strongman a try :(
 
Big_BK said:
Brian Shaw is a beast of a man. I think he's gonna be the new WSM very shortly. He's doing very well and he just towers over everyone like big z does.
Click to expand...

I say this not knowing what the events for 2010 will be, and if Pudz will come out of "retirement" but if I were forced to pick the top 5 at WSM for 2010 today, in order it would be:

1) Shaw
2) Big Z
3) Phister
4) Bergmann
5) Poundcake

The reason I put Phister ahead of Bergmann is just because I think Phil has the most 3rd pace finishes of anyone. ;) Also, Derek is a dark horse, because he got his ass handed to him this year a WSM and either he is done as a major player or he got pissed and is working harder and becoming more than a pressing machine.

B-
 
i just realised, arild haugen quit strongman to do boxing too. mariusz vs arild would be the sickest fight ever! I think Arild would fuckin own mariusz though!
 
ExtraMile said:
this may sound like excuses, but there is no sight like marunde-muscle for the UK and Iv looked on websites before that show all the strongman gyms in the UK and there are none that are in my area. I dont really have space to train for strongman if I were to get some basic stuff like a tractor tire and kegs which are cheap and I live on a busy road so I cant do it in the road like Iv seen some people on youtube doing. But I would love to give strongman a try :(
Click to expand...

You're country has one of the best mass transit systems in the world. Find a gym you can get to and see if they will let you train with them on the weekends. I have to drive 30min to get to the place where I do my event training. My other option is to drive an hour to my parents place where I keep the limited amount of equipment I currently own. Where there's a will there's a way little brother.

Cheers,
Scotsman
 
Scotsman said:
You're country has one of the best mass transit systems in the world. Find a gym you can get to and see if they will let you train with them on the weekends. I have to drive 30min to get to the place where I do my event training. My other option is to drive an hour to my parents place where I keep the limited amount of equipment I currently own. Where there's a will there's a way little brother.

Cheers,
Scotsman
Click to expand...

My reason for doing strongman is not for competition purposes, but for getting retarded stupid power and strength....
 
the_alcatraz said:
My reason for doing strongman is not for competition purposes, but for getting retarded stupid power and strength....
Click to expand...

And that you will my friend. I have known some of the best powerlifters there are, and you get them in a strongman gym and they can't do anything. The difference is unbelievable.

Take for example Atlas Stones. In a way picking one starts like a really low deadlift, then you need to get it in your lap. After that, its a regrip, and an explosive stand up from basically an ass to grass squat, all the time having the weight out in front of you. Now you get to keep that momentum going and get that stone up to as much as 72".

Tell me what muscle in your body is not being used in just that one movement.

And when we train them, you have to deload it yourself too without dropping it. Do a set of 5 like that and you are completely gassed.

I know you can squat big, so imagine standing up 700-900 lbs. Now run with it 80 feet. Sometimes you can go 40 feet have to drop it spin around, repick and go back.

Don't even get me started on the grip events, or things like a truck pull.

So, ya, you'll get to be a freak.

B-
 
bblazer said:
And that you will my friend. I have known some of the best powerlifters there are, and you get them in a strongman gym and they can't do anything. The difference is unbelievable.

Take for example Atlas Stones. In a way picking one starts like a really low deadlift, then you need to get it in your lap. After that, its a regrip, and an explosive stand up from basically an ass to grass squat, all the time having the weight out in front of you. Now you get to keep that momentum going and get that stone up to as much as 72".

Tell me what muscle in your body is not being used in just that one movement.

And when we train them, you have to deload it yourself too without dropping it. Do a set of 5 like that and you are completely gassed.

I know you can squat big, so imagine standing up 700-900 lbs. Now run with it 80 feet. Sometimes you can go 40 feet have to drop it spin around, repick and go back.

Don't even get me started on the grip events, or things like a truck pull.

So, ya, you'll get to be a freak.

B-
Click to expand...

My first contest I got my ass handed to me by a 240lb stone. I had never touched any of the implements before and realized my folly in trying to compete without experience.

Cheers,
Scotsman
 
Do they have weight classes for scrawny little 190 pound guys like me? Don't know that I'll ever attempt strongman, but it does look damn sick... Are there any lean and tall guys doing it?
 
bblazer said:
And that you will my friend. I have known some of the best powerlifters there are, and you get them in a strongman gym and they can't do anything. The difference is unbelievable.

Take for example Atlas Stones. In a way picking one starts like a really low deadlift, then you need to get it in your lap. After that, its a regrip, and an explosive stand up from basically an ass to grass squat, all the time having the weight out in front of you. Now you get to keep that momentum going and get that stone up to as much as 72".

Tell me what muscle in your body is not being used in just that one movement.

And when we train them, you have to deload it yourself too without dropping it. Do a set of 5 like that and you are completely gassed.

I know you can squat big, so imagine standing up 700-900 lbs. Now run with it 80 feet. Sometimes you can go 40 feet have to drop it spin around, repick and go back.

Don't even get me started on the grip events, or things like a truck pull.

So, ya, you'll get to be a freak.

B-
Click to expand...

log push and truck pull are awesome

my favorite is the one where you hold a bid ass rod in your forearms, its attached to a center piece and you turn around it like the earth orbiting the sun

i fuckin love it not sure what its called
 
the_alcatraz said:
log push and truck pull are awesome

my favorite is the one where you hold a bid ass rod in your forearms, its attached to a center piece and you turn around it like the earth orbiting the sun

i fuckin love it not sure what its called
Click to expand...

Conan's wheel. Fastest way on earth to find out how strong your core is.

Cheers,
Scotsman
 
bblazer said:
I say this not knowing what the events for 2010 will be, and if Pudz will come out of "retirement" but if I were forced to pick the top 5 at WSM for 2010 today, in order it would be:

1) Shaw
2) Big Z
3) Phister
4) Bergmann
5) Poundcake

The reason I put Phister ahead of Bergmann is just because I think Phil has the most 3rd pace finishes of anyone. ;) Also, Derek is a dark horse, because he got his ass handed to him this year a WSM and either he is done as a major player or he got pissed and is working harder and becoming more than a pressing machine.

B-
Click to expand...

So you're completely discounting Koklaeyev, Katona, Felix, Nee, and a few other's who either didn't compete or were just coming back from torn biceps and other injuries? Or how about Ortmayer? Travis just needs to be more consistent.

I like big Phil a lot but he hasn't shown any improvement in quite a while. I also like Bergmann a lot too (know you train with him), but he also lacks consistency so far, has great potential but needs to put it all together.

And never ever count the Big Z out. He went 11-0 in contests this year and doesn't show any signs of slowing down.

Cheers,
Scotsman
 
Scotsman said:
So you're completely discounting Koklaeyev, Katona, Felix, Nee, and a few other's who either didn't compete or were just coming back from torn biceps and other injuries? Or how about Ortmayer? Travis just needs to be more consistent.

I like big Phil a lot but he hasn't shown any improvement in quite a while. I also like Bergmann a lot too (know you train with him), but he also lacks consistency so far, has great potential but needs to put it all together.

And never ever count the Big Z out. He went 11-0 in contests this year and doesn't show any signs of slowing down.

Cheers,
Scotsman
Click to expand...

Not really discounting them but, just looking at the past few Super Series as guides. I think Mohegan Sun will shed even more light on this subject.

B-
 
the_alcatraz said:
I fuckin love that one. I want to do strongman just for Conan's wheel...it's AWESOME
Click to expand...

A lot of people THINK that about the Conan's Wheel till they actually do it. Then they realize that it is the DEVIL! I hate that event although I tend to be good at it if it is H-E-A-V-Y!.

Doing Strongman so you can be strong is very similar to wanting to join a gym and train to pick up chicks or look good. It may be why I started, but it really has nothing to do with why I do it now. I just do it...it is part of my blood.

If you want to train for Strongman, your training shouldn't be that much different than what it should be anyway. You train to be stronger and use more weight with every muscle in your body. You play the game on the Weekends and then you train to be stronger through the week. How is that so different than what you are doing now?
 
b fold the truth said:
A lot of people THINK that about the Conan's Wheel till they actually do it. Then they realize that it is the DEVIL! I hate that event although I tend to be good at it if it is H-E-A-V-Y!.

Doing Strongman so you can be strong is very similar to wanting to join a gym and train to pick up chicks or look good. It may be why I started, but it really has nothing to do with why I do it now. I just do it...it is part of my blood.

If you want to train for Strongman, your training shouldn't be that much different than what it should be anyway. You train to be stronger and use more weight with every muscle in your body. You play the game on the Weekends and then you train to be stronger through the week. How is that so different than what you are doing now?
Click to expand...


Everything I heard in this thread tells me you have to train in a while diff way for strongman
 
There is a difference in wishful thinking and the practicalities of finding the equipment and people to train with. Equipment wise you would need stuff like

* IFSA log
* Super Yoke
* Farmers Walk
* Hercules Hold
* Duck Walk
* Axle
* Car deadlift frame
* Atlas Stones
* Super-heavy sandbags
* barrels

Those stones start from around 110kg, its not like you can start with just the 20kg bar. :D
 
n00bster said:
There is a difference in wishful thinking and the practicalities of finding the equipment and people to train with. Equipment wise you would need stuff like

* IFSA log
* Super Yoke
* Farmers Walk
* Hercules Hold
* Duck Walk
* Axle
* Car deadlift frame
* Atlas Stones
* Super-heavy sandbags
* barrels

Those stones start from around 110kg, its not like you can start with just the 20kg bar. :D
Click to expand...

I would agree with that list except I would change out the Hercules Hold for a frame. Of the 4 different SM groups I have trained with, they all had a frame but no HH.

B-
 
bblazer said:
I would agree with that list except I would change out the Hercules Hold for a frame. Of the 4 different SM groups I have trained with, they all had a frame but no HH.

B-
Click to expand...

Google Hercules Hold and you can see a pic of Mark Felix doing it at the World's Strongest Man at Anaheim, CA. Can't link because I'm a n00b.
 
Train to be stronger with every muscle in your body and then have an Events/Game Day session every 1-3 weeks! You can do sooo much with just a tire, sled, harness, farmers. All of mine were hand made for years!
 
That is how we travel in England...and my wife goes 5+x a year.
 
Probably only funny if you ask another person who lives here. But a fair point, public transport in the UK is more of a viable concept than in most other countries. Thing is, there is a distinct lack of good gyms over here. Take London - a city of 7+ million people - only two gyms with olympic lifting setups. Take any run of the mill Gold's gym from the US and it would be better than the 99% of UK hardcore gyms. Anyway, not to hyjack a good thread...

I think for most people coming off a typical bodybuilding routine to a more strength focused routine does not require special equipment for at leat the first 6 months. Just by relplacing BB exercises with more whole-body exercises is the way to begin. Stuff like: isolation exercises replaced by compound, olympic lifts and skill work added, superset compound exercises and do other things that will really tax the whole body, replace things like seated presses with clean and press, recplace machines with dumbells, do things like front and ovehead squats one arm deadlifts and zercher lifts, add static holds and superheavy partials, grip work. When you're confident with these changes, then the specialised equipment will become more important.
 
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