How Competitive Would I Be?

Bigger Stronger Leaner Powerlifting & Strength Sports
1

Ok, so I’ve been considering for a while now trying a strongman event. I’ve been lifting all my life but thought I’d give this a try. I have a “friend of a friend” that can get me into a strongman gym.

In the mean time, I’m wondering how competitive I would be. I’m not looking to get into a career but think it would be pretty fun to try a few events. I’m 6’1" and currently weigh 205 or so and would plan on competing at 200 pounds. My current personal records are:

Bench: 335x2
Back Squat: 445x2
Deadlift: 520
Clean: 140 kilos
Clean and Jerk: 135 Kilos
Snatch: 100 Kilos
Front Squat: *I think 335x2

Would I be able to be competitive at a local meet or do I have a ton of progress to make before then? By the way, these are real life PR’s, not internet PR’s that are typically inflated by 40% or so.

2

Depending on the level of local competition, I would imagine you would fall in the middle of the pack. My training partner competed in the heavyweight class for years but recently dropped down to 230ish.

A lot of it comes down to training for the specific events. Your bench is probably irrelevant. Most competitions I’ve seen have a deadlift for reps, log press for reps, yoke, and stones. It will vary with the promoters but that seems to be the standard.

You will need to practice the specific events to be competitive.

Dont know if that helps, but good luck!

3

There’s only one way to find out.

4

[quote]malonetd wrote:
There’s only one way to find out.[/quote]

What he said.

5

DO IT!! Lets us know the results!

6

[quote]malonetd wrote:
There’s only one way to find out.[/quote]

I know, I know, I am going to try a few competitions regardless of what feedback was given. I was just curious if I was in the ballpark strength wise. With the exception of lifting with one partner on and off, I have trained by myself for the past four years. I guess I just don’t have a good feel for how strong I’ll need to be. Either way, should be fun!

7

Strength is needed, but you also need to practice the events. Technique helps a lot.

8

[quote]sestvold wrote:
Strength is needed, but you also need to practice the events. Technique helps a lot. [/quote]

Qft.

This really can’t be emphasized enough.

9

Ya, right now I’m just continuing training. Hopefully my “connection” will get me to be able to train on specific events fairly regularly. The gym is a bit of a drive though, and I would likely only train there on the weekends.

I guess I was just waiting to know how my numbers compare to other guys my size. I know I’m not anything special strength-wise, but I gotta think I’m respectable for my size.

10

[quote]BigAlSwede wrote:
Ok, so I’ve been considering for a while now trying a strongman event. I’ve been lifting all my life but thought I’d give this a try. I have a “friend of a friend” that can get me into a strongman gym.

In the mean time, I’m wondering how competitive I would be. I’m not looking to get into a career but think it would be pretty fun to try a few events. I’m 6’1" and currently weigh 205 or so and would plan on competing at 200 pounds. My current personal records are:

Bench: 335x2
Back Squat: 445x2
Deadlift: 520
Clean: 140 kilos
Clean and Jerk: 135 Kilos
Snatch: 100 Kilos
Front Squat: *I think 335x2

Would I be able to be competitive at a local meet or do I have a ton of progress to make before then? By the way, these are real life PR’s, not internet PR’s that are typically inflated by 40% or so.
[/quote]

In my opinion your base strength is pretty good for a 200lber. As has been mentioned, there’s no substitute for practicing the events, especially the more “odd” lifts, eg tire, stones. Strength helps there, but there’s more to it. Prior to trying out equipment, you can still set yourself up for success by working grip, push press/strict press and ab strength, esp rotational ab strength and resisting rotation

11

Thanks for the ideas. I’ve been working on my grip a few different ways. I do farmers walks, but the gym I lift in only has 100 lbs dumbells. I also do what I call bumper walks (farmers walk while holding thick bumper plates by the end). I’ll mix in some towel pullups from time to time. I of course deadlift regularly as well.

I’ve been trying to focus on my overhead strength with lots of push press/jerks. What kinds of reps should I be working towards on this?

12

Big Al,

What everyone said: hit the events. It will help. We have seen many strong guys over the years come out to train with us, some guys can transfer their strength to the events, some can’t.

As for your numbers: for the 200 lb class I would say they are very good. The top guys are freaks, so you can’t look at their numbers. Yours are better than most.

Jerking around 300 lbs puts you near the top of the 200’s.

335 bench is good, not great, but doesn’t really matter as bench is not contested.

445 squat seems low compared to your other numberss, but is not bad

520 dl is pretty good, not great.

335 front squat is very good.

Where do you live? There are groups all over the country. Try posting on Marunde for more info.

At 6’1" , depending on your age, 200 lbs class will not hold you. You can fill out to the 231 class.

All this coming from an old guy who competes at 200 most of the time.

Is that the feedback you wanted??

shoot me an email if you need/want some more info.

Mark

13

[quote]MSikora wrote:
Big Al,

What everyone said: hit the events. It will help. We have seen many strong guys over the years come out to train with us, some guys can transfer their strength to the events, some can’t.

As for your numbers: for the 200 lb class I would say they are very good. The top guys are freaks, so you can’t look at their numbers. Yours are better than most.

Jerking around 300 lbs puts you near the top of the 200’s.

335 bench is good, not great, but doesn’t really matter as bench is not contested.

445 squat seems low compared to your other numberss, but is not bad

520 dl is pretty good, not great.

335 front squat is very good.

Where do you live? There are groups all over the country. Try posting on Marunde for more info.

At 6’1" , depending on your age, 200 lbs class will not hold you. You can fill out to the 231 class.

All this coming from an old guy who competes at 200 most of the time.

Is that the feedback you wanted??

shoot me an email if you need/want some more info.

Mark[/quote]

Thanks for the feedback. I’m 25 years old. I’ve actually cut down to 200 pounds from a college football playing weight of 285 or so. I know “cutting” isn’t exactly in the vocab of strongman, but I needed to lose the weight. I’m pretty lean at this weight and feel really healthy. At this point, I don’t see myself trying to move back up into a higher weight class.

About my numbers, you’re right, my squat sucks. I’ve never been very good at it, but I was around 500 when I was bigger.

14

Big Al,

Definitely find a group near you and try some event training. Your strength levels, age, height, and athletic background should transfer to strongman very well.

good luck

Mark

what part of the country are you in??

15

Thanks, I’m looking forward to my first competition.

I’m in Kansas.

16

Tell us how it goes!

17

Let us know man!

I’m going to enter my first ‘pseudo’ strong man/ cross fit eventing day on the 21st November.

I’m 25, 5’10, 90kg
Snatch: 118
C&J: 145, Clean 150kg
DL 200kg : relatively weak but I don’t train DL much, prolapsed l4
Front Squat: 170kg atg
Back Squat: 201kg atg
BP: 135kg :stuck_out_tongue: again don’t train this
MP: 85kg

Your a lot stronger then me (double my 1RM!) and 7lbs heavier. I’m more explosive.

My events will be:

The throw event…is a throw overhead for distance
The deadlift event…is for maximum load, and straps are allowed. straps allowed? wtf?! PUSSY
The press event…is for reps in a set period of time.
The vehicle pull…is for time (or distance if not completed)
The medley…is a combination of heavy carries and tyre flips
The surprise event…is a carry and throw event!

There will be 3 categories:
75
75-90
90+

I’m 90kg flat or probably a bit less so thats great for me. I haven’t done any event training as it was a secret.

I have sod all endurance so I’ll have to wing it. The DL with straps is disappointing imo. STRAPS? wtf?! If I get 200kg I’d be happy but I’ll do it strapless.

Press I’ll Power Jerk it if it’s within the rules unless it’s a ‘strict press’ then I’ll have to roll with that.

Vehicle pull should be a lot of fun. Again no experience, so any tips?! I’ve seen soem videos, row forwards, grab rope, use legs, lean back then pull at the end?

Medley sounds like a lot of fun!

Koing

18

Sounds pretty fun

19

By the way, nice clean. I’ve only done a few Olympic competitions. I’m too tall to ever be really good at olympic lifts. I haven’t trained seriously at them in years.

20

[quote]BigAlSwede wrote:
By the way, nice clean. I’ve only done a few Olympic competitions. I’m too tall to ever be really good at olympic lifts. I haven’t trained seriously at them in years. [/quote]

Cheers, but I do specialist in OLIfting and competiting. Have done so for the past 9yrs.

You can C&J 135 and Clean 140 without any serious training?! Dude mate, you should be able to stack it on 10-15-20kg within a year with some focused training mate!

On Thursday I get some more info about the ‘events’ so I can’t wait to do it! Pretty dam excited about it as I love competiting :smiley: See how I fair up against the crossfit guys :smiley:

Do you have any comp in mind for yourself?

Koing