My First Strongman Competition

Training Powerlifting
21

I was also at this competition, it was a great time. Both of us, and another buddy of mine, found out about the competition a couple days before hand so we had no chance to train. I’ll post a few of the pictures I have next week when I get back home.

I managed to get second in the novice division, I came in around 205 pounds as well. My buddy took first place in the novice division, weighing in around 250.

The tire we had for flipping wasn’t terribly heavy, but it certainly was awkward. I’ve never gotten to flip one before, but I had some issues keeping my hand from slipping into a tread when I was trying to slip from lifting to pushing it. This caused me to muscle it more and have to reset in the middle of flipping it over a few times. I still managed 2nd, by .07 second, which had to be from the farmers carry portion where I was able to jog with the weight.

The log I pressed 240 with, which was a 30lb PR, but I think I could’ve pushed another 20lbs. It was a smaller log than I practiced with last spring, so it felt really easy. 240lb was enough to tie for first place in the event, so I wasn’t dissatisfied.

I managed to hit 22 reps in 60 seconds on the axle deadlift, and those felt pretty good. This tied me for first place, but I still had a couple reps left when the time ran out. After these first three events, I was totally cashed and had to just lie on the ground.

When my turn came up for the hand over hand vehicle pull (sitting atop the tire we used for flipping, definately awkward) my arms were numb and tingling, and I had difficulties closing my hands. I was just hoping to finish the event, but was doing pretty good until I leaned too far back on the tire and almost flipped off the back (spotter caught me). This caused me to have to reset and start pulling the truck from a stop again and I lost about 5 seconds from it. Managed to get 4th place on this one. This is the only event that either my buddy or I did not win (he had 2nd, Todd had 3rd, I had 4th).

The last event was the stones, one I was looking forward to. I’ve lifted rocks before, but never the atlas stones. A world of difference as the round ball constantly tries to roll out and you have no hand holds anywhere. Tacky was allowed and I think this helped greatly. In the warm up I managed to pull the 225lb stone without tacky pretty easily, but I don’t think I could have placed the 280 without it. I managed to load all five stones and take first in this event.

I took second in the overall by 1 point. So close.

All in all, a great time for a first strongman competition. I look forward to more in the future. My biceps, lower back, and forearms were really sore from all this fun.

Regards,

Sensless

PS Great job at the competition Todd!

22


Here’s senseless repping on the axle deadlift. Isn’t he sexy in his kilt?

23

As a side note, my buddy Ryan is a Vegan and I am a vegetarian. So hopefully that will help dispel the myth that you have to eat meat to get strong. Take that omnivores, you lucky bastids!

As far as finding out about the competition, a person on T-Nation sent me a message letting me know it was upcoming. Thanks Carl! Next year I’ll be in the lightweights competing against eachother, then you can crush me directly.

Regards,

Sensless

24

[quote]kroc30 wrote:
Bville - I’m not sure how big you are, but remember, while core strength is important, there’s alot more that goes with strongman. I would try out a couple of the events first and then you’ll see where you really stand. You’d be surprised what you can put up once you learn some of the apparatus.[/quote]

hey thanks. i weigh 250 or so but am only beginning to lift heavy this past summer so i think i have a lot more in me. im not really sure how good a 550 deadlift is but im not far off it and im making progress every day.

25

550 is “good” for 250lbs - not earth-shattering, but good.

Where do you live, Bville? There’s training groups all over the country who are usually happy to bring on board a strong guy with enthusiasm.

-Dan

26

[quote]buffalokilla wrote:
550 is “good” for 250lbs - not earth-shattering, but good.

Where do you live, Bville? There’s training groups all over the country who are usually happy to bring on board a strong guy with enthusiasm.

-Dan[/quote]

im actually based in the uk so ill have to make do with what there is here. as a sidenote i am actually only a rugby player so weightlifting is not my specialty and i only get three sessions in a week during the season but im looking to increae that and become really strong.

27

[quote]bville wrote:
Hey thats cool mate. I was thinkin of doin my first strongman as well but was a little unconfident about it. im not sure if im strong enough. i can deadlift 484 pounds, bench 300+ (for one), clean 264 (for one) and leg press 770 (for ten reps). Is this acceptable or would I be blown out of the water?[/quote]

Ya gotta squat. Leg presses are built differently (some are harder than others), it’s simply not possible to judge leg strength from a leg press.

28

[quote]cap’nsalty wrote:
bville wrote:
Hey thats cool mate. I was thinkin of doin my first strongman as well but was a little unconfident about it. im not sure if im strong enough. i can deadlift 484 pounds, bench 300+ (for one), clean 264 (for one) and leg press 770 (for ten reps). Is this acceptable or would I be blown out of the water?

Ya gotta squat. Leg presses are built differently (some are harder than others), it’s simply not possible to judge leg strength from a leg press.[/quote]

oh yeah i squat too. forgot to mention. its just not on my current programme. i do around 510 for three reps so id have a max lift of maybe 550?

29

I have a question about strongman lifting. I enjoy lifting of all ranges from bodybuilding to powerliftin to strongman. I haven’t done many strongman lifts other than farmer walks with dummbbells in the gym but I want to start. And also since i am a competetive person I might think about competeing. My question is how possilbe is it to seriously compete for me when I’m only 5’6 and 155 pounds? Increasing strength is a given but are there classes for my size or would I have to gain weight and compete at like 200? And am I at a disadvantage for my height?

30

I think that the atlas stones would present a bigger challenge for you because of your height (have to load them on 4’ or taller platforms). Since the apparatus used in the events seem to vary, it is difficult to say where else your height might cause difficulty. But I wouldn’t let that sway you from giving it a try, remember that Franco Columbo competed in a WSM back in the 70’s and did quite well through the first day of events (second day didn’t go as well). It seems most guys in the lightweight category at this comp., which is 231 lbs (105kg) and under, are under 5’11". I don’t know if there are other weight classes under that. I think you would definately want to gain some weight, if I wanted to get more serious about Strongman I’d want to get up around 230.

Regards,

Sensless

[quote]realt81 wrote:
I have a question about strongman lifting. I enjoy lifting of all ranges from bodybuilding to powerliftin to strongman. I haven’t done many strongman lifts other than farmer walks with dummbbells in the gym but I want to start. And also since i am a competetive person I might think about competeing. My question is how possilbe is it to seriously compete for me when I’m only 5’6 and 155 pounds? Increasing strength is a given but are there classes for my size or would I have to gain weight and compete at like 200? And am I at a disadvantage for my height?
[/quote]

31

[quote]realt81 wrote:
I have a question about strongman lifting. I enjoy lifting of all ranges from bodybuilding to powerliftin to strongman. I haven’t done many strongman lifts other than farmer walks with dummbbells in the gym but I want to start. And also since i am a competetive person I might think about competeing. My question is how possilbe is it to seriously compete for me when I’m only 5’6 and 155 pounds? Increasing strength is a given but are there classes for my size or would I have to gain weight and compete at like 200? And am I at a disadvantage for my height?
[/quote]

I, too, am a towering 5’6" and I really don’t think of it much as a disadvantage. The only thing off the top of my head is the atlas stones. And that just depends on the height used at the competitions. I had no problem in this comp.

I would be more concerned with your weight. Are you intentionally 155 pounds?

From what I know, most competitions do have weight classes, but only a heavyweight and lightweight. So, you’re still competing against people 60-70 pounds heavier than you.

32

Thanks for the tips. No I’m not intentionally this weight. I am trying to get to 200+ but being a college student my diet isn’t actually that great.

33

Is that Tony Coggins refing?

34

[quote]IL Cazzo wrote:
Is that Tony Coggins refing?
[/quote]

Yes it is! Holy crap, I shook his hand and my fingers weren’t long enough to even make it across his palm. That man has the thickest hands I’ve ever seen. He’s a pretty funny ref, he would say, “sweet” instead of “down” on the DL reps and log presses. Pretty silly.

35

[quote]sensless wrote:
IL Cazzo wrote:
Is that Tony Coggins refing?

Yes it is! Holy crap, I shook his hand and my fingers weren’t long enough to even make it across his palm. That man has the thickest hands I’ve ever seen. He’s a pretty funny ref, he would say, “sweet” instead of “down” on the DL reps and log presses. Pretty silly.[/quote]

Actually his name is Tony Scrivens; or at least what his website says.

http://www.bigtonyscrivens.com/

I also found this:

http://www.nastrongman.com/nasspros/TonyScrivens.htm

36

Oh yes, oops, well he’s just big Tony or “sir” to me.

Anyway, here are a couple more photo’s from the competition.

37

more, 660lb tire. I was having issues with my hand slipping into one of the tread grooves. Caused lots of time loss and resetting, but this was my first time flipping a tire so problems were expected.

38


Getting after the second stone. My first time getting to play with atlas stones, was quite pleased with getting all five up in 60 seconds and managing first place. I guess all that natural rock lifting has helped a bit, well that and the fact that tacky was allowed.

39

Accepting my second place award. I can’t wait for the next strongman competition, what fun! Well I guess it is back to some powerlifting training for me through January, then I can hit the strongman stuff full on. Have to see if I can win the state championship USAPL competition in January!