Strongman Equipment for the House

Bigger Stronger Leaner Powerlifting & Strength Sports
1

I am in the works on building some pieces to train some of the events since I can’t bench press, or squat(don’t own a rack of any kind and can’t get shit done trying to start in the hole off of saw horse since I’m fairly tall and they are a tad short)

so here’s a list of my current list of projects in the works.

Yoke for Carrying and Pressing made out of Steel Pipe and Floor Flanges, for now it will hold enough weight for me to use since I only own 300lbs of oly bar plates.

Stones(River and Field) and maybe a 200 from slater stone molds if I can afford it by the time my birthday comes.

Log made from the various logs I have that I know I can press, just going to gut them out,but in some handles using a pair of non oly bell handles I have(I own like 3 pairs for some reason)

7 foot Axle made of Steel Pipe - already own the pipe just can’t find a god damn saw to cut it down to 7 feet. its ten feet now and was 21 feet when it was holding up bird houses and I decided to saw it down and make some thick bars. it’s more than 2 inches around so would that be enough to be and axle?

and I have a big handle less oil drum for the carry and drag and is insanely hard to clean and press.

still looking for bigger tires than the one I already own but I’ll get some big ones soon.
also if I could only deadlift 300(with powerlifting form) and I could flip a tire for 100 reps over the course of half an hour and was passed out after wards it wasn’t very heavy was it?

and the point of this is doesn’t this pretty much cover most major events if I wanted to prepare for just about any novice contest? I know the truck pull is important and I already have that taken care of along with farmers walk. so any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks
-Anderson.

2

You’re gonna need more weights. Three hundred pounds won’t be enough for any walking event – yoke, farmers, sled drag, etc.

3

Here is what I would recommend for easy to make, relatively inexpensive, and effective at-home equipment:

  • Sandbag / Go to an army-navy store and pick up a couple of duffle bags. Put sand/dirt/rocks into smaller plastic bags and then load them into the duffle bag and tape the end closed with duct tape.

  • River Stones or Natural Stones / Good for carrying and loading.

  • Axle Bar / Can be made from pipe. These are easy to bend so make sure to avoid any type of heavy rack work since that will quickly ruin your axle.

  • Tire Sled / Take a car or truck tire and put a bolt through the tread then fasten a piece of plywood to the sidewall. Attach a rope or chain to the bolt and now you have a dragging sled. You can throw your sandbag or some weights on the plywood to increase the load.

  • Farmers Handles / These are fairly easy to make with pipe, plans are available online if you search around a bit, but with only 300# of weights you might want to hold off on making farmers.

  • Vehicle Push or Pull / You can use a deer dragging harness which can be purchased for less than $20 at hunting supply stores. Climbing harnesses would also work but I am not sure how much they cost. If you don’t have a training partner then you can perform drags with your tire sled.

  • Giant Dumbbell / Pick up a piece of 20-24" pipe (2" OD) and now you have a dumbbell for pressing or rowing. This should cost you $10 or less at any home supply store. Use tape to make the inner collars.

  • Giant Tire / If you search around you should be able to find a used heavy equipment tire for free. A tire in the 500-600 lbs range is generally the best for training, perhaps a bit lighter if you are just getting started (anything lighter than 400# will be pretty much useless unless you are competing in the women’s division).

  • Kegs / Used kegs should be around $25-30 but you might be able to find them for less. Fill them with water or sand for carrying, loading, and even pressing.

This should allow you to train for most of the events and get a good workout with limited equipment. You could always train at home the majority of the time and then take a trip to a local strongman group 1-2 times per month to work with other implements.

Hope this helps.

4

[quote]Shakes wrote:

  • Axle Bar / Can be made from pipe. These are easy to bend so make sure to avoid any type of heavy rack work since that will quickly ruin your axle.
    [/quote]

Have you been able to find a work around for this? We just noticed our axle is bent after a month of using it. We had been using it for heavy zerchers, axle c&p, front squat, thick DL, etc.

I was thinking maybe another smaller diameter pipe lodged inside might give it some structural integrity…?

5

First of all, everything shakes said. Also, malone is right, if you’re actually prepping for a contest, 300lbs probably isnt enough. If you just want to challenge yourself and keep it on the cheap, you could go crazy long distances, but if you’re actually prepping for a show … well, its better than nothing but still not ideal. Second, a few thoughts

[quote]WABWSM wrote:
Stones(River and Field) and maybe a 200 from slater stone molds if I can afford it by the time my birthday comes.
[/quote]

Without knowing your level of strength, I am nonetheless going to recommend that you get a heavier stone mold. 200 is light enough that I dont think you would ever see it in the men’s division. I started this sport with an average gym strength level and loaded a 200 on my first day, and stones rapidly get easier your first few trainign sessions

[quote]WABWSM wrote:
7 foot Axle made of Steel Pipe - already own the pipe just can’t find a god damn saw to cut it down to 7 feet. its ten feet now and was 21 feet when it was holding up bird houses and I decided to saw it down and make some thick bars. it’s more than 2 inches around so would that be enough to be and axle?
[/quote]

If it’s more than 2" around, you wont be able to fit plates onto it

[quote]WABWSM wrote:
still looking for bigger tires than the one I already own but I’ll get some big ones soon.
also if I could only deadlift 300(with powerlifting form) and I could flip a tire for 100 reps over the course of half an hour and was passed out after wards it wasn’t very heavy was it?
[/quote]

Yes, the tire is too light. Get something you can only flip once or twice in a row. As with stones, it will rapidly become easier after a few training sessions.

Finally, make a chain yoke. It’s a pipe laying across your shoulders, with chains runing down to the cground on each side, attached to loadign pins. Youtube it for a visual

6

Thanks guys!

okay so I just went backed and checked it and it’s the same diamiter as a bar sleeve. fail I know.

Thanks so much for all the tips everyone!

7

[quote]coolnatedawg wrote:

[quote]Shakes wrote:

  • Axle Bar / Can be made from pipe. These are easy to bend so make sure to avoid any type of heavy rack work since that will quickly ruin your axle.
    [/quote]

Have you been able to find a work around for this? We just noticed our axle is bent after a month of using it. We had been using it for heavy zerchers, axle c&p, front squat, thick DL, etc.

I was thinking maybe another smaller diameter pipe lodged inside might give it some structural integrity…?[/quote]

Yes, a smaller diameter pipe would help. Other ideas:

work off of boxes rather than the pins

wrap towels around the pins

2 axles, one for zerchers, which you accept and expect will be bent, and one for c&p and dl (whcih should have bumpers, since even those exercises will bend a homemade axle over time. In fact, even with bumpers it will bend over time. A homemade axle, used the way it is meant to abuse, will always bend over time)

8

also if I’m only 16 and haven’t squatted in months since I don’t own a rack I thought 300lbs would serve me well. I’ll be sure to get more weight soon though.

already have a boxing heavy bag(80lbs) to use as a sandbag for carrying,loading etc.

Well aware of the Chain yoke but the problem is My father refuses to buy me any chain. I’m a Westside/Conjugate method NUTCASE so I’ve CONSTANTLY begged to get chains.

I’ve got my heart set on having a REAL yoke so there.

9

also I’m aware they will bend. I actually have two I’m cutting down to size and will use the scrap bar for a Thick Bell. just take my two pairs of REAL collars(none of that spring shit) and use them as the sleeve designator, then the actual collar and boom, Circus Bell. the Axles will have tires on them as they should will only be used on grass since I train events outdoors only except deadlift.

10

[quote]WABWSM wrote:
also if I’m only 16 and haven’t squatted in months since I don’t own a rack I thought 300lbs would serve me well. I’ll be sure to get more weight soon though.

already have a boxing heavy bag(80lbs) to use as a sandbag for carrying,loading etc.

Well aware of the Chain yoke but the problem is My father refuses to buy me any chain. I’m a Westside/Conjugate method NUTCASE so I’ve CONSTANTLY begged to get chains.

I’ve got my heart set on having a REAL yoke so there.
[/quote]

You do know that chain yokes dont need 5/8" chain, right? This is not at all the same as chains for accomodating resistance. Just the regular feeder chain - I think it’s 3/16"? Could be 1/4" maybe 5/16" but I doubt it. I know you say you’re ‘well aware’ of the chain yoke, but I’m not getting why you need your dad’s ok for two 4’ lengths of chain that should cost less than $20

11

[quote]WABWSM wrote:
Thanks guys!

okay so I just went backed and checked it and it’s the same diamiter as a bar sleeve. fail I know.

Thanks so much for all the tips everyone![/quote]

it should be 3" than

I found a piece of 3" pipe and I cut it down to fit right in between the sleeves of an old cheap barbell. unscrewed the sleeves. and welded the pipe to the inside of the sleeves so its 3" with 2" ends

12

pic before welding it

13

I really need a non Welding required option.

and KBCthird. he’s just cheap and he can get the pipe for free so I’m going with a pipe. I just prefer it.
I’m a little more focused on the “Press” function of the yoke. no need to clean the bar which means I can pound away at Pressing like the Safe Lift at WSM. thus stronger shoulders and more carryover to the Axle,Log, Block Press etc.

14

[quote]WABWSM wrote:
I really need a non Welding required option.

and KBCthird. he’s just cheap and he can get the pipe for free so I’m going with a pipe. I just prefer it.
I’m a little more focused on the “Press” function of the yoke. no need to clean the bar which means I can pound away at Pressing like the Safe Lift at WSM. thus stronger shoulders and more carryover to the Axle,Log, Block Press etc. [/quote]

Wait, what? Is this in response to my post about the thickness of chain needed for a chain yoke?

15

Very Cheap Reenforced Axle- The ends of a barbell slide off and on with a large alan wrench. Slide the ends off and then slide a 4 ft 11 1/2in long 2 in or more thick bar over the olympic bar like a sleeve. Then re-place the end of the Barbell back on and tighten. Now the axle will only bend if you bend the actual Olympic Barbell as well but considering it is also reenforced by the Axle sleeve unless you try your not going to do.

Very Cheap Yoke-
this set up is awesome for being on a budget because as you said you only have 300 lbs of weights which is not alot for the super yoke but with this set up you can load the barrells up with anything and you can buy a additional 8 bags of sand weighing 50 lbs a piece a total of 400lbs for only 30 dollars at lowes. So now you can load up to 700 lbs for the yoke which is plenty until you become very good and getting more weight for this implement is to cheap.

Free Tires- You can get these at just about any tire center that deals with heavy machinary. Drive into town there are plenty around almost all Goodyear and Michelin dealers have them stacked up just praying for some one to get them because they cost a good bit to get rid of them selves. So just have a way to haul the tire and they will throw them at you figuratively speaking.

Atlas Stones are messy but can be made for around 20-40 dollars a piece depending on the size
. www.ontariostrongman.ca/Resources/stone/plaster_mold/stonemaking.html

Log- Cant much help here unless you have welding experience so unfortunately bite the bullet and buy one. Pitbull Strongman Equipment sales some amazing stuff and Alan is by far the cheapest you will ever find.

I will put some more on here later but I am getting tired so hopefully this will help if not I am sorry.

16

[quote]WABWSM wrote:
I really need a non Welding required option.

I never understood this, I don’t have a welder so I looked up shops in the yellow pages first one I called said they would weld that axle and a circus DB for 20 bucks…