Ramblings of Strength

  20 years ago the Arnold strongman classic, its namesake being the former bodybuilder and action movie superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger, took place for the first time in Columbus Ohio. Now, from March 3rd to the 4th, 2023, 10 of the strongest men on earth will face five brutal events. The athletes are as follows: Tom Stoltman (2021 and 2022 Worlds Strongest Man), Trey Mitchell, Mitchell Hooper (Arnold Strongman Classic UK winner), Luke Stoltman (UK log lift record holder), Mateusz Kieliszkowski , Bobby Thompson (American log lift record holder), Rob Kearney, Maxime Boudreault, Pavlo Nakonechnyy , and Thomas Evans (Amateur Arnold’s Champion). Edit: Maxime  Boudreault has suffered a lower leg injury and has withdrawn from the competition. He has been replaced by Kevin Faires.   The events are:    Wheel Of Pain: this event is inspired by an apparatus featured in the movie “Conan the Barbarian”, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. The apparatus is made of wood...

  Introduction to Strongman   The sport of strongman combines athleticism, endurance, and sheer power and strength. The athletes lift, carry, pull, and push the heaviest possible weights. Though the first world’s strongest man competition was held in 1977, the sport has its roots in the ancient stone lifting cultures of Scotland, England, Iceland, Wales, and Spain. Some strongman, such as Brian Shaw, Zydrunas Savickas, and Hafthor Julius Bjornson are very tall ( 6’8”, 6'3", and 6’9”). Others, such as Paul Smith and Vytautus Lalas are under 6 feet. (5'9" and 5'10").   Strongman athletes compete in many different events, but the most notable of them all are listed below.   Deadlift: in which the competitor will pull a plate loaded bar from the ground to waist height. This can be done for repetitions or maximum weight.   The loading race: objects such as kegs, barrels, or sandbags are picked up and rushed to the end of the course wher...