Introduction to Strongman

 

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 where they are set on a platform or dumped in a been. The fastest time wins.

 

Vehicle Pull: a large vehicle, often a semitruck or a bus is attached to a harness that is put on the athlete. The athlete pulls on a rope in front of him and attempts to finish a 30 m course in the fastest time. Occasionally a tractor may be used, a tank, a pair of monster trucks hooked together, or a large airplane.

 

Log Lift: a lifting log is a long, cylindrical wood or metal object that an athlete must lift overhead. Because of its awkward shape, the athlete must first bring it to his lap, squat down, then explode upwards and use the momentum to roll the log up to his chest. This is done for repetitions or maximum weight.

 

Farmers Walk: the farmers walk consists of two objects with handles on the top. The athlete will pick up these objects in either hand and run down a course. This is done for either fastest time or farthest distance within a time limit.

 

Atlas stones: the Atlas stones are the traditional final event for world’s strongest man, and most other strongman competitions. In them can be seen the roots of strongman, stone lifting. The Atlas stones are large round stones. Five of these stones, each one heavier than the other, sit at the base of five platforms, each one shorter than the other. The athletes must lift these round stones up onto the platforms for the fastest time.

 

For the finale, I will leave you with this video of the Atlas Stone Run from the 2022 World’s Strongest Man.

 For more information and news about strongman and strongman competitions please visit Strongman Archives and https://barbend.com/strongman/