My First Heavyweight Strongman Show

[User4543432]

I printed out an entry form for:

The 2009 Massachusetts State Strongman Championships.
August 8, 2009.

Now, I filled it out, but have until July 15th to get my form and entry fee to them, and decide if I really am going to do this....

I have never done a strongman, I'm so nervous...

I have never moved an Atlas Stone, nor have I done an Axle Dead Lift, I have never clean and pressed a log nor have I done the Farmers Carry, but I guess there is no time like the present!!!!

Veterans, I seek wisdom!!!!!!! How do I train (in a standard gym) for this event?!?!?!?!

Thoughts?? PM's work easy too, so feel free to message me rather than reply here!

[User4543432]

Bump. I hate bumping, but I need help here....

Alright I am aware the tire flip is NOT the same (weight wise) as a dead lift, so an 800lb tire should be able to be flipped.

The Farmers Carry is in each hand, but I can just load weight on a preacher bar for the same effect??

The Log Press, can i just standing overhead barbell clean and press?

the axle deadlift, says approx 12" tires, so I assume it means 12" bar from the ground to bar? so for this, can I just load weight on a barbell for a dead lift, and have boxes or something lifting the bar up to the 12" starting point?

And what in the Hell should I do to train for Atlas Stones when I have no access to Atlas Stones? It's a 300# stone going 44" up and over.

Help.....

[skinnycalves]

Post in Travis Ortmayers Q and A thread, and some other strongman competitors on this board are freeride88 and the_pupil

No way a preacher or trap bar can simulate a farmers walk.

For the log press it would be like a barbell clean and press, but with the thickness of the log, on the clean you sorta roll it up your stomach, it hardly resembles a crisp smooth olympic lifting clean.

edit: nateakabear05 just did his first strongman comp

[ighairynutsack]

Post in Travis Ortmayers Q and A thread, and some other strongman competitors on this board are freeride88 and the_pupil

No way a preacher or trap bar can simulate a farmers walk.

For the log press it would be like a barbell clean and press, but with the thickness of the log, on the clean you sorta roll it up your stomach, it hardly resembles a crisp smooth olympic lifting clean.

edit: nateakabear05 just did his first strongman comp

just go into to have fun and u should be fine. don't try to win because since u have no experience chances are u won't even come close to 3rd.

tire flip feels awkward at first but it gets easy really quick.

whether you can do the farmers or not depends on your grip strength. try to emulate the weight with barbells or dumbells. it won't be the same but it will be in ballpark range.

the log is totally different to see what the press portion feels like do standing overhead presses with dumbells with your hands facing each other.

to get a good idea of the bar width wrap some duct tape or a towel around a standard bar and do some deads like that. an axle is about the same feeling.

as far as the stones are concerned. look up guides for stones and see if u can try them before the meet if u can there is no shame in passing on a lift because you know you can't do it. a 300 pound stone is pretty heavy for a newbie at stones but u might be able to get it.

and ask ortmayer. he is a walking knowledge bank when strongman stuff is concerned

[User4543432]

just go into to have fun and u should be fine. don't try to win because since u have no experience chances are u won't even come close to 3rd.

tire flip feels awkward at first but it gets easy really quick.

whether you can do the farmers or not depends on your grip strength. try to emulate the weight with barbells or dumbells. it won't be the same but it will be in ballpark range.

the log is totally different to see what the press portion feels like do standing overhead presses with dumbells with your hands facing each other.

to get a good idea of the bar width wrap some duct tape or a towel around a standard bar and do some deads like that. an axle is about the same feeling.

as far as the stones are concerned. look up guides for stones and see if u can try them before the meet if u can there is no shame in passing on a lift because you know you can't do it. a 300 pound stone is pretty heavy for a newbie at stones but u might be able to get it.

and ask ortmayer. he is a walking knowledge bank when strongman stuff is concerned

Link to ortmayers thread? the REAL ortmayer?!?!?! sweet.

[wolfbaden6]

Link to ortmayers thread? the REAL ortmayer?!?!?! sweet.

It's called "Pain is Weakness Leaving the Body". Just look through all the journals. You'll see it.

Also, I'm glad to see we've converted you =)

[skinnycalves]

And there is a Q&A at the top of this thread with him, i think that would be the more appropriate place

[User4543432]

It's called "Pain is Weakness Leaving the Body". Just look through all the journals. You'll see it.

Also, I'm glad to see we've converted you =)

Haha yeah you got me.

And there is a Q&A at the top of this thread with him, i think that would be the more appropriate place

Thanks man, always a big help!!!!

[skinnycalves]

Also, I'm glad to see we've converted you =)

lul this

[lhprop1]

You can not train for events in a gym. It just doesn't work.

Most promoters have event training days leading up to the contest. Contact the promoter of the contest and see if you can come try out the stuff some day. That's the best way to learn the equipment.

[al.strongman]

Go for it. You have to start somewhere. Just don't get your hopes up to win the show because that probably wont happen. Atlas stones are a bitch. When I first started I could not even move a stone. So I found some moulds, made my own and now I can throw them around like basketballs. You have to have great grip strength, your forearms and biceps must be strong as well. Once you get the stone up, it is all back to load it onto the platform. Do a lot of bent over rows, Deadlifts to strengthen your lower back. If possible find you a big rock, the rounder the better and pick it up and load it onto a platform or the back of a pick up truck. Just remember an atlas stone will be smooth and completely round no handles or edges to grip hold of. Good luck

[User4543432]

You can not train for events in a gym. It just doesn't work.

Most promoters have event training days leading up to the contest. Contact the promoter of the contest and see if you can come try out the stuff some day. That's the best way to learn the equipment.

Go for it. You have to start somewhere. Just don't get your hopes up to win the show because that probably wont happen. Atlas stones are a bitch. When I first started I could not even move a stone. So I found some moulds, made my own and now I can throw them around like basketballs. You have to have great grip strength, your forearms and biceps must be strong as well. Once you get the stone up, it is all back to load it onto the platform. Do a lot of bent over rows, Deadlifts to strengthen your lower back. If possible find you a big rock, the rounder the better and pick it up and load it onto a platform or the back of a pick up truck. Just remember an atlas stone will be smooth and completely round no handles or edges to grip hold of. Good luck

Thank you guys for the insite!!!!!!!!!! I am going to do this show for sure!!!

[bizzlewood]

rooting for you brah ...kill it

[User4543432]

rooting for you brah ...kill it

Thanks dude, and I'm rooting for you, and your 191lb at 5'7" lol

YOU BEAST!!!!!!

[dolfansal]

There is a gym in Mass called total performance sports. Call them and ask Murph if you can go. I think it is $10 for a day. They have all the implements there. If you don't practice on things like the log and the stones you will have a tough time.

[User4543432]

There is a gym in Mass called total performance sports. Call them and ask Murph if you can go. I think it is $10 for a day. They have all the implements there. If you don't practice on things like the log and the stones you will have a tough time.

Lol Murph is the contact for this show!!!! CJ Murphy I think his name is! He is one of the promoters. The gym is in Everette, he said I can come by and try the exercises out, feel it out...etc.

[RAGS_21]

Good Luck at the contest!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GN-fNIXZjew

I found this Jouko Ahola video a while back. He gives some of his training insight and tips on trainings with certain strongman equipment. There are 4 parts to the video and I hope it helps.
Just go out and have fun!

[ArmstrongMike]

Murph runs a really great show. I'll be there as well for the competition. You've really got to train the implements. Call murph and see when his guys train bc they'll teach you form and technique. It's really easy to get injured without good technique. Good luck man i'm sure i'll be seeing you there.

[User4543432]

Good Luck at the contest!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GN-fNIXZjew

I found this Jouko Ahola video a while back. He gives some of his training insight and tips on trainings with certain strongman equipment. There are 4 parts to the video and I hope it helps.
Just go out and have fun!

Thank you man, much appreciated!!

Murph runs a really great show. I'll be there as well for the competition. You've really got to train the implements. Call murph and see when his guys train bc they'll teach you form and technique. It's really easy to get injured without good technique. Good luck man i'm sure i'll be seeing you there.

Awesome man looking forward to it, and I'm trying to get in there ASAP for a session.

[ArmstrongMike]

just a suggestion send in your application early. Otherwise you'll go first on every event which is a major disadvantage especially if you dont know what to expect. Either way you'll have a great time, if nothing else i enjoy strongman for all the great friends i've made.

[al.strongman]

I agree. The people you meet at these shows are amazing. I have made lots of friends in the few years I have been doing this.

The brotherhood of strongman.

[nekkidbear]

Post in Travis Ortmayers Q and A thread, and some other strongman competitors on this board are freeride88 and the_pupil

No way a preacher or trap bar can simulate a farmers walk.

For the log press it would be like a barbell clean and press, but with the thickness of the log, on the clean you sorta roll it up your stomach, it hardly resembles a crisp smooth olympic lifting clean.

edit: nateakabear05 just did his first strongman comp

I sure did! I did ****ty as hell but it was sooo much fun.

My biggest advice is to train the events. I was just as strong as anyone in my weight class but technique makes a huge difference.

[User4543432]

just a suggestion send in your application early. Otherwise you'll go first on every event which is a major disadvantage especially if you dont know what to expect. Either way you'll have a great time, if nothing else i enjoy strongman for all the great friends i've made.

The cutoff date for the applications is July 15th, so it's already too late to mail it in "early", wish I could, but at this point I would say my application would be considered "last minute"...

I agree. The people you meet at these shows are amazing. I have made lots of friends in the few years I have been doing this.

The brotherhood of strongman.

I'm nervous as sh*t already man!

I sure did! I did ****ty as hell but it was sooo much fun.

My biggest advice is to train the events. I was just as strong as anyone in my weight class but technique makes a huge difference.

I'm doing the best I can to contact the gym owner/promoter and get in for some training before hand...

[BRUTUSPLAC]

You can always start building yuor own equipment like me , its better than nothing.
and i agree with just about everything above,

I'll be at the event recording everything i can . pics and video

GOOD LUCK !

[amt4331]

I'm signed up in the teens. Teen Nationals baby!!!

[User4543432]

I'm signed up in the teens. Teen Nationals baby!!!

For that same show bro? Sweet!

[BRUTUSPLAC]

HI
I'm making the almost 3 hr ride up.
I'd love to get a few groups pics to post here in trhis thread.

and maybe some interviews ? why?? why not

who wants to go pro ?

just my thoughts , peaceeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[amt4331]

For that same show bro? Sweet!

Yeah man. MASS state is at the same place/day as Teen nationals.

HI
I'm making the almost 3 hr ride up.
I'd love to get a few groups pics to post here in trhis thread.

and maybe some interviews ? why?? why not

who wants to go pro ?

just my thoughts , peaceeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

nice!

[User4543432]

HI
I'm making the almost 3 hr ride up.
I'd love to get a few groups pics to post here in trhis thread.

and maybe some interviews ? why?? why not

who wants to go pro ?

just my thoughts , peaceeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Sounds like a plan...

Yeah man. MASS state is at the same place/day as Teen nationals.


nice!

Nice dude!!

[BRUTUSPLAC]

Ccccooooolllllllllll