Help with Atlas Stones

[cdurbin623]

I just got my hands on a few bigger stones and I don't know if it is the weight or the diameter, but I can't get the bigger 313 lapped. Broke it off the floor with tacky, but it felt like I wasn't holding it right and couldn't keep the stone moving. It feels like I can barely reach around the stone, and when the stone comes off the ground it feels like the weight is not in the same spot on my forearms and my hands want to pull away.

I can do my smaller 240 for 5 with no tacky and a 280 a few times with tacky (haven't tried 280 without). The 280 is the same diameter as my 240.

I am 5 weeks from contest and the stone series is 240/280/300/320/340 so I need to figure something out. Let me know if any other details would help with an answer.

[Lpenny]

Same way you work on any 1rm. Just practice picking lighter stones for reps.

[CROMAGS1985]

I might:

-Try to "one motion" (no lapping) the smaller stones
-As soon as you break the big stone from the ground, bring it to your shins and start to roll it up your legs. This will help you get bigger stones into position that wouldn't normally get there.
-Concentrate on squeezing with your chest/forearms/hands as much as lifting with them
-Get the big stone on to a skin or platform and then lap it from there and load it (eliminate the ground pick portion).

GL at show.

[cdurbin623]

I might:

-Try to "one motion" (no lapping) the smaller stones
-As soon as you break the big stone from the ground, bring it to your shins and start to roll it up your legs. This will help you get bigger stones into position that wouldn't normally get there.
-Concentrate on squeezing with your chest/forearms/hands as much as lifting with them
-Get the big stone on to a skin or platform and then lap it from there and load it (eliminate the ground pick portion).

GL at show.

For suggestion 1 - any good videos on this? I am trying to picture how to roll it up my shins and can't get a good picture of how to do it. Starting from the floor my legs are wider than the stone - would I bring them in mid lift to roll up the shins?
Suggestion 3 is a great idea - doing that tomorrow.

Thanks for the good luck!

[cdurbin623]

Same way you work on any 1rm. Just practice picking lighter stones for reps.

Due to the short amount of time before the show I don't think I can build up a whole lot of strength that way. As I mentioned, the 313 is the first stone I have with a bigger diameter and it is feeling completely different so I am wondering if the technique is different once it gets too big.

I have T-Rex arms which doesn't help much too.

[Iceman1800]

Mega reps loading the 280 and mega reps lapping the 313 until you get better. Sounds like the 280 is an 18" stone and the 313 is a 20"? That's a huge difference actually.

[cdurbin623]

Mega reps loading the 280 and mega reps lapping the 313 until you get better. Sounds like the 280 is an 18" stone and the 313 is a 20"? That's a huge difference actually.

Yes, those are the sizes. Just picked up the 313 and after 2 event days of failures I figured something is wrong. I am not sure what diameter the 280 will be in the competition, but last time they had stones the 280 was bigger. Would you recommend I hit the 280 for a lot of reps more than on the event day? Been doing the 240 for sets of 5 with no tacky after deadlifts on Monday, but I haven't done the 280 other than Saturdays.

[Iceman1800]

Stones once a week is plenty. One set of 5 with the 240 is enough then do your work sets with the 280. At this point, keep using tacky on all sets. After your work sets, do sets lapping the 313. You have to get used to the bigger diameter.

[cdurbin623]

Thanks a lot for the help!

[TomMutaffis]

I just got my hands on a few bigger stones and I don't know if it is the weight or the diameter, but I can't get the bigger 313 lapped. Broke it off the floor with tacky, but it felt like I wasn't holding it right and couldn't keep the stone moving. It feels like I can barely reach around the stone, and when the stone comes off the ground it feels like the weight is not in the same spot on my forearms and my hands want to pull away.

I can do my smaller 240 for 5 with no tacky and a 280 a few times with tacky (haven't tried 280 without). The 280 is the same diameter as my 240.

I am 5 weeks from contest and the stone series is 240/280/300/320/340 so I need to figure something out. Let me know if any other details would help with an answer.

Stone diameter can make a big difference, especially for athletes who are under 6' or have shorter arms (or larger midsection). I would see if you can alter your setup for the larger stone (standing a bit wider, maybe move your feet back an inch or two, etc.). As stones get heavier you also have to counterbalance your body and lean back to keep from getting puled forward or out of position.

A video might be helpful in terms of assessing your technique. There are also a lot of tips when it comes to proper application of tacky that can make a big difference.

I would 'train how you compete' and use tacky, belt, sleeves, and shoes that you plan to use in the competition for all of your training sets. You can do some rep work with the lighter stones but it may not help you much if you are failing prior to the lap (could help with the load portion if that were a sticking point). Do you do any deficit or snatch grip deadlift work? A lot of rows? Is your Front Squat strong? These are all gym lifts that can help to build the muscles used in stone loading.

Another factor to consider is your CNS, if you are doing heavy squats and deadlifts during the week it could be holding you back on stones. You may want to alternate heavy lower body gym lift weeks with heavy stone lifting weeks to avoid burn-out.

Lastly - if you know that you are not going to load all of the stones then you need to move as fast as possible on the stones that you can load. You'll want to fly through the 240, 280, and possibly 300 so that if the event organizers take a split time you will beat all of the other athletes who load the same number of stones.

Hope that this helps! Happy to review the video if you have one, and to talk more about the tacky component.

[Iceman1800]

I was hoping you'd see this thread Tom. Great advice as always.

[cdurbin623]

Stone diameter can make a big difference, especially for athletes who are under 6' or have shorter arms (or larger midsection). I would see if you can alter your setup for the larger stone (standing a bit wider, maybe move your feet back an inch or two, etc.). As stones get heavier you also have to counterbalance your body and lean back to keep from getting puled forward or out of position.

A video might be helpful in terms of assessing your technique. There are also a lot of tips when it comes to proper application of tacky that can make a big difference.

I would 'train how you compete' and use tacky, belt, sleeves, and shoes that you plan to use in the competition for all of your training sets. You can do some rep work with the lighter stones but it may not help you much if you are failing prior to the lap (could help with the load portion if that were a sticking point). Do you do any deficit or snatch grip deadlift work? A lot of rows? Is your Front Squat strong? These are all gym lifts that can help to build the muscles used in stone loading.

Another factor to consider is your CNS, if you are doing heavy squats and deadlifts during the week it could be holding you back on stones. You may want to alternate heavy lower body gym lift weeks with heavy stone lifting weeks to avoid burn-out.

Lastly - if you know that you are not going to load all of the stones then you need to move as fast as possible on the stones that you can load. You'll want to fly through the 240, 280, and possibly 300 so that if the event organizers take a split time you will beat all of the other athletes who load the same number of stones.

Hope that this helps! Happy to review the video if you have one, and to talk more about the tacky component.

I will take a video tomorrow and post it here. I am short (5'9), with a bigger midsection AND short arms. I am not built well for strongman at all, but I love it.

Maybe you can tell me to switch up my training some in the last few weeks -
Monday - Deadlift Reps 2 sets at competition weight (450 car deadlift) and 2 sets of block pulls (4") or 2-3 sets if 240 stone. Then I do some weighted GHRs, leg curls, reverse hypers, and leg extensions (lighter just for knee).

Tuesday - Push Press 3x with axle (safe press similar to axle for 200 is event) and then 2 sets of a lighter weight strict press, followed by axle rows, seated pulley rows, seated press, band assisted Pullups, and some form of cardio.

Thursday - Back squats in the 80-85% range just to get some reps in and keep squat up, bench and some slingshot work to work on lockout, seated press, leg press, GHR, and some cardio (sledge drag or sledgehammer on tire).

Saturday - Events do yoke & farmers medlay (640+225 comp) alternating speed and weight days but the 640 is going to be very hard for me. Yoke press 205 (200 comp). Keg toss (6 in comp, I only have one so I run back and forth to make sure I finish all in under 60, 43 is my best time), and then stones. I do not train the competition deadlift on this day.

As to your question on other exercises I did do snatch grip (haven't the last several weeks in prep) but have not trained deficit. I have not done front squats since my ankle and knee injury as they aggravate both (poor flexibility).

My gym lifts are nothing impressive 500/315/550 and 205 strict OHP so it could also be that I am just not strong enough to do the stone.

Any suggestions for tweeks or what to change in the last few weeks would be greatly appreciated. Contest is Aug 6.

[cdurbin623]

Another quick question - what gear should I try for stones? I normally don't use anything, but just got a pair of stone armor sleeves. They work great for the 280, but slipped a bit on the 313 so I need to get them tighter.

I have never tried belt, elbow sleeves, knee sleeves, etc. Would they help? And if so, how do you get the tacky off or do you get a separate set for stones?

What angle for the stone? Side, back, front, other? All?

[TomMutaffis]

I will take a video tomorrow and post it here. I am short (5'9), with a bigger midsection AND short arms. I am not built well for strongman at all, but I love it.

Maybe you can tell me to switch up my training some in the last few weeks -
Monday - Deadlift Reps 2 sets at competition weight (450 car deadlift) and 2 sets of block pulls (4") or 2-3 sets if 240 stone. Then I do some weighted GHRs, leg curls, reverse hypers, and leg extensions (lighter just for knee).

Tuesday - Push Press 3x with axle (safe press similar to axle for 200 is event) and then 2 sets of a lighter weight strict press, followed by axle rows, seated pulley rows, seated press, band assisted Pullups, and some form of cardio.

Thursday - Back squats in the 80-85% range just to get some reps in and keep squat up, bench and some slingshot work to work on lockout, seated press, leg press, GHR, and some cardio (sledge drag or sledgehammer on tire).

Saturday - Events do yoke & farmers medlay (640+225 comp) alternating speed and weight days but the 640 is going to be very hard for me. Yoke press 205 (200 comp). Keg toss (6 in comp, I only have one so I run back and forth to make sure I finish all in under 60, 43 is my best time), and then stones. I do not train the competition deadlift on this day.

As to your question on other exercises I did do snatch grip (haven't the last several weeks in prep) but have not trained deficit. I have not done front squats since my ankle and knee injury as they aggravate both (poor flexibility).

My gym lifts are nothing impressive 500/315/550 and 205 strict OHP so it could also be that I am just not strong enough to do the stone.

Any suggestions for tweeks or what to change in the last few weeks would be greatly appreciated. Contest is Aug 6.

Couple of questions before I provide my thoughts on ways to tweak your training and 'peak' for the competition.

1. What are the events/weights for your contest?

2. How difficult is the contest weight for you on the car deadlift? And are you doing two sets to failure, specific amounts of time (15-30-45 seconds), or specific reps?

3. Are squats something that you love doing? Or just doing them to maintain lower body size/strength?

4. How strong is your yoke/farmers? Are you sprinting with the contest weights, or are they challenging?

5. Do you have access to all implements on all days? Or are you doing gym work and event training in separate locations?

6. Do you have access to any spare car or small truck tires?

You mentioned an ankle and knee injury - is everything 100% now? Or do you need to train around that?

I'll post a another reply about the tacky / equipment question that you asked.

[TomMutaffis]

I was hoping you'd see this thread Tom. Great advice as always.

Thank you - I am not on the forums quite as much anymore but always enjoy trying to help others and share information. Hope that everything is going well!

[cdurbin623]

Couple of questions before I provide my thoughts on ways to tweak your training and 'peak' for the competition.

1. What are the events/weights for your contest?

Yoke 640/farmers 225 60' each
Car deadlift front bar ~450 reps
Safe press 200 reps
Keg 20/20/25/25/30/30 12'
Stones to 54" 240/280/300/320/340

2. How difficult is the contest weight for you on the car deadlift? And are you doing two sets to failure, specific amounts of time (15-30-45 seconds), or specific reps?

I am not very good at deadlift reps and my best is 6 reps with 455. Trying to lift for 60 seconds, rest and then go again.

3. Are squats something that you love doing? Or just doing them to maintain lower body size/strength?

Squats are something that don't beat me up too bad and I can recover from easily so I am just doing them to still get some lower body strength and size and maintain squat. Could drop them easy.

4. How strong is your yoke/farmers? Are you sprinting with the contest weights, or are they challenging?

640 pick is ok, walking is very difficult and will be very hard. 225 farmers I can walk fast (for me) and pick easy.

5. Do you have access to all implements on all days? Or are you doing gym work and event training in separate locations?

I train at my house and have everything except a car frame.

6. Do you have access to any spare car or small truck tires?

I have a spare car and 8 small car tires, one 500lb tire and a 1250 tire of regret.

You mentioned an ankle and knee injury - is everything 100% now? Or do you need to train around that?

Knee is good, just a lot of scar tissue that flares up if I take the knee too far past the toes. Ankle injury - I tore all the ligaments in my right ankle on a roofing job and developed a bone spur. It severely limits my ankle flexibility and makes things like dipping for leg drive on a push press very difficult and generating power has gone way down hill.

I'll post a another reply about the tacky / equipment question that you asked.

I put the answers in the quote.

[Lpenny]

Due to the short amount of time before the show I don't think I can build up a whole lot of strength that way. As I mentioned, the 313 is the first stone I have with a bigger diameter and it is feeling completely different so I am wondering if the technique is different once it gets too big.

I have T-Rex arms which doesn't help much too.

If you are capable of loading the 280, then 5 weeks might be enough time to get 313. And if picking is the problem, just lap the 280 for reps. You could do some loads after, but make your primary focus be sets of just lapping the 280 for multiple reps.

[cdurbin623]

Yesterday I discovered that the 280 doesn't always agree with me. Decided to try deadlifts as an even today instead of doing them Monday and it definitely took a lot out of me and I just seemed to be unable to finish the loading.

Here is the footage of 240, 280, and last week's attempt at 313:
https://youtu.be/WJNWm1X56Rs

[Iceman1800]

I hurt just watching that. Look at hundreds of stone loading videos and you won't find a single one where your stance changes mid load. You must fix that. Once that stone comes off the lap, your stance needs to be set and solid. On the 280, you aren't getting the stone high enough on your chest. Bring your arms over the top of the stone more. Trust that tacky and sleeves to hold the stone. Speed out of the hole is your friend too. Your issues are about 95% technique. Strength is there.

[Iceman1800]

You're in Michigan? Where? I see you did Aaron's contest in 2014...
And I'm seeing the contest in 5 weeks is also Aaron's. There are tons of places to train strongman around you with some incredibly strong guys who can fix your form.

[cdurbin623]

I hurt just watching that. Look at hundreds of stone loading videos and you won't find a single one where your stance changes mid load. You must fix that. Once that stone comes off the lap, your stance needs to be set and solid. On the 280, you aren't getting the stone high enough on your chest. Bring your arms over the top of the stone more. Trust that tacky and sleeves to hold the stone. Speed out of the hole is your friend too. Your issues are about 95% technique. Strength is there.

Are you talking about my right leg going back during the lift? I honestly have no idea why that is happening. Is there anything technically wrong with the pick and lap?

[cdurbin623]

I am about a little more than an hour from where Aaron trains - went out there a few times a few years ago when I was just getting started lifting. Right now I just can't make it out there when they are training, but I will definitely get advice from them when I can.

[cdurbin623]

Any advice for the last few weeks of prep other than working on my stone form? And as asked above, was there anything wrong with the pick and lap, or just the loading foot moving, lack of speed/power, and not going high enough on chest?

Could still use suggestions on what gear to try for stones as well.

I do really appreciate everything so far and I want to try and do whatever I can to improve.

[cdurbin623]

I played around a bit tonight trying to work on technique and am pretty sure I was stepping back because I was too close to the platform and was afraid to hit hands. Moved back some and was having to twist to clear the platform, so kept working on it and tried boots.

Here are my last two lifts with the 240. Please let me know what I still need to fix.

https://youtu.be/R2w1rJZU38M

[Dark Phoenix]

I'm highly against training heavy stones without tacky.
You need to work on your triple extension. You are staying kind of compact when loading the stone instead of using your full height.

Here is a friend of mine loading a stone. You can see he is trying to maximize his height.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Df8bmCTIA4