Strongman, like any strength sport, can be programmed intelligently, allowing an athlete to reach their zenith for that time in their life. No training style has allowed me to do that quite like the conjugate method.
Maybe this is coming from a place of bias and resentment, because at a lean 205 pounds, I was always the fat guy with a two-mile time over 14 minutes…but I digress.
Why do so many people do so well in training but nosedive when it’s time to compete? Two words: Anxiety and self-doubt.
Knowing what to tell the horse is a lot less important than making the horse understand why the information is important.
Weaknesses in rack position, leg drive, or the lower back will severely hold back your overhead press strength. Here are solutions to each of those problems.
I may come across as accusatory or cynical in this article, but it’s because this sport means so much to me and I’ve spent thousands of dollars and hours trying to grow it for the good of everyone involved. If we want it to be bigger and better, there are some things we need to do.
You may never do this lift in competition, but training the sumo deadlift can add tons of strength to your conventional deadlift, carrying events, and overhead strength while relieving stress on your back.
After a long, miserable drive to Ohio, we stuck a camera in Steve’s face and forced him to talk about his life. The results are about what you’d expect.
As I am approaching my 29th week of this body recomposition, I have had no planned cheat meals. This might sound crazy and restrictive to a lot of people, but there is a method to the madness.
You’re going to be tired, you’re going to lose motivation, and you’re going to feel yourself going backward sometimes. That’s why it’s important to develop these skills and plan for the difficult times.
It is the signature strongman event and can make you a champion or break you in half. Unfortunately, it’s often the most poorly trained event — but it doesn’t have to be.
You must pick five and only five exercises or drills to train all of the university sports for all of the seasons. What makes your list?
I had no idea how prolific Derek Poundstone was and would become in the strongman world. Now that he has stepped out of the spotlight, he sat down with me to talk about the sport of strongman and his life.
Owner Bryan May and coach John Severson are sharing their knowledge and expertise with the people of Milton, Florida and the surrounding area.
Casey Hagstrom and Allen Bose have taken the culture they developed in the Marines and brought it to the civilian side to help create some amazing athletes in multiple sports.
Ken Stewart’s facility is loaded with almost an entire football field of turf, a room dedicated to weightlifting, strongman implements, and tons of other equipment needed to make the best possible athlete.
Strongman requires speed, endurance, strength, and explosiveness. What if you could build all of these qualities at the same time?
Watching lifters attempt the continental clean has given me a case of the heebie-jeebies dozens of times. I’m here to give some pointers on making the movement stronger, safer, and more efficient.
After 20 years of service, I have come to realize that a powerlifting style of training is best for members of the military.
I’ve covered a lot of territory, and still have so much on the horizon, but I think one of the biggest things I’ve missed over the past year relates to a question I’ve been getting often.
This Strongman’s paradise in Cedar Rapids, Iowa has the people, the equipment, and the expertise you need to get stronger.
This top-notch facility in Elkhart, Indiana has earned its reputation through their development of athletes and the social causes they support in their community.
The owners of this Livonia, Michigan facility have made a commitment to bettering the world of strength sports, providing a home to many lifters and raising money for Relentless Detroit.
The familiarity and genuine interest in one another is a recurring theme at the most successful gyms I’ve visited since starting this project. This is what I found in Cromwell, CT.
During my trip to this Columbia, Maryland gym, I witnessed first-hand the hospitality of Jon Ward and his strongman crew.
The purpose is simple: bridging the gap between Strongman and the public.
A bare bones gym in Campbell Hall, NY, Brett Somerville and Anthony Buzzeo offer all the equipment and training knowledge to take your strongman game up a notch.
With over 300 competitors in attendance, the energy was intense. I am in awe of how many people were there not only to compete, but to watch at cheer on the strongmen.
Derek Stone has grown his gym from an old shed into a fully functioning gym, littered with equipment that can help anyone reach their strongman goals.
Located in Boardman, Ohio, the Schumakers have created a competitive playing field for strongman competitors to learn and refine their craft.
At this event, the return for victory is high, which means the competition is harder and heavier than most contests out there.
Merging with Traverse City and Bulky Boys Barbell clubs, this Northern Michigan facility has welcomed strongman into their doors.
Owned and operated by Tyler Petro and his wife Sarah Connors-Petro, this gym started in a storage unit and has grown to a premier facility in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
Settled in Wooster, Ohio, Andrew Durniat created the training facility he’s always wanted: his own.
Eric Dawson opened his Medford, Massachusetts gym in his back yard—literally—to always be there to oversee his gym and help his athletes.
Participating coaches include; Swede Burns, Clint Darden, Julia Ladewski, Brandon Smitley, Joe Schillero, Ken Skip Hill, Zach Gallmann, Matt Ladewski, Shane Church, David Allen, Casey Williams, Dani Overcash, David Kirschen, Sheri Whethem, Ken Whethem.
Working in conjunction with other professionals and experts, owner Tyler Miller has created a home for strongman athletes in Fishers, Indiana to train and prepare for any athletic endeavor.
Owned by elitefts coach CJ Murphy in Massachusetts, TPS is one of the best gyms in the country, with the accolades and athletes to prove it.
As Zach travels the country building his new project, Finding Strength, he will deliver a new look into the world of Strongman.
In Mooresville, Indiana, owner Aaron Molin has amassed an amazing training facility to help grow the sport of strongman — “The Barn” is where all the action takes place.
Located in Lorraine, Ohio, this facility is definitely top notch with more equipment than you can dream of! Past professional Highland Games athlete Mark Valenti is doing things right by providing an outlet for all strength disciplines.
This is a great training facility in Memphis, Tennessee owned by strength coach, athlete, and EliteFTS columnist, David Allen.
Connecticut has quite the strongman community. This week I made my way up to South Windsor to visit a real strength athlete’s playground.
Mark Watts visits JL Holdsworth and his staff at The Spot Athletics to discuss instruction of the squat and how to create proficiency in an untrained population.