First Strongman Competition

[BradZahringer]

I will be attending my first Strongman comp Dec. 7 and just wanting any experiences ppl would share from there and some advice.

 

[Sean1332]

jimbuick herderdude these guys

 

[herderdude]

I never actually competed, but jimbuick and NomZ both have competed in strongman.

Train harder than you ever have before and don't injure yourself when you should be deloading! (Guilty of the latter)

 

[NomZ]

What are the events?

Have you trained on the implements?

 

[BradZahringer]

What are the events?

Have you trained on the implements?

log press and deadlift. and have not had opportunity to use log pores yet

 

[jimbuick]

log press and deadlift. and have not had opportunity to use log pores yet

Only log press and deadlift??

That's one short ass competition.

19in DL or from the floor?

 

[BradZahringer]

Only log press and deadlift??

That's one short ass competition.

19in DL or from the floor?

18inch deadlift.

 

[BradZahringer]

18inch deadlift.

and yes very short but I think will be a decent start for my first. see how I do and how I can improve.

 

[BradZahringer]

I never actually competed, but jimbuick and NomZ both have competed in strongman.

Train harder than you ever have before and don't injure yourself when you should be deloading! (Guilty of the latter)

thanks and I understand that. don't need an injury right now.

 

[jimbuick]

The DL is easy enough to train, the log press is weird.

Closest thing would actually probably be incline bench.

You have to create a very large shelf to press off of for it, which requires a significant arch in the back. It also removes a lot of leg drive because of the hips already being in triple extension.

Also, stabilizing at the top is rough when they get heavy. I passed out doing it last Wednesday, best advice I can give is do it fast and take small breaths at the top. Holding the breath for IAP is a killer when trying to stabilize.

 

[BradZahringer]

The DL is easy enough to train, the log.press is weird.

Closest thing would actually probably be incline bench.

You have to create a very large shelf to press off of for it, which requires a significant arch in the back. It also removes a lot of leg drive because of the hips already being in triple extension.

Also, stabilizing at the top is rough when they get heavy. I passed out doing it last Wednesday, best advice I can give is do it fast and take small breaths at the top. Holding the breath for IAP is a killer when trying to stabilize.

I have been told that incline bench is excellent for prep work. been hitting that and axle press and working them hard. hoping my works pays off. Being my first competition I don't expect to place first bit I am gonna try like I am in first. would you do the press or dead first?

 

[herderdude]

The DL is easy enough to train, the log press is weird.

Closest thing would actually probably be incline bench.

You have to create a very large shelf to press off of for it, which requires a significant arch in the back. It also removes a lot of leg drive because of the hips already being in triple extension.

Also, stabilizing at the top is rough when they get heavy. I passed out doing it last Wednesday, best advice I can give is do it fast and take small breaths at the top. Holding the breath for IAP is a killer when trying to stabilize.

Good point. Incline press is Mike Jenkin's preferred method of overloading the log press movement. Mike knows his stuff, he's log pressed over 450 in competition IIRC. The hard part without a log is going to be how to naviagte the clean, though it's not horrible.

 

[herderdude]

I have been told that incline bench is excellent for prep work. been hitting that and axle press and working them hard. hoping my works pays off. Being my first competition I don't expect to place first bit I am gonna try like I am in first. would you do the press or dead first?

Split them up in your training week, then come back and hit them together on an "Event Day". Do you have blocks to pull off of? Blocks are very different from pins.

 

[jimbuick]

I have been told that incline bench is excellent for prep work. been hitting that and axle press and working them hard. hoping my works pays off. Being my first competition I don't expect to place first bit I am gonna try like I am in first. would you do the press or dead first?

I doubt I'd do them both the same day.

My training is:


DL/Conditioning/Bench/Squat/Rest/Strongman (OHP, Load, and Medley)/Rest

I placed 3rd at my first, so you never know.

Idk how much prep time you have, but I would practice the events at varying intensities a few times a week. I vary the intensity of my B/S/D between RE/DE/ME and vary the individual events on Saturday the same way, based on planes of movement (press/load/carry+drag).

 

[jimbuick]

Good point. Incline press is Mike Jenkin's preferred method of overloading the log press movement. Mike knows his stuff, he's log pressed over 450 in competition IIRC. The hard part without a log is going to be how to naviagte the clean, though it's not horrible.

Almost forgot about that, keep the log over the knee as opposed to closer to the hips when lapped. Then, press your chest onto it as high as possible, chin pressed into the log. From that point you squeeze it into your chest with your back and roll it up. That's the best way to do it to minimize the work done getting it onto the "shelf"

 

[BradZahringer]

Split them up in your training week, then come back and hit them together on an "Event Day". Do you have blocks to pull off of? Blocks are very different from pins.

I don't have blocks made yet. I have been trying to figure out if the blocks themselves are 18 inches or if it 18 inches to top of weight.

 

[BradZahringer]

I doubt I'd do them both the same day.

My training is:

DL/Conditioning/Bench/Squat/Rest/Strongman (OHP, Load, and Medley)/Rest

I placed 3rd at my first, so you never know.

Idk how much prep time you have, but I would practice the events at varying intensities a few times a week. I vary the intensity of my B/S/D between RE/DE/ME and vary the individual events on Saturday the same way, based on planes of movement (press/load/carry+drag).

I don't work em together. to much for shoulders and don't need an injury. I have a little over month till event. it's Dec. 7. I appreciate advice. all very helpful.

 

[jimbuick]

I don't have blocks made yet. I have been trying to figure out if the blocks themselves are 18 inches or if it 18 inches to top of weight.

Check the NAS website for the rules on the events.

I've never done a comp with the 18in DL so I couldn't say.

 

[herderdude]

I don't have blocks made yet. I have been trying to figure out if the blocks themselves are 18 inches or if it 18 inches to top of weight.

It's 18in to the top of the bar.

 

[BradZahringer]

It's 18in to the top of the bar.

Ok thanks. I am going to make some tomorrow. I hit a new pr on Monday of 505x1. I wasn't expecting to get that for another 3 weeks and felt foggy and felt great!

 

[herderdude]

Ok thanks. I am going to make some tomorrow. I hit a new pr on Monday of 505x1. I wasn't expecting to get that for another 3 weeks and felt foggy and felt great!

Nice! I'll warn you, you'll look at that bar and how high it is and think it'll be easy, but it's an awkward thing, those block pulls.

 

[BradZahringer]

Nice! I'll warn you, you'll look at that bar and how high it is and think it'll be easy, but it's an awkward thing, those block pulls.

I bet. Looks can be deceiving. I just killed a shoulder workout and going to do block pulls tomorrow. It looks intimidating but if I practice before hand it will surely help