First Strongman Competition

BradZahringer

BradZahringer

New member
I will be attending my first Strongman comp Dec. 7 and just wanting any experiences ppl would share from there and some advice.
 
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)
 
What are the events?

Have you trained on the implements?
 
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.
 
jimbuick said:
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.
Click to expand...

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?
 
jimbuick said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
BradZahringer said:
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?
Click to expand...

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.
 
BradZahringer said:
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?
Click to expand...

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).
 
herderdude said:
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.
Click to expand...

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"
 
herderdude said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
jimbuick said:
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).
Click to expand...

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.
 
BradZahringer said:
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.
Click to expand...

It's 18in to the top of the bar.
 
BradZahringer said:
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!
Click to expand...

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.
 
herderdude said:
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.
Click to expand...

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
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top