Strongman Training?

[bulldogtraining]

What's the best way to become aquainted with strongman training on the beginner level? I know that ideally I would learn from someone experienced, but I do not believe that is an option (no one close by).

Are there any particular books, articles, websites, etc. that could give me some guidence to get started?

Thanks for any insight!

Dan

[Jason B]

I'm sure Jon can help you out with this one. It's tough to actually do the training without the equipment, but their are plenty of resources out there to learn. Start with elitefts.com, they have a lot of strongman articles and Q&A. T-nation also has a few strongman articles.

[Jean-Paul]

We have a few people who compete in here... Hopefully they'll chime in. Danny and Jon can set you on the right track.

[John Sullivan]

Learn the powerlifts and variations, learn the olympic lifts and variations, do some bodybuilding training. Strongmen need a little of everything.

One of these days I'll finish up my strongman training article....

[malkore]

there's a guy always promoting his site www.hawkstraining.com on another forum I'm at.

But I can't even begin to tell you if its any good or not.

[bulldogtraining]

thanks for the advice thus far. I've been training seriously for the last four years, starting with more bodybuilding style now moving more towards powerlifts with some oly variations.

What is the next step beyond practicing power and oly lifts?

Thanks again

[umass]

Do you live in the U.S?
if so go to http://nastrongmaninc.com/index.asp and search for a gym near you there should be one closish, I currently drive an hour plus to train for strongman once a week, but the time and gas is well worth what it does for your learning curve. Also read this article
http://ontariostrongman.ca/Resources...rimer.html#gym
It is a good primer.

[bulldogtraining]

umass - thanks, those resources were helpful.

[Alcoholiday]

Originally Posted by John Sullivan

One of these days I'll finish up my strongman training article....

i think you were saying this before rugged went down. ha!

[umass]

Originally Posted by bulldogtraining

umass - thanks, those resources were helpful.

The only thing about that article though is I'm not a huge fan of the template they present. I think if you are going to do full body workouts then 3 days a week is enough where as they also have an accessory day which seems a bit much. I use a four day template with 2 upper body focused days and then for lower body days, one gym day and one events day or if I'm not doing events the second day would be oly variations and usually some lunges and low back work.

[DKing]

The best way to get good at strongman is find some guys to train with. This can't be emphasized enough. I see it at contests all the time...people coming in with little experience having just trained with a buddy in their garage with maybe a tire and some other basic stuff and they tend to get dominated. Unless they are brutally strong, and even then technique is still crazy important.

To find a group go here...http://www.nastrongmaninc.com/chairmen.asp
and find your state chair. Call or e-mail the person and ask if they know anyone in your area. You would be suprised how many people are really around to train. Even if it means only training with them once a week or less...spending time with guys who know what they are doing is necessary.

You can also find a contest in your area here...http://www.nastrongmaninc.com/upcoming/
and go check it out and meet all the guys. Thats how I got involved first. I went and helped at a contest and met everyone in my area. I started training the next weekend and haven't stopped since (that was two years ago almost...this stuff is addicting.)

As far as gym training there are a million ways you can do things, all depending on how many days you can train, your recovery abilities, and how often you can get out and train events.

Danny

[bulldogtraining]

Thanks again for the advice guys. Some of these websites are good.

Would someone mind giving me a baseline of what common gym lifts should be for a lightweight competitor.

For example, I see one contest that has deadlift for reps at 400 lbs. How many reps is the typical range for a smaller competition?

Shoulder press?

Thanks!

Dan

[GqArtguy]

Originally Posted by bulldogtraining

Thanks again for the advice guys. Some of these websites are good.

Would someone mind giving me a baseline of what common gym lifts should be for a lightweight competitor.

For example, I see one contest that has deadlift for reps at 400 lbs. How many reps is the typical range for a smaller competition?

Shoulder press?

Thanks!

Dan

Depends on the competition. So pick one far out enough so that you can build up enough general strength and train for those specific events.

[DKing]

Originally Posted by bulldogtraining

Thanks again for the advice guys. Some of these websites are good.

Would someone mind giving me a baseline of what common gym lifts should be for a lightweight competitor.

For example, I see one contest that has deadlift for reps at 400 lbs. How many reps is the typical range for a smaller competition?

Shoulder press?

Thanks!

Dan

Like GQ said it can really depend on the competition and the level of talent.

Here is the thing though, don't wait until you feel you are "strong" enough to go compete or train. Go as soon as possible. Even if that means taking last in every event or getting a zero in an event. You will get much better simply through practice and competition.

At a decent comp the winner of a 400 dead for reps will get 10+ and sometimes as high as 15+. But don't worry about it. I made crazy progress in my first year competing. I went from a solid last place in my first contest to being a contender for the top three almost every time out.

Good luck man, let us know how it goes.

Danny

[Lisa~]

I wouldn't begin to claim that I know anything about strongman training, but this article was in the Elite FTS newsletter today and I thought it was relevant.

Strongman Training 101

[bulldogtraining]

Thanks Lisa - I get the Elite newsletter too and was excited to see that article. It seems like a good resource for someone in my spot.

Dan

[umass]

Oh ya one more thing...eat... alot, going up against people weighing 30-40 pounds more than you is tough

[bulldogtraining]

I am actually looking forward to the fact that I'm still about 20lbs. under the weight cutoff. Imagine what it would be like in the heavyweights!