Quest to load the 300lb stone

[Corey DuCharme]

This Spring I will be making my third trip to compete in Big Tony's Fox Cities Strongman Competition. My goal is to finally complete the stone run. From now until April I want to be more dedicated in all my training; especially focusing on getting that stone loaded onto the 48" platform.

The first year I was able to lap the 300lber and almost extend with it, then lap it again. Last year I missed two loads with the 275lb stone due to poor positioning on my part and never touched the 300. (I had it high enough but was standing too far back from the platform.)

With this thread, I'm requesting an accountability type of motivation, as well as accepting any advice on strengthening the top portion of my stone load.

Thanks everybody!!!

[Daniel Atchison]

Strengthen your glutes, GHR's, reverse hypers, Hip throughs, Roman Dead. Strengthen your upper back: bent over rows, cable rows, shrugs, etc.

[GregMonfredo]

High volume front squats should be your best friend until the contest. Good luck!

[Scott Markowitz]

Or even front squats with a stone - basically just go from the lap position to the load position over and over without letting go of the stone until the end of the set.

[james rude]

come to grand rapids for a saturday and i will help you out.

[Corey DuCharme]

Strengthen your glutes, GHR's, reverse hypers, Hip throughs, Roman Dead. Strengthen your upper back: bent over rows, cable rows, shrugs, etc.

Thanks, there are some good reminders in there and unfortunately, some things I don't have the equipment for.

High volume front squats should be your best friend until the contest. Good luck!

I hear you, been slowly rebuilding my front squat for a while now. I'll keep at it. BTW, how much volume are you talking about?

Or even front squats with a stone - basically just go from the lap position to the load position over and over without letting go of the stone until the end of the set.

Ooooh, good one. I used to do those with a sandbag and they are hard work!! The sandbag is in my wife's car for a little extra winter weight, but I'll liberate it soon and add the "stone squats" into my program.

come to grand rapids for a saturday and i will help you out.

Let me get my base level strength built up a bit and I will look into taking you up on that offer. Thanks!!!

[Paul Neuhaus]

Let me get my base level strength built up a bit and I will look into taking you up on that offer. Thanks!!!
With all due respect Corey, it isn't just about base level strength, but also technique. You have just over 2 months to go, so no better time than now to clean up your technique and work on it. If I were in your position, I'd take James up on his offer ASAP.

Good luck!

[Easton Taylor]

POWERCLEANS POWERCLEANS POWERCLEANS good luck homie.....

[Andy Ranoni]

Box Squats have added a lot to my hip strength. I do box squats at the beginning of my leg workout and throw in front squats at the end. Along with some form work from Big James ASAP you should be good by April 19th.

It took me a good 3 months of struggling to load the 300lber so I know how it is.

See you at Big Tony's.

[Corey DuCharme]

With all due respect Corey, it isn't just about base level strength, but also technique. You have just over 2 months to go, so no better time than now to clean up your technique and work on it. If I were in your position, I'd take James up on his offer ASAP.

Good luck!

I'll take your advice and get some guided practice in.

POWERCLEANS POWERCLEANS POWERCLEANS good luck homie.....

That would probably help my upper back strength and explosiveness, along with conditioning. Thanks.

Box Squats have added a lot to my hip strength. I do box squats at the beginning of my leg workout and throw in front squats at the end. Along with some form work from Big James ASAP you should be good by April 19th.

It took me a good 3 months of struggling to load the 300lber so I know how it is.

See you at Big Tony's.

Houghton!!!, I thought I was "Up North". You must be the "star" way up there on the Michigan strongman shirts. Anyway, box squats sound good, not sure where I would put them right now but I'll look to add them soon.

[Easton Taylor]

Powercleans will help you with the pick, and when the stone is lapped, they will help you pop your hips and start the upward motion of stone onto the platform.

Easton

[Garrick Daft]

Good luck Corey! Lot's of good suggestions in this thread. If Rick Freitag happens to read this thread, i'm sure he will be able to give some good advice too.

later

[Corey DuCharme]

Thanks Garrick, we'll see what I can do in a couple of months.

UPDATE

As great of an opportunity as it is, I won't make it to train with James. Sadly, the $30 in fuel cost is just not in the tight budget right now. Thanks again James, I want to get down to train with you eventually.

Loaded stones yesterday and got all but the first on video. All loads to 48", no tacky.

Fortunately, my arms are long enough to "Pfister" the stones and interlock my fingers. Without that, I would not be loading without tacky. Lapped them all pretty smoothly, could keep my butt down a bit more though. Also, need to work on my arm placement. They almost rolled forward on a couple of attempts.

I noticed that I do a little "air hump" and then my knees shoot forward prior to each extension. I have trouble keeping the stone high on my chest and making the initial movement up and back. Hopefully front squats will help remedy this.

I am looking for any and all input. Thanks guys, your help is much appreciated.

Stones - 2/20/08 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDUI3oijDBA) (youtube is extremely quick to upload and process at 5:30am!!!!)

[Ryan Wells]

I'm seeing something on your vid. Look at the 1:21 and 1:51 mark on your video. It looks like your are trying to force an arch in your back, like you would for a squat. Notice the second you stop trying to set your back and let it round, your lats and spinal erectors kick in and the stones goes up. I would say quick trying to set your back like that following the lap and just pull that stone back and up, trying to get the center of the stone over your heels as fast as possible.

[Corey DuCharme]

I'm seeing something on your vid. Look at the 1:21 and 1:51 mark on your video. It looks like your are trying to force an arch in your back, like you would for a squat. Notice the second you stop trying to set your back and let it round, your lats and spinal erectors kick in and the stones goes up. I would say quick trying to set your back like that following the lap and just pull that stone back and up, trying to get the center of the stone over your heels as fast as possible.

You're right, I see that too. My thought for that was to avoid raising my hips too quickly and having my shoulders roll over top of the stone. If I focus on the stone going back and up like you said, losing it out front shouldn't be an issue. Thanks Ryan.