Any Advice for a new strogman trainee

[Matt Nickerson]

Hey what's up,

My name is Matt, I'm 20 and I just registered. I'm somewhat new to the strongman scene from the training standpoint. I played rugby in High School so I never really concentrated on heavy lifting too much. I've been watching the strongman competions on ESPN for I forget how long. I've done some looking around as far as forum communities to join, and this place seems to have the most knowledgeable members, awesome training tips from some of you guys.

As far as my training, I am waiting to recieve my equipment I ordered from BruteStrength.com, but Lance's website just crashed so I don't know how long it will take to get my stuff. My personal best in the gym are bench-550, squat-nearing 700 (it sounds better if I say it that way), deadlift- I never tried. I'm will probably close the captains of crush No. 3 within a month or so. I hope to attempt the No. 4 before the year is up. Anyways, I look forward to meeting some of top notch people here.

I got a question. What is best way to get me started along the road to getting a pro card?

[DaneGarreau]

Best way to get a pro card? Start doing some deadlifts. This is IMO the most important gym exercise you can do to get strong.

[Alex Devenyi]

Yeah, bro, definitely start doing some deads. They're one of the best exercises ever, you'll love em :D

This is a great article for learning deads too, it helped me a lot:

http://www.dieselcrew.com/articles/deadlift101.pdf

[Ryan Brown]

best way is to locate an amateur contest (NAS at www.nastrongman.com) that you want to compete in and start training for it. Lots of guys train events one day on the weekend and then they train in the gym two or three times during the week focusing on the basics--squat, dead, overhead press.

Once you compete in a couple of am contests you will have a feeling as to how far you have to go before you can win a pro card. Once you are doing very well at state level contests (i.e. winning them and beating some decent guys) then you can start competing at pro-am level contests--win one of those and you go pro.

Just looking at one's gym lifts (especially bench and squat and especially if powerlifting equipment is being used) it is very hard to tell how one would do. Of the three powerlifts the deadlift is the most critical for strongman--most carryover. I've seen some guys with big powerlifts that suck at strongman and I've seen some that are awesome. Just get out there and see if you have it.

[MarkSikora]

Matt,

We have a group that trains down in Galt, 20 mins from Sac.

Shoot one of us an email or call.

Mark Sikora- msikora@frontiernet.net 916 714 9799

We will be training this Sunday around noon.

We have a couple of core people and new people coming all the time. Right now we have one woman, a bunch of lightweights of varying weight and one heavyweight. A couple of us have done a few contests, and a couple of us are getting ready to compete in April.

Give me call/email. I think you will like it. We have all the equipment and space to train so......

With your strength levels you might also want to contact the big boys in Richmond or down near Santa Cruz too.

see ya

Mark

[Paul Neuhaus]

Some people like to start out with Silver level contests, like Ryan suggested. These contests will give you some contest experience, and help you feel more confident as you compete against people at your level. Or you can do like I did, and jump right into the shark tank by doing a ProAm first. I placed 8th of 12, and it gave me a good idea of how much I need to improve.

[Matt Nickerson]

Thanks guys for all the useful knowledge. I'll be putting it to good use

[Matt Nickerson]

Thanks to all who gave advice. I went to the gym to try deadlift really for the first in my life. I had great results with a 1RM of 405. This is a great exercise and now that I know this I'm pissed that I did not do it before, but who cares. Here's to all you who gave advice or still who have yet to(i.e. Mark and team Big Sac). My gains are yours as well

[Chris Bartley]

matt if you're in sac you should check out the group in galt. i went for the first time on sunday and it was great. really good group of guys. i drive from walnut creek.