What do you guys think?

[Brendan]

I'm 18 years old, been lifting since age 13, but only seriously with diet and training since age 16. I've been exploring DC training as well as some westside variations lately, but I'm not sure what direction I want to go with my training at this age. I deffinitely will not ever compete as a bodybuilder, but may generally lift for muscle size and then cut to get to low bf%. I possibly may want to compete at some point in strongman or powerlifting, preferably strongman if I can find anything in my area.

Anyways, I lift at home, and was trying to think of some ways to implement some strongman-like events to help train real world applicable strength. My idea was to fill a pretty sturdy cooler with weights and lift it in a bearhug type position onto a high up file cabinet. Do you think the mechanics of this would work to be similar to an atlas stone lift? I'm thinking it might work but gripping it would be hard because it might be slippery and the corners might cause problems. I'm going to give it a try sometime soon, just wondering if anyone has tried anything like this before.

PS: I'm also going to get around to building a sled within the next few months.

Any other ideas for how to implement strongman events using household items would be appreciated, and I would also appreciate your thoughts on my cooler idea...

[Chris Lee]

that idea might be a little sketchy, i think it would be much more advisable to build a platform to load objects on. instead of a cooler, try using sandbags. you can get sand dirt cheap (literally, haha) in i think like 40 lbs bags, just buy a few and tape them together securely, or put them all into a bigger burlap sack, or something similar. you can also make your own stones, there are some good tutorials on the net, here's one http://www.ontariostrongman.ca/Resources/stone/fibreglass_mold/fibreglass_mold_how-to.html

if you search around in the off topic section, i made a post with some instructions on making strognman implements. you can also get tires to flip from local tire stores like les schwab and such, or from tractor or truck supply shops. these places have to pay a fee to dispose of the tires, so they often will be more than willing to give them to you for free. metal scrap yards are good places to get metal for ridiculously cheap. other than that, just be creative.

[Yan]

along the same lines how much room do you really need to perform strong man lifts? i live in brooklyn, ny and my backyard is pathetically small which is pretty much the only thing holding me back from strongman training.

[Jesse Marunde]

First off, way to go Chriss! Thanks for helpin a bro out. You stole the words right out of my mouth. Yan, take his advise! Another great sandbag is the one I got from www.ironmind.com (http://www.ironmind.com) . For like 40 bucks you get the duffle bag and empty sandbags. Just fill em up with sand and you're good to go. Very easy to use, take up hardly any space and is as heavy as you want it to be. You can load 50-100 pounds for reps or load it to well over 200+ to see how much you can lift for a single. Sandbag training is great and the option are many.


with enough creativity you can achieve stength in any environment. More muscle has been built in dark, dank basements than anywhere else.

stay strong!

Jesse

[jeromy moore]

I don't know if you live in the city or country, I lived in the country all my life and when I started w/ my own impliments before I moved to STL:

a quary stone( simply a big rock of any kind)

My military duffle bag filled w/ sand bags

Farmers usually don't mind giving up there old tires, they have to pay for there disposal.

Get an old keg from a bar or buy one

If you know someone who welds(befriend them!!!!)

[Brendan]

I'm not really competing anytime soon in strongman, but i think many of their lifts would be great just for some variety, and i think they would work on my strength well. I live in the suburbs. Tire flips dont seem to be an option, the sandbag thing will work, so i think im going to go with that for the moment. Soon (within the next 2-3 months) I'll be starting a modified westside routine and will work in sandbags, zercher squats, as well as pushing the old SUV up the hill in my neighborhood.

[SqeezeMasterFlash]

You need very little space to train strongman. I've done farmers walks in circles in my basement. You can flip a tire once, then run to the other side and flip it back. Just find some oddly shaped heavy stuff, and pick it up as many different ways as you can think of. You'll be stronger in no time.

[Yan]

thanks for all the advice guys, i'm gonna start putting some stuff together over the weekend to supplement my training in the gym. And for those of you who have tried it, how different from the real atlas stone is the ghetto rig (with a 2'' bar, oly plates and collars to hold it)?

[DaneGarreau]

If you dont' have any atlas stones to train with your best bet is to go find some natural rocks near a creek or river. It will still be a bit different, but very similar.

[Jay O'Neill]

I don't know where you live, but I'll tell ya if you want good quality stones for a good price... Jesse makes some awesome Stones. So far I have gotten 2 from him and am very pleased! I wish they jump up onto the pedistal for me but they don't always do as I say... haha.
Well worth the price!

[Jesse Marunde]

thanks Jay, I have your 300 made when you're ready!!!

Jesse

[Jay O'Neill]

You're killin me... Between you and Kim I have no choice but to become a better stone lifter. If only the stones would cooperate! :)