My first strongman comp. need advice

[Keith Stenerson]

So my training partner calls me and tells me that there is going to be a Strongman Comp. on the 20th of Oct. It is here on Ft. Hood free enrollment etc. two weight classes 200lbs and under, 201 and over.

The events will be:
overhead press for reps
farmers walk
boss toss (whatever that is)
deadlift for reps
fire truck pull
one on one tug o war
and I think a tire flip is on the menu as well

I think that is it. So far this is where I am at.

I weigh about 210 but could cut down to 200 pretty easily. I am thinking that being in the lighter class will be to my advantage, What do you think?

My deadlifting is ok
overhead pressing is not that good
farmers walk is great since I do it at the gym all the time
never pulled a big truck
And I have no clue as to what a boss toss is, anyone have any idea? :confused:
tire flipping should be so so

what else can you guys and gals offer me for advice?

All comments are welcome and appreaciated!

Thanks :p

[James Whisman]

No idea what "boss toss" is...Wt for height, wt for distance- no clue

As for everything else, go, have fun. Treat it as a training day. If nothing else, you'll learn a lot and be better prepaired for your next comp.

With the wt classes being what they are, cutting would be a good idea. At 210 you'll be compeating against 300# guys. If you do cut wt weigh in the day before (if allowed) then rehydrate over night.

Good luck

[Barry Perkins]

NUMBER ONE ...KEY advice...

HAVE FUN!

don't worry about placing etc...for now...just have fun...figure on not doing so well on your weak events..but take total advantage of your good events and lay it all out...

but also...you MUST MUST HAVE.....FUN!

[Elliot_Storey]

Show up, and be strong when you get there. These are the keys to success in strongman.

[ADAMBAUER]

NUMBER ONE ...KEY advice...

HAVE FUN!

don't worry about placing etc...for now...just have fun...figure on not doing so well on your weak events..but take total advantage of your good events and lay it all out...

but also...you MUST MUST HAVE.....FUN!
In case Barry did not mention it HAVE FUN!!!!!! and welcome to the addiction.. Constests seem to be like potato chips one is never enough! :BL:

[Ryan Nielson]

Don't have any thing to add except. I salute you. I'm doing my first strongman meet tomorrow and I'm pretty darn nervous. No matter how you do it takes a lot of guts to try. For every guy that gives it a try there's probably 99 other guys that just want to stay in their confort zone and never leave the gym to even risk making a fool of themselves.

[Keith Stenerson]

Well today I went to the Gym after I found out I was going to enter this contest. I was supposed to do 5x5 on the bench press and 5x5 weighted pullups. I ended up doing a weak effort bench and pullups. Instead I went and did standing barbell presses and farmers walks.

The standing press was pretty lame for I know that the comp is going to use a heavier weight than I can use. Plus my whole backside is really sore from high rep deadlifts yesterday.

The Farmers walks today were awesome and felt great! I started with 130lb dumbells and went as fast as I could for about 250 to 300 ft (estimated) then with 140's and then with 150's. We timed it and I got faster as the weight got higher! I was pumped!

Well I guess I am going to focus on deadlifting and over head pressing for the next two weeks.


What kind of poundages can I expect in this kind of comp? I mean it is a recreational and nothing too competitive. Although I know that once there, there will be no one that wants to lose. I am trying to estimate what kinds of weights to expect but I really do not know. So what have you guys seen at other novice type events?

[Lance Foster]

In my opinion, competing is what strongman is all about. I've done 3 contests this year.

Have fun. You'll learn a lot, and meet some outstanding people.

Don't forget to factor in adrenaline...it will be there when you need it.

The novice contest (Kansas Strongest Man, promoted by Scott Tully) that I competed in had the following events/weights:

Log press for reps- 160 lbs
Trap bar deadlifft for reps - 425 lbs
Stones to 48" platform- ranged from 150 to 225 lbs
Medley: 170 lb Farmer's, 450 lb yoke, and vehicle drag (Jeep Renegade) (each for 50 feet)

Lance

[Matthew White]

In my opinion, competing is what strongman is all about. I've done 3 contests this year.

Have fun. You'll learn a lot, and meet some outstanding people.

Don't forget to factor in adrenaline...it will be there when you need it.

The novice contest (Kansas Strongest Man, promoted by Scott Tully) that I competed in had the following events/weights:

Log press for reps- 160 lbs
Trap bar deadlifft for reps - 425 lbs
Stones to 48" platform- ranged from 150 to 225 lbs
Medley: 170 lb Farmer's, 450 lb yoke, and vehicle drag (Jeep Renegade) (each for 50 feet)

Lance

Those gotta be LW numbers, do you remember what the HW numbers were? I haven't competed yet, but I'd like to, if novice numbers are low enough I may just go ahead and throw in and do one sooner than expected.

[Brandon Lilly]

if i were you i would find out the weights and do a "check day" and see where you are as far as reps/time/weight in the events and then set that as your mark... come the day of the contest focus on beating those numbers and you should be happy and along the way you may place well...

[Dan Montague]

NUMBER ONE ...KEY advice...

MUST WIN!

don't worry about fun etc...for now...just win...figure on doing so well on your weak events that everyone else quits... take total advantage of your superiority and lay it all out...

but also...you MUST MUST WIN.....MUST WIN!

[Mike Zylinski]

I'd definately cut the weight and make the < 200 class. The events look pretty good, not too much technique or specialization required (like on stones). Try to practice the tire flip a little before hand, there is a lot of discussion you can find here about bicep strain. I always keep my arms straight, and drive IN to the tire instead of trying to pull it off the ground.

Also, the farmers might be a bit heavier than you do, I am guessing you practice with dumbells. A lot of contests have the LWs use close to 200lbs, and the implement are long and hard to turn with. Dumbells are not that good of a substitute unless your gym goes REALLY big!

I like Dan's advice, WIN!!

[Muscle Mom]

I commend you! The first contest is about experience. The only way to get experience is to enter the contest. The hardest part is showing up.

[Keith Stenerson]

well I found out that the weights for the events.

deadlift for reps lw= 350 hw= 400

overhead press for reps lw= 155 hw= 185

fire truck pull for both but hasn't been finalized yet

farmers walk is still on but weights are not set yet

boss toss is a medicine ball toss for distance

looks like a 300 to 400 lb tire.



My training partner is upset that I may try to get into the lower weight class (his weight class) It would definitely be to my advantage to do it, but here is my dilemma. There may not be a weigh in and I could easily lie about my weight but I do not want to do that as it goes against my beliefs. But at the same time I am concerned that cutting some weight will zap some strength. I guess I will just tighten up the diet and hope to get below the cutoff weight.

[Barry Perkins]

well I found out that the weights for the events.

deadlift for reps lw= 350 hw= 400

overhead press for reps lw= 155 hw= 185

fire truck pull for both but hasn't been finalized yet

farmers walk is still on but weights are not set yet

boss toss is a medicine ball toss for distance

looks like a 300 to 400 lb tire.
My training partner is upset that I may try to get into the lower weight class (his weight class) It would definitely be to my advantage to do it, but here is my dilemma. There may not be a weigh in and I could easily lie about my weight but I do not want to do that as it goes against my beliefs. But at the same time I am concerned that cutting some weight will zap some strength. I guess I will just tighten up the diet and hope to get below the cutoff weight.


brah...i'd just go in...with your weight as is.....just compete...look to finish every event...get the experience..that should be your goal....next contest you can work on your weeknesses and focus on strategies..if necessary...

that's my opinion....my first contest..i just dove in ....platinum level...25 hw's...it was like crack after that...lol

[Keith Stenerson]

brah...i'd just go in...with your weight as is.....just compete...look to finish every event...get the experience..that should be your goal....next contest you can work on your weeknesses and focus on strategies..if necessary...

that's my opinion....my first contest..i just dove in ....platinum level...25 hw's...it was like crack after that...lol

Funny you say that because that is what I was leaning twards. It's just the competitive nature in me. I love to win and I hate to lose.

[Mike Zylinski]

well I found out that the weights for the events.

deadlift for reps lw= 350 hw= 400

overhead press for reps lw= 155 hw= 185

fire truck pull for both but hasn't been finalized yet

farmers walk is still on but weights are not set yet

boss toss is a medicine ball toss for distance

looks like a 300 to 400 lb tire.



My training partner is upset that I may try to get into the lower weight class (his weight class) It would definitely be to my advantage to do it, but here is my dilemma. There may not be a weigh in and I could easily lie about my weight but I do not want to do that as it goes against my beliefs. But at the same time I am concerned that cutting some weight will zap some strength. I guess I will just tighten up the diet and hope to get below the cutoff weight.

The tire is light, you should have no problem with that. The DL isn't that much different between the 2 classes, but the press is a pretty big delta. I'd base your 'cut or bulk' decision based off what you can do in overhead press. If your max is 165 on a barbell, I'd cut the 10lbs personally. I'm surprised there might not be a weigh in, all you need is a scale!

Either cut or bulk, but definately COMPETE! Have fun.

[Keith Stenerson]

in the gym a few days ago I got 175 for six using the legs to help drive the weight though. I figure 185 should be good for about 5 figuring on an adrenaline burst.

[Keith Stenerson]

Update.

Well my training partner got a hold of a tractor tire that was around 200 - 300 lbs nothing serious but it was something to practice on. We also pushed a pickup truck up a hill. That was more of a test of the foot wear rather than anything else. But I must say that the Fire truck pull is going to be tough.

Yesterday we deadlifted and overhead pressed. I used 405 and got 5 pretty easy, belted. I figure on around 6-7 reps on the comp day. Over head press I got 185 for 5, again belted. So I figure I will get about the same or maybe a couple more on the day of the competition.

Anyone have any advice on foot ware for the truck pull? I know that rock climbing shoes are probably the best choice but I do not have a pair. I was thinking some of my combat boots laced up nice and tight.