Strongman

Angus MacAskill in Canada

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Brian Shaw Arnold Classic 2017b

Strongman is a sport that involves a series of strength athletics disciplines. Participants, known as strongmen or strongwomen, compete in various events that test different aspects of physical strength, endurance, and skill. The sport has ancient roots, with modern competitions tracing their origins back to Highland games in Scotland and strongman events in 19th-century Europe. Today, strongman competitions are held worldwide, with both amateur and professional athletes participating.

History

The history of strongman can be traced back to ancient times, where feats of strength were often showcased at fairs and festivals. In the modern era, strongman competitions began to take shape in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with events like the Highland games in Scotland and the strongman acts in circuses. The first recognized strongman competitions, which resemble today's events, started in the 1970s with the inception of the World's Strongest Man (WSM) competition. This event brought strongman into the public eye and has since become the most prestigious title in the sport.

Events

Strongman competitions consist of a variety of events that test different aspects of strength and endurance. Common events include:

• Atlas Stones—Lifting heavy spherical stones onto platforms of varying heights.
• Tire Flip—Flipping a large, heavy tire over multiple times in a race against the clock.
• Log Lift—Lifting a heavy log from the ground to overhead, either for maximum weight or repetitions.
• Deadlift—Lifting a weighted barbell from the ground to the hips, with variations including car or truck deadlifts.
• Farmer's Walk—Carrying heavy weights in each hand over a set distance as quickly as possible.
• Yoke Walk—Carrying a heavy yoke on the shoulders over a set distance.

These events are designed to challenge competitors' strength, technique, and endurance, with the specific events varying from one competition to another.

Training

Training for strongman involves a combination of traditional strength training, including squats, deadlifts, and overhead presses, along with specific event training. Strongmen also focus on conditioning work to improve endurance and recovery. Due to the unique nature of many strongman events, athletes often have to be creative in their training, sometimes constructing their own equipment to simulate competition conditions.

Competitions

Strongman competitions vary in scale from local amateur contests to international professional championships. The most well-known competition is the World's Strongest Man, which has been held annually since 1977. Other notable competitions include the Arnold Strongman Classic, Europe's Strongest Man, and the Strongman Champions League. Women's strongman competitions have also gained popularity, with events like the World's Strongest Woman and the Arnold Strongwoman Classic.

Notable Athletes

Over the years, strongman has seen many notable athletes, including:

• Bill Kazmaier—An American strongman, considered one of the strongest men of all time.
• Mariusz Pudzianowski—A Polish former strongman, five-time World's Strongest Man winner.
• Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson—An Icelandic strongman and actor, known for playing "The Mountain" in Game of Thrones and winning the World's Strongest Man in 2018.
• Zydrunas Savickas—A Lithuanian strongman, four-time World's Strongest Man winner.

Culture and Community

The strongman community is known for its camaraderie and support among competitors. Despite the individual nature of the sport, athletes often share training tips, encourage each other during competitions, and celebrate each other's successes. The sport has a growing fan base, with competitions being broadcast on television and streamed online, allowing it to reach a wider audience.