{"id":61093,"date":"2021-10-16T07:32:45","date_gmt":"2021-10-16T07:32:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/\/\/?p=61093"},"modified":"2021-11-22T01:13:21","modified_gmt":"2021-11-22T06:13:21","slug":"4-needless-mistakes-youre-making-in-strongman-training","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/4-needless-mistakes-youre-making-in-strongman-training\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Needless Mistakes You’re Making in Strongman Training"},"content":{"rendered":"

The sport of strongman is a demanding one. <\/strong>It requires brute strength mixed with speed, agility, and endurance. A sport that tests you to your limits both physically and mentally. One that provides tremendous highs but can also bring crushing lows.<\/p>\n

If you are experiencing those lows, ask yourself what is holding you back.<\/strong> Take a look at your training, mindset, and goals. Regardless of your experience in the sport, mistakes in any of these four fundamental areas can be detrimental to your progress.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s have a look at four common mistakes in approach and preparation for strongman competitions, and how to fix them.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I competed against four World\u2019s Strongest Men competitors and finished last, but I still learned a lot.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

1. I\u2019m Not Strong Enough Yet<\/h2>\n

If I had a pound for every time I\u2019ve been asked, \u201cHow strong do I need to be?\u201d I\u2019d have my daily protein intake paid for each week.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“[D]on\u2019t allow your experiences of competitions to stall you because you are looking at those around you and thinking you\u2019re not strong enough.”<\/em><\/h3>\n

The answer to this question is dependent on your goals. If you want to be the World\u2019s Strongest Man, then you will need a 220kg overhead press, 462kg deadlift, and 350kg squat. Even with those, you will simply be competitive, and winning is far from a given. If you just want to have a go at strongman and see what happens, then you should be able to press your bodyweight overhead and deadlift and squat double your bodyweight.<\/strong><\/p>\n

As the sport of strongman continues to grow and evolve, the standard rises. Thirty years ago, my log press would be a world record. Now, it\u2019s only deemed above-average. <\/strong>But don\u2019t allow your experiences of competitions to stall you because you are looking at those around you and thinking you\u2019re not strong enough.<\/p>\n

2. The Value of Competition<\/h2>\n

Nothing focuses the mind and polarizes your efforts like an upcoming competition. <\/strong>Find a competition that suits your level of ability and just give it a go. That said, experience counts for a lot in this sport, so if you get the chance to compete at a higher level than you may think you\u2019re capable of, don\u2019t turn that chance down either. I competed against four World\u2019s Strongest Men competitors in January after a last-minute invite to an international-level show. I finished last. But despite the result, I learned a lot from being around some of the strongest men on the planet.<\/p>\n

“Nothing focuses the mind and polarizes your efforts like an upcoming competition. Find a competition that suits your level of ability and just have a go.”<\/em><\/h3>\n

Coming last isn\u2019t a disgrace. You learn, you consolidate your new learning with what you already know, and you get better as a result. <\/strong>Embrace the competition instead of waiting for that perfect light competition that you\u2019ll blitz and where you’ll win a meaningless trophy. Novice titles are irrelevant in the big scheme of strongman, so don\u2019t focus on winning. Focus on experiencing the competition, getting to know the strongman family, and deciding if strongman is where you want to dedicate your training time.<\/p>\n

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Twenty years ago, my press would be a world record. Now it\u2019s only above-average. I haven’t let that stop me.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

3. Max, Max, Max<\/h2>\n

Part of the attraction to strongman is the circus-like nature of the lifts.<\/strong> The circus dumbbell, log lift, yoke run, and Atlas stone all look impressive and beyond the capabilities of mortal men and women. Everyone wants a photograph or video of themselves performing these events.<\/p>\n

But these movements are all highly technical and require practice and constant refinement. <\/strong>Continually hitting event work isn\u2019t an issue. You can perform the events as often as you feel comfortable or want to. The issues is the percentages that you are doing them with.<\/p>\n

“Learn the technique, perfect the movement, and then apply effort, intensity, and volume in a progressive way.”<\/em><\/h3>\n

Everyone wants a shiny new personal best for their YouTube channel. Therefore, many trainees continually chase their event max in training. For example, max yoke, max dumbbell, and max log all in one session. Consider the stress that places on your body, along with the impact that has on your recovery and your ability to train the next week.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Apply similar percentages to your event training as you would your press, squat, and deadlift. You don\u2019t max those three lifts each and every session, so don\u2019t max out the events you are practicing.<\/strong> Learn the technique, perfect the movement, and then apply effort, intensity, and volume in a progressive way.<\/p>\n

4. Become Strong, Then Become a Strongman<\/h2>\n

Many people forget that building strength is like any other part of fitness. <\/strong>It takes time, hard work, and dedication. Strength isn\u2019t built quickly and easily. If you want to be a strongman, don\u2019t forget you need time to become strong first.<\/p>\n

“Lifting too heavy and pushing your boundaries too often means you get hurt. Or you see no progress, decide to abandon the plan, and stop training for strength all together.”<\/em><\/h3>\n

Stuck on that 220kg deadlift barrier while you look at others moving up toward the 300kg club? It\u2019s all too easy to get frustrated and try to speed up the process.<\/strong> You start training more, training with higher percentages, and scouring the Internet for a magic supplement or nutrition plan in the hope you\u2019ll progress faster.<\/p>\n

Invariably, this leads to one of two things – injury or defeat. <\/strong>Lifting too heavy and pushing your boundaries too often means you get hurt. Or you experience no progress, decide to abandon the plan, and stop training for strength all together.<\/p>\n

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If you want to be a strongman, don\u2019t forget you need time to become strong first.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

There are no shortcuts around hard work, a good training plan, and a commitment to getting the work done.<\/strong> Consider these tips:<\/p>\n