Strongmen are some of the most amazing human beings on the planet because they possess the strength and power to do amazing things like pull airplanes, lift cars, and trucks only using their bodies. They have an impressive level of conditioning, endurance, and strength that is appealing to many athletes.
Strongman training consists of increasing strength and building power. It has amazing benefits for our body because it helps you build brute strength, increase your functional mobility and reach new power heights. Here are a few things you can incorporate into your routine to begin your basic strongman training.
Walk With Heavy Objects
Pick up and walk with heavy objects because in a strongman competition there are similar rounds. So one of the basics to become a strongman is to train with heavy objects. Just lift something heavy like a couple of dumbbells and walk with them around the gym or walk a flight of stairs. This way you are building power and increasing strength which will put you on the right path to become a strongman.
Practice Push and Pull
Pushing and pulling objects are also part of the strongman competitions. They usually have to push or pull something heavy, like a locomotive or an airplane down the runway. Place some weights on a sled in your gym and use a large rope to pull it or push it to practice for this part of the competition. It’s definitely one of the most basic strongman training exercises you can go for.
Lift Often
Make sure you are not skipping on your workouts. Lifting often will keep you in great shape and help you with building power and increasing strength. Focus on the moves you are having trouble with the most to improve your weak point. When you improve your weak points your overall strength and power will go up because we are often as strong as the weakest link in our body. Improving these points will allow you to use the full potential of your entire body.
Practice With Different Equipment
Changing the equipment your workout with will help you activate different muscles and get used to the stones, tires, and other objects strongmen usually lift in competitions. Getting used to the different shapes and sizes of objects is equally important as being able to lift the weight. They are specific and it requires proper technique so whenever you get the chance, lift some truck tires, sandbags, or large stones.
Increase Explosiveness
Some events in a strongman competition require explosiveness on top of strength and power so doing some exercises to increase your explosiveness will yield great benefits. Make sure you mix explosiveness training into your strongman training routine because it will also help you with building power and strength. One simple exercise you can do to build explosive power is to use a medicine ball and do push-ups with one hand on the ball and the other on the floor. Once you are tired, rest a bit and switch hands.
Mix Cardio and Strength Training
Mixing in some cardio training into your strongman training will help you stay in perfect shape and improve your body composition. Try to combine the two types of training into one. Get some barbells ready and do your exercises and then quickly switch to a cardio routine and vice versa.
Don’t Bother With Complex Workouts
Most of the events in a strongman competition are based on basic and simple movements like deadlifts, squats, and press so there’s no reason to do complex workouts in your strongman training routine. Stick to the basic moves and increase the weight when you feel like you have enough power to lift more. Squats, deadlifts, and press should be the main exercises in your training routine because they will help you increase strength and build power.
