In the realm of strength sports, few spectacles match the awe-inspiring displays of power and fortitude seen in Strongman competitions. The sight of jacked men and women lifting colossal weights, running around with various implements, or pulling heavy vehicles captivates audiences worldwide, drawing both enthusiasts and dedicated athletes to the sport.
Said captivated enthusiasts gathered last Sunday April 7th as Strength and Movement Academy launched its very first Strongman Movement Fundamentals workshop. It was led by none other than two-time Philippines’ Strongest Man Carlos Lanzona with u80kg Philippines’ Strongest Man, Strongest Pound for Pound Prist Villanueva.
The workshop was held inside Kinetix Lab One Ayala, where strongman equipment is readily available for members to use. All Kinetix Lab branches are unique in that they house various implements typically used in strongman events.
Carlos Lanzona started by giving talks about the history of the sport, the implements used, basic training program, and injury prevention, to name a few.
The roots of Strongman can be traced back to ancient times, where legendary figures like Hercules and Samson were celebrated for their extraordinary strength. However, the modern Strongman sport as we know it today emerged in the 19th century with events like weightlifting and strongman shows gaining popularity in Europe and the United States.
One of the pivotal moments in Strongman history was the birth of the World’s Strongest Man (WSM) competition in 1977. Founded by the International Federation of Strength Athletes (IFSA), the WSM has since become the premier event in Strongman, showcasing the world’s most formidable athletes in a series of grueling challenges.
L-R: Carlos Lanzona showing the ropes on how to lift and walk with a nearly 100 kg yoke to first-timers
Many people aren’t aware that “Strongman” is actually a sport. When you say Strongman, a huge person lifting heavy things may come to mind. But the strongman sport isn’t about merely being able to lift what’s heavy. Unlike static strength competitions, strongman combines strength, agility, endurance and willpower.
Despite the amount of strength and discipline needed to compete in this sport, it is worth noting that strongman training is scalable and caters to all strength levels. Which means you can train and compete regardless of training age and gender. The expert coaches at Kinetix Lab will guide you through your strongman journey if you ever wish to begin.
One of the unique things about strongman is its selection of events. Iconic ones such as Atlas Stones, Farmers Walk and Log Press are usually present during competitions. The organizer, however, has the freedom to include other events, with some being labeled as a “surprise”.
The attendees immediately got a hold of the implements as soon as the classroom session ended. First up was the yoke. The Yoke Walk is a popular strongman event where athletes carry a heavily loaded metal frame balanced across the back of their shoulders over a set distance as quickly as possible.Yokes typically weigh around 100 kg without the barbell plates.
In this workshop, the weights were determined by the participant’s current strength level, with each coach keeping a keen eye on everyone. To everyone’s surprise (and delight), all attendees demonstrated immense power and determination as they ran across the turn with the yoke on their backs during their turn. This proves that the barrier of entry for any sport can be greatly reduced when guided by expert coaches.
Next up was the Farmers Walk, where athletes carry heavy weights in each hand and race against the clock, testing their grip strength and overall endurance. This exercise is also typically implemented by strength and conditioning coaches to enhance their clients’ daily lives, as carrying heavy items in each hand is almost a daily activity for most. Take lifting grocery bags, for example.
Carlos Lanzona carrying a 100 kg medicine ball on his shoulder, demonstrating his own Atlas Stone technique
The coaches also took time to show their own lifts and techniques to give attendees a broad idea on how each lift should begin and conclude.
L-R: a participant being guided on how to properly grip and carry a medicine ball
Another popular strongman event is Atlas Stones, where competitors lift and place heavy spherical stones onto platforms of increasing height, combining strength, technique, and agility. This movement is particularly tricky, as it takes more than brute strength to even lift the stone up to your chest. During the workshop, medicine balls in various weights were used as stand-ins for real atlas stones, which are made of concrete.
Prist Villanueva guiding a participant on how to press a log overhead
Finally, the participants were taught techniques on how to properly press a log overhead. In Log Press events, contestants lift a massive log overhead, demonstrating their shoulder and upper body power. This is particularly tricky due to the sheer size of the log. The coaches advise getting extensive training on this particular implement.
The workshop concluded with every attendee learning something new about themselves: that with the right guidance and technique, they’re actually stronger than they realize. That they can press a log, that yoke walk wasn’t all that hard under the watchful eye of expert coaches. The female participants in particular actually killed it during the workshop. It was nice seeing them cheer each other on as they took turns doing strongman movements with success.
If you’re thinking of starting your journey to strength, Kinetix Lab has your back! With expert coaches and high quality strongman implements, there’s really no better gym to train in.
Strength and Movement Academy hosts an array of workshops throughout the year. For registration, inquiries, workshop schedules etc. you may reach out to Strength and Movement Academy on Facebook or Instagram.
