A strongmans log - British champion u105KG
- Thread starter exploitah
- Start date
AFAIK they did the interviews in Gateshead at the British giant's live, that was the same weekend I was competing in Poland.
Plus I look pretty normal, so they aren't that interested. They want to publish articles about how much 20+ stone guys eat!
I beg to differ
I beg to differ
Yeah... I've seen photos and videos. Exploitah looks normal for somebody huge and muscle-bound...
lol, don't ruin this for me guys!! I want to look reasonably 'normal' lol!
Training 09/08/13
Front squat
70KG - 5,5
120KG - 5
160KG - 2
190KG - 2,2,2
Paused
160KG - 2,2,2
Log from (slightly too low) blocks
100KG - 3
130KG - 2,2,2,2,2 (with a few fails thrown in)
140KG - 1
Tough! Struggled getting the log set on my chest, was easier from slightly higher blocks. I have 150KG for reps at UK's, I'll get a rep, one way or another! I could do 4 or 5 from the floor, doubt I'll manage as many from blocks.
CGBP - Paused
60KG - 10
110KG - 5
135KG - 3,3,3
Training 09/08/13
Front squat
70KG - 5,5
120KG - 5
160KG - 2
190KG - 2,2,2
Paused
160KG - 2,2,2
Log from (slightly too low) blocks
100KG - 3
130KG - 2,2,2,2,2 (with a few fails thrown in)
140KG - 1
Tough! Struggled getting the log set on my chest, was easier from slightly higher blocks. I have 150KG for reps at UK's, I'll get a rep, one way or another! I could do 4 or 5 from the floor, doubt I'll manage as many from blocks.
CGBP - Paused
60KG - 10
110KG - 5
135KG - 3,3,3
Caporegime
- Joined
- 21 Nov 2005
- Posts
- 41,241
- Location
- Cornwall
You should post your training videos so everyone can see them! Your latest squat video was awesome 
13/08/13
30 minutes of grip and bicep work, I’m writing this 3 days later and my arms are still sore!
14/08/13
I was working nights last night and suffering from lack of sleep and low energy levels today.
Deadlift (belt only)
120KG – 10
170KG – 5
220KG – 3
270KG – 1
300KG – 1
320KG – 1
Swap belt for straps
270KG – 3
Paused squat
120KG – 5
170KG – 3,3,3,3,3
15/08/13
30 minutes of jogging and stuff
Grace (60KG floor to overhead as fast as possible)
1:42
Couldn’t hold onto the bar for the last few reps, had massive forearm pump following Tuesday’s session! Sub 90 seconds should be possible next time!
30 minutes of grip and bicep work, I’m writing this 3 days later and my arms are still sore!
14/08/13
I was working nights last night and suffering from lack of sleep and low energy levels today.
Deadlift (belt only)
120KG – 10
170KG – 5
220KG – 3
270KG – 1
300KG – 1
320KG – 1
Swap belt for straps
270KG – 3
Paused squat
120KG – 5
170KG – 3,3,3,3,3
15/08/13
30 minutes of jogging and stuff
Grace (60KG floor to overhead as fast as possible)
1:42
Couldn’t hold onto the bar for the last few reps, had massive forearm pump following Tuesday’s session! Sub 90 seconds should be possible next time!
Uks Strongest Man 22/08/13 – 23/08/13
My build up to this competition was cut short when I hurt my back walking a squat out 6 days before I was due to compete. A combination of rest, ice, pain killers, stretching and treatment from Chris (www.back2best.com) saw a gradual improvement over the following few days.
I flew out to Ireland early Thursday morning, having very nearly missed the flight due to a sat nav malfunction. I was still unsure that I would be able to make it past the first event, my back felt absolutely fine, but I’d not had the chance to test it with any weight!
The morning was spent either sat on the plane, sat around at the hotel waiting for our room or sat around at the TV studio whilst we all did our bit for Challenge TV.
A quick run down of how things works at the UKs; 16 competitors (6 English, 4 Irish, 3 Welsh, 3 Scottish) split into 2 groups of 8. 2 days of qualifying, bottom 2 in each group are eliminated each day, leaving 4 from each group to go through to the final on day 3. So the idea is to finish 1-6 on day 1 and 1-4 on day 2, that’s all that matters.
22/08/13 – Day 1
1st event – 457KG yoke for 30m, drop and turn at 15m
They had 8 identical yokes set up, so all 8 competitors went at the same time, which was pretty damn cool! I figured that I’d be in with a good chance of surviving the competition if my back was able to get through a 457KG yoke run!
The yoke was slightly smaller than normal, but turned out to be perfectly balanced and considering the weight reasonably comfortable to move with.I was 1 of only 2 to finish the full 30m course in my group and the only from from all 16 competitors to do it without any drops. Not only had I won in a fast time, but my back had survived pain free!
2nd event – Behind the neck axle press for max
My dream event, we’d watched group A go first. Ed Hall had won with 190KG and a new UK record. Not only was I confident of beating it, I knew I could pretty much do whatever it took to win my group. After what felt like a lot of lifts, the bar finally reached 200KG. A successful lift on that gave me the British record and event win, with another 10-20KG left in the tank.
3rd event – Strongman scrum – head to head
The first push was the most important in this event, if you won you went into the top half of the group and guaranteed yourself 5 points, if you lost you’d have to battle it out for the smaller points. I managed to scrap a win in my first push, I was then easily beaten in round 2 but won (by default my opponent had unfortunately injured himself) in my final round push. Securing me 3rd place and 6 points, which in all honesty was much more than I deserved!!
4th event – Atlas stones
I’d already guaranteed myself top spot in the group so chose to save my energy for day 2 and opted out of the stones.
23/08/13 – Day 2
1st event – Arm over arm truck pull
Not something I’ve done much of, but it went reasonably well in the Ukraine a few weeks ago! Didn’t really know what to expect, but ended up with 3rd place in my group which I was fairly happy with. I don’t think my technique turned out to be very efficient, I spent too much time using my legs when in reality it was just about light enough to use your arms to pull.
2nd event – 181KG Hussafelt stone carry for maximum distance.
Pick up (from the floor!) the massive stone and carry it as far as you can, turning every 15m. The pick up was the worst part for me, once I had it up at my chest I was able to move pretty quick and covered a distance of 49m, which turned out to be enough to win the event. It was also given as a UK record (by default!)
3rd event – Hercules hold with 2 cars on ramps
I had no expectations at all from this event, my sole aim was to avoid last spot! I know my grip is still a relative weakness. However things turned out well and pure grit and determination was enough to secure me 2nd spot. I was both shocked and delighted, not only because that guaranteed me qualification to the final but also because it shows that my grip is starting to improve. On a side note, the handles were very sharp and the pain in my hands afterwards was incredible!
4th event – Power stairs
One of the best looking events going in my opinion and one I’d have loved to do. But I didn’t need the points so decided to opt for the sensible approach and save myself for the final day.
My build up to this competition was cut short when I hurt my back walking a squat out 6 days before I was due to compete. A combination of rest, ice, pain killers, stretching and treatment from Chris (www.back2best.com) saw a gradual improvement over the following few days.
I flew out to Ireland early Thursday morning, having very nearly missed the flight due to a sat nav malfunction. I was still unsure that I would be able to make it past the first event, my back felt absolutely fine, but I’d not had the chance to test it with any weight!
The morning was spent either sat on the plane, sat around at the hotel waiting for our room or sat around at the TV studio whilst we all did our bit for Challenge TV.
A quick run down of how things works at the UKs; 16 competitors (6 English, 4 Irish, 3 Welsh, 3 Scottish) split into 2 groups of 8. 2 days of qualifying, bottom 2 in each group are eliminated each day, leaving 4 from each group to go through to the final on day 3. So the idea is to finish 1-6 on day 1 and 1-4 on day 2, that’s all that matters.
22/08/13 – Day 1
1st event – 457KG yoke for 30m, drop and turn at 15m
They had 8 identical yokes set up, so all 8 competitors went at the same time, which was pretty damn cool! I figured that I’d be in with a good chance of surviving the competition if my back was able to get through a 457KG yoke run!
The yoke was slightly smaller than normal, but turned out to be perfectly balanced and considering the weight reasonably comfortable to move with.I was 1 of only 2 to finish the full 30m course in my group and the only from from all 16 competitors to do it without any drops. Not only had I won in a fast time, but my back had survived pain free!
2nd event – Behind the neck axle press for max
My dream event, we’d watched group A go first. Ed Hall had won with 190KG and a new UK record. Not only was I confident of beating it, I knew I could pretty much do whatever it took to win my group. After what felt like a lot of lifts, the bar finally reached 200KG. A successful lift on that gave me the British record and event win, with another 10-20KG left in the tank.
3rd event – Strongman scrum – head to head
The first push was the most important in this event, if you won you went into the top half of the group and guaranteed yourself 5 points, if you lost you’d have to battle it out for the smaller points. I managed to scrap a win in my first push, I was then easily beaten in round 2 but won (by default my opponent had unfortunately injured himself) in my final round push. Securing me 3rd place and 6 points, which in all honesty was much more than I deserved!!
4th event – Atlas stones
I’d already guaranteed myself top spot in the group so chose to save my energy for day 2 and opted out of the stones.
23/08/13 – Day 2
1st event – Arm over arm truck pull
Not something I’ve done much of, but it went reasonably well in the Ukraine a few weeks ago! Didn’t really know what to expect, but ended up with 3rd place in my group which I was fairly happy with. I don’t think my technique turned out to be very efficient, I spent too much time using my legs when in reality it was just about light enough to use your arms to pull.
2nd event – 181KG Hussafelt stone carry for maximum distance.
Pick up (from the floor!) the massive stone and carry it as far as you can, turning every 15m. The pick up was the worst part for me, once I had it up at my chest I was able to move pretty quick and covered a distance of 49m, which turned out to be enough to win the event. It was also given as a UK record (by default!)
3rd event – Hercules hold with 2 cars on ramps
I had no expectations at all from this event, my sole aim was to avoid last spot! I know my grip is still a relative weakness. However things turned out well and pure grit and determination was enough to secure me 2nd spot. I was both shocked and delighted, not only because that guaranteed me qualification to the final but also because it shows that my grip is starting to improve. On a side note, the handles were very sharp and the pain in my hands afterwards was incredible!
4th event – Power stairs
One of the best looking events going in my opinion and one I’d have loved to do. But I didn’t need the points so decided to opt for the sensible approach and save myself for the final day.
Uks Strongest Man Finals 24/08/13
So, I’d safely made it through the 2 days of qualifying without having to push myself too hard and I’d successfully managed to avoid any injuries.
1st event – 200KG duckwalk steeplchase
A somewhat odd concept, by at the same time a new and interesting idea. It was basically a duckwalk over a large step. I fancied my chances, I was the lightest and quickest guy in the final so this event played into my hands.I got things off to a great start with an event win (albeit only a fraction of a second faster than 2nd). Eddie Hall (the favourite for the title) finished down in 5th.
2nd event – 150KG log from blocks for reps
I was last to go, so knew exactly what was needed. 4 reps was leading, Ed was 2nd with 3 and a few guys had managed 1, the rest had no repped it.
I picked the log up and nailed the first rep, at this point I was confident of 5 reps and my 2nd event win. 2nd rep came and went without any problems, however I ruined my chances on the 3rd rep! I lost my balance at lock out and dropped the log behind me. The log fell off the blocks and onto the floor, the rules stated that I wasn’t allowed to pick it back up, so I was forced to retire with just 2 reps and 3rd place. I should have won the event, I could have easily done the 5 reps I needed. Costly mistake!
3rd event – Car roll
Another pretty cool event to watch, the idea was to simply pick the car up flip it onto its roof and then all the way over and back onto its wheels (twice).
It went pretty well, I finshed in about 23 seconds which was enough for 4th place. I made a series of little mistakes, but it was a new event for most of the athletes so I’m sure I wasn’t alone!
However Ed won the event putting us on equal points overall with the deadlift next!
4th event – deadlift for max – no suits or straps
My deadlift has improved this year, I pulled a fairly comfortable 360KG at Britain’s 105 a few weeks earlier. At my new heavier bodyweight I’m confident of a 370KG pull, however I’d have to rely on a suit and straps in order to do so! So the rules here really didn’t suit me at all!
I knew that this was going to be a case of damage limitation, I got all the lifts up to 340KG then failed the 350KG at my knee. The grip in my left hand slipped and there was no way of recovering it. I should have got the 350KG, but it wouldn’t have made much difference to my overall points.Ed Hall went on to win the event and take a 3.5 point lead going into the stones.
5th event – 186KG stone for reps over a bar
I was second overall going into the stones, myself and Ed were the final pairing. By the point it came round to us I knew that I needed 1 rep to secure 2nd overall and I needed Ed to get less than 2 reps if I was to have a chance of the overall win.Some very good stone lifters had made these stones look very difficult, so I was more than a little nervous going into this one! If I no repped I could potential miss out on the podium all together.
However that wasn’t to be and I was able to lift the stone with relative ease! I did 2 reps, looked over at Ed and realised that he’d done the same. At this point I was destined for 2nd, nothing I did would have been enough to beat Ed in the overall standings. I stood up and was going to leave it there, but with some encouragement from the crowd decided to do a couple more reps. Ed won the event with 5 reps, I was second with 4 but could have done 6 or 7.
Overall 2nd place.
Before the competition I would have taken 2nd and I’m more than happy to come 2nd to Ed. However he’d had a long flight back from WSM and wasn’t quite at his best. If I hadn’t messed up the log and got the 5 reps I needed I would have gone into the stones 0.5 points behind Ed, instead of 3.5. In that position I genuinely believe I’d of had a good chance of winning the title. Who knows what Ed would have done on the stone, but one things for sure I could have beaten his 5 reps if I needed to!
So, I’d safely made it through the 2 days of qualifying without having to push myself too hard and I’d successfully managed to avoid any injuries.
1st event – 200KG duckwalk steeplchase
A somewhat odd concept, by at the same time a new and interesting idea. It was basically a duckwalk over a large step. I fancied my chances, I was the lightest and quickest guy in the final so this event played into my hands.I got things off to a great start with an event win (albeit only a fraction of a second faster than 2nd). Eddie Hall (the favourite for the title) finished down in 5th.
2nd event – 150KG log from blocks for reps
I was last to go, so knew exactly what was needed. 4 reps was leading, Ed was 2nd with 3 and a few guys had managed 1, the rest had no repped it.
I picked the log up and nailed the first rep, at this point I was confident of 5 reps and my 2nd event win. 2nd rep came and went without any problems, however I ruined my chances on the 3rd rep! I lost my balance at lock out and dropped the log behind me. The log fell off the blocks and onto the floor, the rules stated that I wasn’t allowed to pick it back up, so I was forced to retire with just 2 reps and 3rd place. I should have won the event, I could have easily done the 5 reps I needed. Costly mistake!
3rd event – Car roll
Another pretty cool event to watch, the idea was to simply pick the car up flip it onto its roof and then all the way over and back onto its wheels (twice).
It went pretty well, I finshed in about 23 seconds which was enough for 4th place. I made a series of little mistakes, but it was a new event for most of the athletes so I’m sure I wasn’t alone!
However Ed won the event putting us on equal points overall with the deadlift next!
4th event – deadlift for max – no suits or straps
My deadlift has improved this year, I pulled a fairly comfortable 360KG at Britain’s 105 a few weeks earlier. At my new heavier bodyweight I’m confident of a 370KG pull, however I’d have to rely on a suit and straps in order to do so! So the rules here really didn’t suit me at all!
I knew that this was going to be a case of damage limitation, I got all the lifts up to 340KG then failed the 350KG at my knee. The grip in my left hand slipped and there was no way of recovering it. I should have got the 350KG, but it wouldn’t have made much difference to my overall points.Ed Hall went on to win the event and take a 3.5 point lead going into the stones.
5th event – 186KG stone for reps over a bar
I was second overall going into the stones, myself and Ed were the final pairing. By the point it came round to us I knew that I needed 1 rep to secure 2nd overall and I needed Ed to get less than 2 reps if I was to have a chance of the overall win.Some very good stone lifters had made these stones look very difficult, so I was more than a little nervous going into this one! If I no repped I could potential miss out on the podium all together.
However that wasn’t to be and I was able to lift the stone with relative ease! I did 2 reps, looked over at Ed and realised that he’d done the same. At this point I was destined for 2nd, nothing I did would have been enough to beat Ed in the overall standings. I stood up and was going to leave it there, but with some encouragement from the crowd decided to do a couple more reps. Ed won the event with 5 reps, I was second with 4 but could have done 6 or 7.
Overall 2nd place.
Before the competition I would have taken 2nd and I’m more than happy to come 2nd to Ed. However he’d had a long flight back from WSM and wasn’t quite at his best. If I hadn’t messed up the log and got the 5 reps I needed I would have gone into the stones 0.5 points behind Ed, instead of 3.5. In that position I genuinely believe I’d of had a good chance of winning the title. Who knows what Ed would have done on the stone, but one things for sure I could have beaten his 5 reps if I needed to!