training

To effectively train for strongman loading events in a commercial gym, former pro Russ Hamilton recommends focusing on the posterior chain by simulating heavy object picks with movements like the Zercher squat. These exercises, along with variations like the Wool row, allow athletes to develop the necessary upper back strength and hip drive required for events like Atlas stones or sandbags without needing specialized equipment.

To manage a torn hand mid-competition, a brutal "Russian" trick involves violently grinding a wire brush into the open wound seconds before the attempt to overload the brain's pain receptors. This extreme stimulation reportedly shuts off sensation just long enough to execute a heavy pull before the pain inevitably returns.

 Emphasizing that he is just "happy to be here" and views the sport as simply lifting weights, powerlifter David Raymond explains why he maintains a positive mindset and smiles even after failing a world record attempt. The conversation spans his decade-long journey, detailing his coaching relationship with Dan Bell and wild personal stories ranging from rating public bathrooms to meeting Muhammad Ali.

"God damn it, this place has some fucking voodoo magic on her or something, it feels so fucking good. I feel like I pulled 800 today."

 Eating hundreds or thousands of extra calories is often "absurd" because the body can typically only generate three to five pounds of new muscle per year, making massive surpluses unnecessary. Rather than traditional bulking, a "maingaining" approach focuses on keeping body fat levels neutral while progressively increasing strength on key lifts over several months.

 Elite powerlifter Justin Zottl details the extreme psych-up rituals that led to bleeding on the platform and the severe back injury that forced him to rethink his training approach. He explains why shifting away from a toxic "all-in" mentality toward a balanced life with his family and coaching business ultimately resulted in his strongest performances.