Tag: Strongman

America’s Strongest Man 2021 Event Preview & Key Details

Get all your important America’s Strongest Man information as this event inches closer.
The 2021 America’s Strongest Man contest is set to kick-off this weekend in what will be an exciting competition as these strongmen compete for that top spot and the title of America’s Strongest Man. This year the event will be held in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday, September 25 and is presented to you by Big Country Classic. The hardworking and dedicated group at Strongman Corporation have worked tirelessly to promote and execute this so that fans everywhere can enjoy these top competitors battling for that top spot.

This year, competitors will have four divisions to compete in. They include HW Pro Men, MW Pro Men, Elite MW Men, and Elite HW Men. With different options to enter, each strongman can find their niche and work to compete against others in the same category as this will lead to an exciting event full of strongman action.
Strongman Corporation covers and promotes all things related to Strongman with the goal of providing quality Strongman competitions for the public while being fair to every competitor. Committed to raising the bar and holding only the best and most fair competitions, Strongman Corporation honors their promise to members with reliable and genuine information to put the sport in the spotlight it deserves.

Important Information Breakdown
This event is one to really promote Strongman with amazing competitors who have worked hard over the past year to shine and earn that top podium spot. Here is a breakdown of all the important information you need to know going into this event.
Date: Saturday, September 25, 2021
Time: 10:00am
Location: San Antonio, Texas- 5200 Enrique M. Barrera Pkwy
Divisions: HW Pro Men, MW Pro Men, Elite MW Men, Elite HW Men
Number of Events: 6

America’s Strongest Man Events
With what is set to be an exciting competition, let’s take a look at the breakdown of each of these events:
Texas Power Concepts Fingal Fingers
In this event, athletes will be required to flip the four Fingal Fingers in order from lightest to heaviest. There will be split times with each Finger and the time stops when the Finger hits the pad on the other side. Competitors will have a 60 second time limit and can use gloves, chalk, sleeves, and a belt.

Rogue Log Clean and Press for Reps
Using a Rogue log and bumper plates and pads, athletes must wait for a down command from the judge. Athletes must control the log at all times with this event and it must touch the floor between each rep. There will be no releasing the log overhead and no split times. A 60 second time limit will be in place and MW men will use 315 lbs. while HW men will use 355 lbs. Allowed equipment includes gloves, chalk, sleeves, a belt, and Strongman Corp grip shirts.
Cerberus Max Bag Toss
This event will see athletes establishing a max bag toss over 15 feet. For each weight attempt, the athlete will have 30 seconds from the judge’s “go” command to throw the bag over. Athletes don’t need to attempt every height but once a 30 second attempt is failed, they are eliminated. If for some reason the bag is stuck on top of the apparatus, it counts as a successful throw. MW men will start at 40 lbs. and HW men will start at 50.5 lbs.
Cerberus Sandbag Carry and Load Medley
For this medley, athletes will carry sandbags from lightest to heaviest and load it onto a flatbed trailer. The distance is 20 feet and there is a 60 second time limit. MW men weights start at 265 lbs. and are followed by 300 lbs., 325 lbs., and 355 lbs. For HW men, it starts at 300 lbs. and is followed by 325 lbs., 355 lbs., and 400 lbs. The height of the trailer bed is about 48’’.

Deadlift For Max
This event will be conducted last man standing style as athletes will deadlift the bar for max weight. Hands must be placed outside your legs and standard deadlift lockout rules apply. Athletes will be able to skip lifts but once you miss on one, they are eliminated. Athletes will use a Rogue Ohio Deadlift Bar and can use straps, chalk, sleeves, and a belt. MW men will start at 675 lbs. and HW men will start at 745 lbs.
Texas Power Concepts Texas Stone Carry
In this event, the athlete will pick the stone off the floor and carry it as far as possible. The stone must be carried in front of the body and cannot be shouldered. Turns are set at 50 feet and athletes must touch the line or put their foot past the line before turning around. Athletes will use a Texas Power Concepts plate loadable shield-shaped Husafell Stone with MW men using 360 lbs. and HW men using 400 lbs.

Key Athletes To Watch
America’s Strongest Man attracts the best and most fierce competitors and this year is absolutely no different. But even with such a talented group, there are those who stand out and are key athletes to watch at this year’s event. Marcus Crowder, last year’s winner, is returning in hopes of defending his title and that top spot and is known to be a dedicated and serious competitor. Another athlete to watch, and one that happens to not be a pro, is Josh Silvas. Despite not being a pro, he is an elite athlete and one to most definitely keep an eye out for. In the 105k class, two athletes to note are Nick Cambi and Tommy Sharp, two elite competitors who will most definitely put on quite a show.
Wrap Up
America’s Strongest Man 2021 is set to be an exciting and thrilling event with many top competitors arriving in San Antonio with hopes of taking that top spot and the ultimate title of America’s Strongest Man. Strongman Corporation has worked hard to make this event happen and in just a matter of days, we will see some real action and true competitors fight it out for best in show. Grab all your important information above and get ready for an epic showdown as strongmen from all around gather to be crowned America’s Strongest Man.

Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 
*Images courtesy of Strongman Corporation Instagram

Benefits Of The Circus Dumbbell For Strongman Strength

What started at the circus is by no means a laughable lift.
When we look at a Strongman event, the uniqueness of each exercise is part of the spectacle. Watching strongmen and strongwomen lift logs overhead, pull trucks, deadlift ungodly amounts of weight, and perform the medley which not one of us dare touch can be exhilarating, even from the comfort from our couch as we munch on cheese puffs and encourage them to lift more. It’s impressive, and while we may not engage in that form of training and competition, it is fun to imagine what that would be like nonetheless.
But let’s the scene for something really quick. You’re at the turn of 19th/20th century and someone offers to take you to the circus. A grand tent, beautiful spectacle of colors, animals, and performers. Probably a tight roper walker, maybe someone wrangling a tiger. Suddenly, the ring master brings out what looks like a massive dumbbell, bigger than anything you’ve seen before. He points to you and wants you to come down. So, you do. He instructs you to lift the weight. Simple, right? So you try. It doesn’t budge. The crowd laughs, the ringmaster chuckles at your misfortune, but you simply cannot lift this weight. A Strongman appears, shirtless, wearing tight, colorful pants. The crowd now erupts in laughter. He walks over, grips this massive handle, and effortlessly, lifts this giant dumbbell overhead. The crowd cheers and you’ve just experienced one of the oldest Strongman events of all time: the circus dumbbell.
As a fun staple in Strongman events and a serious test of overhead pressing capabilities, the circus dumbbell has stood the test of time. Let’s take a closer look at the circus dumbbell. From what it is, to the benefits of it, and even how to perform it, this event can be a fun exercise if you have access to this giant dumbbell. A spectacle of an event can make for a fun and engaging workout.
What Is The Circus Dumbbell?
The circus dumbbell is essentially an oversized dumbbell with a very large grip and longer in length. While this is mainly used in the traditional sense of a Strongman event being the one-arm overhead press, the circus dumbbell has great uses for many other exercises like farmer’s carries, swings, rows, and anything where a dumbbell is your main piece of equipment by choice.

Due to its sheer size and awkward grip, this is a unique training tool that can make a workout quite difficult. The grip is unique in that it requires a certain level of grip strength, so strong wrists and forearms are required, and the length can be challenging especially when going overhead.

Benefits Of The Circus Dumbbell
Develop Upper Body Strength
The sheer mass of this dumbbell will improve upper body strength as you recruit many muscle groups to get this weight overhead. The movement, which requires certain muscles at different stages of the lift, will certainly help with that muscle growth you want to see as you get stronger and more efficient with it.  Not only are your larger muscle groups worked, but those smaller stabilizer and assistance muscles you so desperately seek to grow. For developing upper body strength, the circus dumbbell is a great option.
Challenge Your Core
The necessity of your core with this lift is imperative as it requires the utmost balance and support to really get that weight lifted overhead. Helping you stay grounded, your core will be engaged and braced as it will challenge your ability to stay as stable as possible. While this may not work your core to oblivion like other ab exercises, it certainly will challenge it.

Enhance Grip Strength
Grip strength is something often times overlooked for we never really think about why we exactly need it. But it helps with functional movements and everyday activities, as well as those big lifts especially as we increase in weight. The massive size of this handle is enough to challenge grip and requires strong forearms and wrists, both of which we tend to ignore. With the help of this lift, it will illuminate how strong of grip strength you have, or make you think about ways to really enhance that grip strength.
Have Fun With An Old School Strongman Lift
We are always looking for ways to challenge ourselves and add variety in our workouts. This lift is one way to do so. By incorporating a fun and challenging Strongman lift, especially one with history, our gains will not only grow, but we will have fun doing so. Approaching a challenge like this should be fun and while we want to compete with others, sometimes its best to start competing with ourselves.

How To Perform The Circus Dumbbell
Here are the steps for performing this dumbbell lift:
Begin in a squat stance with the dumbbell in the middle of your feet. Grabbing the dumbbell, drop your hips and pull your chest up, similar to a deadlift. Then, pick the dumbbell off the floor with an explosive movement and guide to a press. This will be about at your shoulder. You can use your free hand to help guide it to your shoulder.
Once in this position, get yourself in a stable place to lift the weight overhead. You can use your free hand to help guide you and get set-up. Remember to engage your core and feel grounded and stable throughout your body.
Now it’s time for the press. Remove your free hand and perform a slight dip, then hoisting the dumbbell overhead, locking out the arm. Gently lower back to the ground and repeat for your desired number of reps.
Wrap Up
The circus dumbbell is an old and storied Strongman lift that can provide for a fun way to add diversity to your workouts. With benefits towards your strength and stability, this can really challenge you physically and mentally as if you were under the bright lights of the Strongman stage. With proper form and real overhead pressing efficiency, you will be well on your way to lifting big like the pros.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 
*Images courtesy of Envato