Friday, 31 July 2009

What makes a good power rack a good power rack

So, as I was just saying, I was going to write this when I got distracted. Another look at the Elite FTS site (here) and man... how many options. I've chosen the one featured because it shows more simply what I'll be talking about but there are two or three more models above this inc one with a mono-rack included. This particular baby is $1900++ but includes the bench.



Their site blurbs says '' Power Rack - R2 Combo Rack. This rack includes all the best features you can find in a power rack. These include: sumo base, 1 and 2 inch hole spacing, chin bar, band pegs on the top and bottom of rack, weight storage, band storage, extra J hooks, extra safety pins, 0-90 flat to incline bench and dip attachments.''

As much of that follows my thinking lets start with the:

Sumo base. Basically the bottom cross member is raised off the floor. This allows those, like myself, that squat sumo or dealift sumo to get their feet out a little more than the width of the rack. Some frames allow for this by designing a 'kink' in the support and others follow the Elite idea.

Hole spacing. A small thing (you could stand on or bench from plates or extra matting to make up the difference if holes are too far apart for some lifts) but on some racks the holes are three and even four inches apart. People that actually regularly use racks properly will know that on some movements it's handy having the holes close. Ditto a small guy uses different bar and hook positions to a bigger one. Note how the closer packed holes on the rack here are about where you'd bench.

Pegs More useful if you go down the resistance bands route. Now you don't have lift the frame up, or hook them under the bench/dumbbells/whathaveyou. You might not use them now but once you get serious they'll probably be something you want.

Weight storage. It depends on how much working room you have but if you have the double back upright option many racks offer then the added option of weight storage pegs means less crap on the floor and easier to grab weights to train with.

Extra J-hooks and safety bars. Trust me, if a set breaks you might as well not have a rack at all. At the very least a spare set will mean one set is being repaired and the rack is still usuable.

Add-ons. By no means needed, per se, but very handy just the same (esp for home gyms) are the additional chinning bar and dipping options.

Elite FTS - great article

Ok, so I am about to write a 'what makes a good power rack a good power rack' article when I spot this: How to open your own warehouse gym. Just the sort of thing I know I'll enjoy (esp part 2) so hopefully you will as well.

Liz Horne one hand pinch lift video

David Horne posted up a video on his site to go with the photo of a few days ago



But I liked this image that Neil 'Twig' Belcher put to show how he felt - it could be used with any proper heavy lifting

September issues of the magazines

Not quite yet August (lead times) but we already have some September issue previews for ya.


Flex (US edition). That's a Dave Henry cover (202 and under Mr O). Oh and I also saw this amazing Dennis James photo:


Ironman's Sept cover



Muscle & Fitness (the Dave Palumbo / Triple H feature looks cool)

World Games 2009 photos



Earlier this week we had the olympic lifting results. Now, from the same source there are some great powerlifting photos from the same games (sample above).


While I wait forever (so it seems) for contest results I checked out Muscular Developments site.

Erik Fankhouser: Leg Training video. Nice

GMV's clip of the week July 31st and more

2009 NABBA Britain Finals: Men – Prejudging & Show

Video

Wayne's hard news / write up of the finals

Rich Gaspari 1987 seminar preview

Thursday, 30 July 2009

Calendar updated some more

Yep, a bunch more events up to and including December '09 have been added (again thanks to Sugden Barbell's site). Sept 6th has 8 - yes 8 - events in one day. Take your pick!

Scroll down and see what's happening over the next few days.

Sam Solimi finally gets the Inch overhead

From youtube

Video

Ed Coan video montage

From 'Cricketfire' on MT via youtube
A very nice (even with the recorded from TV images) montage of Ed Coan's lifting over many years. Ass to the grass, shirt free and different bodyweights... it's all good. Deffo one of the best of all time.

Video

Wednesday, 29 July 2009

World Games 2009 weightlifting results

Mens

Womans

Dennis Wolf training vid

Bodybuilding
Fresh from Muscular Development is the following video:

Click Here

Loads more dates added

With thanks to the calendar on Sugden Barbell's site August is now over-flowing with events. I'll beef up September later.

In case you've missed it our calendar is at the bottom of every page. Just scroll down and it displays the next five events. Be they all in one day, over a week and so on. You've no excuses as for what to do - there's always an event to go see and support.

Tuesday, 28 July 2009

More results from the weekend

And here is todays news... bong, bong, bong...

Callender Highlander Challenge results

Slovenian Grand Prix (strongman) results

Liz Horne shows it ain't just the men




From Ironmind and World of Grip
Elizabeth Horne proves, once again, that she has a world class grip to the equal of many a man. Yes those are a pair of 20-kilo discs.

Grip Strength Finnish Open

From world of grip forum (also on Ironmind)

Grip Strength Finnish Open
Fitness EXPO 3.10.2009, Lahti, FINLAND
The 1st Finnish Open grip strength championship takes place in Lahti, Finland in october 3rd. This, to day biggest grip strength event in Europe takes place in Scandinavia´s biggest strength & fitness event, The Fitness EXPO.

The competition has four events, the first two are qualifiers. The promoter has picked up the most popular events with a lot of variety. They test static, dynamic and most of all maximal grip strength on single and two-arm events.The events are:
  • Rolling Thunder, at 11 am. An IronMind classic that tests everything on grip strength. Fingers, palm and forearm. Now with a new improved handle.
  • Europinch, at 11.30 am.This event is a pinch grip of max weight on an apparatus that is lifted to 42cm height. The effort is in your fingertips, literally.
  • Captains of Crush gripper, at 4 pm.The #1 gripper in the World needs no further introduction. The Rolls Royce of grippers is done by both hands and strictly under the rules, using the card.
  • Apollon´s Axle Deadlift, at 4.30 pm Apollon´s Axle is mostly known from strongman competitions but it is an exellent grip tool.

Qualifier: After the first two events, eight best go to finals.
Awards: This grip event has good prizes. The winner gets invited to Arnold Classic to prove his grip strength there, possibly on the expo stage in front of 10,000 people ! He also gets a one year sponsorship from a fast rising supplement company, ActivLab. The top 3 get prize money and beautiful swords plus a team spot on our national or international team including a bronze level sponsorship.We also host a challenge for women, any female competitor with significant grip strength can contact us.

Please note that Sakari is out of office august 19th till 28th. If you have any questions please send them in on time before august 15th and he answers them fast. All competitiors must sent their entries in till september 1st to:
SS Power OYSakari SelkäinahoMannilantie 2743100 SAARIJÄRVIFINLAND+011-505-354-106 sakke@voimaharjoitelu.fiinfo@sportkraft.net

Monday, 27 July 2009

Photos from the Primal Grip event

Everyones fave so far LOL
Kettlebell walk for distance

Paul Wood kicking ass on the v-bar

Photos by Loz "Lol" Owen

Essex's Strongest Man

Via SDF (added to calander as well)
Essex’s Strongest Man 2009

Date: Sunday 6th September 2009

Time: 12pm (competitors to sign in by 11am)

Venue: Harlow Town Park, Harlow, Essex.

Where is Harlow?: - Harlow is situated on the edge of the county of Essex bordering Hertfordshire, approximately 24 miles north east of London. Harlow is served by the M11 Jn 7 (to the south east of Harlow).

Surface: Grass

Tel: 07917 137 351

Entry Fee: £15.
Cheques made payable to 'V Martino'.

Fee & completed entry forms to be sent to: Body Active Gym Unit 12 Italstyle Buildings,Harlow Road, Sawbridgeworth, Herts, CM20 2HE

Events
  • 1) 130KG Log for reps (Clean & Press 90secs)
  • 2) 290KG Deadlift for Reps, regular height (No suits 90secs)
  • 3) Heavy Tyre (Most flips, Time limit: 90secs)
  • 4) 160kg Atlas stone (Reps over 4 ½ ft bar, Time limit: 90secs)
  • 5) Medley/Loading event.

Events/Weights subject to change.

  • 1st place £500.
  • 2nd £300,
  • 3rd £200
Trophies for top 3.

T-Shirts for all.

Crowds in excess of 25,000 as part of the Harlow Show. Yes that’s right 25,000!
Provisional list of competitors subject to return of entry form.
  • Simon Flint
  • Jimmy Marku
  • Mark Westaby
  • Dave Meer
  • Jay Hughes
  • Wayne
  • Laurence Shahlaei
  • Rob Frampton
  • Paul Carter
  • Tom Bebb

Englands u105's results

Results (from the World of Grip forum)
  • 1st - Paul Woods
  • 2nd - Paul Cater
  • 3rd - Simon Cowdrey
  • 4th - Owen Lewis (Wales)
  • 5th - Mark Clegg
  • 6th - (Joint) Harry Shahlaei and Stuart Hayes
  • 8th - Chris Jenkins
  • 9th - John Fortey
  • 10th - James Clayton
  • 11th - Ashley Vegas
  • 12th - Wayne Cowdrey

Andrew Cairney shoulders a 429lb stone

Nice video. The sound's distorted and as they said elsewhere it seems to slow down but what the hey... a 195-kilos or 429lbs stone being shouldered is still good.

Video here

Sunday, 26 July 2009

Under 90kg England's Strongest man results

From Paul Amor c/o the SDF discussion forum:
Top three placings
Ben Pierce 1st Had won the contest with 1 event to go
Adam Tavis 2nd
Mark Copey 3rd

Couple of vids
Mark winning the Medley
120kg farmers (no straps) 200kg tyre flip, 280kg drag
Ben just missing a 132.5kg log
Ben and Mark tied for 1st on the log press with 130kg Adam Travis's 11reps (which was joint 1st on the event with Ben) on a 180kg axle squat was really impressive, no wraps, no belt, all reps ass to the grass. Awesome performances all round.

SG: More info when I have it.

New Powerlifting Magazine soon



From Powerlifting Watch and Joe Roark at Ironhistory.com

''Mark and Andee Bell plan to launch a new magazine that covers powerlifting. The appropriately named, POWER Magazine, will debut in November and will be distributed at the WPF Worlds in Las Vegas. There will be six issues a year. Ed Coan will be on the cover of the first issue. Inside, will be an interview with the powerlifting legend''

One to watch.

NPC USA 2009 results now in


Check www.rxmuscle.com and www.musculardevelopment.com for loads of comments, videos and photos.
Picture of Mark Alvisi (heavyweight and overall winner). D. Ray photo.

Derek Poundstone leads Americans Strongest man




From Ironmind:
Day 1 and Derek continues to be a dominant force in 09 stronghman events.

Click the link for a brief write up and scores:

Primal Fitness Grip comp results (aka Big Nads)

From yesterday - Primal Fitness Grip comp results here: http://worldofgrip.forumotion.net/grip-contests-f3/primal-fitness-grip-competition-manchester-uk-t660.htm

Saturday, 25 July 2009

Big NADS event

From the gripboard / David Horne's World of Grip forums
How many events on this day - July 25th?? We have another: The Big NADS (Northwich and District Summer) Grip Comp.

Events:
  • 1) Vulcan Gripper - Rules as before, 20mm block set, 4 max attempts, ref must be able to clearly see set and close.
  • 2) 1” Vertical Bar Lift - Again as before, 2" lift, 4 max attempts. Lock out not required, just lift the required height. Take 'warm up' attempts as needed.
  • 3) Kettlebell Farmer’s Walk - Will use a 32kg kettlebell, 4 laps of the facility, fastest time wins.
  • 4) Fat Wrist Roller - Wrists supported on a bar at about shoulder height, the roller itself is not supported. 5kg x 2 trips each way, fastest time wins.
  • Tiebreaker: Dumbell Hex Hold - One end of a 12.5kg hex dumbell held for max time, bit like a hub lift.

Strongman style points system, 1 pt for 1st, 2 for 2nd etc., lowest score wins.

Kick off is at 2pm, please get there for 1:30pm to get ready, sign disclaimers etc.

Address is Primal Fitness 32 Viaduct Street M3 7WX

Nice little strongman site

With some basic explanations of events and some results from events over the past few months http://www.celticstrongman.co.uk/ gets a thumbs up. They also have an event (added to the dates) on August 29th: The Celtic Strongman Challenge 2009. More info as and when

Anglian Bench Press Championship

Powerlifting
On Sunday September 6th 2009 the Anglian Bench Press Championship takes place.

Hamilton Fitness have set up a nice little site with some good link throughs here: http://www.hamiltonsfitness.co.uk/ABench2009.htm

As bloody per mind the records are 2 years old. Grrr

Friday, 24 July 2009

3rd Annual IAWA Celtic Strongman Competition

From power and strength forum @ Muscletalk

The third annual IAWA Celtic Strongman Competition will take place in the Plen and Gwary in StJust in Cornwall on 29 August 2009. The event is a drug free event and tests will be conducted on the day.

Held in the Plen and Gwary in the centre of St Just the event is the final event in Plen week that celebrates one of the oldest amphitheatres in England. The local chamber of commerce are supporting the comp and it should be a good crowd.

Events for the day are:
  • Deadlift, last man standing - no supersuits,belt, talc and chalk allowed.
  • Hand over hand land rover pull
  • Log Lift last man standing Tyre flip (320kg tyre)
  • Farmers hold (135kg in each hand)
  • Atlas stones, 90kg, 100kg, 120kg, 135kg, 160kg - tacky allowed

Confirmed so far are:
  • Simon Mansell
  • Matt Starling
  • Tim Jewitt
  • Simon Fitzpatrick
  • James Vince
  • Chris Ward
  • Mitch Tutt
  • Kye Thomas - Kye is one of 'da Whey Boyz' don't ya know. Big them up LOL.

I've one more interested and the numbers are capped at 12. For more information email me or go to www.celticstrongman.co.uk

And finally...


Another from Ironmind: This time eastern Europe (source Ironmind once again) and the Slovenia Grand Prix is taking place on Saturday and the events are:-



  • Truck pull: 18 tons, 20 meters

  • Super yoke: 370 kg, 20 meter + Farmer’s walk: 2 x150 kg

  • Dumbbell: 65 kg + Log lift: 120 kg + Log lift: 140 kg

  • Duck walk: 200 kg, 10 meters + Tire flip: 490 kg x 6 flips

  • Atlas stones: 120 - 180 kg

  • Conan wheel: 380 kg

Deuchars World Highland Games Heavy Events Championship

Blimey yet another event is taking place this weekend... man we're busy. Having seen a great plug for the event along with a great profile mugshot of the ever popular David P Webster OBE (google him - the man's a star) over on Randall J's Ironmind.com website a little light google threw up this site:
Not only do they have info on the how it got start they also profile the athletes and then walk you through all the events. Very nice job. Also there is a charity event called 'the Big Pull' where local companies will be taking part in a tug-of-war competition.

French National Strongman Championships


From Ironmind: The French Strongman National Championships are this weekend. .“Ten athletes will start, fighting for the French title under the auspices of the French organisation FFHF and Strongman Champions League!

On Sunday there will be the top 5 of France competing agianst the 5 international athletes: Louis-Philippe Jean from Canada, Igor Werner from Germany, Agris Kazelniks from Latviia and Richard vd Linden from Holland will be there to make an advertisement for our sport.”Marcel Mostert and French Fabrice Barbier will referee.

Also, Mostert reported, "tonight we all can see the Strongman Champions League - Holland (from June 16), on Eurosport at 23.00 hours (11 p.m.).”

Artwork courtesy of Marcel Mostert

International German Stone lifting Championships

Yes German stone lifting. Taking place on August 16th 2009 in Dachau, Germany. The lift is very similat to the one hand lift / two hand lift of the IAWA/USAWA and in grip competitions. Some of you might even remember a 'beer keller' image of Arnold S doing this one from his 'Education of a bodybuilder' book.

Info sourced from www.ironhistory.com

Calendar added

Scroll to the bottom of the page and check out the dates of upcoming events. Send your event dates in and I'll add them.

Kent's Strongest Man 2009

Looking for a competition to go to this weekend. Well the 105's is on Sunday (see post) but you have this one tomorrow. See how I fill thy calanders with events :)

Scorpions gym proudly presents “Kent Strongest Man 2009” 105 class and open class and also on the day will be “UK Strongest Schoolboy 2009” (under 18’s only).

DATE: 25th July 2009

VENUE: St Martins Field, New Romney, Kent. (New Romney Summer Fate)

UK Schoolboy Class Event:
  • Farmers Walk – 90kg for 50 meters timed
  • Log Lift & Press – 70kg log reps for 90 seconds
  • Conan’s Wheel – 100kg for distance
  • Dead lift – 150kg for reps 90 seconds
  • Tyre Flip – 330kg for flips 90seconds
  • Medley – Drag, Carry & Load

105 Class Events:
  • Farmers Walk – 105kg for 50 meters timed
  • Log Lift & Press – 110kg log reps for 90 seconds
  • Walk of Pain – Milk Urn filled with concrete for distance
  • Dead Lift – 225kg for reps 90 seconds
  • Tyre Flip – 440kg for flips 90 seconds
  • Medley – Drag, Carry & Load

Open Class:
  • Farmers Walk – 130kg for 50 meters timed
  • Log Lift & Press – 130kg log reps for 90 seconds
  • Duck Walk – 250kg for a distance till drop 90 seconds
  • Tyre Flip – Tyre yet to be weighed flips for 90 seconds
  • Medley – Carry & Load, Tyre Flip & Farmers Walk

Contact:

It's the aim of the Muscle, Strength and Power News to fill your calander's to the brim.

Wanna have some friendly records?

Then get yer asses over to http://www.titlebash.co.uk/ Tom and his buddy 'wot' run the site put together an idea a few months back. The intention is that all those friendly little challenges that people, esp guys, have a habit of doing now become semi-official.

Example: let's say you're in McD's having a burger and a buddy says 'bet you can't eat yours faster than mine!'. Someone times both the lunatics and one of the mad buggers plows through his in mere seconds. Assuming they don't both choke to death on their buns they can put up their time and 'challenge' all and sundry on Title Bash.

The focus, as it has developed that way, has been the more athletic events including strength stuff for reps and fastest time. Yours truly has at least 3 records on their (90kg 2 hand pinch and then 2 Rolling Thunder records). But there are still eating, boxing and more records to have a go at.

Check it out and see if you think you can beat any of their records. Follow the guideline rules (video, stopwatch and so on) and get you and your buddies to have a go. I found mine to be exhausting but fun. Enjoy!

Team Strongman 2009

Last years event was, while very hard work, a major success at least in terms of public support. This years even is hoping to equal that and while Tom Jones, last years promoter, takes a back seat the guys from 'Basement Gym, Reading' have stepped up to the plate and taken it over. Having to deal with a moving from their old space (the Basement in question) and not having found a new one must be difficult but they are taking a 'show must go on' approach.

Discussion with those hoping to compete and comparing some numbers from previous events over the last few days means they hope to begin finalizing event info in the next few days.

Here's where they are right now on the events:

  • 30 ton truck pull over 25 metre's
  • 2- 280-300kgs Two man log press
  • 2x 100kg barrel carry(205 ltr barrels) over 25 metres then approx 350 sled drag over 25 metre's

Break for 105's Log lifting Championship

  • Two man Silver Dollar Skip Deadlift ( Starting weight 450kg's) rising bar last team standing (straps allowed)
  • 10x 350 tyre flip 2x 560 tyre flip (Done as tag team,can swop at anytime)
  • 450kg Frame carry
  • Stones 8 stones in total varying heights 110 upwards in weight

I'll update this thread later but for now it's August 2nd and Rivermead (where they previously held a strongman competition) for date and location. I'm also aware that they have a combo of invited and 'sign yer names down' lads due to compete. Contact info etc to be added soon.

Where to stay: Holiday InnRichfield Avenue, READING,Berkshire RG1 8BD 0118 9259988

Thursday, 23 July 2009

England's under 105's strongman

Best of luck to Harry 'H' Shalaei et al all of who will be competing on Sunday 26th July in the England's under 105's strongman event. This years UK Strongest Man u105 is being organised by Paul Woods and Terry Hollands and will take place at Whitstable Rugby Club, Kent, from 11am.

Events are as follows:
  1. Farmers Walk - 150Kg each hand for 20 metres
  2. Dead Lift - Approx 250-260Kg 4 reps
  3. Tyre Flip - 440Kg for 20 metres
  4. Over Head Press Medley - 120kg Log, 115Kg Axle, 110Kg Railway Sleeper and 85Kg Granite Block
  5. Arm over Arm - 3.5 ton vehicle for 20 metres
  6. Loading Race - 2 x 100Kg Barrels, 95Kg Tractor Weight and 100Kg Sack for 20 metres to be loaded onto a platform
  7. Atlas Stones - 110-160Kg 5 x stones

Prizes:
  • 1st Place £500
  • 2nd Place £300
  • 3rd Place £150
  • Winner of each event will receive £50

All in all a tough days work. I can't wait to see how it pans out. Harry... go get them boyyyyy!

Powerlifting can help Bodybuilding



To prove a point I've made before (learn from each other) here's an article about Mike Francois (Arnold Classic winner) training at Westside:

Wednesday, 22 July 2009

Arnold - the magazine


I'm not saying that Arnold still sells bodybuilding magazines (OK I am) but Weider have taken it to a whole new level with this baby. According to www.ironage.us (a great site) this is out September 15th. Will it sell... you bet your ass! But it better have actual 'never seen before' photos cos I'm off an age when I might well have seen them all (4000+ magazines insulating my attic might help).

British Bodybuilding Magazines

There are, of course, UK versions of some overseas magazines (Flex and Muscle & Fitness being obvious ones plus Muscle Mag International) but I should have included these two yesterday. You MUST support home grown or home based magazines as well as the big US ones.

So here's the cover of the latest 'The Beef' (Alex McKenna's rag). Alex, along with Eric Guy, is one of the busiest muscle photographers in the UK. Also makes me laugh every time we meet (v dry). Go to http://www.alexmac.biz/







Another well worth a look is Body Fitness. http://www.bodyfitness-uk.com/ It usually has some sort of give away booklet attached.


UK based fed sites

Trying to find decent results and photos from events can prove difficult. However, the UKBFF (United Kingdom Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation - the UK branch of the IFBB) has both in spades. Go here and enjoy: http://www.ukbff.co.uk/




100-kilo winner Northwest event (photo credit E. Guy)

Photos from a bunch of shows (mostly by Eric Guy - still owe him a proper coffee...) and results to boot. The main IFBB site... hmm. Lots of info on the how and why and loads of photos of the people in charge here and there but that's your lot (links!!)
Nabba (National Amateur BodyBuilding Association) don't do too bad (could be a tad more up to date): http://www.nabba.co.uk/index.html
As with any organisation in the Iron Game, be they 'natural' or otherwise they need your support to succeed and grow. So no moaning ya here!

Tuesday, 21 July 2009

Elite FTS / Dave Tate videos

Rock music, heavy weights.... what more do you want:

Vid 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Rc912bnRAo

Vid 2: http://asp.elitefts.com/qa/training-logs.asp?qid=100105&tid=

And in other magazines this month...




Ironman has (as they all do from time to time - cos it sells) an Arnold cover / feature. Of interest is the 675 lbs bench by a 165 lbs Joe Mazza... me like.

They also have an e-mag called Muscle XL here: http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/e579d8bd#/e579d8bd/1





Finally of the mainstream Muscle Mags we have my current fave (it helps that I get a free sub LOL) MD. The cover photo alone... kapow!

Now one for the strength fans. I'm glad to see this is still going and I found the current issue can be brought via http://www.amazon.com/ Powerlifting USA


For Ronnie fans...

Bodybuilding / magazines


Persuing emusclemag.com (Bob Kennedy's website for his magazine) while looking for site content I noted that the next issue looks like the kind I might like... Check the cover image for the September issue. Nice. You can 'flick' through a few pages here: http://www.emusclemag.com/magazine/bookHolder.html


This months Flex has a Ronnie training with Jay Cutler feature. Nice.

Severn Valley / BSW 2009

Gallery now added: http://img140.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=scoresheet.jpg

Click on that and away you go. 200+ photos (medley missing cos I was time keeping it).

Rich Gaspari interview



Bodybuilding





www.bodybuilding.com has an interview with the 80's/90's 'Dragonslayer' Rich Gaspari here: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/rich_gaspari_interview.htm For those of you who don't know Rich Gaspari he was THE most ripped bodybuilder at one time, gave Lee Haney a hell of hard time on stage (even though they were also training buddies) and now owns and operates http://www.gasparinutrition.com/






Matt 'Kroc' deadlifts


Thanks to RX Muscle (lots of good videos) here's a deadlift session with Powerlifter Matt Kroczaleski Deadlifting at Bev Francis Powerhouse Gym:

He's also featured on RX Muscle radio (posted up yesterday).

Powerlifting news

Powerlifting / strength
From http://www.powerliftingwatch.com/
20 year old Dave Neloson breaks 600lbs barrier
Submitted by Staff on July 20, 2009 - 9:24am.
20-year-old Dave Nelson (181) bench pressed 617 pounds at the UPA Bench Bash for Cash which was held on July 11 in Dubuque, Iowa. The press makes Nelson the second youngest lifter ever, under 200 pounds, to break the 600 pound barrier. Matt Handshue was the youngest. It is also the fifth ranked press on the Powerlifting Watch Lifter Rankings...

Video here: http://www.powerliftingwatch.com/node/11952 (1 min in for the 600+)

SG asks: If you have powerlifting news, photos and videos let me know via my email.

Monday, 20 July 2009

Highland Games Team Championships just took place

Strongman / highland games / source Ironmind.com


Will Barron and Sean Betz Win Highland Games Team World Championships
by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. ©2009 IronMind
Top performances accompanied what Francis Brebner called “five-star treatment” by Rod Hadley and the Antigonish Highland Games Organizing Committee as they hosted the International Highland Games Federation (IHGF) Highland Games Team World Championships, where Will Barron and Sean Betz won top honors.


Lead sponsor Steve Smith (center) of Atlantic Windows presents the awards to the winning team of Will Barron (left) and Sean Betz (right). Photo courtesy of Francis Brebner.

Strongman Champions League Coming to London

Strongman:

By Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. ©2009 IronMind
Continuing to deliver a full season of strongman competitions featuring a mix of established top professionals along with fresh talent, Strongman Champions League (SCL) appears to be thriving: London is the next stop in the 2009 SCL tour, so watch for SCL-London in Wembley Arena on August 22.





Branch Warren Classic`

Bodybuilding

A little late but check out the video feed here (courtesy of MD Online): http://mdtv.musculardevelopment.com/content/view/2156/241/


Photo of men's overall winner Kevin Perod

More from Britain's Strongest Woman event

Check out this great youtube videos Gemma Magnusson helped put together (part 1 of 3) from the BSW on July 18th 2009:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y43MtB2vSKY

Part 2 of 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sirsc466gEA

And finally part 3 of 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCDla8PNtwU

Team Muscletalk

Team Muscletalk: Team MuscleTalk is a new concept to the UK. Several top UK bodybuilding names - amateur and professional - are now working alongside MuscleTalk to promote the healthy lifestyle of bodybuilding and to open up competative bodybuilding to a wider audience. Read more about it here: http://www.muscletalk.co.uk/tm.aspx?high=&m=3487464&mpage=1#3487464 James, Jason and the rest of the Muscletalk team are looking to give you the BEST info they can and this is a step forward in that direction.

Contribution from and kind regards to James Collier (co-owner of www.muscletalk.co.uk - see banner alongside) for the plug on his site.

Benedikt Magnusson back in shape

Photo from stronglifts.com and photo credit: Egill Bjarki.
From a thread on SDF (http://s9.zetaboards.com/Strength_Discussion/index/ a great strength discussion forum based in the UK)


Posted by Stefan Solvi: ''Benedikt Magnusson is back in shape after struggling with injuries after the 08 Arnold´s. He pulled 400kg deadlift yesterday (19th July 200) in a powerlifting competition and has his sights for bigger pulls soon''. Gemma (nee Taylor), his wife, hinted at a possible huge number (500??) in the not too distant future. Finally Andy Bolton has someone to push him again.

2009 NPC MEN'S TEEN, COLLEGIATE and MASTERS NATIONAL CHAMPIONS !


USA Bodybuilding News this weekend
In my inbox this morning is a report from the 2009 NPC MEN'S TEEN, COLLEGIATE and MASTERS NATIONALS courtesy of www.RXMuscle.com Check out (above) this fab photo of Stan Efferding, the new 2009 NPC Masters Nationals champ. A good side triceps. Go here:http://www.rxmuscle.com/videos/c-interviews/510-npc-masters-teen-collegiate-nationals-final-wrapup.html for the full report, photos galleries and more. They also have reports, video and interviews on the whole shebang.

Sunday, 19 July 2009

And now the news...





Saturday 18th July 2009

The annual Severnside Strongman novice competition / Britain's Strongest Woman event (sponsored and supported by the Whey Consortium (see banner this site) enjoyed one of it's best turnouts to date.


Of the 30 male and 7 female athletes competing they ended up with 25 and 4. The slightly over cast weather held off it's threatened rain (more or less) to literally minutes after the tropies hand been handed out.

The score sheet (see below or go here for a close up: http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/354/scoresheet.jpg shows that Colin Hawkins won the male event on countback while Gemma Taylor reqained her former Britain's Strongest Woman title after several years out (having a baby, marrying, etc) thus proving she'd lost nothing while she'd been away.




Here Colin is presented with his trophy by Laurence Shahlaie (training at the WC HQ) and also this years UKSC England's Strongest Man.




And here's....... GEMMA! (with little Benny)




A link to 250+ event photos will be added soon.

More Muscle, Strength and Power news to follow