Friday, 31 July 2009
What makes a good power rack a good power rack
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
Liz Horne one hand pinch lift video
September issues of the magazines
World Games 2009 photos
Erik Fankhouser: Leg Training video. Nice
GMV's clip of the week July 31st and more
Video
Wayne's hard news / write up of the finals
Rich Gaspari 1987 seminar preview
Thursday, 30 July 2009
Calendar updated some more
Scroll down and see what's happening over the next few days.
Ed Coan video montage
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
Loads more dates added
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
Callender Highlander Challenge results
Slovenian Grand Prix (strongman) results
Liz Horne shows it ain't just the men
Grip Strength Finnish Open
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
Essex's Strongest Man
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
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
- 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
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
''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.
Derek Poundstone leads Americans Strongest man
Primal Fitness Grip comp results (aka Big Nads)
Saturday, 25 July 2009
Big NADS event
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
Anglian Bench Press Championship
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
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...
- 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
French National Strongman Championships
International German Stone lifting Championships
Info sourced from www.ironhistory.com
Calendar added
Kent's Strongest Man 2009
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:
- Carl @ Scorpions Gym 01797 367888
- Rohan 07814422037
- Phil 07732359875 or via email via pjwesthill5969@hotmail.com
It's the aim of the Muscle, Strength and Power News to fill your calander's to the brim.
Wanna have some friendly records?
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
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
Events are as follows:
- Farmers Walk - 150Kg each hand for 20 metres
- Dead Lift - Approx 250-260Kg 4 reps
- Tyre Flip - 440Kg for 20 metres
- Over Head Press Medley - 120kg Log, 115Kg Axle, 110Kg Railway Sleeper and 85Kg Granite Block
- Arm over Arm - 3.5 ton vehicle for 20 metres
- Loading Race - 2 x 100Kg Barrels, 95Kg Tractor Weight and 100Kg Sack for 20 metres to be loaded onto a platform
- 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
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Arnold - the magazine
British Bodybuilding Magazines
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
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Elite FTS / Dave Tate videos
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...
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...
Severn Valley / BSW 2009
Click on that and away you go. 200+ photos (medley missing cos I was time keeping it).
Rich Gaspari interview
Matt 'Kroc' deadlifts
Powerlifting news
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
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.
Strongman Champions League Coming to London
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`
More from Britain's Strongest Woman event
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
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
2009 NPC MEN'S TEEN, COLLEGIATE and MASTERS NATIONAL CHAMPIONS !
Sunday, 19 July 2009
And now the news...
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.
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