The strength challenge was created with some key concepts in mind. to provide a platform for the strongman team at Iron Revolution to periodically test the basic events in strongman as well as their readiness for competition or simply to how strong they are and the effectiveness of the program at the time. Included in this are some core principles and beliefs about what it is to be a strength athlete and strongman competitor.
Having Standards To Follow
The strength standards have been developed after extensive research at various levels of competition and represent a great starting point in ones training goals and as such are used in the strength challenges to set weights for events in each division. The aim should always be for you to strive to become as complete of an athlete as possible, which is why there is such a varied event list. Strongman is about being brutally strong, as fast as possible, having exceptional strength endurance & conditioning and of course being smart about getting there. I have to continually remind people that Crossfit wasn’t the first to try and promote the ultimate all round athlete, strongman has been around for a lot longer and at it’s roots it has always been about this.
Being Ready For The Unexpected
Taking into account the various types of events that make up traditional strongman competition I devised the strength challenge to account for this and developed our program accordingly. Year round we rotate through the different events to be prepared for whatever competition will throw our way and of course to just be strong. We squat, deadlift, push things, pull things, carry things and drag them too. Our testing days have become so popular over the recent years we have made them into special competition days and turned it into a series of events throughout the year. For this year all events have been announced in advance. As of July 2017 there will be at least 1 mystery event at each challenge.
FAQs
- What if I can’t do any of the weights listed? Can I still come down and lift/compete?
The aim of the challenge days is to provide competition exposure and a chance to push yourself outside of normal training conditions. As the standards used are achievement goals that you are working towards it doesn’t matter if you are at that level or not the aim is to simply push towards them and and achieve the best performance possible.
- I noticed that one of the events says it’s for max weight and I have 3 attempts to do it in. What does the number in the standards mean then?
If the event is a max weight event then the number listed in the standards is the target you are aiming for to achieve that level.
- I noticed there is a two hour weigh in. I usually weigh a little bit over that so do I need to cut weight for this?
If you are doing the strength challenge to attempt to break a record then yes you would need to weigh in officially. If you are doing this as a personal challenge then no you do not. The reason we do a 2 hour weigh in for these challenges is to keep it simple for newcomers.
- What is the difference between the strength standard levels and what do they mean?
The different levels of the strength standards are the indicators we use at IR to determine what sort of training level you would be best suited to and what competitions/exhibitions would be suitable goals to work towards. While these are not set in stone they are a great starting point upon which to build a foundation and a future in strongman style training. Platinum level competitors would be aiming for competitions of the highest standard such as national and international comps while those working towards the bronze level would be suited to local and novice style comps.
So while the standards may seem daunting for some and easy for others just remember, they are only guidelines and designed to help one get the most from their training and competition. Your goal should always be to improve and get stronger. I train because I love it. Compete because I love it and train strongman because I believe it most embodies all the qualities of strength and competitiveness that matter most to me. I created the Iron Revolution strength standards because I believe they are great targets for any trainee to aim for regardless of ability level and experience. Strongman is a sport for everyone and almost anyone can do it. But you have to start somewhere and it’s much easier to start when there is a clear path ahead. Choose your path, embark on the journey and enjoy the ride.
Aaron “StrongAz” Scarborough
Click Here to find out more about the Iron Revolution Strength Challenge
