Strongman

Strongman training is based heavily upon the feats seen regularly in Global Strongman competitions – creating trainable and scalable exercises using fun objects such as atlas stones, sleds, and tyres in the place of traditional weights. 

Strongman classes are typically designed to allow participants to develop raw, functional, and explosive strength across a wide range of muscle groups, and are open to both men and women of all levels and abilities. Our coaches believe it’s a great session for a full-body workout and a fun departure from traditional gym routines!

If you’re interested in signing up for Strongman classes, visit our Strongman page to find out more. If you’re brand new to our gym, we encourage you to complete a free, no-obligation trial class to make sure Orwell and Strongman are right for you!

Strongman, officially established as ‘Strength Athletics’ in 1977, is both a competitive sport and training discipline. Competitively, Strongman athletes partaking in events such as ‘The World’s Strongest Man’ are required to test their strength and raw power over six to eight ‘categories’ using a variety of unconventional objects such as atlas balls, sleds, and tyres in place of traditional weights.

Strongman training classes are generally more accessible to all levels of strength and fitness than competitions. Their content is based heavily upon the feats seen in international Strongman competitions, and a high level of emphasis is placed on developing strength using unconventional equipment at a scalable level.

Whether you should train in powerlifting or Strongman ultimately comes down to your personal preferences, performance goals, and training style. Both are strength focused disciplines that aim to build a high level of muscle mass, power, and general strength – but one is not better than the other. In fact, their fundamental skills are relatively transferable, meaning those that can’t decide could train in both!

Firstly, be sure to look into what classes are available to you locally. Powerlifting training is generally a more popular or common offering, as most gyms already have the equipment required for its training style. On the other hand, not too many gyms have the tyres, sleds, and atlas stones needed to run a Strongman class. 

If you have access to both, consider your training objectives and preferences. Would you like to lift as much as possible using a set number of lift styles and low reps? Powerlifting is most likely the discipline for you. If you enjoy more diverse training and want to build functional strength beneficial to real-world scenarios, you’ll probably enjoy Strongman.

Still can’t decide? Our coaches recommend booking a training class in each to get some hands-on experience.

Strongman competitions and training aim to deliver a highly effective full-body workout – though some classes may focus on specific muscle groups in a set ‘program’, designed to offer variety over time. 

The exercises performed during Strongman training typically require the simultaneous use and stress of a wide range of muscle groups, typically stimulating muscle growth across the entire body with time and dedication as an ‘adaptive response’ to high levels of stimulation.

If you’re interested in signing up for Strongman classes, visit our Strongman page to find out more. If you’re brand new to our gym, we encourage you to complete a free, no-obligation trial class to make sure Orwell and Strongman are right for you!

Strongman is a safe sport when trained and performed responsibly, and with correct form. Your gym, training facility, or coach should work to ensure their training sessions and competitions operate as safely as possible.

The loads lifted during a Strongman session can be very heavy, particularly where experienced participants are involved; meaning injury is always a risk. This risk should be mitigated by way of proper training and procedures. 

To ensure you’re training as safely and effectively as possible, particularly if you’re new to the Strongman scene, our coaches highly recommend booking a trial class led by a certified trainer in order to establish your abilities, limits, and goals. In addition, you should always be sure to warm up effectively, work within your limits, and train with a spotter.

Strongwomen are absolutely welcome to take part in Strongman training at Orwell Fitness. Our training classes have an excellent mix of participants of all genders, ages, and ability levels, all of whom have one thing in common; a passion for fitness. 

If you’d like to join them and are new to our gym, we highly recommend claiming a free trial session, during which you’ll get to experience a class of your choice first hand, whilst our accredited coaches work to get to grips with your goals, fitness levels, and general ability. 

To discover more about our Strongman classes, read above, or visit our membership page for more free trial information.

Effective and continued strength training is one of the best ways to build muscle. Strongman training takes this one step further by using unconventional workouts to build full-body strength and power.

Our expertly designed Strongman training programs blend both compound and functional movement patterns with uniquely heavy weight loads. Whether flipping tyres, carrying D-Balls, or performing deadlifts, we’ll ensure each of your major muscle groups is thoroughly challenged – resulting in dramatic gains in strength, power, and grip developed as an adaptive response to good stress.

Strongman training offers a uniquely fun and hugely functional way to build strength – but its benefits go far beyond bigger muscles:

• Increase Strength and Power

Strongman training programs blend both compound and functional movement patterns with uniquely heavy weight loads – resulting in dramatic gains in strength, power, and grip. 

• Burn Calories 

Strongman’s high-intensity, full-on nature works through calories quickly and effectively – balancing muscle gains with full-body fat-burning to create a lean physique perfect for lifting. 

• Build Muscle Mass

Strongman exercises create the perfect conditions for the steady rebuilding of muscle tissue; safely encouraging muscles to grow rebuilt bigger, better, and stronger than ever before. 

• Prevent Injury

Strongman’s rigorous and sustainable training methods work to build lasting connections between the muscular and central nervous systems, strengthening key injury-prone areas, and improving overall functional movement. 

• Improve Mobility 

The strongman program is designed to improve range of motion, movement, and mobility – taking into account both posture and form.    

• Make New Progress 

Thought of by many as a highly effective program addition for those at a plateau, Strongman offers out-of-the-box exercises and equipment that challenge muscles in a brand new way, demanding progress and improvement across strength, mobility, and power.  

• Build a Strong Foundation 

The Strongman program is designed to establish, consolidate, and improve transferable skills critical to overall fitness; helping you feel and move your best in any situation.

Strongman training focuses heavily on functional strength. Described by many as strength training with a dash of cardio this fitness fixture makes use of innovative ideas, and out-of-the-box equipment to build unmatched strength, stamina, and power transferable to real-life tasks and situations. 

The exercises performed during Strongman training typically require the simultaneous use and stress of a wide range of muscle groups, typically stimulating muscle growth across the entire body with time and dedication as an ‘adaptive response’ to high levels of stimulation. As a result, the overall body composition and muscle mass of Strongman participants is often ideal for their ability level and age. 

To find out more about Strongman training, read above.

Strongman’s unconventional exercises are unusual in that they consistently and simultaneously target a wide range of muscle groups, including the core and abs, typically stimulating muscle growth across the entire body with time and dedication as an ‘adaptive response’ to high levels of stimulation. This consistent targeting of the entire body assists greatly in making Strongman competitors amongst the strongest in the world, and in building hugely functional strength. 

A a result, the program doesn’t have a huge number of ab-specific exercises, however, Strongmen often complete ab roller exercises, loaded carries, crunch varieties, and weighted planks as supplements to their full-body workouts.