Stone lifting

[ROcknrollracing]

It definitely is not worthless. The problem is most people aren’t going to stick to stone loading as much as they would barbell lifts. Incrementally loadable and ease of access is the barometer I’m using here.

 

[maximus__]

There's a few different style of bags and they all lift better in different ways. The oval ones, half full loose ones, overfilled ticks. Some people like to pick them vertical with a quick pull explosion, some like the horizontal roll up the shins, then up the chest. Feels accomplished when you start moving over bodyweight for reps

I lap my heavy ones and just do a single movement on the lighter one.

Something just feels good about the round back position you need to pick them up and get them into the lap position.

I worked up to repping my 200lb for multiple sets of 5 in bear hug squats. I am 170lb give or take. It happened pretty quickly. One week I could barely lift it and the next I was hitting reps with it after some dedicated work with the 150lb bag.

I use them mostly for carries at the moment because I outgrew my bag for strength movements. I am a massive fan of the carry in the zercher position though.

 

[maximus__]

Yeah I really liked my sandbag too. During Covid I filled one up with 215lbs of sand since that’s what I usually grapple at and my progression was pretty similar to you, which felt good. Honestly nothing has made me feel stronger or more athletic in grappling than double kettlebell work though.

One short story about sandbags and lifting stones: my father was a mason for fifty years, so he did a ton of lifting heavy stones and block. He was giving me a hand when I was moving a couple years ago and I had my 215lb sandbag on the upper floor of my raised ranch. During the day I left to make a dump run and come back to see my fully filled sandbag sitting in my driveway, so I ask him how he got it down there. He just casually told me he just lifted it on his shoulder and walked it outside, like it was no big deal. He was 65 at the time and was retired for a few years at that point. It’s sad to say but there was no way I could have done that at the time, despite having a mid 400s deadlift and training with the sandbag for a few months. Old men are strong motherfuckers.

I started with double kettlebell work before I got into barbell training way back in the day. I definitely rate it, but I only have a 16kg and 2x adjustables up to 32kgs. I wish I still had a set. I loved doing kettlebell clean and jerk ladders, it was probably my favourite upper body exercise ever. I usually keep my bells with one as a 24 and 1 as a 32 these days, so I can't really do them anymore unless I go 1 arm.

My perfect training plan would be made up of heavy sandbag work, kettlebells, weight vest loaded pullups and ring work. I use barbells for convenience but I am at the point I would cut them out if I could. I regularly do drop them and I always feel great when i do.

 

[Fahcough]

I lap my heavy ones and just do a single movement on the lighter one.

Something just feels good about the round back position you need to pick them up and get them into the lap position.

I worked up to repping my 200lb for multiple sets of 5 in bear hug squats. I am 170lb give or take. It happened pretty quickly. One week I could barely lift it and the next I was hitting reps with it after some dedicated work with the 150lb bag.

I use them mostly for carries at the moment because I outgrew my bag for strength movements. I am a massive fan of the carry in the zercher position though.

The Husafell style bags change the feel of the carry. Keeping that underhook instead of bear hugging it high on chest, good to mix em up. Same weight, and one wears you down faster. Good call on those, gonna quit being a bitch and drag them outside this afternoon. Cold weather usually keeps inside where wind isn't in the face.

 

[Kiwi Tricker]

I've only really used stones a couple of times. Found it a lot of fun, super challenging, and really interesting - especially natural stones. Great wee exercise for general strength, but much like anything else, they're just another tool in the box. The only time you'd *need* to do them is if they're a part of your sport (strongman, highland games, etc), but there's no particular reason to use them or avoid them otherwise.

 

[Trabaho]

Where do you get giant stones from to workout

It 100% sure is a good excercise. It's a natural movement and heavy.

 

[KnightTemplar]

Where do you get giant stones from to workout

It 100% sure is a good excercise. It's a natural movement and heavy.

Companies that specialise in Strongman kit will sell them. I believe you can also get Stone Molds; mix the concrete yourself, pour it in and wait for it to set.

 

[MilkManUK]

I did a novice strongman comp a few years ago and natural stone lifting was one of the events. Don't remember the weights but they were fairly awkward but I managed to complete them all, so they probably weren't that heavy.

 

[650lb Sumo]

They are cheaper than I expected (I only checked the top result and it doesn't tell you delivery, presumably until the last minute).

Buy Atlas Stones for Strongman Training - 9kg-280kg

Strongman Atlas Stones for Sale - Strongman; Strongwoman; Functional Training - Sizes from 8"-22" 9-280kg. Used throughout the UK. Discounts available

kingheavy.co.uk

Novice Set - 30kg/66lbs, 50kg/110lbs, 70kg/154lbs, 90kg/198lbs - £239.95
Intermediate Set - 70kg/154lbs, 90kg/198lbs, 100kg/220lbs, 125kg/276lbs - £349.95
Advanced Set - 100kg/220lbs, 125kg/276lbs, 150kg/331lbs, 175kg/386lbs - £399.95

[T]he [World's Strongest Man] Atlas Stones... increase in weight from 100kg/220lbs to 160kg/353lbs.



Tom Stoltman holds the record for the heaviest Atlas Stone lifted over [a] 48 inch bar at 286kg (630lbs). Tom also owns a 304kg (670lbs) Atlas Stone which he was planning to break his own record with. These two stones are 22 inches in diameter.

 

[rikwebb]

[T]he [World's Strongest Man] Atlas Stones... increase in weight from 100kg/220lbs to 160kg/353lbs.



Tom Stoltman holds the record for the heaviest Atlas Stone lifted over [a] 48 inch bar at 286kg (630lbs). Tom also owns a 304kg (670lbs) Atlas Stone which he was planning to break his own record with. These two stones are 22 inches in diameter.

If thats the same as the Giants Live sets (which normally it is as they are contractors for WSM) the light set goes upto 180kg and sometimes they chuck in the "heavy" set which is 120-200kgs , i know they've been using the heavier set more frequently on the Giants Live shows (hoping they use that set on the show i go to this year)

 

[Cole train]

They are cheaper than I expected (I only checked the top result and it doesn't tell you delivery, presumably until the last minute).

Buy Atlas Stones for Strongman Training - 9kg-280kg

Strongman Atlas Stones for Sale - Strongman; Strongwoman; Functional Training - Sizes from 8"-22" 9-280kg. Used throughout the UK. Discounts available

kingheavy.co.uk

Novice Set - 30kg/66lbs, 50kg/110lbs, 70kg/154lbs, 90kg/198lbs - £239.95
Intermediate Set - 70kg/154lbs, 90kg/198lbs, 100kg/220lbs, 125kg/276lbs - £349.95
Advanced Set - 100kg/220lbs, 125kg/276lbs, 150kg/331lbs, 175kg/386lbs - £399.95

[T]he [World's Strongest Man] Atlas Stones... increase in weight from 100kg/220lbs to 160kg/353lbs.



Tom Stoltman holds the record for the heaviest Atlas Stone lifted over [a] 48 inch bar at 286kg (630lbs). Tom also owns a 304kg (670lbs) Atlas Stone which he was planning to break his own record with. These two stones are 22 inches in diameter.

Holy fucking tits at that heaviest stone

 

[KnightTemplar]

They are cheaper than I expected (I only checked the top result and it doesn't tell you delivery, presumably until the last minute).

Buy Atlas Stones for Strongman Training - 9kg-280kg

Strongman Atlas Stones for Sale - Strongman; Strongwoman; Functional Training - Sizes from 8"-22" 9-280kg. Used throughout the UK. Discounts available

kingheavy.co.uk

Novice Set - 30kg/66lbs, 50kg/110lbs, 70kg/154lbs, 90kg/198lbs - £239.95
Intermediate Set - 70kg/154lbs, 90kg/198lbs, 100kg/220lbs, 125kg/276lbs - £349.95
Advanced Set - 100kg/220lbs, 125kg/276lbs, 150kg/331lbs, 175kg/386lbs - £399.95

[T]he [World's Strongest Man] Atlas Stones... increase in weight from 100kg/220lbs to 160kg/353lbs.



Tom Stoltman holds the record for the heaviest Atlas Stone lifted over [a] 48 inch bar at 286kg (630lbs). Tom also owns a 304kg (670lbs) Atlas Stone which he was planning to break his own record with. These two stones are 22 inches in diameter.

Atlas Stones are Tom's favourite event. Partly because of his very long arms; his nickname is The Albatross because of his huge wingspan.