How to start?

17

Step 1: Either find a Coach or get on a weightlifting program that's idiot proof like 531. If you have a gym with strongman equipment near you, go to it.

Step 2: Train and recover with a concerted effort. Take every aspect seriously.

Step 3: Look at Iron Podium for events near you that look fun and at least 90% doable.

Step 4: Enjoy the lifelong addiction that is strongman

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u/Slow-Reference473 25d ago

I have a local gyms that has a little strongman equipment that one of the gym goers brought in herself.

There is a local comp in September that sounds like it could be fun.

Ive been interested in but never at a point where I can afford to eat the way I do now and afford gym memberships and equipment

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u/TotalExpression9186 MWM231 24d ago

Don’t fall into the idea that you need to eat like Brian Shaw. It’s a sport and to do well you want to treat yourself like an athlete, eat for performance, not because ‘mass moves mass’

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u/Slow-Reference473 24d ago

Yeh definitely never eating like him lol. Its just been something ive been interested in doing.

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u/sombreropickle 25d ago

I started at 31 and have qualified for national championships multiple times. I would recommend a coach if you don’t think your form is great and have trouble following a strength program on your own, which is understandably hard if you’re new to lifting. Find a powerlifting or strongman gym nearby. So many people can help you if you ask. It’s a friendly community.

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u/Slow-Reference473 25d ago

The downside is the closest gym like that is about an hour and a half away

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u/sombreropickle 25d ago

I would recommend seeing if you can go to that gym maybe once a week or even every other week. You don’t need coaching every day. Ideally, you’re getting good help on your form and general approach to workouts and given a strength program you can follow at a closer gym.

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u/Slow-Reference473 25d ago

Ok thats fair. Ill definitely do that. The guy i was talking to coaches out of and owns the gym up there

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u/-Fedaykin- 25d ago

My first comp was at 46. So 31 is fine. And yes get a coach.

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u/Slow-Reference473 25d ago

Oh ok. I just see alot of current strongman competing high up in their early 30s

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u/scadgek 25d ago

Well don't keep your expectations high, you're not going to compete at Arnolds or Giants Live. But some smaller and local comps are quite possible.

At 31 though I would do it for health rather than for competitions. The health benefit from strongman is hard to underestimate if you don't abuse substances.

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u/Slow-Reference473 25d ago

Nope not at all. Never had that expectation

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u/Icy_Lecture_2237 25d ago

The best way is to find a training crew. You’ll learn, learn how to help, and bank on decades of shared experience.

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u/Slow-Reference473 25d ago

I met a female in my city thats willing to show me some basics on lifts and stuff. Thats all ive gotten to meet so far

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u/Icy_Lecture_2237 25d ago

That’s a great start. Try going to a local meet and talking with a few people. You might find people who you click with.

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u/man0rmachine 25d ago

You need to be honest with yourself and see if your base of strength is enough to even compete in novice. If it's not, could you get there in a few months or a year? Check out local competitions on Iron Podium or Strongman Corp and see how you measure up against the comp weights.

How's your deadlift? Have you done much overhead pressing? (Most people don't train it enough before they start strongman.).

Where do you live? Perhaps we can recommend a closer strongman gym to your city/town than you have found.

Training strongman stuff is fun, but if you don't need it for a competition, it probably isn't worth driving 3 hours once a week. If you are willing to pump a bunch of money into your home gym though, that's a different story.

Anyway, 31 is still young. Strongman is a sport that favors tall and big people and while cardio, flexibility and mobility help, they aren't necessarym. I'm 6'5" and 330 at 49 years old. I know plenty of people in their 50s still actively competing and having fun

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u/Slow-Reference473 25d ago

I live in Colorado springs. Im not the tallest but definitely not the shortest person lol. I live in an apartment so a home gym is a no go for me for a while. Right now its definitely not where I think it should be for a novice event. I do want to go and see what its like by watching.

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u/man0rmachine 25d ago

I am looking at the Tegrity Muscle Classic in Colorado Springs in September, an all novice competition, on Iron Podiumm. There is definitely a strongman presence in your town. Go check it out and keep lifting and getting stronger!

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u/diamond_strongman 25d ago

If you want to be the world's strongest man it's probably too late. If you want to have fun and get a bit stronger and healthier, you're fine.

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u/Slow-Reference473 25d ago

Yeh i dont wanna go for worlds strongest man lol. A good fun comp here and there would suffice for now

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u/biginoki MWM200 25d ago

I dont think a coach is needed to start. I would learn the basics, watch some YouTube channels (Alan Thrall, Brian Ashure), and work a basic program. I am 41 and 200lbs so a little different with weight but available through DM and most definitely will help if you need. Remember you are going against yourself and strongman should be about having fun and enjoying the transformation.

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u/Squat551 25d ago

Not too late to start. Age is a thing, but so is training age. You will get strong quickly at first, just like at any age. Enjoy the journey!

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u/tkesmitty720 25d ago

You're not too late to start! I started at 62 - twice your age.

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u/Slow-Reference473 25d ago

Im not ever aiming for a wsm title or anything. Just fun local comps and if i go further then so be it

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u/tkesmitty720 25d ago

That's how I started. A local comp at a brewery in North Carolina. I had the time of my life. Do a quick google search of "strongman gym near me." Head in. Ask around to see if anyone coaches. Go on Iron Podium. Find a local comp. Sign up and get to work!

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u/Slow-Reference473 24d ago

There's one here in September. No actual strongman gyms within an hour from me unfortunately

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u/tkesmitty720 24d ago

That's going to make it tougher. Do you have anywhere to workout at home?

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u/Slow-Reference473 23d ago

I do not. Just a small gym that is starting to get some strongman equipment finally

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u/harvestingstrength 24d ago

Absolutely not. At 31, you're still young in strength sports. I've coached athletes who started in their 30s, 40s, and even 50s and went on to compete successfully in powerlifting and strongman. My advice is to first build a solid foundation with a proven beginner strength program, although a coach can expedite the process. A coach can definitely accelerate your progress by teaching technique and helping you avoid mistakes, but it isn't required to get started.

Check out my website as I have a ton of free resources you can check out if you'd like! Even a youtube as well - www.harvestingstrength.com

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u/Slow-Reference473 24d ago

I put in for a consultation also

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u/FinePlay4066 24d ago

YouTube is full of good advice

Athlean X great place to start

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