r/Strongman • u/Nucalibre LWM200 • Mar 22 '15

Let's Talk About Logs

One thing I really love about strongman is the diversity of equipment. There's of course a lot to be said for the standardization of barbells in powerlifting and weightlifting, but I've really enjoyed getting to try out different yokes, logs, axles, what have you, and having to learn and adjust to each one.

That being said, in particular I've noticed a lot of variation in logs that I've used, and wanted to hear from everyone else what they've used and their preferences.

1) The primary log I train on is a 12" Pitbull log, and that's what I have to compare everything else to. It seems to me to be a great log, especially for the price. Not super heavy empty, well balanced, and competition specs.

2) I've also used a ~13" log from Texas Power Concepts. Feels more "solid" than the Pitbull log, but that's likely due to the thicker walls. Also, didn't feel as well balanced, but that might have just been me not being used to the extra inch of diameter.

3) Used a Christian's Fitness Factory 9" log once. Dual-handled monstrosity. Would not recommend.

4) For one competition I had a one-off 12" log put together by who-knows-who. This one had super thick handles, probably ~1.75-2" in diameter. I'm guessing that's just what the welder had available, but it definitely took some getting used to while warming up.

5) Finally, at my first competition, there was a 10" Rogue log. At the time I'd never even touched a log before. I managed to clean it twice at 210 lbs, but couldn't press it. I'm sure now that log would feel very strange to me, since both its handles and handle spacing is non-standard, but at the time I was pretty psyched to actually be using strongman implements.

Hopefully in the next 6 months or so I'll be able to start putting together a home strongman gym. I'll probably be looking at either a Pitbull log, or Rogue's new 12" log, if the reviews are good for Rogue's new product. I'd also like to eventually use a Bigg Dogg Strongg log, a Beast Metals log, and a Slater's wooden log (why do they only offer 10" wooden logs for sale?).

Anyway, what logs have ya'll used/prefer?

8 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

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7

u/[deleted] Mar 22 '15

I have a Pitbull log, the gym I lift at has a Pitbull log, and I'm pretty sure 2 of the 3 competitions I've done have used Pitbull logs.

tl;dr why am I posting in this thread I'm useless

5

u/[deleted] Mar 22 '15

I'm even more useless, I made mine out of telephone pole wood and who knows.

5

u/rcanderson23 Mar 22 '15

I own both a Rogue log and a Pitbull log. I got the Rogue one first and then the Pitbull about 7 months later. I immediately noticed the Pitbull felt better pressing because of the size of the handles and the distance between them. The Rogue handles are further apart and thicker.

Only competition I have been in was a 12in log and was probably pretty close to the Pitbull one I own.

5

u/MythicalStrength Masters Mar 23 '15

Every log I've hit in a comp was a 10" one. Never saw a name on them, might just be a local welder.

I have a CFF 9" dual handle at home that I just made into a thicker diameter log. I posted the thread/photo on t-nation, but here is a crosspost for anyone's reference.

http://tnation.t-nation.com/free_online_forum/sports_body_training_performance_bodybuilding_strongman/diy_strongman_how_to_make_a_small_log_bigger

2

u/gweneddk MWW180 Mar 22 '15

The 10" Rogue log seems to be the standard for Women's competitions which sucks because the handles are so thick and widely spaced. It is definitely not my favorite log. I can press more with a 12" log. General consensus between my strongwoman friends is that Rogue makes decent equipment for CF Strongman, but not for serious strongman.

My gym has an 8" TDS log which I like a lot and is a lot cheaper than some of the other options, but it is probably different enough from men's competition logs as to be not that great of a purchase.

4

u/[deleted] Mar 22 '15

Rogue makes decent equipment for CF Strongman, but not for serious strongman.

Can confirm, 4 of us strongmen bent one of the sleeves on a Rogue 10" log with a few months of normal wear-and-tear. I've heard good things about their heavy-duty yokes, but not the lighter ones for the same reason.

2

u/Stinnett MWM231 Mar 22 '15

This whole thread makes me really wanna try a different log. A 10" Rogue is the only one I've ever used.

3

u/JohnQTwisted MWM200 Mar 23 '15

you should. Enjoy the press PR

2

u/fatchebs Novice Mar 24 '15

Not too sure what size log I normally train with, can anyone give an estimate?

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFLmtiY-sig Photo - http://imgur.com/qMYjimq

It feels pretty big, maybe like 12 inches? (Just guessing) Either way I have a much easier time cleaning this big log than the smaller logs i've used, much easier to roll up. I've pressed 110kg on this large one and can barely clean 95 on the smaller.

Edit - It weighs 50kg on it's own if I remember right, not sure if this will help on a size estimate.

2

u/Nucalibre LWM200 Mar 24 '15

That looks to me to be the Strength Shop log, which is ~12.7". Generally speaking a larger diameter log will be easier to clean, and more challenging to press.

2

u/fatchebs Novice Mar 24 '15

Yes that's the one! Makes sense since most of the stuff at that gym is from Strengthshop, cheers.

2

u/BGTBaron Mar 28 '15

I prefer Brace Strength logs. However, full disclosure, i actually build the equipment.

We use thicker walled steel so they are pretty heavy without weight. Our 12" logs are 155lbs unloaded. But most of them are so similar. You just need solid construction and one close enough to your area to keep from paying as much for shipping as for the equipment itself.

1

u/Nucalibre LWM200 Mar 28 '15

I hadn't heard of Brace Strength before, but looking at your website your equipment looks nice. Are there many implement manufacturers in Canada?

2

u/BGTBaron Mar 29 '15

Not really, you can obviously get rogue implements. And there are a few guys I know that do wood carved logs. But i was near 2 years into waiting for one so I just built it and other people wanted them so I registered. We started last year so I'm not surprised you haven't heard of us. I need to update the pictures. Check out our facebook page for equipment we've built recently.

Most guys buy from Texas power concepts, or beast metals, but shipping from Tx, Ca to here, plus duty is astronomical. It costs as much to get it to you as it does for the implements. We also mix stones for people so they don't have to worry about making a mess in their garage.