Mesmerized By Muscles at the 15th Annual California’s Strongest Man Contest

Some of California’s strongest athletes competed in a strongman competition this past Saturday morning in Huntington Beach as part of the 15th Annual California’s Strongest Man Contest. Taking place in a parking lot just east of Jack’s Concession Stand at Huntington State Beach, this competition allowed visitors of all ages to spectate these weightlifting feats for free, as the competitors exhibited their strength and finesse among five different lifting rounds. While most of the competitors represented various lifting and/or barbell clubs or organizations, the contest still allowed independent competitors to compete. Competitors exhibited their athletic ability in the following events:

1. Log clean & press: a power clean followed by a press/jerk using a log, barbell, or dumbbell
2. Keg toss: throw a weighted keg over a high bar
3. Farmer’s carry: hold onto two weights and move it over a distance
4. Tire flip: flip heavy tires a set amount of times
5. Atlas Stones: picking up a heavy Atlas Stone and lifting it over a hurdle

Both men and women competed and gave their all, proving that fitness does not discriminate. Some of the women competitors who looked like they weigh just a little over a hundred pounds could effortlessly move a tire weighing over 500 pounds. One can never start lifting weights too late, so if you feel motivated to get strong like these competitors, search locally for a weightlifting gym or a barbell/lifting club or organization. Try to avoid mass “fitness centers” such as Planet Fitness that deter heavy lifting – those do not provide proper training, and will usually trap you in convoluted contracts that you cannot easily escape without an attorney. For best results, search for actual weightlifting gyms or CrossFit gyms with a lifting program. Not all CrossFit gyms have dedicated lifting space, so do some research on these gyms to see if they allow a lifting-only membership without the CrossFit workout shenanigans.

Preview: The 15th Annual California’s Strongest Man Contest

Some of California’s strongest athletes will compete in a strongman competition this Saturday morning in Huntington Beach as part of the 15th Annual California’s Strongest Man Contest. Taking place in a parking lot just east of Jack’s Concession Stand at Huntington State Beach, this competition allows visitors of all ages to spectate these weightlifting feats for free, as the competitors exhibit their strength and finesse among five different lifting rounds. While most of the competitors represent various lifting and/or barbell clubs or organizations, the contest still allows independent athletes to compete. Competitors will exhibit their athletic ability in the following events:

1. Log clean & press: a power clean followed by a press/jerk using a log, barbell, or dumbbell
2. Keg toss: throw a weighted keg over a high bar
3. Farmer’s carry: hold onto two weights and move it over a distance
4. Tire flip: flip heavy tires a set amount of times
5. Atlas Stones: picking up a heavy Atlas Stone and lifting it over a hurdle

The event runs starting at 9:30am and goes until about 2:30pm. Its exact location resides in the parking lot across Pacific Coast Highway from the Waterfront Beach Resort. The closest free parking lies on Atlanta Avenue and the neighborhood north of it. Anyone planning to spectate should have sunscreen applied and prepare for hot weather. Spots to stand around the competition area to spectate operate on a first come first served basis. Spectators can find plenty of food & drink options at Pacific City one block up Pacific Coast Highway.

As of the time of this post, open competitor spots still remain – refer to the website linked above to inquire about registering to compete. For more information regarding this event as well as weightlifting training, check out East Coast/West Coast Strength Speed Conditioning on Facebook, or check out their YouTube for videos that include competitions from previous years.

Getting Fitness Motivated At The 14th Annual California’s Strongest Man Contest

Some of California’s strongest athletes competed in a strongman competition this past Saturday morning in Huntington Beach as part of the 14th Annual California’s Strongest Man Contest. Taking place in a parking lot just east of Jack’s Concession Stand at Huntington State Beach, this competition allowed visitors of all ages to spectate these weightlifting feats for free, as the competitors exhibited their strength and finesse among five different lifting rounds. While most of the competitors represented various lifting and/or barbell clubs or organizations, the contest still allowed independent competitors to compete. Competitors exhibited their athletic ability in the following events:

1. Axle/log clean & press: a power clean followed by a press/jerk using a log, barbell, and dumbbell
2. Complex: seated arm over arm, keg carry, and sled push
3. Conan’s Wheel: underarm lifting a weighted pole and moving it around a circle (shown below)
4. Complex: farmer’s carry, tire flip, and sled-anchor chain drag
5. Atlas Stones: picking up a heavy Atlas Stone and lifting it over a hurdle

Both men and women competed and gave their all, proving that fitness does not discriminate. The announcer even said that one of the women competitors weighs “one hundred and nothing” and she still could move Conan’s Wheel one cycle at well over 200 pounds. One can never start lifting weights too late, so if you feel motivated to get strong like these competitors, search locally for a weightlifting gym or a barbell/lifting club or organization. Try to avoid mass “fitness centers” such as Planet Fitness that deter heavy lifting – those do not provide proper training, and will usually trap you in convoluted contracts that you cannot easily escape without an attorney. For best results, search for actual weightlifting gyms or CrossFit gyms with a lifting program. Not all CrossFit gyms have dedicated lifting space, so do some research on these gyms to see if they allow a lifting-only membership without the CrossFit workout shenanigans.