What’s happening guys? My name is Luke Stoltman and today I’m going to walk you through a log press masterclass.

For me the log press is one of the most technical lifts that we do in Strongman, we need to make sure that our set up is 100% perfect every time. So, I’m going to talk you through my tips and any tricks I have to become one of the best log pressers in the world.

The Log Press - Step by Step

Your starting stance should begin with your feet shoulder width apart. You want to keep the log slightly away from your shins so that you can pull it close to your body when you squat. Next, I use my stomach to clean and pop the log up to my chest then a push press to get the log overhead. Basically, that’s the log press that we want to see.

The Importance of the Clean

I’d say I’m one of the best in the world at the clean and I've maximised my clean by doing a lot of sandbag pick-ups. I’ll pick up the sandbag, sit down with it, really push my hips through to stand and throw the sandbag up in the air. This movement mimics the log press clean so when we come to pick up the log the clean should feel effortless.

For me being a good log lifter is about the clean and you really have to focus on that position. A lot of the pressing you do can be improved by using the rack, pushing the log press or barbell out of the rack, or performing a seated dumbbell press. But if you don’t have a good log clean then that all falls down.

Log Press Accessory Work

Seated Incline Press with a Log

As I stated at the start, it’s about getting comfortable with using the log and replacing a barbell with it if you can. Try and swap out any exercises you can for a log alternative.

Beltless Cleans and Log Press

Coming from a bodybuilding background I was very comfortable in a seated position; my seated press was very strong. But when I went to stand for an exercise such as a push press or log press my core stability was weak. I would suggest incorporating a lot of beltless pressing, deadlifts, and squats to strengthen your core. Only once you get that can you comfortably press a log.

Luke Stoltman's Top Tips

Spend Time with the Log

This sounds really simple but the first thing to do is spend time with the log. Beforehand when I worked offshore on the oil rigs, I didn’t get enough time to practise on a log press. Now, since I’m a full time ‘Strongman’ I’m managing to use a log press week in week out and I think that is probably my number one tip.

Buy a log press, get used to it and get comfortable with it, because if you’re using a barbell all the time it’s a completely different set up and position. If you can imagine lifting a log press up to your chest, the diameter is about 12 inches, so your hand position is a lot different compared to a barbell where your hands are tucked in. We need to train our body to get good with the log.

Don't Control the Lowering Phase

When we compete in Strongman there’s either a 1 rep max in the log lift or you lift for reps. I used to make the mistake of cleaning and pressing the log, then controlling it back down to my chest and bringing it down. This cost me a lot of time and energy controlling the weight back down. Now I follow the log down after the press, keeping my hands on it so that it’s still controlled, but I’m using less energy and I’m ready to go again.

Log Press Technique

Pressing the Log

Over the years we’ve seen a lot of variations of the press, for me I do a push press because I’ve got strong legs and get a lot of power from them. When we’re pressing a lot of weight it places a lot of stress on our knees and they become inflamed, so a lot of guys have to do a strict press. I would suggest you invest a lot of time in recovery, mobility, and physiotherapy, that's the only way to get over any potential problems with this.

On the other hand, when you watch Rob Kearney he uses a split jerk technique which is absolutely incredible with a log.

For me I’m very basic, squat down, pick it up and then pop the log overhead and that works the best. I want all of that power to come through my legs and power up to the log. For most people I’d recommend the push press technique as it’s the simplest.

Hand Position

Another thing to consider is your hand position. If your hands are off centre in the handles it will throw off your clean. If your hands are too far forward, you will have to push forwards.

Keep Your Chest High

When the log is at the chest you want to keep your chest pointing towards the roof, hips pushed forwards so when I pop the log it goes straight up over my head. Others may have a different technique, but I think that is the most optimal.

That was me, Luke Stoltman, I would say the best log presser in the world, showing you how to press a log like me. I hope you got some tips and tricks and I’m sure that your log press will improve, stay spicy.

Written by guest author Eryn Barber.

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Tags: Equipment > Logs ; Exercise Type > Strength ; Misc > Mirafit Ambassadors