Strongman

A beginner can start strongman training with just a few versatile pieces of equipment. A strongman sandbag, farmers walk handles, axle bar and a weight sled allow you to perform many of the movements used in strongman competitions. As your training progresses, you can add specialist equipment such as a strongman log, yoke or loading implements.

Yes. Many strongman exercises can be performed in a home gym or outdoor training space. Equipment such as sandbags, axle bars, farmers walk handles and sleds require relatively little space compared with larger competition implements. If you have more room, a yoke offers even greater exercise variety.

Powerlifting focuses on maximising performance in three lifts: the squat, bench press and deadlift. Strongman training uses a wider variety of movements, including carries, presses, drags, pulls and loading events. Strongman places greater emphasis on functional strength, grip strength and lifting awkward objects.

Some of the best tools for grip training include axle bars, thick grip bars, farmers walk handles, rolling grip handles and loading pins. These implements challenge your hands and forearms because they have thicker diameters. Mirafit also offers a range of specialist grip training tools including pinch trainers and wrist rollers.

Yes. Axle bars have a thicker diameter than conventional Olympic bars and usually do not rotate. This makes exercises like deadlifts, cleans and presses more challenging by increasing the demand on your grip and forearms while building overall strength. Check out our list of The Best Axle Bar Exercises.

Strongman training develops the entire body. Compound movements target the legs, glutes, back, shoulders, chest and core, while carries, thick grip implements and awkward lifts place additional emphasis on grip strength, forearms and stabilising muscles.

Absolutely. Beginners can build strength safely by starting with lighter loads and mastering movement patterns before progressing to heavier implements. Equipment such as sandbags, sleds and farmers handles can all be scaled to suit different experience levels. Here is our Strongman Conditioning Workout to get you started.

Strongman competitions commonly feature log bars, axle bars, farmers walk handles, yokes, sandbags, sleds and atlas stones, although events vary between competitions. Training with these implements helps prepare athletes for the demands of competition while improving functional strength. Here is a guide of What To Know Before Your First Strongman Competition.