Summary
Highlights
Kirk the Kurtlocker discusses integrating loading medleys, commonly seen in World's Strongest Man, into a home gym. He suggests using fillable sandbags as an accessible and versatile option. The host shares his experience with military laundry bags as DIY sandbags and later upgrading to more durable iron mind sandbags.
The discussion shifts to Atlas Stones, with Kirk sharing a humorous anecdote about his first 230-pound stone lift. The history of stone lifting is traced back to Iceland (Fullsterkur stones for proving strength for ship pay) and Scotland (Inver Stones, a social pastime). These smooth, rounded stones were precursors to the modern Atlas Stones, which first appeared in World's Strongest Man in 1986 as 'stones of strength' and were officially named 'Atlas Stones' in 1993, paying homage to the Greek Titan, not the Atlas Mountains.
The conversation highlights dominant figures in Atlas Stone lifting, including Brian Shaw and Tom Stoltman, who holds the record at 602 pounds. The use of 'tacky' (pine tar) for grip is explained, and its impact on lifting techniques, including going shirtless. For home gym owners interested in Atlas Stones, Kirk recommends purchasing 16 or 18-inch molds to make concrete stones, or considering a 'Stone of Steel' for a fillable and adjustable option. The hosts also discuss finding used stones on platforms like Craigslist.
The farmer's walk, an accessible strongman event for home gyms, is explored. Originating as the 'Fergus walk' in the 1983 World's Strongest Man in New Zealand, it involved carrying heavy wooden implements. The discussion covers various farmer's walk implements, from those used in historical competitions to modern designs. For home gym owners, Kirklocker distinguishes between front-loading (common and affordable) and top-loading (easier to adjust weights) farmer handles. He also mentions convertibles that can transform farmer handles into frames, offering versatility for metabolic conditioning.
The history of the yoke begins with the 'fridge carry' in the 1977 World's Strongest Man, an event designed for spectacle and relatability. This event notoriously led to a severe leg injury for bodybuilder Franco Colombo. The fridge carry evolved into the 'car carry' and eventually the modern yoke. For home gym users, the yoke offers versatility beyond strongman, serving as a squat stand. Kirk suggests that a yoke can be a primary piece of home gym equipment, especially given its multi-functionality with cross members and attachments for various exercises.
The hosts touch upon other strongman implements like 'Fingle's fingers,' duck walks, and power stairs, acknowledging the vast variety in strongman sports. They encourage listeners to share their favorite implements and suggest future topics. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to check out Kurtlocker's social media for more strongman content and encourages attendance at Home Gym Con, potentially with a yoke available for trial.