my first comp was right next to a bikini show. so I didn't make a fool of myself in front of people's family. I made a fool of myself in front of a bunch of hot ass girls haha it was awesome though.

The crowd loves an underdog.

I'm just gonna automatically like all your videos. Haven't seen one that isn't top notch

For novice: pick some heavy odd object from the floor, hold it and go for a walk with him. Next pick some lighter odd object from the floor, lift it over your head. Find the biggest guy in your gym, if he can't even pick your second odd object from the floor you are prepared.

These are weights from a novice contest a gym hosted near me Log 80kg 166lb for reps from floor York 200kg 440lb 15m turn return Front hold 15kg 33lb Stones 60-120kg 132-264lb Deadlift 200kg 440lb for reps

Can confirm on the atlas stone thing. I got 6 reps on a sandbag at my first show, the number one spot got 15 I think. I thought I was going to zero, so I was still happy.

The 3 dislikes are the ones who got punched in the face haha

This has actually been something I have been wondering about. As a "disabled" combat vet, Im not sure if Ill ever be in the kind of shape to compete at any level, but these numbers do give me something to strive for. Thanks again for the great content brother, looking forward for more to come.

Dude, Brian. Like, every single video of yours that I've watched has given me more than I was expecting from the title and thumbnail. And without after effects shenanigans, too. Way to overdeliver, man. Thanks.

Helpful, encouraging and entertaining as always. Thanks Brian

As always great info. Thanks . I am glad you put this out. I will be entering my first comp. In March 2019. Thanks

Just did my first last weekend! Was awesome now im hooked

You’re an excellent speaker, very eloquent. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Thank you very much for this! I've spent the past 8 months transitioning from 15 years of calisthenics training to strongman training and these ratios will help better define my training. Thank you again!

Finally found this video again, my sons and I have switched up to strongman training hopefully to find a competition this fall. Appreciate the ratios, gives me an idea of where we are now. Thanks 💪

Really enjoy and appreciate your videos. They’re very informative and practical.

always the best advice from this guy. he's not just talking, he's doing it, too. great example as well.

I plan to do a contest soon, thanks for putting together this video and all the other content too.

Just finished my first comp, this video helped mounds, everything he said was true and set my mind at ease.

Very helpful as I have my first event coming up in a few months! Already got most of what you've said here... Although haven't touched some of the equipment yet

My first comp is 8 weeks from Saturday. This video and your "What to expect at your first competition" video have really helped calm my nerves. I know the day of will be the real test but I think its going to be fun!

Thank you brother. I have watched 50 of your videos and this is the first time commenting. This gives me a guide. Haven’t lifted in 20 years. Nephew has been wanting to enter a contest. I am going to train the winter to get to these marks to try to join him. Use to do 405 bench in college. Starting over at 135.....long road ahead Thanks for the guide/destination.

I’m about to jump into my first comp in a month. And damn. The doubts kinda crept in EVEN THOUGH I’m at or above every single number you’re talking about. The mental game for prep is just as hard as as the physical game. Thank you for this!

Solid video brother. And on this, for those of you who are new, every strongman contest will have the weights of every object thats going to be pulled/held/carried/lifted listed well beforehand on the roster and page(s), and whether it’s 1 rep, repetitions, timed, or completion. It really helps you get an idea of what to expect when you arrive.

Best advice for me because I'm planning on doing my first strongman comp this year and you hit the nail on the head sir, thanks alot for the advice man, God bless🙏🙏👍👍

Awesome message right at the end. Great content Brian.

This helped me more than word can describe.

I never considered doing a strongman until you posted this video

Just the video I needed to see. Set a goal to do my first strongman comp around my 30th birthday next year. This video definitely eased my concerns. Hoping to hit a 1k total by the end of this year, but we'll see...#povertybench

I have my first comp this Saturday, so the timing of this was perfect. Thanks Brian!

Sir, everything you say makes total sense. Great content and hands-on experience. Thanks for the video.

this video was great man I'm about to get into strongman and working very hard in the gym I kinda already knew what I should be lifting but great to hear it from you someone who does this stuff thanks for the video

Love your content!! You’re probably my favorite weightlifter on KZfaq. I really like AllenThrall too. But I weigh about 180 to 185 and my dad left was 385 my squad was 335 I never dead lift it a whole lot so I was kind of proud of that but really want to hit 405 and couldn’t but my benchpress is 300 which is the only thing that’s actually pretty good for my weight that’s the one I don’t need! I’m more of a musician anyways lol

Thanks, Brian.

Brian, just did my first comp in novice and you are spot on. I competed at almost 60 years of age and had these ratios the week before, still zeroed over head press due to an impingement but the rest were ok. Did well in the farmers and deadlift. Stones were killer at the end and just don’t know why other than my tacky worked like grease, not tacky, that the event went so terrible. You are right on though w the ratios. I would say to all-JUST DO IT! Experience will be good for you and no one is going to laugh at you. Other advice bring your own shade, a fan and a rag to clean up your tacky after the event.

First comp my wife and kids were there. Got 3rd in novice. Couldn’t of done it without them. Me next one is Masters LW. You’re vids motivate me to push harder and smarter. Thank you.

This sure boosted my confidence in competing, will definitely look to surpass the novice ratios as I feel I'm already just above them, thanks for the great video Brian!

Next year will be my first contest at Maine's strongest man. I just started strongman a few months ago. Im very excited to just get out there and have fun, win, or lose.

Looking at a comp in the next 4-6 months and it seems like I'd enjoy it. Having competed (and still do) in PL meets over the last 3 years, strongman looks to have the same camaraderie as PL, ie nobody cares what you look like or what you're wearing only that you show up and compete. Can't say the same for other niche sports that are currently very popular. And as usual, another top-notch video.

Hey! Just want to say that you're awesome man! Gotten on your channel through Allan Thrall and really love your content. KZfaq needs more people like you guys. Keep it up!

Love you bro!

"Novice class!" Strong, smart and funny? I get it...you're good at everything. I was in the military, and I do think that participating in a Strongman Competition is harder that surviving in Afghanistan. And YES, I do mean that. I can never do what you do. I checked out some of the footage of you from last year's competition, and let's just say, I was in awe. Stay cool Brian!

Thank you, My first competition is in September. Your video helped.

I love how aggressively wholesome you are 🙌 and that Icelandic flag - takk! 🙏

You're videos are great I love them

Thanks, this was very helpfull.

This is one of the things ive noticed at strongmn and powerlifting events is people cheer for everyone even the 'weakest' if only they push themself 100%

Great content. Keep it up brother.

As a professional face puncher, f'ing great video!!! Fighting for change on the bench!! Very interested in this. Will be paying a visit as soon as I'm back CONUS.

Perfect video. I have my 1st comp next month

I just found your channel. This pep talk was really helpful. Has anyone ever told you you look like a buff John LaJoie?

Great video

#1 don't worry about the spectators at least you have the courage to get in there...and yeah pretty much every strong man will stand there and cheer you on ...one thing I love about the brotherhood of strength training is the sportsman ship

This is excellent bro! Im 27 years old...6'3 and 340 pounds...I wanna start in Strongman so bad and have had training and a good focus...but getting started ...I'm not sure

Just did my first powerlifting meet yesterday. Took first in the 45-49 raw masters category. I have my first Strongman in October.

man I like these videos I got a strongman Nov I might do hopeful my back is full go by than but I really like these videos man keep it up bro!

2017 goal: compete in my first strongman competition.

Awesome, I'm beginning my journey towards what I reckon is now strongman middleweight (200+). I say this, because of the incorporation of 150/175 weight class being "light". Anyways, I'm at 174 right now, and busting my ass getting stronger. I didn't really have an idea of what to aim for, and have been winging it, knowing that no matter what I would be stronger for it, but, now that I've got targets, time to start hitting them. Killer shit, Brian, thanks!

Brian, based on watching this video I found out that there is a Greenhorn novice only comp coming up near me in 2 months. I decided to go ahead and sign up! My gym already has all of the implements and I'm already part of their strongman meetups on Sundays. LOOKING FORWARD TO FINALLY BEING A STRONGMAN!

Awesome advice! I'm a long way to go still

Well this gives me a little more confidence to do a competition...... in the novice class haha. Hell, it’s my first contest. Now to find the next one in MD!

Super awesome video! This is an example of why I think this is an excellent channel. The content in this video is absolutely awesome. You gave not only clear ratios, but took care to include the whole don't stress on bench and do include leg drive in the overhead press. I'd seen a million articles and videos saying "2 plate bench, 3 plate squat and 4 plate deadlift" but this video really dig into the issue in a way anyone can use. Seems like I'm a bigger fan of this channel with every video I watch!

In my experience, strongman is a strong community and very welcoming of everyone competing. And everyone wants you to do your best so they can beat you at your best.

Thought I'd share my first comp's results, maybe someone will find it useful. In Germany, we have one yearly beginner's cup, which you can only compete at once. After that it's on to the Newcomer Cups (3rd league, essentially). I competed at 90 kg (200 lbs), actually weighing more like 80 kg. My best lifts were probably around 180/105/230 kg (the DL being sumo. Conv was probably 205-215) or 400/231/506 lbs SBD and my CnJ was about the same as my bench. Roughly. It was 6 years ago ^^ First, we did axle floor to overhead with either 55 kg or 75 kg. Won that event in my class and placed 2nd overall. Then we did farmer's walks, last man standing. Walk 20m with a weight and if you get 20m, you get to go up in weight. If you failed, they measured your distance. You could skip weights and weight always beat distance. I made the mistake of taking every weight and with my piss poor grip eventually took a minute to walk 12m with 110 kg (242 lbs). Big mistake bc I had previously picked up 150 kg farmer's (330 lbs) and should just have carried that for a meter. But yeah, hindsight etc. Placed somewhere in the middle, I think. Then we had a 3 keg loading event. Thought I was moving pretty fast but turns out everyone was. My height of 5'7'' wasn' t really a problem. Anyway, somewhere mid-field, again. Last, we did a last man standing prowler push, same rules as for the farmer's and also 60 sec time limit. Bodyweight was a huge factor here, so I placed way behind. Still got 2nd place in my class and 13/30 overall. So yeah, at least in these parts, you won't embarrass yourself with those mediocre numbers. That being said, if you want to make it easy for yourself at least work on the CnJ and your grip. Both of them are force multipliers. I lost so many points on the farmer's walk because I had to shuffle along lest I would lose my grip (forgot to mention: no drops allowed).

Lol just asked Brian this and he directed me here.guess i will be figuring out how to sign up for my states next competition/event what ever you call it.

Great video. I compete in masters group in strongman ( late to the game) but I go to have fun and see where I'm at. Done about five contest and going to Brute Strength strongman contest in January 2017.

First half of video totally squished my fears. The numbers scared me again. Hahahaha Hubby who's not into fitness at all like insisting on going as well as my Powerlifter 11yo. Ugh. Thankfully there's always low turnout for women's Masters. Hope to see you guys at Nationals.

inspirational i might do one

I'm a professional Body builder that can bench 120 right now but would love to get into Strong man contest love the video

dude you are dead on with your competition advice. doesn't matter what you are competing in. unfortunately some officials frown on people punching people in the grill.

Are you sure this is for the novice class? Lol good video dude, looking foreword to find a comp in my area sometime this summer.

All of this is helpful for a powerlifting meet too. Which my first powerlifting meet is tomorrow. Its like a pep talk that is calming my nerves a little. Slightly. Im looking forward to it just being the barbell and I. Stepping on that platform for the first time is a goal I never thought Id want but its almost here and I cannot wait to do my absolute best. Thanks for this Brian. Ive watched this before but its more relevant now.

overcomming your fears is part of the competition

Great video. Any thoughts on goal numbers/ratios for a novice woman?

Appreciate the knowledge. I'm not looking to be competitive, but trying to fulfill a life dream all the while really pushing myself in training. If my gym and small town don't offer the equipment to train these events specifically, what is a good way to fill in best way possible? Stones, yokes, car deadlift and such

Watching this years later, only a week before my first comp, anxious as hell

Thanks I m going to try to compete in Word Strongest man

training for my first comp now. You'd be surprised how hard something like this was to find.

This is more life advice than anything else

Still heavy but , as you said not as heavy as I though. I'll give it a try

This Brian dude is an encouraging bloke. I've been thinking about entering a strongman event. Don't know if they allow (for liability reasons) a 60+ year old to enter.

Amazing bro thanks! I am a beginner starting out the sport. I need to find a training program that will help me get bigger and stronger for strongman comps. How or where should I go to get this information? Thanks man!

good post. Just gotta get in there, you squares. I am doing my first powerlifitng comp in October. I just want to get my first squat on the board and then take it from there. Just don't want to bomb out.

I'm 4 months back into the gym. Lifting heavy. I've always been a "strong guy". I started lifting with the dudes on my shift and felt very underpar. Until I realized, yes I can't bench as much, and my arms are not as cut. But I can deadlift more, sqaut more, shoulder press more by far. Then the guys that look really in shape. I want to do a competition.

Dude, Bad Ass...

I am 58 and tested my strength all my life and now I'm stronger than ever 😍 can you recommended to any amateur strongman senior competitions in the north Florida area?

Sir can you please make a training video on training for carryover to freestyle wrestling

do the same video but for power lifting please

I was thinking about trying powerlifting or strongman but I have a problem I just can't keep my lats on the bench, I think hopefully by next year I can try a strongman that would be great.

aiming to do one next year at age of 37. I just don't want to come last 😅

very reasonable range and it would make someone really appreciate the upper tier classes and how strong you really have to be and how competitive it really is

Damn I got a loooooong way to go then

Would it be easier to compete in Lightweight Novice or Lightweight Masters? The event weights are usually the same for both.......

I just look at the numbers from a past contest and compare the winners numbers to mine

In a strongman competition, is masters class (40+ years old) like novice class (no weight classes)? Thanks!

Id be worried about getting injured!That would suck to give it my all then tear a Quad or a Bicept!

I've always thought the best part about strongman is that the competitions tell you what weights you need to hit. if you know you have to press a 225lb log you'll train to get to that point where as powerlifting is so open ended. tldr just look up a comp. look at the weights for the novice class or your weight class and train the events till you can hit those numbers

Apathy sucks!! Love it!!

My local one has first timer novice and open category the first timer has a big emphasis on overhead strength less so on squat and deadlift

My comp in June literally says "Event 2 will be bench press. Each competitor will be given 3 different lift attempts, with 1 minute each time to accomplish your lift." Just goes to show, you gotta be ready for anything in this sport