Power lifting by strongman competitors:
Training practices of 167 strongman competitors who perform feats of strength were reviewed from a 65-item online survey. Among the participants, 65.8% performed back squats, 88% performed conventional deadlift, 85% incorporated some form of periodization in their training, 74% included hypertrophy training, 97% included maximal strength training, 90% included power training, 59.9% performed speed repetitions with submaximal loads in the squat, 61.1% performed deadlift, 54% incorporated lower body plyometrics, and 88% performed Olympic lifts as part of their training. Additionally, 56 and 38% of the strongman competitors used elastic bands and chains in their training, respectively. These findings show that strongman competitors use a variety of strength and conditioning practices that are focused on increasing muscular size, and the development of strength and power. (12)