In addition to winning World’s Strongest Man and Europe’s Strongest Man titles, Tom and Luke Stoltman are formidable strongman competitors. Even so, neither of them is satisfied with what they’ve achieved so far and both have ambitious goals for the future.
Although his brother currently holds the crown, Luke Stoltman still aims to be the strongest man in the world, and in October he will attempt to break the overhead log press world record.
The ambitious Tom Stoltman hopes to win World’s Strongest Man five times in a row. ‘My personal goal is to break a deadlift of 505kg,’ he adds. ‘I know that’s a big ask, but once I’m done with World’s [Strongest Man], I’d like to really concentrate on that, so that’s another big achievement.’ We’re ready for some big records and some big goals.
As strongman trainers, they are still bursting with enthusiasm, and they have recently opened up their own training facility in Invergordon. In particular, now that we have the new Primal gym, you can walk in and see the buzz you get when you walk in that place. Unbelievable,’ Tom says.
It includes all the lifts that will supersize your strength and, as you’d expect from strongman royalty, there’s a brutal finisher included. The brothers have programmed a strongman training session for Men’s Health to share some of that spirit with you. No kegs needed, you can find all the equipment you need in your local gym.
Let’s set some personal bests.
During the workout
Farmers carry trap bars
Farmer’s Carry 3-5 sets of 30 metres
With your trap bar in hand, stand tall. Take a deep breath and begin a fast, deliberate march. Once you reach the 20m mark, keep your composure, turn around without letting the weights run wild and return. Whenever possible, pick up from where you left off if you drop the weights.
Work up to 3 sets of your 1 rep maximum on a single arm jerk
The dumbbell should be driven upwards by an explosive drive from your legs, and as the dumbbell begins to lose steam near the end of the rep, quickly bend your knees again, dropping below the bells and allowing you to stretch your arms and catch them in a locked-out position. When the bells are still locked out, stand back up, lower them to your shoulders under control, and repeat this process until you can’t control the descent of a rep or achieve a lockout overhead.
Luke Stoltman suggests: ‘Pick the dumbbell up with two hands, then you want to rest it on your shoulder. Press it right above your head with a little jerk.’
Exercise equipment, free weight bar, standing, strength training, physical fitness, exercise equipment, barbell, overhead press, shoulder, weightlifting, weight training,
3-5 sets of 3 reps of barbell push press
Taking a breath and bracing your core, place the barbell on the front of your shoulders. Dip at the knees and press the barbell overhead with your legs. When you are able to no longer lock the bar out overhead or control the descent, finish your set by lowering it under control back to your shoulders. Dip at the legs again and repeat.
