Topic: Building a Base of strength.

[Kevin Hinkle]

I have come to this board because I know that some of the greatest Strongmen have trained in olympic weightlifting.  I want to make it to pro level strongman, and I figured I should start with the greatest strength athletes in the world.  My question concerns the article under the programs on this site, the Direct Approach to Olympic Weightlifting article.  Does anyone have a suggestion on how to split the days up or should I go on instinct?  I eat like a horse and get plenty of sleep.

If anyone has any other suggestions please help me. I'm in search of help from some of the greatest. Thank you very much.

[Paul LaDuke]

The men behind that article, Joe and Virgil, were great lifters.  Joe might even be one of our top heavyweights of all time.  That article is a very good article with sound philosophy from years of training and trial and error.  It is more of a program for an intermediate to advanced level lifter so it may not be the best idea in your situation.  Just for reference my definition of an intermediate lifter is a lifter who can snatch more than their bodyweight and clean and jerk more than 1.5x their body weight.  Advanced would be 1.5x body weight snatch and 2x bodyweight clean and jerk.

If you are just beginning the training of weightlifting, get yourself to a USAW certified coach to learn the lifts properly.  This is especially imperative for you since you probably already have a great strength base and years of experience in squats and deadlifts under your belt.  You will be quickly humbled by your lack of ability to snatch and clean the weight you should theoretically handle at your strength levels because of form issues.  In this sport, form means a great deal and for you to get the desired benefits from the training means that you will want to be able to handle great loads and you can't do that without good form!

Good luck in your quest in the Strongman realm.

[Kevin Hinkle]

Thank you very much for that. I am by far a beginner. My problem is finding a coach in my area and being so tight on cash, as everyone pretty much anymore, I can't travel very far. I live in a hole so I was lucky to find a strongman gym. I won't give that program a go then, however I will continue to clean and jerk and powersnatch.

Again thank you very much for your advice,
Kevin Hinkle

[Paul LaDuke]

Since you can't find a coach at this time, post video on here and we can break it down for you.  The learning curve is a bit slower this way, but it is much better than a trial and error method.  The feedback you get on this website is always positive, so post away!  You will not regret it!

[Kevin Hinkle]

I actually got a little bit of coaching from Mike Nease at my gym. He is the National deadlift record holder from 2005 and he owns the gym I go to. Once I get my camera up and running I'll post some of my training for critique. Thanks again!