My friend Doug Fioranelli invited me once again to his gym, Rise Above Strength, for their anniversary party. To support my fellow trainers and have some fun I drove out to Belmont and I’m glad I did.

To start with there was a competition. This was different from last years in that it was team completion instead of individual. This was simply because so many people wanted to join in the fun.

The first event was a double kettlebell deadlift with two 40kg kettlebells. These were to be lifted as many reps as possible with no time limit. The reps among the team members where totaled for the team score.

I’m hit 64 reps before the grip on my left hand when out. While I’ve been training the deadlift steadily, its never with kettlebells and never this high reps! I’m happy to report I hit the highest total among all the guys (some of the ladies, who were lifting 20kg kettlebells, were hitting 70 and 80 reps).

The second event was a team race with the prowler. In the video you can see one of three legs I had to do.

The third and final event was a medley with each team member having to complete one section. It involved 5 exercises.

1. 20 Pullups/Chinnups
2. Tire flips for a set distance
3. 70lb. Keg Press for 20 reps (30lb. Sandbag for women)
4. Walking lunges – 40 lbs. each hand for men and 20 for women.
5. Sled Drag forwards and backwards for a set distance.

As you can see in the video I did the tire flip which I was quite good at in last year’s competition.

The best part was Dan John, showed up and joined our team for this last event (manhandling the keg press with ease) as we were short a member. This was the first time we had met so it was one more pleasant surprise for the day.

After the competition I did a little oldtime strongman show bending nails, horseshoes, shredding a phonebook followed by a little kettlebell juggling.

Finally it was time to eat and what a BBQ it was.

A little later on I was showing some of the guys some of my techniques on kettlebell snatching. Its amazing how a few small things can make a big difference. (On that note, I should be hitting one of my main snatch goals very shortly.)

My main point in sharing all this is two fold. The first is to let you share in the fun. I like to keep this site personal and show you what I’m up to.

The second point is to encourage you to do the same. I’ve said this many times before and I plan to continue saying it. You need to get out there and compete. For those of us who have the luxury of a well equipped home gym we may not always get out and mix it up. For those without training partners its even more necessary.

An event like this gives the opportunity. It is a way to test how your training is going. It’s funny to note that everyone of the exercises in this competition was not something I regularly did. The deadlifts were close but I use a barbell or trapbar and 20 reps is a high rep set for me let alone 64.

(And in case you’re wondering, yes I am sore.)

The prowler and tire flip I haven’t done since the same party the prior year!

So when you go out and compete, in one form or another, you get to really put the pedal to the metal and see what you’re made of. Doing so is a lot of fun. I highly recommend doing it when you can.

In strength,
Logan Christopher

P.S. Be sure to sign up for our 10th and final call on Super Human Training. This week features Peter Ragnar and you won’t want to miss it.

P.S.S. Also I’m going to be hitting the road soon for the Longevity Conference. I’ll try to get you an update on a few things I learn while I’m at the event, but no promises. It’ll be a crazy busy and fun time.