Atlas Stone Lifting....

[watzd411]

Hi All,

As always my passion for training and the evil voice in my head of Coach "You Bess Train Today You Lazy Biiiiiatttcchhhhh" is urging me to go right ahead and get to grips with an atlas stone.

I dont have much space to store much more kit so I have to be real selective. I want to get the biggest Atlas stone possible as I will be unable to get another one after the deed is done.

The biggest ones that are available to me in UK are 150kg roosk stones. I have NEVER trained stones before but as you would expect do all the core training. Squats, C&J, snatch, Deads ( Clean Deads and Snatch Deads-not the plift type), Kbells plus grip of course as well as other remedial stuff mainly of oly liftin.

What do ya'll reckon. I know this is very vague so please ask any questions that you would ask yourself. This would be all new for me, and would be interested to hear the experiences of others.

Thanks

Rydini The Sun, Moon And Stars

[Soilworker]

Soyou are asking if you should get a 330lbs stone as your one and only stone? If you are huge then yes. If you aren't huge, probably not. Since you have never worked with the stones specifically, you may just kill yourself trying to budge that 330. It is a bit hard to give this advice without knowing at least some of your stats though. I would say that if you can't squat what the stone weighs, then forget it, though.

I started with a baby stone; 150lbs. I worked up to about 275lbs stone.

[j.scribner]

Before I jumped to a 150 kg. stone, (that's assuming I could even lift that much) I would get an assortment of naturals in gradient weights... say, 40 kg., 60 kg., etc. Practice with them until you get core and squeeze strength, then advance on to the Atlas stones. I have a lot of difficulty with Atlas stones, but can do heavier naturals. There's something about the rough texture of naturals that allow you to get more purchase on the rock. First time I lifted an Atlas- 175#- last summer, I barely got it up, and could only (barely) lap the 195#. I've been doing squats, heavier benching, deadlifts, anything I can do to get my core strength up to speed. At next summer's competition I plan on doing better. A 330# stone is a massive chunk, and not like lifting the same amount on a bar, even if you are a really big strong guy.

John Scribner

[Clay Edgin]

Start with something between 100-125kg

[watzd411]

Hmmmm I hear you. Well in terms of core strengh I dont think that is an issue but I know that the stones will be a whole new ball game. I have squatted 200kg ( ass to floor) and Clean Deadlift around 170kg ( as a working weight).

I have recently seen the light though thanks, to the diesel crew and an article by Rick Walker on making your own stones. Still unsure of the weight though. I know it will be all new..........

[Dave Lemanczyk]

Stone lifting is completely different from any other exercise you can ever do aside from stone lifting.

Allow the connective tissues time to adjust to the newfound strain (spinal flexion) that will be put onto your back through the stone lifting.

I suggest you find a stone that you can manage forcefully and put in time with it. All things in time and it makes no difference how strong you are in a gym lift. That's only going to help you on a gym lift.

When you lift a stone you are in spinal flexion. This is the most vulnerable position you can ever put your back in. Everything with time and patience.

[watzd411]

Start with something between 100-125kg

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Thanks Clay. I was thinking in that range myself!! Also thanks to Rick Walker and the Diesel crew Ill be able to make my own. Which means that I can afford to give it to my training buddy when I outgrow it and simply make another ))

Diesel crew you guys are awesome.......

Rydini

[watzd411]

Stone lifting is completely different from any other exercise you can ever do aside from stone lifting. 

Allow the connective tissues time to adjust to the newfound strain (spinal flexion) that will be put onto your back through the stone lifting. 

I suggest you find a stone that you can manage forcefully and put in time with it.  All things in time and it makes no difference how strong you are in a gym lift.  That's only going to help you on a gym lift.

When you lift a stone you are in spinal flexion.  This is the most vulnerable position you can ever put your back in.  Everything with time and patience.

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I appreciate your pearls of wisdom and it makes alot of sense. In your opinion what sort of weight would you guesstamate. Would you agree with Clays opinion?

Rydini

[climber511]

The only thing I've found that is close to stone lifting is sandbag training. The plus to a sandbag over a stone is that it's pretty easy to open it up - add some sand and make it heavier. Nothing is like a stone but a stone, but a sandbag comes closest and is cheap and easy to make. This might give you an idea of how big a stone you want to make or buy in the future.

[Dave Lemanczyk]

The only thing I've found that is close to stone lifting is sandbag training.  The plus to a sandbag over a stone is that it's pretty easy to open it up - add some sand and make it heavier.  Nothing is like a stone but a stone, but a sandbag comes closest and is cheap and easy to make.  This might give you an idea of how big a stone you want to make or buy in the future.

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Remember that the sandbag SHIFTS bc of the physical properties of sand. Stones do not shift.

Sandbag training is a prerequisite to stone training. Good post Chris.

[Rick Walker]

Glad you liked the stone lifting article! Thanks for taking the time to read it.

You would be best served by starting light, getting a feel for the stones, and then moving up. I started with a 240, and it was hard for me at first. However, it seems when you work the stones each and every week, you get strong fast, and it didnt take long for me to place 360+ stones onto platforms.

Good luck and get after it!

-Rick

[twig]

Have you tried doing zercher squats and deads? I found them to be a tremendous help with the stones.

[watzd411]

Glad you liked the stone lifting article!  Thanks for taking the time to read it.

You would be best served by starting light, getting a feel for the stones, and then moving up.  I started with a 240, and it was hard for me at first.  However, it seems when you work the stones each and every week, you get strong fast, and it didnt take long for me to place 360+ stones onto platforms.

Good luck and get after it!

-Rick

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No Rick thanks for taking the time to put it together. Looking for the article again to print out and read and re-read on the way home. It gave me a wealth of knowledge. I'd take my hat off to you....if I wore one!!

Twig thanks I like the sound of that. I havent done Zercher Squats but will add those to the routine. I do deads but not the powerlifting style ones, I only do oly style clean deads and snatch deads. From reading though it seems like deads with a rounded back need to be practiced. Sounds like I have a couple of things to add.

Thanks Climber and Dave. The Sandbag thing sounds like a great idea.....but like a pitball I have gotten my lock jaw on the atlas stone idea and wont let up until I have bloody forearms and scaped most of the skin off my body

Thanks guys all the responses are VERY encouraging.

Your friend in grip

Rydini

[John Beatty]

Get around 110kg to start. Work it until you can hit 10 reps with it, then you'll probably be easily able to handle a 130kg. The 150-170kg stones are not so bad once you get technique down, but the easiest way to learn it is with a light stone like a 110kg. Work heavy stiff leg deads. You'll need that kind of strength especially with the heavier stones. Deads, shrugs, & heavy stiffs make up my entire back workout & I've loaded 242, 265, 290, 330, 385lb to 53" platform in 19 sec. Work the stones at least every other week. Good luck!

[watzd411]

Get around 110kg to start. Work it until you can hit 10 reps with it, then you'll probably be easily able to handle a 130kg. The 150-170kg stones are not so bad once you get technique down, but the easiest way to learn it is with a light stone like a 110kg. Work heavy stiff leg deads. You'll need that kind of strength especially with the heavier stones. Deads, shrugs, & heavy stiffs make up my entire back workout & I've loaded 242, 265, 290, 330, 385lb to 53" platform in 19 sec. Work the stones at least every other week. Good luck!

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Thanks John, I appreciate your input, I feel pumped now! Gonna hit some prs tomorrow and start getting the bits I need to make my own stone.

Although might consider buying the mold for a perfectly smooth ball.

Thanks to you all

Rydini