New Hobby
 

Have been watching strongman for decades but have never lifted heavy weights before. I seen a advertisement for building a strongman log for $75. So I figured what the heck lets try it. So I built a much nicer one for around $95. With the wood being $50 and the screws $45. I had the other stuff.

I have never done this before and I have set a goal of being able to press 300 pounds over my head. I am 53 now and hope to be able to do it before I turn 55.

Wow! That is one of the coolest DIY's I've ever seen, well done!

That's an excellent goal and very attainable. Best of luck to you sir.

I picked up an assault bike/air bike, whatever they call it, a few weeks ago and it's been kicking my ass thoroughly. It's a Rogue Echo Bike, highly recommended if you are looking for a full body workout and to lose some lbs.

Nice, we have been thinking about getting one of the Schwinn Airdyne models. I could use some(a lot) weight loss around the midsection.

Got some new stuff for my other hobby. Had some brackets made at the local welding shop so I can add weight to the log. I also picked up the support gear for heavier lifting.

I lift the log twice a week and on my light day I do 35 full from the floor to over my head repetitions. Because I just got the brackets I am not sure what exactly my heavy day will be yet.

Still watching the local classifieds and facebook rummage site for a nice used Schwinn Airdyne bike.

This is really cool. That's a hell of a workout. As for the bike, Airdyne's are excellent, but if you run across a used Rogue Echo bike, those are excellent as well, I use one myself.

That's a pretty bad-ass setup. I know from being 52 myself, splitting wood in the woods, lugging said firewoood up our hill, and having one too many whoopsies...that the "support gear" is the most important aspect of all that equipment. ;)

Ben, that is a really neat log. What is the weight without any additional weights add to it? Good luck with your goal. 300# press is a nice accomplishment.

When I first screwed it together it weighted 185 pounds because it was really wet green treated 4X4s. Then after it dried out and I added the rope it weighed 128 pounds. The brackets for adding plates weigh 12 pounds so it now weights 140 pounds before adding plates. So far I have only had one heavy day and I added 30 pounds and done 13 total repetitions. Should do better this Saturday.

Wow fantastic

Keep it up. We will exercise vicariously thru you

I would be happy with either. Back when I was looking for used weight plates I saw several bikes listed. Now that I am looking for one I haven't seen one listed. Isn't that how it works,LOL. I am hoping all those who made a plan to lose weight for the new year and then used it twice will put one up for sale soon.

Be extra careful, Ben.

I turned 67 in January and bench press 55 lbs. every other day.

I can curl 10 lbs. a dozen times.


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I am being careful and taking it slow. At my age I know now is getting really close to the end of being able to get truly strong one last time. I am also doing a regular weightlifting routine to support the log lifting.

would love to see it in action but the workmanship is Fantastic

wish I had that handi skill set (or perhaps lucky I do not otherwise my wife would give me more projects):D

I actually video myself lifting it every time. There is nobody around to workout with so it is the best way for me to work on technique.

I can't get away with saying I don't know how to fix anything around the house because I owned a construction company for 25 or so years. There seems to be a never ending list.:)

Nice log, mini Austrian Oak! Keep up the work!

Thanks Scott, any tips from someone who has forgotten way more than I know on log lifting?

I am going to stain it in the spring. Was thinking of putting "The Northern Pine" on it.:D

Right on bro! I'm picturing your next GOAL being something like this!

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8dqWpk2Cbz...Shaw-lifts.gif

wow that is nuts

And he will get to that point in about 90 to 120 days. He needs to work up to it. He is already at 2 on each side

Brian is one of my least favorite strongmen.

Not the greatest but here are some pics of a old fat bald guy lifting a log.

I added a couple pieces of wood to the log today. When lifting it you roll it up your chest. Before I started adding weight to it the flat spots didn't really make much difference. Now with extra weight the flat spots made it suck.

This is what it looks like now after I cut and shaped a couple pieces of 1X6. It works so much better now.

As a regular at weekend estate sales, It seems they pop up at every other sale. Just one of those items like treadmills that wives buy to drape clothes on the corner of a room.

I check estatesales.net each week for a handful to visit with my morning weekend coffee trips.

I live in a very rural area. I see them in bigger towns 80-100 miles away all the time. I am holding out for one close or when I am going to one of the bigger towns.

Finally found a exercise bike cheap and kinda close. Other than the dust from sitting it looks like new. It was $50 and a 70 mile round trip so I am happy. Not sure, I think it is the AD4 version of the Schwinn Airdyne.

I am amazed at how good a workout you can get on it. Pretty sure I did way too much for the first time using one today and will pay for it tomorrow.:)

I finally got around to putting a nice finish on my log. Here are before and after pictures.

As more of a city slicker, I don't know what's more impressive -- the fact that you're putting that kind of weight over your head or the fact that you can build something like that (and trust your workmanship enough to throw it over your head so many times without a hospital nearby). Good luck getting to 300!

Ben, I'm sure proud of you. That is one serious weight to heave over your head. May I be so timid to make a small suggestion if, IF, one of your main goals is to lose weight---do some stretching beforehand, and then walk 1-2 miles prior to your workout. You'll HATE it initially, but after a few weeks, your heart will sing, and be much more able to endure the weightlifting.:o:o
--- Brian Powell, B. S. , Physical Education and Health, Ball State University, 1979

Ben, I'm sure proud of you. That is one serious weight to heave over your head. May I be so timid to make a small suggestion if, IF, one of your main goals is to lose weight---do some stretching beforehand, and then walk 1-2 miles prior to your workout. You'll HATE it initially, but after a few weeks, your heart will sing, and be much more able to endure the weightlifting.:o:o
--- Brian Powell, B. S. , Physical Education and Health, Ball State University, 1979

Made another cool strongman toy today. This is my is this going to work version. I wanted to get a giant loadable circus dumbbell. They are around $300 for a good one.

This is 2 20lb propane tanks put together with a piece of pipe that is threaded on each end screwed into the holes that used to have the propane valve in them. The final version will be very similar but with the tanks turned around with a 2 inch pipe 7 inches long welded between the tanks. Then I can get plugs for the holes from the valves. That will make it so I can easily use those holes to add or reduce weight inside the tanks so I can make it weight anything I want.