Straight to the Bar

All Things Strength

HELPING YOU GET STRONGER SINCE 2004

Various Strength Feats of Strongmen and Circus Performers, both old and new.


This page lists many of the strength feats often performed by professional old-time Strongmen, and demonstrates/explains exactly how to train for each one. Even if your goals do not include spending a bit of time in front of an audience, these are well worth learning.

After all, you can never be too strong.

Bending

Demonstrations

 

Technique and Training

Equipment

If you’re new to the world of Nail Bending, grab a copy of Jedd Johnson’s excellent ‘Diesel Crew Bending eBook‘. It explains exactly what to do, and how.

On the equipment side of things, I love Robert Baraban’s stuff – his page on Amazon will give you an idea of the range of gear he offers. There’s plenty bit of both nail & horeshoe bending gear available

 

Blowing

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Georges Christen.

Demonstrations

 

Chain Breaking

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Pierre Gasnier.

Demonstrations

 

Crushing

crushdown

The Crushdown.

Demonstrations

 

Ears and Eyes

Demonstrations

 

Finger Lifting

fingerlift

Finger lifts.

Demonstrations

Technique and Training

 

Frying Pan Rolling

Demonstrations

 

Grippers

Demonstrations

Technique and Training

Equipment

If you’re new to the world of Grip, swing by Jedd Johnson’s wonderful site ‘The Grip Authority‘. It explains exactly what to do, and how.

On the equipment side of things, I love the Ironmind stuff – the Amazon store has a vast selection, including the wonderful Captains of Crush grippers.

 

Hair Feats

Demonstrations

 

Hammers and Levering

Demonstrations

Technique and Training

 

Hand Balancing

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Doug Hepburn.

Demonstrations

Technique and Training

 

Human Link

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Louis Cyr.

Demonstrations

 

Juggling Weights

Demonstrations

Technique and Training

 

Muscle Control

Maxick (Max Sick).

Demonstrations

Technique and Training

 

Nail Driving with the Hands

Demonstrations

Technique and Training

 

Odd-Object Lifting

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Herbert ‘HE’ Mann.

Demonstrations

 

Other Lifts

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Ed Zercher.

Demonstrations

Technique and Training

 

Partial Lifts

Demonstrations

Technique and Training

 

Pinching

Demonstrations

Technique and Training

 

Pullups/Chinning

JasperBenincasaCTI

Jasper Benincasa.

Demonstrations

Technique and Training

 

Rope Climbing

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Wolfgang Güllich.

Demonstrations

Technique and Training

 

Stone lifting

Atlas Stones

Mick Holding. Photo by Steve Collins.

Demonstrations

Technique and Training

Equipment

If you’re ready to do a little stone work yourself, check out the molds from Rogue Fitness. Both the test yourself with a little jaw lifting, check out the jaw harnesses from Rogue Hybrid ones, and the Slater Molds. Nice and smooth.

Tearing

Torn cards

Torn cards.

Demonstrations

Technique and Training

 

Teeth and Jaw Feats

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Lawanda – the Iron-Jawed Man.

Demonstrations

Equipment

If you’re ready to test yourself with a little jaw lifting, check out the jaw harnesses from StrongerGrip. Smooth, and extremely tough. Beautiful things.

Two Hands Anyhow

Arthur Saxon.

Demonstrations

Technique and Training

 


Incidentally, if you’d like to discuss any of the stuff above, swing by Twitter, Facebook or any of the platforms listed below.

There are also the lists on Twitter, and our Daily & Weekly newsletters.

Look forward to hearing from you.