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
- Barehanded Nail Bending (Jim)
- Horseshoe Bending (Mike ‘The Machine‘ Bruce)
- Destroying Wrench (with tissue wraps) (Dennis Rogers)
Technique and Training
- Advanced Nail Wrapping (Jedd ‘Napalm‘ Johnson)
- Reverse Bending Instructional Video (‘Unbreakable‘ Adam T Glass)
- SttB Guide to Bending (Scott Andrew Bird)
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
Demonstrations
Chain Breaking
Demonstrations
Crushing
Demonstrations
Ears and Eyes
Demonstrations
- The Baron Von Geiger (Ears)
- Mohammed Sabir Sipra (Eyelid)
Finger Lifting
Demonstrations
Technique and Training
Frying Pan Rolling
Demonstrations
Grippers
Demonstrations
- Repping with the CoC #3 (Viper)
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
- Tram Pull (Bruce Khlebnikov)
- Bus Pull (Rani Manchi)
- 300lb Hair Lift (Chris Rider)
Hammers and Levering
Demonstrations
Technique and Training
- Leverage lifts: A reverse engineering problem turned to a breakthrough in power (‘Unbreakable‘ Adam T Glass)
- Hammering Strength into the Wrists (Jedd Johnson)
- Introduction to Sledgehammer Levering (Michael Parrella)
- SttB Guide to Sledgehammer Training (Scott Andrew Bird)
Hand Balancing
Demonstrations
Technique and Training
- Band-supported Handstand Push-ups (Jeff Tucker)
- Handstand Drills (CrossFit Journal)
Human Link
Demonstrations
Juggling Weights
Demonstrations
- Bumper Plate Juggling (David Hoffmaster)
- Kettlebell Juggling (Pairs)
- Juggling the Baby Inch (Steve ‘Mobster’ Gardener)
Technique and Training
Muscle Control
Demonstrations
Technique and Training
Nail Driving with the Hands
Demonstrations
- Nail Driving Through Phonebook and Board (Aaron ‘The Mighty Mac’ Mckenzie)
- Nail Driving Through Shoe and Board (Tommy Heslep)
- Balloon-bustin’ Bare-handed Nail Driving (Ryan Pitts)
Technique and Training
Odd-Object Lifting
Demonstrations
- Washing Machine
- Odd Stone Load (Doug Madewell)
- ‘Big Red’ (Logan Christopher)
Other Lifts
Demonstrations
Technique and Training
Partial Lifts
Demonstrations
- Band Resisted Rack Pulls (Jim ‘Smitty‘ Smith)
- 625lb Low Rack Deadlift (Brian Schwab)
- The Human Rack Lift (Mike ‘The Machine‘ Bruce)
Technique and Training
Pinching
Demonstrations
- 6 Dime Pinch (Ryan Johnson)
- Europinching (John Eaton)
- Around the World Plate Pinch (Diesel Crew)
Technique and Training
Pullups/Chinning
Demonstrations
Technique and Training
- Band resisted chin-ups (Scott Bird)
- Going Further : Pull-up Drills 3 (Jeff Tucker)
- Assisted Pull-ups with Exercise Bands (workoutz.com)
Rope Climbing
Demonstrations
Technique and Training
- Rope Climbing Technique : The Cinch and Pinch (CrossFit Oldtown)
- Attaching a Climbing Rope (CrossFit Foums)
Stone lifting
Demonstrations
Technique and Training
- Atlas Stone Technique (Jouko Ahola)
- Training Tip : Atlas Stones (Jim ‘Smitty‘ Smith)
- Lifting an Atlas Stone
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
Demonstrations
- Phonebook Tearing (Scott McElroy)
- Sharkbite Phonebook Tear (Dave ‘Iron Tamer‘ Whitley)
- When I’m 94… (Jack Beers)
Technique and Training
- Tearing A License Plate (Chris Rider)
- Card Tearing Anyone? (Chuck Halbakken)
- Overhand Card Tearing (‘Unbreakable‘ Adam T Glass)
- Review of the Card Tearing eBook (Scott Andrew Bird)
Teeth and Jaw Feats
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
Demonstrations
- Kettlebell Two Hands Anyhow (Bruce Y)
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.