What It's Like To Compete in a Strongwoman Competition
Written by Cecile Charrier, Sports Massage Therapist.
3 weeks ago I took part in my first Strongwoman competition since Covid started, and it was EPIC! If you’re interested in starting a training program, or just find the topic interesting I hope you’ll enjoy reading about my experience. The team at Backspace are very knowledgeable on training injuries from the gym so make sure to book in with me, or one of the chiropractors for a check up!
The Strongwoman sport is increasing in popularity and more women are taking part now at national and international levels.
A lot of gyms around the UK organise their own competition, usually once a year. My most recent competition was the Strongwoman Winter Classic at Athlete Movement.
Most competitions will have 5-6 different events. Each gym chooses what events they want to feature depending on their kit availability and what they would like to see but you can be sure that most competitions will include a deadlift type event as well as an overhead and carrying section . The events and weights are listed on the event page for the competition, it isn’t a surprise but the organiser can change any of it last minute.
The Aim Of The Game:
See this object? Great! Pick it up and throw/lift/carry/push/pull/hug/ walk it and then put it down. That’s it - Simple!
If you come first at one event, you’ll go last on the next. We go one event at a time. At the end, all of the points are added to announce the winner.
How Did It Go?
My favourite events are usually what are called “moving” events whereas my weaknesses are “static” events (squat/ bench/ deadlift for example). So of course, I did very well in the moving events, especially the one where I had to push objects above my head (there’s not much room for failure here as you can’t wear a helmet!) and carrying events (this is the only time you’ll see me run).
I didn’t do well on the deadlift, but this is something I’m working hard on with my coach and I won’t stop until I can do at least double my body weight.
And despite failing the deadlift, I still managed to accumulate enough points to win!
What’s Next?
It’s been 3 weeks and I’m already preparing for my next competition which will be the Commmando Temple Strongest Woman competition being held at the end of August. I’m super excited for the overhead medley where I’ll push 4 different objects, including a stone, over my head (not at the same time though - these objects are definitely too heavy to juggle). I’ll also being pulling a double decker bus!
What I’m most worried for in the next competition is the tyre flipping event as I’ve previously torn both my calf muscles doing this. But like falling off a horse, you get back on it and keep going!
The best part of the sport is always how many people you meet on competition day. It’s a very supportive environment and I can say that I have made some great friends whilst taking part. Who doesn’t want to say they lift rocks and pull trucks for fun?!