Stones and Kegs Loading: Strongman Exercises

Stone loading is a classic strongman exercise. There is nothing more RAW and Primal than picking up a heavy stone. In this video I am completing a “Medley” of strongman stones and kegs onto a 48″ platform.

Technique: Just pick it up! Seriously, some pointers for lifting stones are: make sure you can get your butt low! If you’ve got poor flexibility or are weak coming out of a low squat position, you’ll have problems with this exercise. Also, “rocking” the ball to one side so that it rolls into the palm of your hand and then squeezing it with your arms to pick it off the floor helps a ton. Be prepared to have the skin on your forearms torn to shreds too!

Some pointers for the keg. As you noticed in the video, I missed my first attempt at the load because I didn’t “re-wrap”. Basically that means that I tried to retain a “staggered grip”, which usually works for lighter kegs, once I realized that this 315 lbs SOB was not gonna load with the staggered grip I “re-wrapped” it.

Tips: You can make your own stones buy purchasing a “Stone Mold” from http://www.lordofthestones.com/. You can make a platform from wood like in the video, or use a “scafold shelving” like I use with my fitness clients and athletes at Strength Camp.