Log Training (no not that one)

Training with the Log
By CJ Murphy, MFS
For www.EliteFTS.com

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The Strongman Log is a versatile piece of equipment that can be used for more than just an event. Logs can be used for a wide variety of exercises and goals. In this article, we will look at three different exercises that you can do with the log: floor presses, training complexes, and font squats.

Floor presses
Why floor presses with the log? One great reason is the position of your hands. The neutral grip takes a great deal of stress off of the wrists and shoulders. The triceps get a beating with these as well. If your shoulders are a bit beat up or you’ve got weak triceps, try these out for a change.

Floor pressing with a log is done just like a barbell press. You’ll need two spotters if you plan to use any real weight, unless you have special attachments for your power rack to hold the log. (I’m having a set made at my fabricators now so I’ll keep you posted on how well they work.)

Your spotters will have to hand the log off to you and then take it when you are done, as you really can’t wrestle a 400 pound log onto your chest safely. We’ve tried these for both max effort and for our second exercises. We prefer them better for our second exercise for 5–8 reps, heavy.

Training complexes
This really isn’t an exercise but more like a workout. Complexes are like circuits, using one piece of equipment for a variety of exercises with no rest in between. These are usually done with a barbell, but a log will kick your ass and increase your GPP.

Try this circuit out:

Overhead press, 8 reps

Front squat, 8 reps

Rows, 8 reps

Keystone/Romanian deadlift, 8 reps

Clean and press, 8 reps

Rest for 35–60 seconds, and then go again for 2–3 more sets. Use light weight to get used to things the first time out.

Front squats

Front Squats with the log are pretty tough. They are nothing like front squats with a barbell if you watch people do them. The log really stuffs a stick in your front squat spokes.

The key to doing these is that once you have cleaned the log to your chest, you really need to focus on keeping your elbows up during the whole lift. The more your elbows drop, the more likely the log will fall and you will fail.

Front squats with the log is best used for reps. I don’t recommend it for max effort work. Training heavy for events beats you up enough, and going really heavy on these will just add to it. Try them out for sets of 8–15 reps.

Well, there you have it—a few different exercises you can do with the log. If you don’t have a log, EliteFTS.com has some very high quality ones available on the site.

Train like a lumberjack and use a log.

CJ Murphy

Total Performance Sports©

www.totalperformancesports.com

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C.J. Murphy is the owner and head instructor at Total Performance Sports, which was voted one of the twenty Best Gyms in America by Men’s Health magazine (November 2005). Through the ISSA, he holds a master’s of fitness science and is a certified strength coach, youth fitness trainer, and certified personal trainer. With over sixteen years of coaching experience (including several World Record powerlifters), he holds a USAW Club Coach certification and is a multiple award winning trainer, including the "Spirit of Strength" award from USA Master Trainers.

Murphy also knows multiple martial arts, including jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, and modern Arnis, and is a licensed boxing coach with USA boxing (level 2). He has coached many kickboxers and boxers to amateur championships. Murphy is a competitive strongman athlete and powerlifter. His writing appears regularly in Men’s Health magazine, EliteFTS.com, DrSquat.com, and many others. Visit www.TotalPerformanceSports.com for more information.

Elite Fitness Systems strives to be a recognized leader in the strength training industry by providing the highest quality strength training products and services while providing the highest level of customer service in the industry. For the best training equipment, information, and accessories, visit us at www.EliteFTS.com.