Why Strongman Is an Open Playing Field

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Join our 90 Days of Cultivation Challenge 👉 https://peakstrength.app/90-days-cultivate?utm_source=YT&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=90Cultivate&utm_content=AlecPaganPOD Try our FREE Max Rep Calculator 👉 https://peakstrength.app/training-progress-calculator?utm_source=YT&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=TPCalc&utm_content=AlecPaganPOD Follow Coach Pagan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alecjose/ Strength and Conditioning Coach Dane Miller sits down with elite strongman coach to discuss #garagestrength #speed #strength LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST 🎙🏆🎙 👉 https://feeds.megaphone.fm/HUM1295049334 Join Our SubReddit and Discord 👉 https://www.reddit.com/r/GarageStrength/ 👉 https://discord.gg/hGs2AHHxq2 0:00 – Who Would Become the World’s Strongest Man (Bodybuilder vs Powerlifter vs Weightlifter) 2:05 – Why Weightlifters Make the Best Strongman Athletes 4:01 – Strongman as “Heavy CrossFit” & the Role of Technique 5:26 – What Strongman Coaches Can Learn from CrossFit Programming 7:13 – How Alec Pagan Structures a Full Training Year 8:26 – The Strength Continuum: Endurance → Hypertrophy → Max Strength 10:35 – Adjusting Phases Based on Athlete Weaknesses 13:14 – Key Qualities Strongman Events Actually Test 15:18 – Force Absorption, Force Production & Stability Explained 16:52 – Strongest Man on Earth vs World’s Strongest Man (Event Differences) 18:59 – Heavy Shows vs Fast Shows: Yoke, Deadlift, Log, Sandbags 20:53 – Max Log Press vs Jerk: How Training Must Change 23:42 – Transitioning from Max Strength to Speed & Endurance 25:44 – Cardio & Conditioning for 350+ lb Strongman Athletes 27:35 – Breath Holds, CO₂ Tolerance & Panic Control Under Load 29:38 – Managing Multiple Major Competitions in One Year 31:59 – Why Peaking for 4 Shows a Year Is a Mistake 35:33 – Long-Term Career Planning for Elite Strongman Athletes 37:48 – The Importance of Mental Health & the Offseason Reset 40:09 – Outcome-Based Programming vs Guesswork Training 42:37 – Offseason Training: What Actually Matters 45:08 – Skill Work vs Strength Work During Peak Phases 47:38 – Weekly Training Split for a World-Class Strongman 50:59 – Overhead Training, Log Pressing & Tendon Health 53:13 – Grip Training, Deadlift Variations & Event Prep 56:24 – Why Deadlift Is an Event, Not an Exercise 57:35 – Periodizing Cardio, Bodyweight & Recovery 59:05 – Drug Use, Health Monitoring & Long-Term Sustainability 1:02:33 – Compounds Alec Won’t Allow Athletes to Use 1:05:37 – Why Strongman Is the Only Truly “Open” Strength Sport 1:08:16 – The Reality of American Athletic Development 1:10:30 – What Makes a Future Elite Strongman (Body Type & Movement) 1:13:37 – When Lucas Will Win Strongest Man on Earth 1:15:41 – Where to Find Coach Alec Pagan & Final Thoughts