How To Build The STRONGEST Athletes on the Planet w/ Strongman Coach Alec Pagan

Jan 10, 2026

Strongman coach Alec Pagan, renowned for training elite athletes like Lucas Hatton, shares insights on building unrivaled strength. He discusses why weightlifters excel in strongman events, applying CrossFit techniques for conditioning. Alec breaks down his annual training phases, customizing programs based on athlete weaknesses. He emphasizes mental health in the offseason, outlines key qualities like force absorption, and advises on drug use responsibly. With predictions for Lucas becoming the Strongest Man on Earth by 2026, Pagan reveals the future of strongman athletes.

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INSIGHT

Weightlifters Convert Best To Strongman

Weightlifters transfer best to strongman because they move dynamically and are technique-driven.
Alec Pagan says weightlifters' mobility and repetition focus make them the easiest crossover to elite strongman.

ADVICE

Use A Yearly Strength Continuum

Build strength across a continuum: muscular endurance → hypertrophy → functional strength → maximal strength.
Run roughly three months per phase to reliably increase performance year-over-year.

ADVICE

Make Phases Malleable To Athlete Needs

Adjust phase length based on individual deficits instead of following phases dogmatically.
If a weightlifter already has hypertrophy and mobility, skip unnecessary hypertrophy blocks and move to targeted strength work.

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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