Lately our sport has been growing a lot especially on the local levels. It has been great to see some of the new talent showing up to meets and even better to see how competitive some of the classes are becoming. But with growth comes growing pains, and anything that grows needs proper care and guidance.
I had the opportunity to train with Travis Ortmayer and his crew a couple of months ago and noticed that he had a lot of similar complaints as I have had expressed to me from guys around here ( as well as my own frustrations). These are especially bothersome to me because one of the things that keeps me in strongman is the camaraderie. Because of the nature of the events and the fact that few people own ALL of the necessary equipment, and the fact that training methodology for strongman is still in its infancy, we are by necessity forced to stick together and help each other out by sharing equipment and ideas. So in order to help preserve the spirit of strongman (especially KCstrongman) I wanted to post some thoughts/suggestions for basic rules of etiquette. Now before I do I want to say that these are NOT aimed at any particular person (we are all guilty of some of these and I definitely include myself).
So here they are, feel free to comment, disagree or add to them.
If you go to a training day at someone elses place, Remember youre a guest, and since a lot of times its in someones home be extra mindful.
Since the sport is growing, training groups get larger and larger, so if everyone wants to do different stuff then the session is going to take way too long to be productive. So if your going to train at someone else place, make plans with them before hand if there are special events you want to work on. And if someone posts a training day and says we are going to be doing event A,B,C,and D. Dont show up and say I need to work event F.
Remember, most of the equipment is bought by guys who have to work hard and save up, or groups of guys who pool their finances to get their equipment. Even at SouthSide where its a commercial gym environment, all the strongman equipment was paid for by the guys who compete. So treat it that way.
If you train at someone elses place and use their stones, but dont bring them a jar of Tacky from time to time, its a safe bet that when your not around you are referred to as that fu@#ing Doosh.same goes for WD40 or GOJO Etc.
Remember, if you crap yourself during a competition, try not to do it while you have tacky on your hands.
If you train at someone else place on a regular basis and you show up one day and they have a beautiful new piece of equipment. The correct response is hey let me kick you a few bucks to cover the cost of that!.......another acceptable response is: hey Ive got some kegs that Im going to leave here for a while for when we train.
If your 12 feet tall and weigh 688, try not to fall down during farmers walks. Because, man, were not going to be able to keep picking your big ass up!
If you sign up for a meet and something comes up and your not going to make it, Let the promoter know as soon as you can. Lately most competitions have alternate list when all of the spots get filled. If you back out, let them fill your spot!
If your not competing in a meet, but are able to attend, LOAD. Its scientifically impossible to have too many loaders. I have recently gained a new respect for the guys that put on these meets. Running a meet is about 12 times harder than winning one. Remember, Every time you move a weight, someone has to move it back before the show can go on.
If deep in your heart you think you really are the strongest man to ever live but that you just havent been able to quite get it dialed in on event day, And its just a matter of time before we are all basking in your glory. Thats fine, but in case your dad or granddad didnt tell you: those are thoughts that are supposed to remain on the inside of your head.
If you have been working so hard to load that stone, week after week. And tonight you lapped it and got it to the edge of the platform, and it was sooooo close, but you didnt quit make it: its ok to be mad and frustrated. But DO NOT KICK THE STONE!!
If you live in a candy store and all of your friends are starving, dont go around buying up all the candy just because your on the internet all day and see the good deals before everyone else does!
A little friendly trash talking is ok. But if you cant control your mouth (or your mouse), go find a pick-up basketball game in da hood. This is strongman!
Dont ask a fellow competitor to help you pull your suit on right before a grip event.
If you train at someone elses place, dont get WD40 all over the bathroom.
If your using wrist straps for an event, but you need someone else to help you tighten them onto the implement, youre a dummy! were not firing you out of a cannon here, its a friggin barbell and two nylon straps! (that complaint is only from me, no one else seems to mind!)
Dont drop implements on Darren Barnharts hands or feet, have some respect.
Dont call and say your coming to train and then not show up, leaving everyone waiting for you and screwing up the training day. And dont do it 3 or 4 weeks in a row either.
If you ARE going to come to a training day, check with the guy throwing it and make sure its cool, dont just drop in out of nowhere.
If you training around some guys that are getting ready for a competition. and you are just goofing around. Try and let them get their stuff done.
Help the new guys out as much as you can. This stuff can be pretty intimidating at first. If your at a meet and you see a new guy with that deer in the headlights look, give him a hand.
If you are faced with a situation in training or competition and you dont know how to conduct yourself, remember this: WWTND (What Would Timmy Nassen DO)
These are just a few thoughts.
I had the opportunity to train with Travis Ortmayer and his crew a couple of months ago and noticed that he had a lot of similar complaints as I have had expressed to me from guys around here ( as well as my own frustrations). These are especially bothersome to me because one of the things that keeps me in strongman is the camaraderie. Because of the nature of the events and the fact that few people own ALL of the necessary equipment, and the fact that training methodology for strongman is still in its infancy, we are by necessity forced to stick together and help each other out by sharing equipment and ideas. So in order to help preserve the spirit of strongman (especially KCstrongman) I wanted to post some thoughts/suggestions for basic rules of etiquette. Now before I do I want to say that these are NOT aimed at any particular person (we are all guilty of some of these and I definitely include myself).
So here they are, feel free to comment, disagree or add to them.
If you go to a training day at someone elses place, Remember youre a guest, and since a lot of times its in someones home be extra mindful.
Since the sport is growing, training groups get larger and larger, so if everyone wants to do different stuff then the session is going to take way too long to be productive. So if your going to train at someone else place, make plans with them before hand if there are special events you want to work on. And if someone posts a training day and says we are going to be doing event A,B,C,and D. Dont show up and say I need to work event F.
Remember, most of the equipment is bought by guys who have to work hard and save up, or groups of guys who pool their finances to get their equipment. Even at SouthSide where its a commercial gym environment, all the strongman equipment was paid for by the guys who compete. So treat it that way.
If you train at someone elses place and use their stones, but dont bring them a jar of Tacky from time to time, its a safe bet that when your not around you are referred to as that fu@#ing Doosh.same goes for WD40 or GOJO Etc.
Remember, if you crap yourself during a competition, try not to do it while you have tacky on your hands.
If you train at someone else place on a regular basis and you show up one day and they have a beautiful new piece of equipment. The correct response is hey let me kick you a few bucks to cover the cost of that!.......another acceptable response is: hey Ive got some kegs that Im going to leave here for a while for when we train.
If your 12 feet tall and weigh 688, try not to fall down during farmers walks. Because, man, were not going to be able to keep picking your big ass up!
If you sign up for a meet and something comes up and your not going to make it, Let the promoter know as soon as you can. Lately most competitions have alternate list when all of the spots get filled. If you back out, let them fill your spot!
If your not competing in a meet, but are able to attend, LOAD. Its scientifically impossible to have too many loaders. I have recently gained a new respect for the guys that put on these meets. Running a meet is about 12 times harder than winning one. Remember, Every time you move a weight, someone has to move it back before the show can go on.
If deep in your heart you think you really are the strongest man to ever live but that you just havent been able to quite get it dialed in on event day, And its just a matter of time before we are all basking in your glory. Thats fine, but in case your dad or granddad didnt tell you: those are thoughts that are supposed to remain on the inside of your head.
If you have been working so hard to load that stone, week after week. And tonight you lapped it and got it to the edge of the platform, and it was sooooo close, but you didnt quit make it: its ok to be mad and frustrated. But DO NOT KICK THE STONE!!
If you live in a candy store and all of your friends are starving, dont go around buying up all the candy just because your on the internet all day and see the good deals before everyone else does!
A little friendly trash talking is ok. But if you cant control your mouth (or your mouse), go find a pick-up basketball game in da hood. This is strongman!
Dont ask a fellow competitor to help you pull your suit on right before a grip event.
If you train at someone elses place, dont get WD40 all over the bathroom.
If your using wrist straps for an event, but you need someone else to help you tighten them onto the implement, youre a dummy! were not firing you out of a cannon here, its a friggin barbell and two nylon straps! (that complaint is only from me, no one else seems to mind!)
Dont drop implements on Darren Barnharts hands or feet, have some respect.
Dont call and say your coming to train and then not show up, leaving everyone waiting for you and screwing up the training day. And dont do it 3 or 4 weeks in a row either.
If you ARE going to come to a training day, check with the guy throwing it and make sure its cool, dont just drop in out of nowhere.
If you training around some guys that are getting ready for a competition. and you are just goofing around. Try and let them get their stuff done.
Help the new guys out as much as you can. This stuff can be pretty intimidating at first. If your at a meet and you see a new guy with that deer in the headlights look, give him a hand.
If you are faced with a situation in training or competition and you dont know how to conduct yourself, remember this: WWTND (What Would Timmy Nassen DO)
These are just a few thoughts.
You can't fire a cannon from a canoe son!
