Worlds Strongest man ever

[Laza cds mma]

Who do you think is the WSM of all time ? Thor ? Brian Shaw ? Eddie Hall ? Pudzianowsky ?

 

[JimRussel]

Who do you think is the WSM of all time ? Thor ? Brian Shaw ? Eddie Hall ? Pudzianowsky ?

You didn't even include would I would say is maybe an easy choice: Zydrunas Savickas.

Eddie Hall is up there too, but I think Z was maybe more well rounded.

It's definitely not Pudz. He was winning WSM at a time when it based more around speed and reps than static strength.

 

[JimRussel]

Big Z won 8 Arnold Strongman Classics, with 6 of them being consecutively, and has podiumed 12 times.

The Arnold is generally regarded as a better test of strength than WSM.

 

[Blake_UK]

You didn't even include would I would say is maybe an easy choice: Zydrunas Savickas.

Eddie Hall is up there too, but I think Z was maybe more well rounded.

It's definitely not Pudz. He was winning WSM at a time when it based more around speed and reps than static strength.

I guess it depends on your criteria for strength.

Savickas is a a good all rounder.
Eddie Hall has the deadlift record.
Shaw is probably the best overall for sheer brute strength - tho I think Thor will surpass him.

Still rate Pudz for bringing such a high level of athleticism to the strength game. I think the size of the guys now means that wont return anytime soon.

 

[sirtapsalot]

No love for Kaz?

 

[Ultra O’Dia]

You didn't even include would I would say is maybe an easy choice: Zydrunas Savickas.

Eddie Hall is up there too, but I think Z was maybe more well rounded.

It's definitely not Pudz. He was winning WSM at a time when it based more around speed and reps than static strength.

Wasn’t Z competing in a rival promotion when Marius won most of his titles, too?

I actually really like the movement and strength endurance elements of the WSM, and I loved that about Pudz and also JonPall, but ya, Z was the strongest in terms of one rep, static strength. Although I think Shaw is close, and Hall.
As big as Thor is, he is actually more of an athlete than the others, as well as being very strong.

 

[DM1982]

I love strongman competitions, in general; but I dont really believe those egg and spoon race speed/loading race events constitute strongest man, I prefer static strength based events determining who the strongest man is.

Big Z >>>>>>> all others.

But Eddie Hall has/had potential to be greatest static lifter of all time, imo.

 

[JimRussel]

Shaw is probably the best overall for sheer brute strength

Not sure how many total times they went head to head, but Savickas beat Shaw at the Arnold 4 times.

The place where Big Z really pulls ahead of everyone is pressing strength.

Wasn’t Z competing in a rival promotion when Marius won most of his titles, too?

Yup. There was a split.

His resume is really unmatched.

 

[Bballfan123]

Ever? That's a long time, going back to antiquity. Maybe this fellow: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximinus_Thrax

8 feet tall, a literal barbarian giant from the Roman times.
Drinking 18 bottles of wine at dinner has to count for something

 

[DoomPatrol]

I guess it depends on your criteria for strength.

Savickas is a a good all rounder.
Eddie Hall has the deadlift record.
Shaw is probably the best overall for sheer brute strength - tho I think Thor will surpass him.

Still rate Pudz for bringing such a high level of athleticism to the strength game. I think the size of the guys now means that wont return anytime soon.

Eddie also mentions that he had the axle press record at that same timeframe, and of course he was the literal WSM winner that year. So he holds a pretty good argument for 2017 Eddie being the GOAT so far.

 

[Blake_UK]

I love strongman competitions, in general; but I dont really believe those egg and spoon race speed/loading race events constitute strongest man, I prefer static strength based events determining who the strongest man is.

Big Z >>>>>>> all others.

But Eddie Hall has/had potential to be greatest static lifter of all time, imo.

The problem with static strength as the ultimate decider is it leaves it open to specialist power lifters (and all the attached rules on raw vs equipped etc) as opposed to “strongmen” who are more well rounded. Maddox benches more than any WSM as far as I’m aware.
IMO being able to move the most weight a foot from the floor once isn’t as impressive as moving weight 30foot or multiple times over your head for example.

What I always liked about WSM was it had variety in its tests which encouraged general as opposed to specialist strength. I actually think bringing back the old school direct competition of arm wrestling and grappling of the 70’s/80’s strongman comps would be great as well. Pulling trucks, loading stones and throwing barrels etc are not only great entertainment and relatable feats but show real world application.

You look at Pudz post-WSM and he actually moved to combat sports with some success. Others could have done well in Rugby/NFL. For me, especially the older I get, all round functional strength and fitness are far more impressive than just an enormous lump who can lift a huge weight but nothing much else and would gas running for the bus.

 

[Blake_UK]

Eddie also mentions that he had the axle press record at that same timeframe, and of course he was the literal WSM winner that year. So he holds a pretty good argument for 2017 Eddie being the GOAT so far.

Yea I think Eddie replaced big Z (who is in his forties to be fair) as top of his era but it was short lived. It’s also telling how open he is about the massively taxing nature of what strong man has become and how unhealthy it really is.

You look at guys like Shaw (who always seems a genuinely nice bloke) and you can’t help but think he won’t see 60. WSM is entering freak show territory.

 

[Blake_UK]

Not sure how many total times they went head to head, but Savickas beat Shaw at the Arnold 4 times.

The place where Big Z really pulls ahead of every is pressing strength.

Good point and overall I think you are right about big Z.
I didn’t realise he still held the log press record; Hall failed several times to best it. 502lbs is insane, and in a way more impressive is his multi-rep records.

 

[DM1982]

The problem with static strength as the ultimate decider is it leaves it open to specialist power lifters (and all the attached rules on raw vs equipped etc) as opposed to “strongmen” who are more well rounded. Maddox benches more than any WSM as far as I’m aware.
IMO being able to move the most weight a foot from the floor once isn’t as impressive as moving weight 30foot or multiple times over your head for example.

What I always liked about WSM was it had variety in its tests which encouraged general as opposed to specialist strength. I actually think bringing back the old school direct competition of arm wrestling and grappling of the 70’s/80’s strongman comps would be great as well. Pulling trucks, loading stones and throwing barrels etc are not only great entertainment and relatable feats but show real world application.

You look at Pudz post-WSM and he actually moved to combat sports with some success. Others could have done well in Rugby/NFL. For me, especially the older I get, all round functional strength and fitness are far more impressive than just an enormous lump who can lift a huge weight but nothing much else and would gas running for the bus.

While I agree with this, what i was more implying is that, Big Z, for instance, may not do it as fast as Shaw or Thor, but theres nothing he cant carry, pull, or load that they can, hes just not as quick. Speed shouldn't be a deciding factor.

So I think Big Z >>>> Shaw and Thor

 

[Smato_rules]

What about Ed coan? I never hear anyone mention him on here

 

[dissectingaorticaneurysm]

What about Ed coan? I never hear anyone mention him on here

A great powerlifter, but not a strongman. He would not do well in most of the events except the farmer's walk and deadlift.

 

[Ultra O’Dia]

While I agree with this, what i was more implying is that, Big Z, for instance, may not do it as fast as Shaw or Thor, but theres nothing he cant carry, pull, or load that they can, hes just not as quick. Speed shouldn't be a deciding factor.

So I think Big Z >>>> Shaw and Thor

its funny, earlier i spoke about how i like that WSM is more athletic than powerlifting, but you are right - thats not why i like it more. It makes no sense that Thor or Sigmarsson in the day gain time by how fast they can get from one atlas stone to the next, for instance. (i still LOVE all around athletes more than extreme specialists, nut if we are comparing strength.... ya)

What i do like is that it isnt all done on a bar. It should be as many different measures of strength as possible, reducing specialization and focusing on total and natural strength. Id also like to see more throws. Ballistic strength and power are underrepresented, imo, and you get some interesting transverse movements that focus on obliques and weight transfer.

but it should be all just strength - ballistic, power and strength endurance holds.

 

[Smato_rules]

A great powerlifter, but not a strongman. He would not do well in most of the events except the farmer's walk and deadlift.

Ah I see what you mean, I thought the question was more towards strength athlete

 

[DM1982]

its funny, earlier i spoke about how i like that WSM is more athletic than powerlifting, but you are right - thats not why i like it more. It makes no sense that Thor or Sigmarsson in the day gain time by how fast they can get from one atlas stone to the next, for instance. (i still LOVE all around athletes more than extreme specialists, nut if we are comparing strength.... ya)

What i do like is that it isnt all done on a bar. It should be as many different measures of strength as possible, reducing specialization and focusing on total and natural strength. Id also like to see more throws. Ballistic strength and power are underrepresented, imo, and you get some interesting transverse movements that focus on obliques and weight transfer.

but it should be all just strength - ballistic, power and strength endurance holds.

I'm not suggesting WSM and Arnold's should be exclusively static lifting; oh no.

I love throwing events, and there should be the odd loading and carrying race event, but these should be outnumbered by the classic static lifts and max weight in total and importance.

And tbh, both events probably have the right balance; I'm just not keen on how quickly an event is completed is great for finding the strongest man.

My ideal strongman event x6 events:

Deadlift max

Overhead press max

Squat for reps

Super yoke or keg toss

Plane/truck pull

Atlas stones


There are tons of variations, but here you see the 3 main static lifts - DL, SQUAT and PRESS, and 3 classic, all time race events (super yoke is interchangeable with keg toss, maybe).

So, in the end, it's even for static and race events; but the race events are dealing primarily with massive weights and are more about power and max weight than agility and athleticism.

 

[Ultra O’Dia]

I'm not suggesting WSM and Arnold's should be exclusively static lifting; oh no.

I love throwing events, and there should be the odd loading and carrying race event, but these should be outnumbered by the classic static lifts and max weight in total and importance.

And tbh, both events probably have the right balance; I'm just not keen on how quickly an event is completed is great for finding the strongest man.

My ideal strongman event x6 events:

Deadlift max

Overhead press max

Squat for reps

Super yoke or keg toss

Plane/truck pull

Atlas stones


There are tons of variations, but here you see the 3 main static lifts - DL, SQUAT and PRESS, and 3 classic, all time race events (super yoke is interchangeable with keg toss, maybe).

So, in the end, it's even for static and race events; but the race events are dealing primarily with massive weights and are more about power and max weight than agility and athleticism.

I don’t need the race aspect in there. I’d prefer the Atlas to be a max lift as well.

There are all kinds of cool ways to test strength. I used to like the pillars that they held up until their grips let go. Or turning a big wheel around to open a door. I remember watching Jack Dempsey pumping water maybe... but I’d like that side to side movement with resistance in front of you with ..... I don’t know how to describe it, lol.. but it’s core and arms, in a totally unique sequence.

I left barbells five years ago, and worked out with stones. Last year, I went back to dumbbells, and then a fatbar. Once on the fatbar I could once again do front squat, overhead press, and a more or less conventional deadlift. My numbers had fallen, and I thought, “damn, rocks are cool, but I’ve gotten weaker without the bar”. Well, I’ve got my numbers back up again, and, as it is nicer outside, have been back at my stones - and they are giving me hell. Can’t even get my natural ‘atlas’ stone off the ground most days.

I guess my point is, strength is so fun and hard to master, and their are so many intricacies to the techniques and so many little weaknesses that cause a lift to breakdown - so, the widest variety of lifts, throws and holds possible is what I would like to see.