Why are strongmen so fat?

[Coach is Back!]

[gcb]

actually he looks in pretty good shape to me

[Schnauzer]

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[Coach is Back!]

[SF1900]

Derek Poundstone is another strongman competitor with a really good physique. But guys like him and Mariusz are rare among the strongman community

[DanM]

The events have gotten so stupid heavy in strongman over the past few years that the smaller more lean guys simply can't hang anymore at the top level.

[BigRo]

begs the question then, what role does fat have in being a top strongman?

I know the keg belly comes in handy for the log press.

[visualizeperfection]

Matt Kroc also has a good build for a perma fatty powerlifter.


More along the lines of what I would want to go for, minus being strong (who cares about that shit??)

[Donny]

picture of Health....

[fredrollon]

Odd. The great Jon Pall Sigmarsson(1960-1993) always seemed to be in shape and the picture of health.











 

[MONSTER_TRICEPS]

Really simple answer: Because a weight increase means a strength increase.

How many 220 pound guys did you see pressing the 200kg log? Or deadlift 450kg? 

[BigRo]

fat doesn't have any power in itself though.

[hench]

So true so what does fat actually do to increase strength?

fat doesn't have any power in itself though.

[_aj_]

Why are fatmen so strong?

[_aj_]

Odd. The great Jon Pall Sigmarsson(1960-1993) always seemed to be in shape and the picture of health.











 

I take it that he expired at the ripe old age of 33. Any particular reason why?

[Hulkotron]

begs the question then, what role does fat have in being a top strongman?

I know the keg belly comes in handy for the log press.

I think it allows you to carry more muscle than you otherwise could at a lower bf%, simple as that.

[Jizmo]

So true so what does fat actually do to increase strength?

increase leverage
plus this:

I think it allows you to carry more muscle than you otherwise could at a lower bf%, simple as that.

even naturally. sumo wrestlers actually carry similar muscle mass to IFBB pros, but naturally. because theyre extremely fuggin fat and their body therefore "allows" itself to carry more muscle

[fredrollon]

I take it that he expired at the ripe old age of 33. Any particular reason why?

Going by memory, he died after a particularly heavy session of deadlifting of a heart attack. It seems heart issues ran in his family..


He was eminently quotable and ironically, one of more famous sayings-along with "I am not an eskimo.I am a viking!"-was  "There is no reason to be alive if you can't do deadlift! "
























 

[SuperTed]

Watching WSM a few weeks back I noticed that most tended to be in decent shape. Even some of the heavier guys in previous years had slimmed down to improve endurance and speed.

[hench]

How does it increase leverage, does it not make one less functional like not being able to manoeuvre as well or bend down as far.
Or is it that if they have a big belly and fat around the chest it gives the arms more to rest on so basically extra support?

increase leverage
plus this:even naturally. sumo wrestlers actually carry similar muscle mass to IFBB pros, but naturally. because theyre extremely fuggin fat and their body therefore "allows" itself to carry more muscle

[fredrollon]

In the pulling events,such as a truck pull, or pushing as in flipping a tire a fat belly could give you a leverage advantage and help in breaking inertia,at the beginning of the event.

There would an advantage in the overheard pressing or jerking movements, as a fat belly lowers the centre of gravity and so increases stability.

[Man of Steel]

strongmen are fat because they aren't leaning out to don a thong to pose onstage.....they eat a bunch like bbs in the offseason and then lift up and set down heavy stuff.   You have a few exceptions of lean or ripped strongmen, but most are fat cause they aren't getting on a posing stage.

some guys are gonna be lean no matter what they do....strongman, bb, pl, crossfit, mma, bowling, etc...

mystery solved

[Hulkotron]

plus this:even naturally. sumo wrestlers actually carry similar muscle mass to IFBB pros, but naturally. because theyre extremely fuggin fat and their body therefore "allows" itself to carry more muscle

Agree, but I highly doubt sumos at the highest professional level are not taking PED.  If it's a sport and there's any substantial money involved then people are on drugs, you can take that to the bank worldwide.

Sumos in particular receive bonuses to their (fairly modest) salary based on their performance, tournament placings, etc.

[MikMaq]

Seen one of you juiced up midgets at the gym the other day, guy was like 5 9. He looked good, until I realized a tall natty next to him made him look like a little child.

If your under 511 you look like a midget, stop with your shit,.

[thebrink]

The events have gotten so stupid heavy in strongman over the past few years that the smaller more lean guys simply can't hang anymore at the top level.

Then events are leaned more towards pure strength instead of endurance or stamina, where the `lighter`competitors have more of an advantage.