"One of the most challenging feats in the gym is shouldering what we have called THE GIANT STEEL PILL. It is an old air compressor tank loaded to 250 pounds. It is very slick and is hard to get a grasp on it. However, these pictures show Chris Anderson lifting it easily! Chris even smiled for the camera!" - Al Myers
by Roger Davis
"Thought you might like a picture of some of my toys...bet you just want to hop on a plane and come round to play. The globe dumbbell is 40 kg, and has a 2" handle. At a sponsored charity event later this year, I want to lift it overhead 40 times in 40 minutes to mark by 40th birthday" - Roger Davis
(webmasters comment: Thanks Roger for sending along these pictures of some of “your toys” – and YES I would like to “play around” with them. If anyone else has special training implements, please send me a picture with a short writeup and I will share it on the website.)
by Thom Van Vleck
Thom Van Vleck getting "Down and Dirty" to judge the Harness Lift with a helper!
My own story on the Harness lift goes like this. After that 2006 USAWA Nationals mentioned in part 1: Harness Lift, I got one of the harnesses and heavy bars Al made special for that meet. I brought it home but did not have enough weight to load it! So I contacted my good friend, Bob McConaughey with the BNSF railroad and he set me up with a pair of railroad car wheels. I thought the RR car wheels would be cool to lift and we could also use them in our strongman evangelism shows. I’ll never forget our conversation when he asked me what size I wanted:
Thom: “So, what size do you have?”
Bob: “Well, they can range from 1000lbs and up to 4000lb”
Thom: “Apeice!!!!……uhhh…what’s the smallest you can get me?”
Bob (laughing): “I think we could find you some coal car wheels that are in the 800lb range!”
So, it was off to Galesburg, Illinois to pick up some surplus steel! I took my half ton truck to pick up a ton and a half of steel. John O’Brien went along for the ride and upon arriving, the trainmaster took us down to the yard to get them loaded. They were on a palate and I’ll never forget when the trainmaster asked the loading dock guy for help loading them and the loader looked at the wheels and at us and said, “Don’t you think a fork lift would be easier”!? As he walked off to get the fork lift, the trainmaster mutter under his breath a more crude version of “NO CRAP”!!! My poor pick up has hauled a lot of crazy stuff over the years, but you should have seen the it sink under that weight!
I got them home, and realized as I got them into my gym that these things were so heavy they were actually extremely dangerous, if they tipped over they could sever whatever was under them. But, I got them modified and loaded on to my heavy bar. My Dad had come over and helped me slip the harness on and I made my adjustments. Finally, I had them adjusted and with an estimated 1700lbs, I began to pull….an pull….and pull. It was then I realized that when you do Heavy Lifts, you have to have a whole new mindset! Upon proper mental approach which involves pain tolerance and the feeling that something is going to rip in any given joint in your body, I lifted it. I then loaded it to an estimated 2000lbs and after a couple of attempts, got that, too. I was elated!!! Later, I took my shirt off to shower and looked in the mirror and realize I had blood blisters all over my shoulders and hips. I looked like I had been bull whipped! The next day I felt some serious joint and muscle soreness, but a lasting satisfaction that I had “lifted a ton”!
If you want to get started in Harness Lifting, my recommendation is you need to work into it slower than I did and get some coaching by someone that knows what they are doing….it will save you some time and maybe injuries! Since you aren’t going to buy a harness or Heavy Bar at the local sporting goods store, I would take a good look at a Harness before making one and ask guys who have them how they made them. They have made all the mistakes for you and can tell you the best way to go about it.
Finally, you are always welcome to stop by the JWC Training Hall and give the Harness lift a shot!
by Thom Van Vleck
Big Al Myers lifted 2800# in the Harness Lift at the 2006 USAWA Nationals
The Harness Lift is one of the more intriguing lifts in the USAWA. How often can a person lift a ton….literally! Let’s review the Harness Lift rules from the USAWA rule book: A Heavy Lift Bar is used in this lift. A harness is also used, which fits over the shoulders and around the waist. An adjustable chain and hook is attached to the harness so it may be attached to the Heavy Lift Bar. The width of the harness must not exceed 4 inches around the waist and 3 inches over the shoulders. The lifter is also allowed to use hand rails to support the arms during the lift. The hand rails may be of any design. A hand rail does not need to be used, and the lifter may support the arms on the legs during the lift. The lifter assumes a position in which the lifter is straddling the Heavy Lift Bar. Width of feet placement is optional, but the feet must be parallel and in line with the torso. The feet must not move during the lift, but the heels and toes may rise. The lifter may adjust the chain length to his/her preference prior to the lift. The lift begins at the lifter’s discretion. The lifter is allowed one test lift to check the balance of the weight and to make adjustments to the chain length. The lifter will stand and lift the weights from the platform. The shoulders and torso do not have to be upright upon the finish of the lift. The legs must straighten, but the knees do not need to be locked. Once the weight is motionless, and the plates on both ends of the bar are off the platform at the same time, an official will give a command to end the lift.
Steve Schmidt is responsible for some of the most amazing Harness lifts of all time. At the 1988 Backbreaker he did 3500lbs in the 105kg class and in 1992 Backbreaker he did 3315lbs weighing in some 10kg less in the 95kg class. But the best of all time, was at the 1991 back breaker where Steve did 3515lbs in the 100kg class! Another amazing Harness lifter is Joe Garcia.
But to me, my favorite memory of the Harness lift took place when I was a head judge at the 2006 USAWA Nationals. There was a lot of big Harness lifts that day but a real battle emerged between Al Myers and Ian Reel. Al was the wiley veteran and Ian was the young rookie. It was a battle for the ages! I was extremely impressed with Ian (I’ve come to expect big lifts out of Al!). I recall getting down at floor level trying to check for clearance and seeing that heavy bar bend like a bow! That was some serious weight! When the dust settled, Ian (who was officially lifting in the 110kg class) equaled Al’s 2800lbs (Al was in the 115kg class) so by virtue of bodyweight, I have to give youth the victory on this one. I hope when Ian is done with his collegiate throwing career he makes a return to the USAWA….I hear he’s “filled out” now!
Youth is served! Ian Reel matches Al Myers lift for lift in the Harness Lift while recording the top Harness Lift of All-Time by a teenager.
by Al Myers
First, I want to thank everyone who made nominations and showed support to the USAWA Awards Program. I was overwhelmed by the number of nominations made – and the many athletes that were nominated. One category had 7 athletes nominated – with EVERY ONE of them deserving of the award. Now we will have to make the hard decision of picking just ONE athlete per award by having a membership vote. I narrowed the candidates down to two per category, with the two being the ones that had the most nominations. I listed them in alphabetical order (according to last name) so the order is NOT associated with their number of nominations. I also want to point out that being the RUNNER-UP of these awards is quite an honor, and no one should feel disappointed even if they are not selected. As I have said earlier, these kind of awards are the ones that mean the most as they are selected by your peers. Anyone who is a current USAWA member is eligible to place a vote – so take the time and cast a vote. Votes are to be sent to me at amyers@usawa.com. The deadline for votes is May 26th – the same as the deadline for your National Championship Entry! These awards will be announced at the National Meeting.
Al Myers
Chad Ullom
Leadership Award
Bill Clark
Al Myers
Sportsmanship Award
Denny Habecker
Art Montini
Courage Award
Frank Ciavattone
Dale Friesz
Newcomer Award
Dave Glasgow
Kohl Hess