F1-STRONGMAN..
The F1 Strongman competition was an idea in our first year to give the guys in the gym a change of focus away from team fitness conditioning, bodybuilding, rowing etc, a summer event as a simple test of raw strength. As we have gained momentum and a wider interest from across the region, the West Cork Benchpress Challenge was born. Advertising through the West Cork People and with event products sponsorship with our friends at Kinetica Sports Nutrition, giving prizes for the top lifters, plus further sponsorship this year with Andrew O'Callaghan Transport Ltde providing a cash prize of €250 for the Men's Open category winner. A huge step forward for the competition this year was to be invited into the Waterfront Festival, Clonakilty, under the lights in the main arena, as part of the local fitness saturday line up.
2011: With lifters from across West Cork and from as far as Donegal, this year was great show. Outstanding amateur lifting from our 3 juniors and 10 senior men. Our competition is based around a strength to weight ratio and our top 5 men didn't disappoint, with all 5 above a 1.5% of bodyweight lifting. Clonakity based Alex Babos was cool under pressure lifting a brilliant 1.76% closely followed by Alistair Harte smashing his PB from last year and almost making a 1.8% lift. Tactics over 5 rounds play a huge role, some trying to go big lift early and some building up weight over all 5 lifts.
Final Ranking: Junior Under 19's Men's Open
Henry Jennings 1.29% 90kgs Alex Babos winner 1.76% 135kgs
Barry Hayes 1.02% 70kgs Alistir Harte 2nd 1.72% 132.5kgs
Tadgh Downey 0.76% 62.5kgs Keiron Doyle 3rd 1.69% 130kgs
Darragh Lynch 1.59% 140kgs
Keiron Houlin 1.52% 125kgs
John Hederman 1.45% 170kgs
Bantoz Szowshi 1.38% 100kgs
Felim O'Neil 1.30% 102.5kgs
Robert Walsh 1.22% 112.5kgs
Daniel Crowley 1.15% 120kgs
As you can see from thr ranking, the true strength to bodyweight ratio has a massive effect on the results. Despite John's huge lift of 170kgs his bodywieght lowered his ranking, brilliant lift however well done, see you next year for the 180kgs!!
Dips Challenge: Running concurrently with the benchpress we also have a dips bodyweight challenge. A single set, max reps of 90degree dips in an upright frame. This year our prize was donated by the Waterfront Festival, a free pass to the sold out full moon party, and our winner with 43dips was Kieron Doyle, impressive after the benching 3rd place.
2012: 3 events, Bench / Dip & Concept2.
With an evolving competition and considering our local gym connections, I have decided to bring a 3rd event to the 2012 show; a 1000mtr sprint rowing challege. Due to our time constraints we will register a maximum of 20 rowers for the sprint championship, our prize will be a cash donation and products by Kinetica.
My advice: All our challenges are based around good technique as well as strength/endurance, don't come cold get some coaching and practice. Build up your weight, get your body adapted to the degree of rest time given in the bench. Also timing your energy levels and carbohydrate load before lifting over 5 rounds or that single set max, could see you break your PB or burn out before the end!
Good luck and see you for registration in 2012.