Highland games--where to start?

[emolas]

Ok, I have a camera person lined up so this Sunday, I will be making my videos.

The first couple will be a quick and dirty on fashioning the chain into weights, then fixing them to various handles.
The next several will be tips and pointers on technique, how-to, and examples of the different events. Stone, WFD, WOB, Hammer, and Caber should all be included.

sweet, thanks. This will be just the kind of thing to kick-start my fitness training. I hate gyms, don't have a garage, and can't run so standing around throwing heavy stuff in a field would be a great workout.

[beowulf67]

sweet, thanks. This will be just the kind of thing to kick-start my fitness training. I hate gyms, don't have a garage, and can't run so standing around throwing heavy stuff in a field would be a great workout.

If it's as hot where you are as it is here, it will be kicking your {buns}!!
But throwing heavy stuff is a good workout. Sometimes I do a circuit, sort of, moving from one implement to the next and taking a throw on each. Then finish with a stone carry or pushing my wheelbarrow loaded with stones and weights up and down the hill.
It's fun.
It's tough.

And the neighbors all think I'm crazy!!!!

[demobud]

And the neighbors all think I'm crazy!!!!

Look at that boy! Moving stuff all around the yard, tossing things in the air! That's not right!

[beowulf67]

At least I don't have to worry about them bothering me!

Look at that boy! Moving stuff all around the yard, tossing things in the air! That's not right!

[Archangel]

Just a point on the general strength training at the beginning of this. Certainly, that is important. However, the distinctive of Highland Games is the movement from point A to point B. Olympic type events simply lift and put it down in the same place. What was the point of that? Might as well have left it there and saved the energy. Highland Games measure movement. (I'm being a little simplistic here.)

The point is that maxing out on weights is not so critical as being able to move with them.

[demobud]

Just a point on the general strength training at the beginning of this. Certainly, that is important. However, the distinctive of Highland Games is the movement from point A to point B. Olympic type events simply lift and put it down in the same place. What was the point of that? Might as well have left it there and saved the energy. Highland Games measure movement. (I'm being a little simplistic here.)

The point is that maxing out on weights is not so critical as being able to move with them.

Too true! I used to work with a welder who was an amatuer body builder and every time we needed to move something, he would end up red faced and breathless because he was used to keeping the weight centered. If he had to lift and shift the weight he dropped it every time.

[Archangel]

Too true! I used to work with a welder who was an amatuer body builder and every time we needed to move something, he would end up red faced and breathless because he was used to keeping the weight centered. If he had to lift and shift the weight he dropped it every time.

That's a welder technique. It saves energy by having the fitter or assembler move the parts for you.
Guess what I do for a living?

[Yaish]

I have to apologize, my camera man canceled on me, so I couldn't shoot the video's. I'm out of town tomorrow, but I'm going to try to video the chain equipment myself one day this week.

[demobud]

That's a welder technique. It saves energy by having the fitter or assembler move the parts for you.
Guess what I do for a living?

Ahhh! Now I get it! All these years and I never caught on...
what's even better is the welder was working for me! Smart man...

I would imagine there is some muscle memory involved in alot of the heavy athletics. Using something like a sling blade will help develop those back muscles. (uhm hum)