Ultimate Strongman World Championship

This past weekend I worked at the Ultimate Strongman World Championship held at the Metro Arena, Newcastle. At the event I acted as therapist to the athletes along with a team of massage therapists. The day for me started at 4pm and 8 hours later we finished at 12 o'clock to then head back to the hotel for food.

Throughout the day I met some incredible people including the 12 strongest athletes of the world, their support teams and the rest of the 'Strength Team', including friends I have previously worked with. It was pretty cool floating around backstage, watching the athletes warm up, talking to them and helping to ease any niggles. All involved with the event were such amicable and interesting people! I really enjoyed meeting athletes from all over the world and making new friends within the sport.

The buzz of the event was incredible. What a show was put on! I'm looking forward to seeing what Glenn Ross has next in store for Ultimate Strongman!

Well done to all the competitors involved, especially Laurence Shahlaie who took the title of World Champion!


Here are some behind-the-scenes snaps from the event -

With 2016 World Champion Strongman Laurence Shahlaei.

Eddie Hall warming up back-stage.

With the competitors back-stage.

Warming up pre event.

Back-stage with Eddie Hall.

The 450kg Yokes which were carried 20 metres.

Atlas Stones ranging from 115kg to 175kg.

Mikkel Leicht in the deadlift event.

The award ceremony.

With Strongmen Mikkel Leicht and Konstantine Janashia.

With Strongmen 'Big Z' and Mikhail Shivlaykov. (How small do I look? haha)

With Iron Biby!

All action of the show was filmed ready for broadcast on the TV channel Dave. Check it out at 5pm on the 30th December. I'll be sat ready with a box of popcorn!

Follow Ultimate Strongman here -

Instagram @Official_Ultimate_Strongman

Twitter @UltimateStrong

Facebook @UltimateStrongman

Weight Training | The Dancer

Photo by Rennison-Rae Photography

Will weight training change your aesthetics for dance?

It has long been viewed that weight training for dancer will increase muscle bulk and decrease muscle length, thus ruining the aesthetics required of dancers, particularly in ballet. 

More recently on social media we are seeing more women taking up weight training and portraying a more muscular figure. However is this the way we will all look should we train? Each individual has their own training goals, and so do dancers when lifting. Their conditioning programme will vary compared to competitive women body builders. Plus it takes the female body  a blooming long time (plus sometimes a bit of a cheat) to grow to such a size.

What does science say?

A study by Koutedakis et al. (2005) found no change in artistic or dance performance requirements despite increased muscular strength, nor a change in the levels of flexibility. In fact there is call for strength training to increase performance and reduce the risk of injury. See my other blog 'athletic artists' for more information about strength training for dancers. 

Hope you enjoyed this quick read!

-E

Koutedakis, Y., Stavropoulos-Kalinoglou, A. and Metsios, G., 2005. The significance of muscular strength in dance. Journal of dance medicine & science, 9(1), pp.29-34.