Picking-Up Heavy Things
Throughout history mankind has challenged itself by picking up heavy things. It’s hard to say if its primal instinct or just our innate competitive nature. Strength sports have several disciplines that require lifting heavy barbells and objects from the floor including powerlifting, weightlifting, strongman, Crossfit, and Highland games. These modern-day challenges may come in the form of deadlifts, cleans, snatches, atlas stones, field stones, sandbags, Fingal’s fingers, and cabers. Historically, before the advent of barbells and progressive resistance training equipment, these challenges came from lifting heavy odd, shaped objects like field stones. Across the world there are different historic stones to commemorate this primal behavior. In Scotland manhood stones were used for generations to mark a young boys transition to manhood when he was able to lift his clan’s stone.1 Scotland has a long history of stone lifting and is home to the well-known 733 lb. Dinnie stones, the 265 lb. Inver stone and the various weight McGlashen stones. Iceland has many historic stones. The most well-known is the 410 lb. Husafell stone. Many of these stones, or replicas are used in professional Strongman events. Worldwide there are historic stones all over the globe such as the Eidis Hansen stone above the artic circle in Norway, and the 610 kg Sannomiya stone located in the Okegawa Shrine in Japan.2
My Introduction into Stone Lifting
I grew up in farm country. It was always a test of strength to see who could throw the hay bale the highest or pick up the heaviest log or stone. Being a regular reader of Milo magazine for many years, I became more interested in the art of stone lifting from reading many articles pertaining to strength sports and stone lifting. I watched my brothers Karl and Wade train with stones for several years, and I occasionally joined them. I’ve been fortunate to be a Strongman Official with my brother Karl at the Arnold Strongman and the Rogue Invitational where I have officiated many heavy stone lifting events. At these events I’ve had the privilege of having several conversations with renown author and stone lifter Bill Crawford. Bill has a long history as an athlete, author, official, historian and lifter of many a heavy stone. Additionally, I’m always amazed to watch Instagram Reels of stone lifting and shouldering. It’s not always the biggest guy that can load a heavy rock.
My brother Karl was one of the best in the world at loading and carrying stones in his prime as a Pro Strongman. His great athleticism and speed always produced a fast time. In 2007, the Venice Beach Super Series Event was a qualifier for Worlds Strongest Man (WSM). Karl was one of the few competitors that were able to pick up the 410 lb. field stone (Tombstone) and carry it across the finish line. This helped him to qualify for the 2007 WSM in Anaheim, California. This same Tombstone has been used several times at the Arnold Strongman. I watched Mateusz Kieliszkowski pick it up and shoulder it 3 times as part of a Stone Loading Medley in 2024. Stone lifting is not just for men. Last year at the Arnold Strongwoman Angelica Jardine and Olga Liashchuk both shouldered a massive 300 lb. atlas stone for 2 repetitions.
Training with Stones
I’ve always loved to lift heavy things. I am a real proponent of sandbag lifting, loading, shouldering and carrying. Historically, my best lift was the deadlift which helped me to win multiple IPF Gold Medals and set several IPF world records. I recently started challenging myself by putting together a collection of heavy stones. It has been humbling. I have found that having a big deadlift, or even being able to lift heavy sandbags does not instantly transition into being proficient at field stone loading. There is a lot more strategy and balance involved. Stones are not symmetrical. They don’t always provide a great lifting surface, and there is more pain involved in picking up a heavy field stone. Although the hip extension movement is like picking up a sandbag, there is no give or cushion in a field stone……they hurt. However, finding new ways to train is important for motivation, and to achieve training adaptations. From a weight training perspective, picking up heavy things like deadlifts, sandbags, farmers walks, atlas stones, and field stones are full body workouts that tax the grip, forearms, biceps, legs, core, glutes, and lower and upper back. I’m not ready to get rid of my barbells and go full speed into stone lifting, but it is a fun way to get in some extra heavy work. It makes my sandbag work seem a lot easier!!!
As with any new training technique start light, learn proper technique and execute the movement in a safe manner. This is particularly important when picking up heavy stones because they aren’t very forgiving. Finding ways to build and maintain strong hip extension, and overall body strength is the key to performing movements that we encounter in everyday life.
Stay Strong! Lift heavy things and have fun with your training!
Brad Gillingham
CSCS
MSc Southern Utah University
References
- Shetler S. The Art of Stone Lifting: Nature’s Gym. Fitness. November 23, 2006. https://www.halfsquare.net/shetler_071505.php
- Brown D. Top 5 heaviest stones – liftingstones.org. Accessed May 16, 2025. https://liftingstones.org/articles/top5
