Is Strongman The Best Representation of Functional Fitness?

[@mitchellhooperstrongman]

GET YOUR LIFT HEAVY BE KIND MERCH HERE: LHBK.SHOP

[@tyaker1]

I love Mitch, but I feel like I can't wear LHBK apparel when my squat, bench, dead don't even add up to 1,000.

[@DarkHawk666]

My exercise regime is hiking, biking stretching, spa and sauna. I am so lazy when it comes to gym.

[@TheDumplingOrc]

The best movements for me are hypertrophy/bodybuilding oriented. I have a chronic/long term disability that affects my nervous system - I used to do strongman training in my 20s but quickly understood it was hacking at my nerves too much and causing serious overload issues. It would wipe me out for too long, and stretching only causes further problems. Honestly I'm just glad I'm able to lift weights at all (mostly due to stubborness and body dysmorphia, maybe a sprinkling of sheer spite) as some people with this disability can barely get themselves out of bed in the morning (and there are some days where that does happen). The most functional sport is the one you can deal with, both due to environmental reasons, physical & mental health, and genetics. It's all about trial and error, give things a shot and find what works best for you and your condition.

[@sambsialia]

I do a Starting Strength Novice A and B, but I always add a frame carry in each workout. Glad to see Moose endorses carries. I feel safer in a frame.

[@andyharrison2424]

Cool to see the FA cup game on TV in the background, was watching that live at the same time Mitch was doing Atlas stones

[@sensam6155]

When I asked myself what "functional fitness" was, I rephrased the question into "what would paleolithic hunter gatherers have needed for the majority of humanity's evolution?". I arrived at a few categories: * Traversing Great Distances (modern methods: hiking, running, swimming, cycling), * Traversing Challenging Obstacles (modern methods: rock climbing, parkour, ninja warrior), * Fighting (modern examples: MMA, Muay Thai, Grappling), * Performing Heavy Acts of Work (modern examples: Strongman, Powerlifting, Weightlifting). But this method of defining "functional fitness" left a serious hole in my mind. I think that preserving all of these abilities as we age must be done with additional supplementary work, things like your banded neck extensions and dowel external rotation stretch. I kinda just called these "Joint Integrity Work". Some modern examples are KneesOverToesGuy stuff, Physiotherapist Stuff, Yoga, Myofascial Release, etc. On a more personal level, I compete in MMA, so for me functional strength training is anything that helps me physically control someone else. So I focus a lot on weighted dips & pullups, weighted pistol squats, power cleans, sled pushes, and the Rolling Thunder.

[@seanhouston2400]

Just started using the stone a few weeks ago. I am addicted to them now!

[@stevelee3144]

This is one of your best videos other than you winning strongest man. Thanks for sharing always great information 😊

[@NobleCaveman]

Raw hip thrust power is obviously the main functional strength needed in this Lizzolian day and age

[@thechugdude]

👏

[@crazy10bears]

he pee on he head

[@KashiwaDaisuke]

0:35 holy crap, I never thought of doing neck extensions with a band like that

[@espenstoro]

8:35 - demonstrating the "clean" part of the clean & press 😁

[@demetriuscooksey7147]

You described function fitness about as well as can be done. I think in practice, folks have to analyze what their own requirements are for what they do in their individual lives. Big game hunting in the fall is like my World's Strongest Man, and i train throughout the year with the goal of packing an elk out of the back country.

[@deltalima6703]

Pro tip: Gut it first. ;-)

[@demetriuscooksey7147]

@@deltalima6703 nope. Gutless method all the way.

[@deltalima6703]

💪 Deffo need some atlas stones to practice with then. O,o

[@Noah-vd7wr]

Your Axel CP is unreal. Great job Moose.

[@calebgodard4554]

Phenomenal video. I have to pause to take notes. Thank you for sharing!

[@Katie-jm4yy]

Love the camera work!

[@Bassndy]

Now I finally know why its called "CLEAN and press" 😁 Thanks for the great video!

[@steelwarrior105]

I would quibble with one thing, I would argue sandbags have a small edge over stones but still agree heartily ...

[@mediaproof960]

Loving all the content. Thanks Moose.

[@DreJr]

I believe it's between CrossFit and Strongman. I think CrossFit may make you more overall fit which is in and of itself functional, but Strongman will make you more capable in movements comparable to those you do in daily life so I can't be sure. I lean towards Strongman, but I'm biased.

[@painbreedsstrength]

Thank you Brother. God Bless.

[@norzpower8235]

Imagine marathons and that kind of sports having weight classes, a formula to compare all of them to each other, and saying the heavier the athlete, the more difficulties they have completing the race in the same or less time, so we must make it “fair” and gifting them with some points. Now, the winner is not the fastest with best confition, but the best “balanced” and relatively fit.

[@mozzer920]

Holy hell, you are man handling that 180kg axle , Mitch

[@e.c.9468]

Rolling the bar into position could be harder with the Arnold's Axle in which the weights are fixed to the bar

[@Davidhughes9467]

Don't know this guy but watched him doing Strongman, and on KZbin, seems such a nice guy liked his video with an old friend flex aka James Lewis miss the old days in his little blue Nova .

[@MC-ep8cu]

He's the world's strongest man. Get to know him

[@Davidhughes9467]

@@MC-ep8cuwhat??I'm aware he's tgevwirkd strongest man.

[@charliecarpenter9802]

Just started strongman training for firefighting. I love it.

[@carlson2012abqb]

Excellent video.

[@adamlogan2292]

Functional fitness is the capacity to exist and thrive at life be it from a strength, mobility or cardiovascular point of view. Mitch summaries it a bit more elegantly, floor to over head is the ultimate for me because it taxes absolutely everything in one go and its the event I’m personally worst at thus it gains a special standing.

[@Banondax]

02:25 Was that U20 WC Final Sweden vs USA?

[@rollenswollen6694]

Even with his shoes untied💪🏻.. Nice sweatshirt.. if it said "Year of the Moose - 2023" on the backside, I'd get one.👍🏻

[@cam7982]

Can we talk about how Mitch is wearing a pair of cut-off sweatpants short-shorts? hahahaha

[@joeshmoe7967]

I call those 'normal' shorts. If they are down to your knees(or worse below your knees) then they arn't really 'short' I make my denim cut offs the same, and get teased that I am wearing 'daisy dukes' LOL. Thing is, I have the legs for it LOL.. - Cheers

[@danielmurray9521]

Love the video mitch. Have you seen the young Greek strongman Ambataput Bophodes? Insane potential!

[@ChriSX13]

nice try son

[@Yeshua_is_king_2024]

Strongman with blend of gymnastics, parkour, martial arts, and little sprinting and Olympic lifting would be the best all rounded human functionality

[@todretex]

This man hasn’t worked as a labourer before to any extent possibly. Don’t get me wrong he is an absolute champion. But functionality is about walking up a hill or carry small bricks all day. I am strong and train strength but I need to wind it all back if I were ever to do a labouring job again. Forklifts these days for anything over 40kg. Strong man is function for tearing your enemies libs of in the battle field and I find some appeal in that. Some call him Mitchell, to me he is Sir Mitchell.

[@Jagknorr]

Ive started doing farmers walks with some 40lb hand weights, but wasn’t sure if full gripping or letting them hang on my fingers would increase grip strength more…?

[@HenDiesel]

RIP to the floor under the stall mat from the atlas stones

[@joshstoeltzing4420]

Thank you for this content!

[@susanwilliams7785]

Which gym was this filmed in? Is that Aston Villa playing football on the TV in the background?

[@KeyserSoze23]

Hafthor is coming back for his title of World's Strongest Man

[@jaybrowninf10]

Fantastic video. Stones all the way. I prefer natural, but you do get a little tore up.

[@oneaboveall000]

Hey look, Hoopie is back🎉

[@Puma_Concolour]

I have a merch question. What's the texture of the t-shirts like?

[@fazer12779]

Larry Wheels colab?

[@84stevencorbett]

A great definition of functional fitness.

[@miskee11]

when collab with Tom Haviland?

[@cbomcnasty]

those pads need 1 inch memory foam on each side to kill that bounce

[@MichaelTraynorCircus]

3:30 - mirin'

[@pthithic]

Medicine ball throws I think are very functional. Also, thrusters

[@makotheshark3365]

Engaging in variety of sports is best form of functional training. What's lacking in 1 sport can be found in other :)

[@sagebauer1077]

I always think it's funny when you see people on social media repping "Functional Strength" and they're doing stuff like ATG split squats, mace swings, and kettlebell snatches. Can't think of a single regular-life movement that emulates. However, loading my car up for a camping trip involved everything displayed in this video

[@happyhippiesurbanfarm]

I definitely believe strongman and calisthenics are the best functional fitness activities

[@jakesarmwrestlinguniverse9792]

In my experience it's gotta be farmers carry! The hardest thing though is rucking!😮‍💨

[@user-hn9qw7ou8d]

Functional Strength is best defined using the following analogy: If two cars were to race in a best 4 out of 7 series of races of various distances, assuming the drivers possessed the exact same amount of skill, the faster car is the car that wins the series of races. If two people were to compete in a series of unarmed, no holds barred, hand-to-hand combat AND both individuals possessed the exact same amount of skill, the stronger person is the person who is able to physically dominate the other person to the point of submission or incapacitation through the production of force (ie win the series of fights on account of being physically stronger).

[@koftli8997]

Functional strength is not about combat lmao go do bjj

[@user-hn9qw7ou8d]

@@koftli8997 BJJ is a martial art meant to allow a physically weaker (but skilled) person to defeat a physically stronger (but less skilled) opponent.

[@user-hn9qw7ou8d]

@@koftli8997 When unarmed, no holds barred physical combat takes place between two individuals, winning is a result of a combination of the ability to produce force (ie strength), fighting skill, and luck. When skill and luck are removed from the equation, strength is the only thing left that differentiates the two opponents.

[@hannesl1266]

Crossfit could you also say cause of the endurance and they strong

[@romanstingler435]

Mitch as Anatoly, can I clean here 😂

[@bensully94]

When doing the boulder lift, is it not better to switch shoulders so you don't end up with an imbalance?

[@sagebauer1077]

In the context of "functional strength" I don't think it's necessary. People are usually right or left dominant and when doing something like lifting a heavy box onto a shelf, are going to favor one side every time

[@M1keDaly]

Is the Axle bar only 25 pounds? That one set with 3 plates, the caption said it was 295 pounds.

[@PcCAvioN]

Yoga is the most basic functional fitness for me. You put your body in every possible position, and you practice getting up and down from the floor regularly. Might not be much for the wsm but for average people the most functional thing possible is being able yo stand yourself up

[@fathermosesmcpherson]

Yeah, but you open your soul to the devil.

[@ghassan_alsalhi]

Calisthenics 🦾

[@blathnaid6932]

As someone who powerlifts I’d say I’m strong but my god yoga is hard

[@slXD100]

@@fathermosesmcpherson how?

[@emmber19]

I always get elbow pain from doing Atlas stones to shoulder. Any tips?

[@justinspike1669]

Dude does an almost 400lbs clean and press with untied shoes. 😂 sensational.

[@jonsmith9728]

gotta hit those dumbbells' from hell aka "ma dumbbells" lol, was curious between atlas stone and deadlifting the weight how close of a function that is

[@stevieboy366]

You should do an April Foods Day version of this...

[@Muniswarannn]

Thanks Champ

[@MC-ep8cu]

I feel like you are giving away trade secrets to competitors on this one

[@RosaHamilton-n4n]

Any other long drive events bud

[@sadiqulkadir7507]

How come mitch hasn't mentioned anything about fighting in mma with Brian Shaw Eddie Hall?

[@joeshmoe7967]

Maybe he is a Lover, not a Fighter. I really hope he doesn't go that direction. I thing Brian is heading down a road that will tarnish his brand.

[@deltalima6703]

He is entered already

[@MC-ep8cu]

​@joeshmoe7967 it won't tarnish brian. Brian has proven all he has to prove. Mitch should be focused on his bread and butter for now and also eddie hall is scary because he is solo training mma and has tons of boxing experience now.

[@bucket6988]

This video has got some Jack PGM potential

[@simonpe3trie102]

What absolutely unit 👍

[@simonpe3trie102]

just for reference, what size are the tops and hoody for your merchandise Are you wearing? ? ?

[@michaellopez2070]

I'd say timber sports is a better measure of functional fitness. Strongman relies to much on lifting heavy loads over a short period of time, which tends to build and inefficient amount of muscle and condition one's body against mobility and endurance, especially when you're natural. This is why Eddie Hall and Thor aren't he best boxers, and most strongmen have sleep apnea and difficulty breathing when standing still.

[@jhand294]

Looking HUGE Mitch

[@seanmeehan-js5kh]

Um but is carrying around the physical bulk of a strongman regime functional?

[@davidbrianwells2058]

Did he say a head weighs 70kilos?

[@JLS1994]

Do you think being able to breathe through your nose would help you more?

[@llocin]

Anyone else impressed by the pads just bouncing 395 like nothing?

[@scottwalls7560]

I might be splitting hairs here but no. The best test of functional fitness is CrossFit. Strongman is the best test of functional strength Both are just brilliant and love the training and competitions

[@devanshbamniya3904]

Rios bros punching air rn

[@frankb5728]

I don't think you get a more functional sport than Strongman.. at least if you train for a competition with a good variety of events. I've ranted so many times on Brian's videos about what makes Strongman "Strongman" because he'd often advocate for heavier static events and my argument was that if you want to lift big numbers and not have to move around as much you should be powerlifting. I can understand why a big guy like him wouldn't like to lose to smaller, more mobile guys but this is part of the sport. I understand his argument and the best example I can give to support it is that 91 WSM loaded foot-race. I don't think there's been an event like that in recent WSM where strength took a backseat to mobility like that.

[@deltalima6703]

Strongman is powerlifting except that powerlifting was going off the rails. With rackpulls disguised as deadlift, and whatever those arches bands and suits with super wide grip for bench were supposed to be, powerlifting was finished. Its making a comeback now, so maybe you are right and brian is wrong, strongman may need to slide over a little to make room instead of just destroying powerlifting.

[@dyrgripennu]

Cmon grasshopper ☺️

[@danelferreira809]

One like on this comment is one deadlift Mitch has to do at 500lbs…

[@Snookbone]

Shut up

[@dantethunderstone2118]

Grow up

[@mitchellhooperstrongman]

How many do you think I could get before I had to stop 🤔

[@stevelee3144]

32 reps last four super hard

[@houstin7866]

I think 40 reps!

[@JohnPopcorn06]

best functional: bicep curls

[@buckyjennings8854]

Running

[@ghassan_alsalhi]

Your absoulte strength its phenomenal 👏 🤯 Why you call yourself the strongest man ?!

[@MC-ep8cu]

Because he won strongest man in the world competition last year lol

[@ghassan_alsalhi]

@@MC-ep8cu ok but I couldn't find the competition!? I found 1 dimmable press But there was no audience no judges !! His pressing its great but I want to see the whole competition!!? There's alot who say I am the strongest man in the world or used to be the strongest man in the world in some events !

[@farmbear1231]

Dude even training for his fight? Just lifting weight aint gonna cut it and I dont wanna see eddie knock out a Canadian

[@thorstensteffen3640]

I think putting an emphasis on functionality is not necessary, because the physical demands of life nowadays are very low, so I think it's enough to do some sort of sport regularly and in the best case a little weight training to keep your muscles and joints healthy and that's enough for everyday life.

[@nedquigglio]

Or listen to Hooper’s advice and set yourself up to be better than the average joe

[@deltalima6703]

Absolute minimum is a slippery slope. A lot of people are useless and just floating in the river of society.

[@BJerrell]

Life can change at the drop of a hat. Being physically capable above and beyond the demands of everyday life is only beneficial. Better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war

[@deltalima6703]

Calisthenics is the best functional fitness discipline. Watching magnus mitbø climb trees with leo urban or do lat pulldowns with juji and larry wheels should convince anyone of that. Strongman is a razor close second place though, and of the two its closer to what I actually train for.

[@Peatore]

I can easily get 500lbs overmy head like it is nothing

[@deltalima6703]

Walk under a bridge?

[@Peatore]

@deltalima6703 I was thinking a forklift, but I like your answer too

[@pascalfarin8956]

Dude, you neeeeed some less bouncy pads xD

[@hugostuvel6643]

😊

[@TheDaddy2003]

Only when you do it... 😂

[@hanu9830]

"functional" is relative. functional for what?

[@paulforsythe2325]

You polish big balls well.

[@andrewgilbertson5356]

👑🦀🍁❤

[@andrewsmythe8763]

Strongman is sadly the representation of what PEDS can do. Not saying what these guys do isnt incredible, but it is entirely impossible for natural lifters. I wish PEDS weren't heavily saturated in the fitness industry, but it is what it is. However the lying and denial makes it far more insidious, should be a *what is possible with drugs caption on all these videos

[@MC-ep8cu]

Its true. Mitch has a best strategy for recovery video and never mentions PEDs which let's be honest are the number 1 tool for muscle recovery

[@michaelscott_aka_db_saf]

Anti aging!!!!!!

[@applesauce1852]

...😀

[@joemurray5204]

No it’s wrestling lol

[@TeeTota23]

.

[@aussiebodie]

Heavy sandbag...

[@joeshmoe7967]

Sand bags are tough! As I am finding out. I can easily lift 100 pounds but a 100 pound sand bag is too much for me from the ground. I would like to see him toss some heavy ones, just for inspiration.

[@-Erebus]

And powerlifting represents the least

[@DANA-lx8cv]

Depends on the function you are training for, IMO. If you mean in everyday life, then most sports aren't really functional for the vast majority of people, nor are they meant to be. How often do you have to run more than a block or two, never mind a marathon, or throw a ball through a hoop on the commute to work, lol. Doing any type of workout, within reason, is likely to keep you more healthy in general though. I'm not a power lifter, just a "gym bro" for 30 years, but I do enjoy training for big 1RM's as well as the occasional pump. I never really equated it to functionality, though I have no issues doing the "all groceries carry in one trip from the car" event. :)

[@terranceharrison]

Hooper is pretentious and the new guy but i do listen when he says to do something annd ill copy him

[@SMac86]

The guy has dedicated his life to strength and physical health in both practice and academics. You may feel he is pretentious but he has earned the right to speak with authority having mastered both of these aspects (Literally a masters and WSM). Still he is sharing his journey of personal improvement and exposing himself to new things in front of an international audience. You should definitely be listening because the kind of content he has been putting out is world class and honestly quite impressive how he challenges himself in so many aspects across the strength and physical fitness spectrum.

[@deltalima6703]

He is opaque about his drug use. I will chart my own path, I may listen to him and consider his points but I would not copy him. I do look pretty much identical to him, but thats just a coincidence.

[@xxacidmv]

. #LHBK