Atlas Stones Standards

Atlas Stone lifting is a two-phase movement: the lap and the load. In the lap phase, you pull the stone into your torso, driving it onto your thighs to create a resting position. In the load phase, you explosively extend your hips and drive the stone onto the platform.

The key to efficiency is minimizing time between the lap and the load. Elite competitors treat it as one continuous, fluid motion rather than two separate lifts. Keep the stone close to your body throughout — the moment it drifts away from your torso, you've lost leverage and weight amplifies rapidly.

• Beginner (60–100 kg): Start with husafell stones or sandbags to develop lapping mechanics without risking injury on a real stone. Focus entirely on form — back rounding in this event is by design, not a mistake.
• Novice (80–130 kg): Introduce real atlas stones. Use tacky sparingly in training — overuse trains a grip dependency. Practice 4-stone series with lighter weight to develop cardio for competition.
• Intermediate (110–170 kg): Focus on speed between stones. Time your series and progressively cut seconds off each set. Begin training on competition-height platforms (typically 48–56 inches for open classes).
• Advanced (135–210 kg): Dial in implement-specific technique. Some athletes benefit from a touch-and-go lap; others prefer a full pause. Experiment with tacky amount — heavier stones need more than lighter ones.
• Elite (160–250 kg): WSM and Shaw Classic stone series regularly feature 150–180+ kg stones. Training should include heavy singles above competition weight and speed work well below it.

Atlas Stones appear in virtually every major strongman competition worldwide, from local novice shows to the World's Strongest Man final. Platform heights range from 48 to 60+ inches depending on the class and competition format.

Tacky — a pine-resin-based adhesive — is allowed at most competitions and significantly improves the grip-to-stone interface. Apply it to your forearms and inner biceps before each attempt. Some federations have limits on how many towel wipes are allowed between stones, so practice your stone transitions under competition conditions.