Atlas Stones

What is Atlas Stones? Atlas stones, also known as stone loading or stone lifting, is a strength exercise where athletes lift large, heavy spherical stones onto platforms of varying heights. This exercise is commonly seen in strongman competitions and is a great way to improve overall strength and power.

Tutorial

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart in front of the stone.
2. Squat down and grab the stone with both hands, keeping your back straight and chest up.
3. Explosively extend your hips, drive through your legs, and lift the stone off the ground.
4. Hug the stone to your chest and use your legs to power the stone up onto the platform.
5. Extend your hips and stand up straight as you place the stone onto the platform.

Common Mistakes

• Rounding the back: Keep your back straight throughout the lift to prevent injury.

• Not using the legs: Engage your leg muscles to generate power and momentum for lifting the stone. - Incorrect grip: Make sure to hug the stone close to your chest for better control.

Tips for Better Results

• Start with a lighter stone to practice the technique before moving on to heavier ones.

• Focus on explosive power by driving through your legs and hips. - Use chalk or tacky to improve grip on the stone.

• Practice proper breathing techniques to maintain core stability during the lift.

Muscles Worked

• Legs: Quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes - Back: Erector spinae, traps - Core: Abdominals, obliques - Shoulders: Deltoids, traps