Beer Muscles 9

by Power Plant Gym and Katie Feeley Strength

***THE ORIGINAL Beer-Themed Strongman Competition held ON SITE at a real live brewery!***

Join us at 2SP Brewing Company for the 9th year lifting heavy things, eating yummy food, drinking tasty craft beer, and raising money for Delaware County Special Olympics. 

Returning competitors know we always deliver some unique custom events, like 2022's Giant Corn Hole (which was featured on FOX News), the 2023 "Beer Run," and last year’s atlas stone “beer pong.” We’ve got some really cool implements in the works for you this year - you won’t want to miss out!

We are capped at 100 athletes, and there will be NO WAITLIST this year, so grab your spot early!

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This is a Strongman Corporation sanctioned event. Qualifications will be available for Nationals in 2025 or 2026 (you can choose one or the other, not both). Qualifications are based on the number of competitors in each class on competition day, as follows:

• 1 athlete in class: the promoter may merge the class with another class; if the athlete competes alone they will earn an invite by completing (i.e. not “zeroing”) at least 4 of the 5 events to the standards originally set forth by the promoter.
• 2-4 athletes in a class: 1st place qualifies for Nationals
• 5-9 athletes in a class: 1st and 2nd place qualify for Nationals
• 10+ athletes in a class: 1st-3rd place qualify for Nationals

You can find additional information about qualifications for Masters Nationals and America's Strongest Teen here: Strongman Corporation Athlete Info

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All athletes should read the rules (below) and the official Strongman Corporation Athlete Info here: https://strongmancorporation.com/athlete-info-overview/. Pay particular attention to weigh-ins and qualification standards.

All athletes must have a current Strongman Corporation membership, which can be purchased here: https://strongmancorporation.com/memberships/. Please note that USS and Strongman Corporation are not the same thing, and each federation requires a separate membership to compete. 

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Weight classes may be combined if there are fewer than 3 participants as of competition week. In the case of combined classes, we'll use the weight limit of the heavier class and the implement weights of the lighter class.

Note that there is NO "ALLOWANCE" on the weight classes. Ex: if you're in the 80kg class, you must weigh in at 80.0kg or below. All athletes must (minimally) wear underwear to weigh in.

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As part of our fundraising efforts for the Special Olympics team, we have a dunk tank (!!!) and hold a raffle of cool items on competition day. Last year's raffle included lifting equipment, Philly sports tickets and autographed memorabilia, admission to local attractions, loads of restaurant gift certificates, and more!

 ***All of the proceeds from raffle ticket sales go directly to the Delaware County Special Olympics Powerlifting Team to help them fund equipment, competition, and travel for their athletes! ***

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The event is free for spectators! No advance ticket purchase is required. Bring everyone! We recommend bringing an ID if you plan to drink, and some cash if you'd like to buy raffle tickets or donate to the fundraiser.

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Volunteer Sign-up: coming in May/June

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Weigh-in Info:

These are the ONLY times available, NO exceptions. ALL competitors (including Novice and Heavyweight) must weigh in. Have your Strongman Corporation membership info ready to go (screenshot is fine) before you arrive to weigh in.

• Friday 8/15 at Power Plant Gym: 7:30-9am, 4-6pm
• Saturday 8/16 at 2SP Brewing: 7:30-8:30am

General Info and Rules

For updates on events, weights, pictures/videos of implements, sponsors, raffles, and everything else... follow the Power Plant Instagram page.

EQUIPMENT NOTES:

NO grip shirts or grip shorts on any event, competition shirt must be worn for ALL events except stones, NO briefs or suits on any event, NO powerlifting-style knee wraps on any event. Supportive gear made from neoprene is fine - this includes knee sleeves and shorts from SBD, Cerberus, and similar brands. (As a general rule, if it's keeping you warm and giving you a little support, it's fine; if it's giving you extra bounce, requires a team to squeeze into it, or it feels like cheating, it's not fine.) If you have questions, ask ahead of time.

Event Descriptions

1. Keg & Log Press (for reps): Athlete will alternate between pressing a keg and pressing a log for max reps in 60 seconds. Athlete starts behind the keg with hands off. At "3-2-1-Go" athlete will start by cleaning and pressing the keg. After a successful lift, the athlete will move on to clean and press the log. After a successful lift on the log, the athlete will return to the keg and continue alternating between the implements until the time cap is reached. On both implements, any style of clean and press is allowed. A "down" command will be given when the implement is overhead with elbows, knees, and hips locked out; feet on a straight line; and the implement is under control. The keg must be controlled back to the floor or guided to the crash pad. Each keg clean MUST START ON THE FLOOR (not the crash pad). The log must be guided down to the crash pads and REMAIN ON THE PADS. If the log bounces off the pads the athlete must retrieve it before moving on to the keg - this is for the safety of the athletes, judges, and spectators (and to protect the equipment).

Implements Used: Kegs up to 125lbs will be standard metal kegs. Kegs 150lbs and over will be a mix of Bartos Power Kegs and standard metal kegs (details TBD once we figure out event order). Novice Women, Masters Women, Teen Women, and 57kg Women will use a 10" custom log (65lbs empty). All other classes will use a 12" Pitbull log (85lbs empty).

Equipment Allowed: belt (with buckle facing the side or back), wrist wraps, elbow sleeves (any of the usual suspects are fine), knee sleeves, chalk (liquid or powder). 

Equipment NOT Allowed: NO grip shirts or grip shorts, nothing sticky, no built-up elbow sleeves (like the kind with all the straps and sh*t), knee wraps (the geared powerlifting kind), NO tacky/tacky towel or anything sticky

2. Stone to Shoulder Series (for reps): Athlete will shoulder 3 atlas stones of increasing weight, performing 1 rep each on the first 2 stones and max reps on the final stone; time is capped at 60 seconds. Athlete starts standing behind the first stone with hands off and may lift after "3-2-1-Go." The stones must be shouldered in order from lightest to heaviest. Athlete will receive a “down” command when the stone is controlled on the shoulder and one hand is completely off the stone. The stone must be returned to the designated crash pad in order for the rep to count. On the last stone, all reps must be taken FROM THE FLOOR (not the crash pad), so the athlete will need to control the weight down to the pad, then to the floor before performing the next rep. Athletes may wrap the forearms with tape or other materials as long as the sticky side faces the skin and not the stone. NOTHING sticky is allowed (i.e. don’t try to use stone sleeves with residual tacky on them).

Equipment Allowed: belt, knee sleeves, elbow sleeves, wrist wraps, neoprene shorts (like Cerberus, SBD, etc), tacky towel, chalk (liquid or powder).

Equipment NOT Allowed: NO TACKY or SPRAY TACKY (anything that leaves residue on the stones), NO suits or briefs (the kind used in single-ply, multi-ply or other geared lifting), NO grip shirts or grip shorts, NO knee wraps (the kind used in geared powerlifting).

3. Saxon Bar Deadlift (max weight): Athletes will have 4 attempts to complete a single max weight lift on the 3"x4" Saxon Bar using a double overhand grip ONLY (no mixed grip) with knuckles forward and thumb on the back of the bar (pinch grip). Conventional or sumo stance is allowed (or anything in between) - just keep the bar in front of you and don't try anything weird (like a Jefferson deadlift). We will use an auction-style rising bar format. Athletes do not have to take every weight. Once you miss an attempt you're done. Athlete has a max of 30 seconds to complete each attempt. Athlete will receive a "down" command when knees and hips are locked out. The bar MUST be controlled to the floor or the rep will not count. Athletes will lift as a group with different weight classes mixed together. When you want to jump in on a weight, line up and check in with the scribe. When it's your turn to lift, confirm your name with the judge and scribe before the lift. The score for this event will be the max weight lifted WITHOUT regard to the number of attempts. For example, if Athlete A hits 200lbs on their first attempt and Athlete B hits 200lbs on their 4th attempt both athletes tie.

Equipment Used: 3"x4" Saxon bar (brand TBD) - if you're not sure what this means, it's like an axle but square instead of round

Equipment Allowed: belt, knee sleeves, elbow sleeves, wrist wraps, neoprene shorts, chalk (liquid or powder).

Equipment NOT Allowed: NO straps or grip aids of any kinds, NO suits or briefs, NO tacky/tacky towel or anything sticky, NO powerlifting/geared lifting-style knee wraps, NO gloves

4. Yoke (TBD): Looking for the fatback yoke? We're reevaluating this event based on recent testing. This event will definitely involve a yoke, and it won't be your usual "down and back for time." We'll have updates to this ASAP. As always, we want to make it fun, but also not stupid or unsafe. Thanks for your patience!

Equipment Used: All classes will use a Rogue Y-1 yoke with a standard crossbar. Weights 280lbs and above will have custom keg box attachments (loaded with kegs on 2 corners and plates on 2 corners). These keg boxes are a Beer Muscles special and there are loads of pictures of them online.

Equipment Allowed: belt, knee sleeves, elbow sleeves, wrist wraps, neoprene shorts, chalk (liquid or powder)

Equipment NOT Allowed: NO suits or briefs, NO grip shirts or grip shorts, NO powerlifting/geared lifting-style knee wraps, NO tacky or anything sticky

5. Sandbag Carry to Load (for time): Athlete will have a max of 60 seconds to carry a sandbag 100ft (50ft down and back) and load the bag onto a platform. Fastest time wins. The sandbag will start standing upright next to the platform (spoiler alert: the platform is the atlas stone "beer pong" setup we used last year), and the athlete will start behind the bag with hands off. The athlete may NOT adjust the bag before the run - bags will be set up exactly the same for every athlete (upright with Cerberus strap horizontal on top). At "3-2-1-Go" the athlete will pick the bag and carry it 50ft, turn, carry it 50ft back and load onto the platform. At the turn, some part of the athlete's foot must cross the line (a judge will be there to yell "good"). Time stops with the bag is on top of the platform and the athlete's hands are off the bag. Unlimited drops are allowed. Distance will be measured for incomplete runs.

Equipment Used: Cerberus sandbags loaded with sand and/or rubber mulch, platform is 48" for ALL classes

Equipment Allowed: belt, knee sleeves, elbow sleeves, wrist wraps, neoprene shorts, gloves (as long as there's nothing sticky on them), chalk (liquid or powder)

Equipment NOT Allowed: NO suits or briefs, NO grip shorts or grip shirts, NO powerlifting/geared lifting-style knee wraps, NO tacky/tacky towels or anything sticky

Weights will be posted as we test them. If they're not listed here, we don't have them finalized yet, and sending us an email won't get you any additional info on weights. If you need clarity on any of the rules/standards, shoot us an email at info@thepowerplantgym.com.

Fundraiser and Sponsor Info

Dunk Tank Sign-up (all proceeds from the dunk tank go to the Delaware County Special Olympics). Dunkees must be at least 5ft tall and under 250lbs. Sign up here: COMING IN JUNE/JULY

Sponsors, On-Site Tables, Raffle Basket Donations: If you or your company/organization would like to sponsor Beer Muscles and/or donate to the raffle for Special Olympics, please reach out to Jess at jess@thepowerplantgym.com with "Beer Muscles Sponsor" in the subject line. She'll get back to you with details on all the options for sponsorships and donations.

Questions?

Email katie@thepowerplantgym.com or jess@thepowerplantgym.com.