"Houston, we have LIFT off"

OHHHH YEAHHHH! This is our 5th show in 2 years guys and we only keep topping ourselves! Bringing y'all the best prizes, fun events, the best shirts, sponsors, and more! If you want an efficient show, then look no further! Last show we got done with 40 athletes and 4 events by 2:30 PM!

And this is our first USS Sanctioned show! That means all from newbies/teens, to the strongest in Texas, to everyone in-between are all welcome! We will have three USS reps here for a record breaker log and to ensure state regulated judging. If you want a well run, fair, and FUN show, then BLAST OFF to that sign up button!!!!

This is also a super early and strategic way to get qualified for USS nationals 2026! Nats 2025 registration will be closed at this time, but you can be first on the list and have a whole year to train for Nats 2026 with this comp! This is your chance to punch your ticket to the national stage!!!!

WWE Walkouts

We've made it a tradition to give athletes a chance to pick their song and walk out of a cool tunnel with lights right before their final event. It's been a huge hit!! This is your moment to shine! I'll be sending a survey monkey to your email to pick your song.

Location

We will be within Rise Gym's BRAND NEW 12,000 squ foot strength training building. That's right, comp will be indoors! Now still plan to drink plenty of water and bring personal fans, because this many people in the building will still be pretty hot! There will be plenty of warm up space in an isolated athlete village and space for spectators to view the show! $15 dollars for spectators 

Schedule

RULES MEETING 8:20 am 5/31 IS REQUIRED!! Everyone should already know the rules, this is where we settle final questions and I alert you of any changes. Please plan to come BEFORE the meeting as you will need to find parking, walk to the venue, and get acquainted. Make time for that so that you are ready to go for the meeting!!!!

During the event I ask from you guys is help me run this fast! Be efficient with warm ups and memorize your order. When it's your turn coming up be ALREADY ready! Chalk, gear, everything ready to go! That helps everyone go home on time.

Classes

These are standard USS DIVISIONS (LW, MW, HW, SHW). Now if you podium (top 3), you can sign up for either subclass at nationals 2026! Example: you're a MW -198. If you win you can then sign up for either sub-class (-198 or -220) at nationals.

If you are still alone in your class, you will "win" the show by completing every single event and earn a medal

Novice is ONLY for novices. If you've ever competed in a sanctioned open or won a novice event then you need to go open. If you've been out of it for years or recovering from a surgery then reach out before deciding which class. Also, don't be that guy/gal who is super strong and beats up on the true novices please. If the weights seem too easy, then go to open! 1st place only gets a nats invite

Master's is a competitive class for folks who are greater than 40+ years young! Winning my Master's class gives you access to a nats invite for any sub-class (example 40+, 50+, 60+). If this class seems too heavy, you're welcome in novice class.

Teens must be 13-19 and have a guardians written consent to compete.

We can make an adaptive class of any kind! Just reach out about your condition and how we can adapt to you and give you access to putting on a show!

Weigh ins

WEIGH INS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL CLASSES. SHW, Master's, teen, everyone! These will be on Friday 5/30 at 8 am to 10 am and 5 pm-8 pm at the main rise gym building. You have unlimited retries, you can buy a day pass to use our sauna/cardio equipment, anything to get to your correct weight. We can arrange late, lunch, or earlier times, just reach out.

Guys, please plan to weigh in Friday, especially if you are cutting to make weight. I understand work and travel, but you should understand showing up the morning of and missing your weight slows the comp down for everyone. If you must weigh in Saturday, please reach out to me and at least let me know your looking good for making weight.

Saturday 5/31 weigh ins must be completed BEFORE our required 8:20am meeting. this means you found parking, found the building, AND got through the line and weighed before 8:20. so that means come extra early to be safe. There is no double trying during Sat 5/31 weigh ins, One weigh and that’s it. Doors open for athletes only at 7:30 am, guests can start coming in for $15 door fee at 8:05am.

Overall Rules

-Shoes and a shirt must be worn at all times.

-If you get any bodily fluids on equipment, you are responsible for cleaning it (with our materials) for sanitary health reasons

-All grip shirts are allowed except ones that advertise Strongman Corp

-Judges rulings are final. Judges reserve the right to take away a rep if they weren’t satisfied but accidentally moved their hand. You and your direct weight class will have the same judge for an event to avoid different judging styles.

-One challenge per show per athlete is allowed, but it must have clear video evidence that you are responsible for shooting. That includes your competition, I need a video of them if you want to challenge a competitor's call. No clear footage of your grievance means I have to default to our judge and staff if I wasn't there to see. If you have footage I will see if you have a legitimate claim. If so I’ll call a meeting where I discuss with that judge and everyone in your weight class face to face (all athletes if necessary). Final decisions will be made in front of everyone to avoid confusion. 

-Promoter reserves the right to modify calls/points or alter rules/events, but only after an athlete meeting.

-Final scores will be uploaded to ironpodium for 15+ min before the award ceremony. Multiple announcements will be made and you are responsible for checking the scoreboard for mistakes and submitting your final challenges. Once the ceremony starts, no more challenges to judge calls or scoring will be heard nor changed.

-There may be changes to equipment outside of my control (example: a sandbag tears). If so, to avoid confusion, I will call a meeting with judges and athletes all together to decided on a change that's most fair for everyone.

-Have fun, encourage/challenge each other, and be a positive example for the community. Remember, you are representing the greatest sport in the world!

Event 1 The Mat Therapy Sports Record Breaker MAX Log Press

A test of brute strength and technique!

• Wessel's rules: 3 attempts on a rising log. IF YOU MISS, YOU'RE OUT . No retries
• Athletes will have 60" per attempt, start hands off. unlimited attempts within time limit.
• Standard USS record rules: No built up belts, no tacky, no squat/deadlift suits/briefs, no elbow/knee wraps (1 pair of sleeves per joint okay). Feet parallel, knees and elbows locked, head through. Eyes on judge waiting for down command
• I will allow a 4th attempt for a tiebreaker only. You are responsible for letting us know if you have a tie and want to try a 4th attempt to beat your opponent.
• Please let us know if you are doing an official state record attempt so we can have the proper USS official watch (and for everyone else to hype you up).
• This will be auction style. Jump in wherever you want, but once you start on a log you must stay with it unless we say otherwise. You are responsible for keeping track of what your log weight jump is at. If you walk away, don't pay attention, and the weight goes up too much for you, it was your fault and we will not drop the log weight.
• Jumps are 5 lbs for dudettes, 10 lbs for dudes.
• 10" log for gals, 12" log for bros. They are all Texas Power concepts (70 base for 10" and 100 base for 12", 140 base 12” for big bois).
• We are going to attempt 3 lanes to help this run FAST so you can stay warm. Lane 1 will be all females and start with the lightest opener (70 min). Lane 2 and 3 will be split down the middle between the heavier and lighter openers across the men. Higher openers on 140 lb log, lighter openers on 100 lb log
• Any press technique is allowed, but no resting log on top of your head.
• You can do a controlled slam onto crash pads, but no "tree topping" (letting go while it's above your head). Intentionally not guiding to crash pads will result in a no rep, maybe disqualification

Event 2 The 2 Guys 1 Pit Deadlift Insanity (Axle x3, Wagon Wheels x2, Monster Tires x1)

A test of proficiency and power!

• Deadlifts for all bars and heights! This will help us find the true deadlift masters!
• Athletes will start away from bar, on go they will run and complete 3 reps on the first bar, go forward to the 2nd bar and complete 2 reps, then go forward to the last bar and complete 1 rep
• The first axle bar is a "buy in", lighter weight and rewards athletes with grip strong enough to not worry about straps!
• First bar is an axle bar on standard 9" bumper plates, 2nd bar is a 13" wagon wheel on a deadlift bar, 3rd bar is an extra long monster bar on 15" monster truck tires (same as our last show).
• Must wait for judges down command. Any technique allowed (no sumo). Judge must see standard lockout: hips and knees fully extended, control at top, and eyes on judge.
• Bouncing deadlift reps is NOT allowed. There is no "up" command, but any clear bouncing will be a 'no rep" penalty. You can do a quick, complete touch on the ground then quickly come up, but NO bouncing.
• Thumbs must touch bar entire lift to be considered a good lift.
• Multiple straps/fig 8's (axle and regular bar straps) are allowed and can be set up near, not on bars, but putting on all these straps will waste a lot of time . I purposely chose these weights to reward athletes with grip strong enough to skip straps and grip n rip :^)
• Everything is allowed except for: tacky, deadlift/squat suits/briefs, and knee wraps. Shoes must be worn (deadlift slippers okay).
• 60" time limit. If athlete fails to complete all 6 reps, a split time will be taken
• For teen gals, the starting weight of last bar is too heavy, so we will just add a 25 lb plate to your 2nd bar and that will be your 6th and final rep.

Event 3 The AITM Rocket Carry

A test of determination and speed!

• Ohhh yeah! Simple but intense event before the finale!
• HEAD TO HEAD! Meaning you are racing your direct competitor >:)
• Athletes will start hands on implement but cannot lift it until start command. They will pick and run farmers down a 30 foot course. They are allowed to drop and turn, then pick and run it back another 30 feet.
• Unlimited drops, but intentional sliding will be a penalty.
• 60" time limit. If athlete fails to complete course, a distance measurement will be their score.
• No straps or sticky substance of any kind.
• We are getting brand new farmer's handles from MB Power center, I'll get you the pick height once they are secured, but should be standard.
• Two lanes, this will be HEAD TO HEAD with competitor in your class

Event 4: The Freedom Strength Co. Press, Load, and Shoulder The World

A test of tenacity and Showmanship!!!

• As always, we will have WWE style walkouts. Athletes will send me their favorite song to blast during the performance. They will have their name announced, walk out of the tunnel, get 30" to give a performance to their song, then get set on first bag. The song will play through the whole lift.
• Athlete will start hands off the sandbags. The first bag is lighter and a "buy in". Press it one time overhead. Cannot rest it on top of your head. Standard press lockout rules.
• Athlete will then go to second heavy sandbag. Now we start the challenge. Athlete must load it over a yoke crossbar. 47" males, 41" females. Cannot grab onto yoke and "chest bump" the bag. Can shoulder bag if able.
• Finally athletes will run to the 3rd sandbag. With every ounce of strength left they will shoulder the sandbag. Shoulder lockouts will be strict! You cannot be leaning back with it on your chest, it must be on top of your shoulder. Knees and hips locked. Trunk can be angled but stable. Control must be demonstrated with one hand only touching, and looking at judge. Judge will give a down command when lockout conditions are met
• Your time is secured when judge gives down command. So feel free to celebrate, scream, and slam the bag because you just dominated this whole comp >:D
• If athlete fails to complete the 3 reps, split times will be taken of completed lifts. Do the earlier lifts fast to salvage points!
• 60" time limit.

Tiebreaker: The Down Dog Yoga Max Distance Sandbag Carry

A final test for the throne!

• This event will only occur for ties for 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place. Tiebreakers for 4th, 5th, etc will remain a tie
• Both athletes will start side by side hovering over identical sandbags. On GO they will have up to 60" to carry sandbag as far as possible. 30 foot course back and forth. All that matters is distance. This is head to head.
• Can squat down and lap sandbag for rest, but if sandbag touches floor, that is your final distance.
• Cannot shoulder the sandbag. No tacky. Grip shirts and/or a metric ton of chalk are okay
• Simple, exciting way to decide the undisputed winner! There is strategy though: go fast and risk burning out? Or go slow and steady for the full time? Can't wait to see a few exciting finishers!

check out our instagram for tons of video information!!! 

https://www.instagram.com/rise_of_the_strongmen?igsh=Z3FnMDJxOTYzdHZn&utm_source=qr

Make sure your ironpodium email is accurate as I communicate frequently on updates and common questions. I'll also be sending out required survey monkey's as we get closer.

We reserve the right to alter weights mildly as more testing and new equipment is secured.

All weights using kilo plates will be rounded up to lbs (ex: 20 kilo plates will be rounded to 45 lbs)

For any questions or concerns please reach out :)