Welcome to the first River Valley Strongman Classic.

This competition will be a benefits show, donating to an addiction recovery ministry for the Russellville, AR community. More details forthcoming.

*USS Nationals 2026 

*2025 USS Inc. membership required

Novice: 1st place will get a nationals invite. 

Open and Masters: 1-3 place will get a nationals invite. 

LOCATION: Russellville, AR

VENUE: Connect Church Event Center

A photographer on site and provide free pictures to all athletes.

*Concession stand will be available onsite.

**LAST DAY TO SIGN UP AND GET A SHIRT IS Feb 28th**

Weigh ins (Call me if you need an exception)

• Connect Church Event Center Russellville, AR
• Friday prior 4-6
• Saturday 7:30-8:30 at the event site

Athlete meeting at 8:30 am, I would advise you to be there for the meeting, in case something changes. Specific rules are subject to change.

**Any equipment listed as allowed is the only equipment allowed and Promoter has the final say.  If there are questions on the equipment, ask the promoter.

***All weights listed our subject to change per the discretion of the meet director. Athletes will be notified if / when edits are made. 

****I set the refund policy to no, but if you need a refund reach out and we can discuss. I will handle this on a case by case basis. 

Event #1: Deadlift for reps: 

• Variation: 18in pull height
• TSS Power bar
• Athletes have 60sec to complete as many reps as possible.
• Athletes will strap in on their own time
• Each successful rep will be counted.
• There are two calls for this event “START” and “DOWN”
• Athletes must wait for the “DOWN” call from the judge. If there is not “DOWN” call, then there is no rep.
• Highest total reps win the event.
• Thumbs must be around the bar. No hooks.
• Gear allowed: Regular and figure of 8 straps, knee sleeves, elbow sleeves, soft belt, one hard belt, one soft belt, Deadlift Suits, briefs/compression shorts, baby powder.
• Gear not allowed: tacky of any kind, knee or elbow wraps, no spray adhesive, no built-up belts, no gloves

Event #2: Press Medley

• Athletes will have 75 seconds to complete the course.
• Stage one: Log
• Stage two: 18in Axel
• Stage three: Yoke (if divisions weight is less than 165 lbs, then athletes will use power bar on blocks)
• Each stage counts as one rep, on third stage rep away, most reps win
• No implements may be rested on the head.
• Gear allowed: elbow and knee sleeves, wrist wraps, one soft belts, one hard belt.
• Gear not allowed: tacky of any kind, suits, no stone straps, no spray on adhesive, no built-up belts, no gloves

Event #3: Max Bench Press

• Further details as we get closer to the event
• Gear allowed: TBD
• Gear not allowed: TBD

Event #4: Max Distance Sandbag Carry

• Athletes will have 180 seconds to complete the course.
• Pick the sandbag after START command
• Greatest distance wins the course, there will be a turn around a cone every 50ft
• No drops allowed
• Sandbag must be on the front of the torso, no shouldering the bag
• Gear allowed: elbow and knee sleeves, wrist wraps, knee wraps, one soft belts, one hard belt, USS approved grip shirts
• Gear not allowed: tacky of any kind, suits, no spray adhesive, no gloves

Event #5: Atlas Stone for Reps 

• Athletes will have 60 seconds to complete as many reps as possible.
• The athlete may not touch the stone prior to the start command
• Once the start command is given, the athlete will proceed to move the atlas stone from the floor to over the bar
• The bar height
• There will be a catcher feeding the stone back to the athlete.
• If the stone is thrown at the catcher in an uncontrolled manner, the catcher will ensure their own safety.
• So if the stone rolls away, that still counts against your time.
• Hands are not allowed to be placed on the yoke to chest bump over the bar.
• Gear allowed: elbow and knee sleeves, wrist wraps, knee wraps, one soft belts, one hard belt, tacky, grip shirts
• Gear not allowed: Built-up belts, spray adhesive, no gloves