The Static Monsters is a push/pull strongman competition that was founded in 2015 by Strongman Gold Coast and Coco’s Gym. It has now become a worldwide event consisting of two events: max log press and max 16.75-inch (42.5 cm) deadlift.

Chicago Barbell Compound will be hosting the contest in the Chicago area this year. The top ten competitors from each class, internationally, will qualify to compete in the 2024 Static Monsters World Championship.

We have added a third event, a farmers hold, to make this a qualifier for 2024 United States Strongman (USS) Nationals. As such, all athletes are required to have a current 2023 USS membership to compete.

 *** UNITED STATES STRONGMAN RECORD BREAKERS  ***

The Chicago event will be a USS National Record Breakers event because John Albrecht, USS Vice President, will be coming to judge this competition. This means that any athlete will have a chance to set a USS national record for the log press or the farmers hold.

You can find all of the current USS national records here: https://www.unitedstatesstrongman.com/uss-records

WEIGH-INS

There will be weigh-ins on Friday, October 27, from noon until 1 p.m., and from 6-7 p.m.

There will also be weigh-ins from 10:00-11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 28 (the morning of the competition). All competitors MUST weigh in and complete their check-in before 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 28. If you show up after 11 a.m., you will not be allowed to compete. Please be respectful of the promoter and staff and DO NOT show up at the last minute.

All weigh-ins will take place at Chicago Barbell Compound.

EVENT RULES

There will be a mandatory rules meeting at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 28, for all competitors.

MAX LOG PRESS

Pitbull logs will be used for this event (a 10" steel log for women and a 12" steel log for men).

• Competitor will have 60 seconds to complete the lift after being given the go ahead from the judge.
• The log must be controlled back to the ground. (No Throwing of the implement). The log does not need to be returned to the chest on the descent, only controlled to the ground.
• Any dropped lift will result in a failed lift and will not count. If you are told your lift does not count, you may attempt it again providing you still have time within your allotted 60 seconds for that particular lift.
• Each competitor has three attempts.
• 60 seconds to complete the lift after the whistle blows. Lifter can continue to lift until the full 60 seconds are up.
• Competitor nominates their opening attempt for both events at the time of checking for the event.
• Competitor cannot drop their nominated weight after a failed attempt or a completed attempt.
• No minimum weight increases. This is due to international events crossing over to lbs or kgs.
• No points awarded if no complete lifts are counted.
• Lift is completed when the judge calls “down”. To receive the “down” call, the lifter must have knees, hips and shoulders locked out and head “through”. Watch this VIDEO
• Competitor may change their first lift, once only, up to 5 minutes out from the start of the event, not after.
• Competitor to nominate their second lift weight immediately after completion of their first lift.
• Competitor may change their second lift weight, once only, but it cannot be lesser than the weight that is currently on the bar.
• Competitor to nominate their third lift weight immediately after completion of their second lift.
• Competitor may change their third lift weight, twice only, but it cannot be lesser than the weight that is currently on the bar.
• If the competitor successfully locks out a rep just before the buzzer but then drops the implement in an uncontrolled way, the rep will not count.
• Belts are allowed, an under belt and an over belt is allowed. Two belts, one above the other on the torso (equivalent to a stepped setup), is not allowed. A loop in the belt is not allowed. Nothing is allowed to be added to or stuffed into the belt to make a shelf.
• The log can touch, bounce off, rest on the belt during the clean.
• Elbow sleeves are allowed, including “equipped” elbow sleeves. One item per joint…meaning only one elbow sleeve, not multiple sleeves on the one elbow. Wraps on elbows are not allowed.
• Grip shirts are allowed, BUT they must be worn underneath the competition-supplied shirt. The competition shirt must be worn during all lifts.
• Spotter on Log Lift: if a spotter is on the log lifting event and they intervene with a lift, the log must be reset to the ground for the lift to start again. If it is deemed that the log spotter stepped in too early, which can only be ruled by the judge, then the lifter can opt to have another 60 seconds added to their time then and there, or they can take this lift again at the end of the round of their flight. If the lifter chooses to continue during their current 60 seconds, they will not be allowed to take another 60 seconds after the round if they fail during their current lift period.
• The log cannot be rested on the top of the head during the lift. It may however be allowed to touch the head during the upward trajectory.

Equipment allowed: Wrist wraps, elbow sleeves, knee sleeves, chalk (powder or liquid), belt (one soft belt and one hard belt are permitted, but no “built up” belt with a towel, etc.) and grip shirts (but they must be worn underneath the contest t-shirt).

Equipment NOT allowed: No straps of any kind, no gloves, no elbow wraps, no tacky of any kind

MAX ELEVATED DEADLIFT (Approximately 16.5-inches, 42.5 cm)

Arsenal Athletics Power Axles will be used for this event for all competitors.

• A conventional stance deadlift is mandatory. No Sumo stance allowed, no Jefferson deadlifts or any other variation, conventional deadlift only. Hands must be outside the knees for the entire duration of the lift.
• Straps are allowed, including figure 8 straps. However, they must be tight and the hands have to be around/holding the axle. A long figure 8 strap with “fingertips” being the only thing touching the bar will not be an acceptable lift.
• Each competitor has three attempts.
• Competitor cannot drop their nominated weight after a failed attempt or a completed attempt.
• No minimum weight increases. This is due to international events crossing over to lbs or kgs.
• No mid lift bounce allowed. This is where the athlete forcefully pushes the bar to the ground, mid lift, to gain height on the rebound to get past a sticking point.
• No “Eddie Halls” allowed; weight must be controlled to the ground for the lift to count.
• 60 seconds to complete the lift after the whistle blows. Lifter can continue to lift until the full 60 seconds are up.
• No points awarded if no complete lifts are counted.
• Lift is completed when the judge calls “down”. To receive the “down” call, the lifter must have knees, hips and shoulders locked out.
• Competitor may change their first lift, once only, up to 5 minutes out from the start of the event, not after.
• Competitor to nominate their second lift weight immediately after completion of their first lift.
• Competitor may change their second lift weight, once only, but it cannot be lesser than the weight that is currently on the bar.
• Competitor to nominate their third lift weight immediately after completion of their second lift.
• Competitor may change their third lift weight, twice only, but it cannot be lesser than the weight that is currently on the bar.
• Competitors opening lift must be at the minimum set weights or above for that class.

Equipment allowed: Belt, wrist straps (including figure 8s), elbow sleeves, knee sleeves, deadlift suit, chalk (powder or liquid)

Equipment NOT allowed: knee wraps, gloves, tacky

FARMERS HOLD (MAX TIME)

Athlete may begin with hands on the farmers handles. After the athlete is given the "lift" command and a lock out is shown, time will begin. A lock out has the athlete's hips and knees locked and shoulders back. Time will be called once there is a break in the knees or hips or handles are dropped from hands.

Equipment allowed: Belt, wrist wraps, elbow sleeves, knee sleeves, chalk (powder or liquid)

Equipment NOT allowed: wrist straps, gloves, tacky

AWARDS

Trophies will be awarded for 1st place. Medals will be awarded for 2nd and 3rd place.

The top three athletes in the Open weight classes and the 1st place athletes in the Novice divisions will qualify for 2024 USS Nationals in Denver.

The Top 10 athletes of Static Monsters Worldwide scores will qualify for the 2024 Static Monsters World Championship.

SPECTATOR INFORMATION

There will be a $15 admission fee for all spectators ages 13 and older. Children under 12 will be admitted for free. This entry fee will be CASH ONLY at the door on the day of the competition. There will NOT be any advanced ticket sales.

HOTEL INFORMATION

SpringHill Suites by Marriott (Chicago-O'Hare), 8101 West Higgins Road, Chicago, IL, 60631. Phone: 773-867-0000

Holiday Inn-Chicago O'Hare, 5615 North Cumberland Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60631. Phone: 773-693-5800.

Renaissance Chicago O'Hare Suites, 8500 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60631. Phone: 773-380-9600.

PARKING INFORMATION

There is a decent-sized parking lot at Chicago Barbell Compound, but there is also plenty of street parking and another large parking lot located about 100 feet south of the building where the gym is located that has about 75-80 additional parking spaces.