This is the fourth consecutive year for this competition and it keeps getting bigger and better.

The 2025 Warpath Strength Windy City's Strongest competition will take place on Saturday, May 17, at Chicago Barbell Compound/CrossFit Park Ridge, in Chicago, IL, and will feature five events:

1. Yoke Carry
2. Log Press
3. Frame Carry
4. Frame Deadlift
5. Sandbag Toss

This contest is taking place six weeks before the United States Strongman (USS) National Championship in Charlotte, NC. The events in this competition are almost identical to the events at that show in order to allow athletes an opportunity to use this as an opportunity to do a "dry run" for Nationals.

USS Membership

All athletes are required to have a current United States Strongman (USS) membership in order to compete. Please don't wait until the last minute to purchase or renew your membership. Also, if you are renewing an existing membership, PLEASE be sure to use the SAME e-mail as you did when you originally signed up for a membership. If you use a different e-mail address, it won't show up in Iron Podium when I check you in on the day of the contest.

EVENT RULES

There will be a rules meeting for all athletes at 9:30 a.m. on the day of the competition followed by a group photo. This is why I require all competitors to weigh in/check-in before 9 a.m.

Please note that all weights are subject to change at any time per the discretion of the promoter up to and including the day of the competition. As equipment is tested over the next few months, updates will be announced on Facebook and Instagram.

Here are the rules for each event:

EVENT 1: Yoke Carry

• Athletes will have one minute to carry a yoke down and back a 75-foot course (one way, no turns) as fast as possible.
• Athletes will have the opportunity to get set under the yoke and then begin as soon as the judge gives the "Go" command.
• Only the front part of the yoke (insert “just the tip” joke here) must cross the line at the end of the course before the judge will give the athlete a "Drop" command.
• If an athlete fails to complete the entire course, their distance will be measured.
• Limited drops will be allowed. The exact number of drops is pending the decision of John Albrecht, USS Vice-President, who is promoting 2025 USS Nationals, so please stand by.
• ABSOLUTELY NO SLIDES! A 5-second penalty will be assessed to any athlete who attempts to slide the yoke across the line at either end of the course.
• Equipment allowed: One soft belt, one hard belt, chalk, elbow sleeves, knee sleeves, knee wraps, wrist wraps.
• Equipment NOT allowed: No gloves, no tacky of any kind (not from a jar, no spray, no towels, no tape), no supportive suits or briefs, and no grip shirts.

EVENT 2: Log Clean and Press for Reps

• 10” and 12” Slater True logs will be used for all divisions and weight classes.
• Athletes may start with their hands on the handles of the log.
• When the judge gives the “Lift” command, athletes will clean and press the log for as many reps as possible in one minute. Athletes will be required to clean and press every rep.
• A successful rep will be counted once the athlete’s knees, hips, shoulders, and arms/elbows are all locked out and the athlete is clearly in control of the implement. (feet are parallel and the athlete is not moving/staggering).
• If an athlete has any physical issues or limitations, such as a shoulder or elbow impairment that prevents them from completing a full lockout, the judge must be notified prior to the athlete taking their attempt.
• Athletes must wait for the “Down” command for the rep to be counted. If an athlete lowers the log before the judge gives the “Down” command, he/she will receive a warning. After the first warning, if an athlete does not wait for the judge’s “Down” command, the rep(s) will not be counted. Wait for the “Down” command.
• Athletes should return the log from the overhead position to the crash pads in a controlled manner. Dropping the log from overhead will result in a zero for this event and the athlete may be disqualified from the competition. Please respect the equipment.
• There is a 60-second time limit for this event. The athlete with the most reps in 60 seconds wins.
• Equipment allowed: Belts…athletes may wear one soft and one hard belt, but no “built up” belts using towels or anything else. Knee and elbow sleeves, wrist wraps, chalk, gloves. BELTS MUST BE WORN WITH BUCKLES IN THE BACK.
• Equipment NOT allowed: No grip shirts and absolutely no tacky of any kind (not from a jar, no spray, no towels, no tape).

EVENT 3: Frame Carry

• Athletes will have one minute to complete a 60-foot course down and back with a turn as fast as possible.
• Athletes may start with their hands on the handles of the frame.
• The judge will give the “Go” command at which time the athlete will pick up the frame and carry it down the course around a marker (cone, keg, etc.) at the 60’ mark and return to the start/finish line.
• Athletes MUST make the turn holding the frame. You are not allowed to set it down and re-pick it.
• Athletes will only be allowed TWO drops. That is it. Two. If an athlete drops the frame a third time, the attempt is over and a distance will be recorded to the front of the frame.
• Athletes MUST attempt to take a step with the frame to move it. Athletes are NOT allowed to drag, "bunny hop" or "pick and throw" the frame forward to move it down the course just to receive a score. These will result in a 5-second penalty.
• In addition, athletes are not allowed to slide the frame in order to achieve more distance or as they cross the finish line. Any athlete who slides the frame will receive a 5-second slide penalty.
• Time will stop when the front of the frame crosses the finish line.
• Equipment allowed: Chalk, one hard belt, one soft belt, wrist wraps, knee and elbow sleeves.
• Equipment not allowed: No tape and no tacky of any kind (not from a jar, no spray can, no tacky towels). No gloves. No wrist straps. No supportive suits or briefs

Event 4: Frame Deadlift

• Athletes will have 60 seconds to deadlift a frame for as many reps as possible. It’s a deadlift. You pick it up. You put it down.
• The judge will give the athlete an “Up” and a “Down” command. Athletes must wait for BOTH of these commands for a successful rep to be counted. The judge will issue a warning ONCE if the bar is lifted without an “Up” command or dropped without a “down” command.
• If the athlete doesn’t wait for one of these commands a second time, the rep will not be counted.
• No “Eddie Halls” allowed, meaning the frame must be controlled to the ground for the lift to count. DO NOT simply drop the implement after you receive the "Down" command from the judge.
• Straps will be allowed, including figure 8 straps...HOWEVER, the straps must be tight and the athlete's hands MUST be wrapped around/holding the axle. A long figure 8 strap with “fingertips” being the only thing touching the bar will not be an acceptable lift.
• The pick height is TBD, but it will likely be somewhere between 15-18”
• Equipment allowed: Deadlift suits OR briefs may be worn, but not both. Athletes may wear one hard belt and one soft belt. Elbow sleeves, wrist wraps, wrist straps, and chalk. Knee wraps OR sleeves may be worn, but not both.
• Equipment NOT allowed: No gloves, hook-grip straps and absolutely NO tacky of any kind (not from a jar, no spray, no towels, no tape).

EVENT 5: Sandbag Toss

• Athletes will have one minute to throw three sandbags over the crossbar.
• Heights will be set at 12’, 14’, or 16’ depending on the athlete’s weight class and division (see the weight matrix for details).
• Sandbags will be placed in ascending order (lightest to heaviest) on a line 15’ from the yoke and must be thrown in that order…lightest to heaviest.
• Athletes will start the event with one hand on the yoke.
• When the judge gives the “Go” command, the athlete will run to the first (lightest) bag and attempt to throw it over the crossbar.
• You can move the sandbags (one at a time and only the one you are throwing at that time) from the starting position once the clock has started, but not before.
• If the bag goes over the crossbar, the judge will give a “Good” call, and the athlete will then attempt to throw the second bag over the crossbar.
• If the bag does not go over the crossbar, the athlete must retrieve it and continue his/her attempts to throw it over the crossbar.
• Athletes do not have to wait for a “Good” call from the judge, but if a lighter bag does not make it over the crossbar and the next heaviest bag does, the rep for the heavier bag will not count and the athlete will be required to re-toss both bags (the lighter one first).
• No split times will be recorded. The event will be scored based on the number of bags the athlete successfully throws over the crossbar and the time it takes for him/her to complete the throws.
• Time will stop when the last (heaviest) sandbag goes over the crossbar and lands (hits the ground).
• Equipment allowed: Chalk is permitted for this event. I don’t care what brand it is, and I don’t care if it’s a powder or liquid. Use as much as you want. Supportive gear such as a belt, elbow sleeves, and wrist wraps will also be permitted, but none of those things are likely to help very much so what’s the point?
• Equipment NOT allowed: No gloves, no tape, no straps and no tacky of any kind (not from a jar, no spray, no towels, no tape) will be allowed.

SPECTATOR INFORMATION

There will be a $15 admission fee for all spectators ages 13 and older, and $5 for children ages 3-12 years old. Two-year-olds and infants will be admitted for free. There will NOT be any advanced ticket sales.

WEIGH-INS

All competitors MUST weigh in and complete their check-in before 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 17. If you show up after 9 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.

There will be weigh-ins on Friday, May 16, but the timing is TBD. They will likely happen sometime between 9 a.m. and noon, and then again later in the afternoon/evening (3-6 p.m.), but please check back on this page and/or follow the Warpath Strength Facebook and Instagram pages for regular updates.

There will also be weigh-ins from 8-9 a.m. on Saturday, May 17 (the morning of the competition).

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.

FOOD

My Mighty Meals will most likely be a sponsor of this contest and have delicious meal options available for sale to athletes, volunteers and spectators. I will confirm this closer to the date of the competition.