Log Lift
Officially Log Lift (Log Press)
Strongman overhead pressing event using a large cylindrical steel log (~14+ inch diameter, 100-230+ kg); tests clean + overhead lockout power with neutral grip and thick handle.
What is Log Lift?
Log Lift (also called Log Press or Log Clean & Press) is a hallmark strongman event testing overhead pressing strength using a large hollow cylindrical steel log with neutral (parallel) hand grips. The log diameter (~12-14 inches / 30-36 cm) forces a thick front-loaded rack position, making it markedly harder than a barbell press. Formats: (a) Max Log for weight (one-rep max, ascending); (b) Log for reps (fixed weight, max reps in ~60-75 seconds). Technique: clean (ground to shoulder), jerk-press or push-press to full lockout overhead with straight arms + locked knees. Modern world records exceed 220 kg (500+ lb) max, and 200 kg+ multi-rep events. Log design standards vary (Rogue Fitness, Slater Log). Featured at World's Strongest Man since ~1990s; Arnold Strongman Classic Log Lift for Max (single rep max) is signature event. Zydrunas Savickas + Zydrunas dominated 2000s-2010s; Cheick 'Iron Biby' Sanou set 229 kg WR (2021); Mitchell Hooper + Tom Stoltman currently lead.
Quick facts
Category
Strength Sports
Type
Individual
Players
1–1
Duration
~1 min
Where played
outdoor
Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Estimated origin
1980s-90s modern strongman era; regular WSM event from 1990s
Olympic
No
Popularity
major
How it works
Objective
Press heaviest log overhead (max) OR complete most reps at fixed weight.
Match structure
Individual event; either single-attempt ascending max, or fixed-weight AMRAP.
Rules
Basic rules
Full lockout required
Arms straight, knees locked, judge's signal to lower.
Clean-first per rep (reps event)
Log must return to ground for each rep.
Belts + suits + straps permitted
Standard strongman gear allowed.
Scoring
Max lift or rep count.
Win condition · Heaviest successful lift or most reps.
Equipment
Competition log
Cylindrical steel log ~30-36 cm diameter with neutral grip handles.
Chalk
For grip.
Positions & roles
Strongman athlete
×1Sole competitor.
Major competitions
Arnold Strongman Classic — Max Log
annual · Columbus, Ohio · since 2002
World's Strongest Man Log Lift
annual · worldwide · since 1977
Governing bodies
World's Strongest Man
Founded 1977 · USA/UK
Arnold Strongman Classic
Founded 2002 · USA
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Žydrūnas Savickas
- Brian Shaw
- Cheick 'Iron Biby' Sanou
- Mitchell Hooper
- Tom Stoltman
- Eddie Hall
Records
Cheick Sanou 229 kg log WR
Cheick 'Iron Biby' Sanou (BUR) — 229 kg (505 lb) — Giants Live World's Strongest Man Log Press WR (Aug 2021) (2021)
Žydrūnas Savickas — most WSM log wins
Žydrūnas Savickas (LTU) — Multiple WSM Log Lift event victories; 4x WSM overall champion (2014)
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Log lift— Wikipedia