The Axle Bar Anyhow Overhead Press is a Strongman event that allows athletes to get a barbell overhead by any effective method, as long as it meets competition standards.
Unlike traditional pressing events, this variation rewards:
- Creativity
- Efficiency
- Problem-solving under load
Athletes can use a variety of techniques to move the axle from the floor to a pressing position before locking it out overhead.
Axle Bar Anyhow Press in Strongman Competition
This event is typically performed as:
- Maximum weight
- Repetitions for time
What makes this event unique is the freedom in execution.
Athletes are not restricted to a single clean variation. Instead, they can use any method that gets the bar into a legal pressing position.
Event Description
The athlete lifts an axle bar from the floor and presses it overhead to full lockout.
The axle:
- Has a larger diameter than a standard barbell
- Does not rotate
This increases difficulty in both the lift and the press.
The defining feature of this event is that the athlete may use any method necessary to get the bar into position before pressing.
Equipment Specifications
Axle Bar
- Thick, non-rotating bar
- Typically 2” diameter
- Loaded with plates on each side
Starting Position
- Bar begins on the floor
- Athlete must initiate the lift from the ground
Equipment Rules
Allowed
- Grip shirt
- Chalk
- One belt
- Wrist wraps
- Elbow sleeves
- Knee wraps or sleeves
Not Allowed
- Tacky
Rules and Execution
Objective
Lift the axle from the floor and press it overhead to a controlled lockout.
Accepted Methods to Lift the Bar
Athletes may use:
- Traditional clean variations
- Any combination of hand positioning
- Steinborn-style lifts
- Zercher lifts
The goal is to get the bar into a legal pressing position by any effective means.
Pressing Standards
The press must originate from:
- A front rack position, or
- Behind the head
Lockout Requirements
For a successful lift:
- Elbows must be fully locked
- The body must be fully extended
- The athlete must demonstrate control
There must be:
- No forward movement
- No backward movement
- No side-to-side movement
The athlete must wait for the judge’s command.
Down Command and Completion
- The lift is only complete after the down command
- The bar must be lowered under control to the platform
- Loss of control will result in a no lift
Restrictions
- The axle may rest on the belt during the lift
- The axle may not rest on the head at any time
Common Reasons for a No Lift
- Failure to achieve full lockout
- Movement after lockout before the down command
- Press not originating from a legal position
- Dropping the bar without control
- Resting the bar on the head
Why This Event Matters
The Anyhow Press rewards more than strength.
It tests:
- Creativity under load
- Efficiency of movement
- Confidence with unconventional techniques
Athletes who understand leverage and positioning often outperform stronger but less efficient competitors.
Training the Axle Anyhow Press
This event is best developed through:
- Axle clean variations
- Zercher and Steinborn practice
- Overhead strength work
- Technique exploration under load
Key focus areas:
- Finding your most efficient path to the rack
- Managing the axle’s thickness and lack of rotation
- Stabilizing before the press
- Staying tight through lockout
Common Mistakes
- Wasting energy on inefficient setup
- Rushing into the press without stability
- Losing position due to poor bar path
- Failing to control the lockout
Variations and Alternatives
- Axle clean and press (standard rules)
- Continental clean variations
- Log or block press for overhead strength
- Zercher lifts for positioning strength
Scoring and Formats
The Axle Anyhow Press may be run as:
- Maximum weight
- Repetition event within a time limit
History and Use in Strongman
“Anyhow” events are rooted in old-time strength challenges where the goal was simple:
Get the weight overhead by any means necessary.
Modern Strongman preserves this concept while applying clear judging standards for safety and fairness.
Real-World Carryover
This event develops:
- Adaptability under load
- Problem-solving in physical tasks
- Total-body coordination
It reflects real-world situations where perfect technique is not always an option.
Axle Training at Grinder Gym
Axle work is a staple at Grinder Gym.
Athletes train:
- Clean variations
- Overhead strength
- Event-specific techniques
Including:
- Continental cleans
- Zercher pickups
- Non-traditional lifting strategies
Train the Axle Anyhow Press at Grinder Gym
If you want to improve at this event, you need:
- The right equipment
- The freedom to experiment
- The right coaching
At Grinder Gym, athletes learn how to move weight efficiently—not just lift it.
- Strongman Axle Press: Strategies for Improving Overhead Strength
The axle press is one of the most technical and humbling events in strongman. It looks like a simple overhead lift—until you grip a thick,… Read more: Strongman Axle Press: Strategies for Improving Overhead Strength
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