
***Grinder Gym Presents***
SAN DIEGO’S STRONGEST MAN & WOMAN 2025 STRONGMAN COMPETITION
LOCATION
Grinder Gym
1013 Morena Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92110
DATE & TIME
Saturday, August 9, 2025
Starts at 9 am
SPONSORS

WEIGH-INS
Weigh-ins will be on Friday from 9 am to 12 noon and in the evening from 4 pm to 8 pm.
Same-day weigh-ins by APPOINTMENT ONLY between 7 am and 7:30 am.
RULES MEETING
Rules meeting will start at 8:00 AM, Competition starts at 9:00 AM.
NATIONAL QUALIFIER
The top 3 athletes in each class will receive an invite to the 2026 USS Nationals.
TRAINING/ PROGRAMMING
The 2025 San Diego’s Strongest 12-week Strongman Training plan will be available to purchase. This template will be delivered via the Grinder Gym Workouts Software.
In addition, we will host group training classes at Grinder Gym in preparation for San Diego’s Strongest.
ORDER OF EVENTS
The order of events will be posted closer to the competition along with a detailed schedule. All events will be run as head-to-head events with more than one class going at a time. This will mean that the order of events will not be the same for each class.
AWARDS
Medals will be awarded to the top 3 finishers in each class.
SCHEDULE
We will provide a detailed schedule as the competition draws closer.
CONTEST AND EVENT RULES
Contesting a Call: To contest a call any athlete would need to bring a video to review with the appointed head judge or competition director for review. This person will review any video footage and make a final call. At no time should any athlete, or athlete representative approach the scorekeeper, or the scorekeeper table with any questions.
Athlete’s contest standing will be reordered after each event based on accumulative scoring of the completed events. This information is available live on IronPodium. The athlete’s order for the first event will be based on when the athlete signed up for the event. The first to sign up goes last and the last to sign up goes first.
Catch All Rules:
- Competition shirt MUST be worn (Unless Event Specified)
- Shoes are required (Unless Event Specified)
- No tacky or sticky substance (Unless Event Specified)
- No gloves! (Unless Event Specified)
- No build-up belts (only one hard and one soft)
- NO SQUAT SUITS OR BRIEFS ALLOWED!
- Any athlete who leaks any body fluids (blood, urine, vomit, etc.) on the competition floor must help clean it up!
Event 1: SSB Squat for Reps
Description:
Athletes will perform as many reps as possible with weight designated for their class using a Safety Squat Bar (SSB). Each repetition must reach proper depth and return to a full lockout to be counted. Judges will be strict on depth and lockout standards.
Time:
60-second time limit.
Starting Position:
The athlete begins standing upright with the SSB resting across the shoulders/traps in a racked position. Hands-on handles. Feet in preferred stance within lifting area. Bar is unracked from a fixed-height monolift.
Commands Given:
- “Lift” to signal the athlete can begin unracking.
- “Start” to initiate the event timer.
- No down or up commands; the athlete proceeds through reps within the time limit.
- “Stop” at the end of the time limit.
Equipment Allowed:
- Belt
- Knee sleeves or wraps
- Elbow sleeves
- Wrist wraps
- Chalk
- Lifters or flat shoes
- Mouth guards
- Briefs or compression shorts (non-supportive)
Equipment Not Allowed:
- Squat suits or supportive briefs
- Lifting straps
- Knee braces with mechanical assistance
- Tacky or adhesives
- Multi-ply supportive gear
Implement Details:
- Safety Squat Bar (SSB) will weigh 65 lbs (Elite FTS)
- Weights will be pre-loaded for each class; the same bar used per class to ensure consistency
- Height is determined at the athlete check-in.
- Depth requirement: hip crease must pass below the top of the knee
- Full lockout required at the top: hips and knees fully extended
- Time limit: 60 seconds
- No bouncing or double-dipping; each rep must be controlled
- Judges will signal “no rep” when applicable
Event 2: Max Log Clean and Press
Description:
Athletes will have three attempts to establish their heaviest successful lift in the log clean and press. Each attempt consists of a clean from the floor to the shoulders, followed by a press to full lockout overhead. The event follows a rising bar format, and athletes must declare their opening weight before the event begins.
Time:
60-second time limit.
Starting Position:
Athlete begins standing behind the log, hands on the neutral handles, with the log resting on the ground. The athlete may adjust grip before initiating the clean.
Commands Given:
- “Start” to begin the attempt and to initiate the event timer.
- “Down” is given by the judge once the athlete reaches a stable lockout overhead with feet in line and under control.
- “Good” or “No rep” will be called immediately after the lift is completed or failed. Failure to lower the log under control after the down command will result in a “no rep” call.
Equipment Allowed:
- Belt
- Elbow sleeves
- Knee sleeves
- Wrist wraps
- Chalk
- Lifters, flats, or Olympic shoes
- Soft belt and/or hard lever/prong belt
- Grip shirts
Equipment Not Allowed:
- Tacky or grip-enhancing substances
- Elbow or shoulder wraps
- Double belts (above and below)
- Multi-ply shirts or suits
- Lifting straps
Implement Details:
- Log type: Steel with neutral grip handles. Titan Log (10″ Ladies, 12″ Men)
- Standard weights will increase by fixed increments between attempts (to be announced)
- Each athlete will have 60 seconds per attempt
- Clean must start from the ground or crash pads (athlete preference)
- Press can be strict, push press, push jerk, or split jerk (feet must end together to complete lift)
- Lift must be completed in one continuous movement—clean, then press
- Dropping the log from overhead under control is allowed; however, reckless drops may result in disqualification
- Three attempts at heaviest lift; unlimited attempts in the allotted time (unless declared unsafe by the judge)
Event 3: Carry Medley: Yoke/ Frame/ Husafell
Description:
Athletes will complete a medley consisting of three heavy carries for distance: a Yoke walk, followed immediately by a Frame carry, and then a Husafell carry. The goal is to complete the course as quickly as possible. Fastest time to finish wins; distance will be measured if the course is not completed.
Time:
90-second time limit.
Starting Position:
Athlete begins standing behind the yoke with hands off the implement. All three implements will be pre-staged along the same lane in order: Yoke → Frame → Husafell. Athletes must fully cross each designated line before moving to the next implement.
Commands Given:
- “Athlete ready?”
- “Go” to begin the timer
- “Time” once the final implement crosses the finish line
- Judge may call “Down” if control is lost or time expires
Equipment Allowed:
- Belt
- Knee sleeves or wraps
- Elbow sleeves
- Wrist wraps
- Chalk
- Any shoes
- Soft belt and/or lever/prong belt
- Grip shirts
Equipment Not Allowed:
- Tacky or sticky substances
- Lifting straps or hooks
- Gloves
- Suits with built-in gripping surface
- Any assistive lifting device
Implement Details:
- Yoke: Rogue Yoke, carried on the back across the traps/shoulders. Must be carried for ~50 feet.
- Frame: Custom Frame. Neutral-handled frame. Picked up and carried for ~50 feet.
- Husafell: Custom Stone or steal shield-style implement, front-loaded and carried in a bear-hug position for ~50 feet.
- Drops are allowed but time continues running; no sliding or dragging allowed. 4 seconds will be added for any sliding.
- Implements must be moved in the correct sequence.
- Athletes have a 90-second time cap to complete the medley.
- Distance will be marked at point of final drop if time expires before completion.
Event 4: Overhead Press Medley: Keg Clean & Press/ Block Clean & Press
Description:
Athletes will alternate between a keg and a block in an overhead pressing medley. Athletes will go back and forth completing as many successful reps as possible. The sequence is as follows: clean and press the keg for 1 rep, then clean and press the block for 1 rep, then return to the keg, and continue alternating. Only successfully pressed reps will be scored. Athletes must complete the lift before progressing to the next implement. The athlete with the highest number of total reps within the time limit wins.
Time:
90-second time limit.
Starting Position:
Athlete may begin with hands on the keg, but may not lift until the “Start” command is given. Implements are placed in a fixed sequence and must be approached in order.
Commands Given:
- “Start” to begin the medley and the timer
- “Down” command for each overhead press (given once the athlete reaches full lockout with control)
- “No rep” may be called for failed lockout, lack of control, or press-out issues
- Reps will be deducted at judge’s discretion
Equipment Allowed:
- Grip shirt
- Elbow sleeves
- Knee sleeves
- Wrist wraps
- Chalk
- Soft belt or hard (prong or lever) belt
Equipment Not Allowed:
- Tacky or grip adhesives of any kind
- Lifting straps
- Supportive suits or multi-ply gear
- Elbow wraps
Implement Details:
- Keg: Standard competition-style keg, loaded to class-specific weight
- Block: Custom fabricated block implement with smooth grip surface (exact dimensions will be announced per class)
- Each implement begins on the ground and must be cleaned to the shoulder before pressing
- Pressing styles allowed: strict press, push press, push jerk, or split jerk
- Implements must be controlled at the top and receive a down command for the rep to count
- Time cap: 90 seconds
- One point awarded per successful press; partial reps or transitions without completion do not score
Event 5: Stone Load to Platform (5 Stones)
Description:
Athletes will load five Atlas stones to a platform in ascending order, from lightest to heaviest. Each stone must be successfully lifted from the floor and placed securely on the platform within the 60-second time limit. The event is scored by the number of stones successfully loaded, with time serving as a tiebreaker for athletes who load the same number of stones.
Time:
60-second time limit.
Starting Position:
Athlete begins standing behind the first stone, hands off. Stones are pre-positioned in front of the platform in designated loading order from lightest to heaviest. Athlete may chalk up and apply tacky before the event begins.
Commands Given:
- “Athlete ready?”
- “Go” to begin the timer
- “Time” called at the end of the 60-second limit
- Judge may call “No lift” if stone is not securely placed on the platform
Equipment Allowed:
- Grip shirt
- Tacky
- Elbow sleeves
- Forearm sleeves
- Knee sleeves
- Wrist wraps
- Chalk
- Soft or hard belt
- Tape on hands and forearms (athlete preference)
Equipment Not Allowed:
- Lifting straps or hooks
- Multi-ply suits
- Adhesives other than tacky
- Bracing or supports that interfere with implement contact
Implement Details:
- 5 traditional Atlas stones made from concrete
- Stone weights will increase in set increments (exact weights per class to be announced)
- Platform height will decrease from highest to lowest height (exact heights to be listed)
- Stones must be lifted from the ground
- Stone must remain on the platform without falling or rolling off for the lift to count
- Time cap: 60 seconds
- Ties broken by time of final successful load. Split times recorded and scored.
Disclaimers:
- All events, prizes, weights, and rules are subject to change at any time and for any reason without notice.
- Unsportsmanlike behavior towards other athletes, judges, or volunteers will not be tolerated.
- No Registration Refunds or Exchanges will be given
Event Weights will be listed by Iron Podium by May 24, 2025
ENTRY FEES, PAYMENTS & REFUNDS
$125 for online registration (Early Bird $100)
ENTRIES ARE NON REFUNDABLE AND NON TRANSFERABLE
COMPETITION SHIRTS
One free T-shirt per person. Additional shirts are $30.00.
SPECTATORS
The spectator fee is $20.00.
Cash at the door or show proof of online purchase at the door.
Children under age 12 get in free.
REGISTRATION
Online Registration
Register online as a competitor or purchase a spectator ticket at Iron Podium [CLICK HERE]
SANCTIONED EVENT

US Strongman membership is required and can be purchased at Iron Podium.
For details on US Strongman visit their website at www.unitedstatesstrongman.com
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
There are no specific qualifications that must be made to participate in this event. Athletes must simply be an active member of US Strongman to compete in this event.
ORGANIZER
Dave DePew
thedavedepew@gmail.com
619-840-8175