NYC Strong Challenge 1: Some Benchmarks

The NYC Strongmen + Strongwomen Facebook group is hosting the first of what we hope to be monthly challenges. This month of August we decided to ask people to clean and press a thick handled dumbbell using only one arm. This lift is a classic among performing strongmen dating back to Thomas Inch and his challenge dumbbells. Currently men and women of the newer sport of strongman are also familiar with monster dumbbells, which are a perennial pressing event.

We are custom to cleaning thick handled dumbbells and fat bars for pressing. With two hands, most of us continental clean our heaviest weights before pressing them overhead. For our single arm pressing, we are able to clean the dumbbells to our shoulders with both hands, thus allowing us to handle considerably more weight. 

This summer, American Strongman Mike Burke just narrowly missed cleaning two Thomas inch dumbbells. Weighing in at 172 pounds each, and sporting a handle greater than 2" thick, the Inch challenge dumbbell has lived on as a feat of strength beyond the years of it's namesake, Thomas Inch.

Twelve years ago, US strength legend Mark Henry cleaned the Inch dumbbell to his shoulder and easily pressed it overhead. Henry is the first man to do so. Three years ago, Rich Williams joined this exclusive club when he also cleaned the dumbbell to his shoulder and easily pressed it overhead. Matt Brouse and Bill Kazmaier succeeded in continental cleaning the dumbbell to their shoulders before pressing it.

Rich Williams clean & pressing the Inch is as good as it gets.

The men listed above are obviously elite when it comes to grip and overall strength. In my own attempts, I succeeded in continental cleaning a 98 pound monster dumbbell with a three inch handle before easily pressing it. With a standard dumbbell and Fat Gripz, I got a 115 dumbbell continental cleaned to my torso before hitting myself in the face and nearly knocking myself out.

I would guess a 100 pound clean is average. At 120, the weight is significant. If you can reach 149 like Adam Glass in the video below, you are likely at the elite level and no doubt a total badass.

Adam Glass clean's a 149 pound shot loaded Atomic Athlete bell.

For women, however, I am struggling to find any real numbers. Therefore, this contest is really the first time that we have the opportunity to see what women can clean and press with one arm using a thick handled dumbbell!

For more information, check out our contest announcement here and on Facebook.

And since following the link might be difficult for some people, here are the specifics of our contest:

1. Must be a minimum 2" thick handle. Please show us the measurement or show us the application of the Fat Gripz.

2. Only one arm/hand may clean and press the dumbbell.

3. You may clean the dumbbell all the way to your shoulder in one motion or use the continental style (as in my video).

4. You may use any monster dumbbell or apply a Fat Gripz handle to a standard dumbbell.

5. Most weight cleaned and pressed successfully will be our winner (one male and one female).

6. You may submit up to 3 videos by August 30! Please submit to the NYC Strongmen + Strongwomen Facebook page
7. Support our sponsors Titan Support Systems, Inc and The Sox Box. Also, use our discount code for 10% off your own pair of Sox Box socks: NYCSTRONG