The atlas stone “Ground-to-Shoulder(GTS)” is another foundational movement of Strongman 101. The GTS is similar to the log in the mechanics of movement, but is a much more awkward in shape. The GTS is performed by deadlifting the atlas stone into a lap position, coiling the hips, and then violently extending the hips, causing the stone to roll up the body and on to the shoulder. During the GTS, the entire posterior muscular chain(glutes, hamstrings, back, and calves) is fires to allow the body to go into “quadruple extension”, or extension of the ankles, knees, hips, and back. On top of explosive power development, training with an atlas stone will also help develop one of the most ignored components of training, grip strength. Often times, are failed because our grips give out on us. Simply picking up a stone will develope a tremendous amount of grip strength as you have to “squeeze” the stone as it is brought to the lap position.
Apr
05