How can I get started with Strongman training?
If you are in Australia, we recommend looking at the Strongwoman Australia Guide to starting out training and competing in Strongwoman as well as the Strongwoman Australia Facebook page, where you can find a monthly list of all Australian competitions. Many of which are novice competitions that you can try out and see if you like it. You can also join the Strongwoman Australia Central Facebook group, where you can ask any questions you like. You can also get in touch with a local Strongman gym or coach. Mason Dannatt has put together a Strongman gym finder. This list in not complete yet. if you don’t see a gym near you, please message Strongwoman Australia.
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Why some strongwomen who we filmed with have not been included in the final edit of the Strong Women series?Although they are many inspiring and impactful strongwomen stories that deserve to be told, as filmmakers there are a lot of considerations to take into account to create the best series we could, mainly budget, logistics and story. We are a small team of predominantly emerging filmmakers, who have been very fortunate to secure funding to put together a modest budget in industry standards. Each story featured in the series needed an appropriate amount of time to go in depth and provide the engaging and emotional narrative. We were unfortunately not able to fit more in while maintaining a compelling narrative.
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What is Strongman?
Strongman acts are feats of strength! Once performed in the circus or in beer halls, it was often men replicating the heavy workloads of farmers in the fields or lifting awkward one-handed implements like the monster dumbbell to demonstrate their sheer raw strength. But it wasn’t only alpha males, in the early 1900s there were world re-known Strongwoman making the rounds in the circus too. They confronted audiences with their strength, grace and beauty!
It’s not until recent decades that Strongman turned into an organized sport. Today competitors in Australia can compete at local, national and even international competitions with events mixing speed, endurance and strength. Competitions have athletes lifting implements high over their heads or sprinting across the floor carrying a heavy load.
It’s not until recent decades that Strongman turned into an organized sport. Today competitors in Australia can compete at local, national and even international competitions with events mixing speed, endurance and strength. Competitions have athletes lifting implements high over their heads or sprinting across the floor carrying a heavy load.
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Why is it called Strongman?
Strongman (or strength athletics) is the name of the modern version of the sport. Based on competitions like the World’s Strongest Man that took place in the 70s, it does take its name from the predominantly male participation in the sport.
However in recent years, the sport has been growing rapidly in popularity with an increase in female participation in Strongman of more than 500% since 2015. This inclusive sport and supportive environment for women focuses on what your body can do rather than what it looks like. Strongwoman athletes come in all shapes and sizes, they eat whatever they want, they lift heavy cement balls, they toss tires, and they could easily pick you up over their heads.
Whether you call it Strongman or Strongwoman, one thing that is certain with the recent influx of women - there is a noticeable shift in recognition for women in the sport. The Arnold Strongman League recently established a Pro League for women and nowadays more gyms than ever before offer Strongman equipment and classes for both men and women. Strength is for everyone
However in recent years, the sport has been growing rapidly in popularity with an increase in female participation in Strongman of more than 500% since 2015. This inclusive sport and supportive environment for women focuses on what your body can do rather than what it looks like. Strongwoman athletes come in all shapes and sizes, they eat whatever they want, they lift heavy cement balls, they toss tires, and they could easily pick you up over their heads.
Whether you call it Strongman or Strongwoman, one thing that is certain with the recent influx of women - there is a noticeable shift in recognition for women in the sport. The Arnold Strongman League recently established a Pro League for women and nowadays more gyms than ever before offer Strongman equipment and classes for both men and women. Strength is for everyone
Are they any more episodes coming up?
Our team was incredibly fortunate to raise a budget to produce 3 episodes of 30 minutes and some extra short videos, available to watch here. Our team is currently focusing its efforts on the Strong BODY/ Strong MIND movement, which will include more content for you to watch. You can help us make it happen by donating and joining the movement.
When will Strong Women be available to watch outside of Australia?
We are currently working on making Strong Women available to you all, around the world. Stay updated by signing up to the newsletter to stay informed about the series, the Strong BODY / Strong Mind movement and receive invites to upcoming events.
How can you support Strong Women?
Thank you so much for wanting to support Strong Women. It has really been a passion project for years and we now have extended plans for the series to amplify the Strong Body / Strong Mind movement. You can support us in a variety of ways:
- Encourage your family, friends, and colleagues to watch the series on ABC iview
- Spread the word about the Strong Body / Strong Mind movement
- Follow us on Instagram and Facebook and share our posts
- Make a donation to the Strong Body / Strong Mind movement
- Encourage your family, friends, and colleagues to watch the series on ABC iview
- Spread the word about the Strong Body / Strong Mind movement
- Follow us on Instagram and Facebook and share our posts
- Make a donation to the Strong Body / Strong Mind movement
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Why did you want to make a documentary on Strong Women?When we first saw Mariko in action in Strongman sport we were amazed by her strength! She was cradling a 100kg cement stone in her arms, squeezing it into her body as she rolled it up to her chest and pushed it over a bar in front of her - with raw power!
Our experiences in gyms usually involved cardio exercises and fitness classes and all too often, like many women, we had previously shied away from the weight section, not realizing that strength training is a valuable component of getting healthy and strong. Filming with Mariko and the rest of the Strongwoman community, we were inspired to find our own strength, embrace our storytelling abilities, and rise to the test through filmmaking. We are now on a mission. We are deeply driven by the belief that ALL women and girls have the right to boost their confidence, find their physical and mental strength and change their mindset through any physical activity regardless of shape, size or ability. This is why we created the Strong BODY / Strong MIND movement. |
PressTheCurb - Strong Women Series Co-Director Alexandra Gaulupeau Interview: Strong Body, Strong Mind - 01/08/2021
FilmInk - The Strength of Women - 31/07/2021 TVBlackbox - FIRST LOOK | Three-part documentary STRONG WOMEN coming to ABC IVIEW - 29/07/2021 The Age - ‘We’re not Kardashians’: Meet the women who lift boulders for fun - 24/07/2021 Geelong Independent - Kerryn Shares her inner strength - 23/07/2021 Wollondilly Advertiser - Macarthur Strong Woman featured in new ABC documentary series - 21/07/2021 |
What people are saying
Amazing doco! so many incredible women!!
Refreshing seeing women smash the stereotype of feminity and body image 👊
The most inpirational show along with the most inspirational women. Watching it again now
Loved it! ❤️ Such incredible and inspiring women 💪
These women are SO inspiring and we need to see more of them. OUTSTANDING
What you, your daugthers and your girlfriends should be watching on a Sunday.
Such gorgeous women inside and out ❤️
Awesome. Girlfriend and I loved it! Wish there was more
Love this doc and all the women. Life changing show!
Refreshing seeing women smash the stereotype of feminity and body image 👊
The most inpirational show along with the most inspirational women. Watching it again now
Loved it! ❤️ Such incredible and inspiring women 💪
These women are SO inspiring and we need to see more of them. OUTSTANDING
What you, your daugthers and your girlfriends should be watching on a Sunday.
Such gorgeous women inside and out ❤️
Awesome. Girlfriend and I loved it! Wish there was more
Love this doc and all the women. Life changing show!
"Strong Women wears its heart proudly on its sleeve - which is, in itself an impressive show of strength"
The Australian Weekend
"Reshaping themselves and in turn gender stereotypes, these athletes and their stories are as impressive as their impossible lifts."
The Age - Critic's Choice
The Australian Weekend
"Reshaping themselves and in turn gender stereotypes, these athletes and their stories are as impressive as their impossible lifts."
The Age - Critic's Choice
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My only competition is myself |
I love having so many different, awkward implements to work with. It’s so challenging but allows you to be way more versatile with what you can do. |
WHAT IS STRONGMANYou might be picturing body building, but instead of focusing on how you look, Strongman focuses on what you can do. These women come in all shapes and sizes, they eat whatever they want, they lift heavy cement balls, they toss tires and they could easily pick you up over their heads.
It’s all about strength. |
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Kodiak Island
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