What you need for a strongman competition

A strongman competition needs more than barbells and heavy implements. You also need measuring, judging and registration supplies, plus shelter, seating, power and clear public-address equipment for a long event day. Use this list to check what must be bought, hired or brought to the venue. Confirm quantities against your athlete numbers, event format and venue inventory at least two weeks before competition day.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Sports equipment

Olympic barbellsqty 4
Weight platesqty 40
Kettlebellsqty 8
Dumbbellsqty 6
Atlas stonesqty 6
Carrying yoke
Carry bagsqty 2
Pull cordqty 2
Barrelqty 2
Wooden beam
Crash matsqty 12
Magnesium blocksqty 20
Bib numbersqty 40
Measuring tapesqty 3
Stopwatchesqty 6
Scale
Bollardsqty 30
Barrier tapeqty 300
Conesqty 30
Chalk powderqty 2

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 80
Judges' table
Clothes racksqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Waste binsqty 8

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Microphonesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 6
Laptop
Printer

Lighting

Work lightsqty 6
String lightsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 250
Platesqty 180
Cutlery setsqty 180
Serving plattersqty 12

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Knivesqty 6
Pliersqty 6
Coolersqty 4

Cleaning

Broom setsqty 3
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning glovesqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 240 bottles
- Spa Red - 60 bottles
- Cola - 24 bottles
- Coke Zero - 24 bottles
- Sinas - 18 bottles
- Ice tea - 18 bottles
- Sports drink - 60 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 24 cans
- Coffee - 2 kilos
- Tea - 120 bags
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 200 pieces
- Lemon tea - 30 bags
- Sandwich rolls - 220 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Sliced cheese - 4 kilos
- Ham - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Jam - 4 jars
- Butter - 2 kilos
- Eggs - 120 pieces
- Bacon bits - 5 kilo
- Vegetarian burgers - 40 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 80 pieces
- Lettuce - 12 heads
- Tomatoes - 8 kilo
- Cucumbers - 6 kilos
- Onions - 4 kilos
- Potatoes - 15 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Pepper - 250 gram
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Garlic powder - 250 grams
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Apples - 12 kilos
- Bananas - 10 kilo
- Oranges - 8 kilo
- Grapes - 6 kilos
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Protein bars - 60 pieces
- Paprika chips - 10 bags
- Plain chips - 10 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Ice cubes - 30 kilo
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Cleaning wipes - 6 packs
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Wooden stirrers - 300 pieces
- Coffee cups - 300 pieces
- Sugar packets - 300 pieces
- Paper food trays - 250 pieces
- Wooden forks - 250 pieces
- Wooden knives - 250 pieces
- Wooden spoons - 250 pieces

Tips

Plan at least one clearly marked bib number for every registered athlete, plus 10% spare numbers for late changes or damaged labels. Print the start list and competition forms no later than the day before.
Check every implement and load at least 7 days before the event. Make sure you have enough weight plates for the heaviest programmed lift, and test the atlas stones, yoke, barrel, beam and carry bags on the actual competition surface.
Prepare one judging station for each active event lane: a judges' table, stopwatch, measuring tape, score sheets and working pens. Keep two spare stopwatches and at least one spare measuring tape at the central desk.
Allow roughly 2 litres of drinking water per athlete for a full-day competition, then add drinks for volunteers and spectators. Put coolers close to the warm-up area and arrange catering early enough to confirm dietary requirements.
Do not leave shelter and power until event morning. Count party tents, tables, chairs, extension cords and power strips for every operating area, and test the mixer, microphones, speakers, laptop and printer at least 48 hours beforehand.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a strongman competition?: At minimum, plan for barbells, weight plates, kettlebells, dumbbells and the programmed strongman implements, such as atlas stones, a carrying yoke, carry bags, a pull cord, barrel or wooden beam. Add crash mats and magnesium, then verify every load and implement at least 7 days before the competition.
How much water do I need for a strongman competition?: Budget about 2 litres of drinking water per athlete for a full competition day, plus additional drinks for volunteers and spectators. Order or buy it at least 3 days in advance and keep it in coolers near the athlete area.
How many bib numbers and competition forms should I print?: Prepare one bib number and one complete set of competition forms per registered athlete, with at least 10% extra bibs and forms for replacements or late changes. Print the final version after registration closes and no later than the day before the event.
What do I need for strongman judging and timekeeping?: Provide a judges' table, measuring tapes, stopwatches, score sheets and a working pen for each active lane, plus two spare stopwatches and one spare measuring tape overall. Test all timing equipment 48 hours before the start and keep the spare kit at the central desk.

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