STRONGMAN - Tom Mutaffis

[mchicia1]

Tom, have you always done high rep work to get you where you are today? Or did you start like the rest of us with high weight and lower reps to get your base strength up?

[Tom Mutaffis]

Tom, have you always done high rep work to get you where you are today? Or did you start like the rest of us with high weight and lower reps to get your base strength up?

I have always utilized a lot of variety in my training, including both high-rep and low-rep work.

[Tom Mutaffis]

This is my second big contest in three weeks and was excited to go to Dallas since I have never been there before. I flew in late Thursday and made weight at 230.2 lbs wearing shorts and a t-shirt.

Was feeling a bit anxious on Friday morning and was not able to eat much; decided to head over to the expo early.

Log Clean & Press:
The weight was 280-285 lbs using Williams Strength logs, clean each rep. I managed to press out six reps in about 45 seconds then regroup and forced out a 7th rep just before time expired. 1st Place

Car Deadlift:
The car was a full size (Toyota Camry) so the handles were pushed out a bit and raised by about an inch. A few people were struggling with the car in warm-ups so I decided not to try it until it counts. Because of the win on the log I was able to go last on the deadlift and the number to beat was 5 reps. Pulled a clean six reps for the win and then stopped. Mike Johnston got the crowd into it and everyone was cheering for another rep so I went back and pulled a 7th before time expired. 1st Place.

Going into day two I was in 1st Place by three points.

Yoke Race:
The yoke was loaded to 790-795 lbs and the course was about 60-65 feet. I just wanted to finish without any drops rather than make a big mistake. Completed the course without a drop but my time was 18 seconds which gave me 3rd place.

Press Medley:
The implements were a 325 log, 310 axle, 150 dumbbell, and 250 lbs block. I managed to press the log, axle, and dumbbell in under 30 seconds so decided to give the block a try. When I went to clean the block I smashed myself in the chin with it on the second attempt. Eventually got it cleaned but was exhausted and was not able to complete the press. 1st Place

Farmers / Sled Medley:
The farmers walk was 320 lbs for 65 feet and then the sled was about 750 lbs. If you did not finish the farmers you would zero the event. At this point I had a two point lead in the overall but if I did not complete this event I would not be able to recover with only one event left, and I had never done a farmers this heavy. On the first pick I made it 50-55 feet, took a breath and finished the farmers! Grabbed the sled and was only able to move it a few feet but went over and wiped off my shoes then pulled the sled about 30 feet before time expired. 2nd Place

Atlas Stones:
The stones were 300, 330, 360, 390, and 420 to 52" (spaced out boxes). All of the stones were brand new and did not have any tacky on them. I loaded the first three stones with pretty good speed but was not able to get the 390 lapped since my hands were dusty and tacky was gone. This even was very close and I pulled out the win by .03 seconds. 1st Place

I took home 1st Place and the Pro Card! This contest also qualified me for the 2011 Arnold Amateur World Championships.

There are too many people to thank but I really appreciate all of the support and encouragement from my training partners, friends, and family. Am looking forward to competing at the next level now.

[Off Road]

Congratulations Tom. I am also looking forward to watching you compete as a pro. I wish you continued success.

[Cmanuel]

Congrats Tom, this is really exciting! You deserve your ASC card for as hard as you work!

[nickp8]

Congrats on the win and the pro card. Good to see that your hard work is paying off.

[john o]

Congratulations Tom!

[Coke]

I took home 1st Place and the Pro Card! This contest also qualified me for the 2011 Arnold Amateur World Championships.

Amazing news, Congrats!!

[rob spitzner]

just awesome! congrats!

[Tom Mutaffis]

Congratulations Tom. I am also looking forward to watching you compete as a pro. I wish you continued success.

Congrats Tom, this is really exciting! You deserve your ASC card for as hard as you work!

Congrats on the win and the pro card. Good to see that your hard work is paying off.

Congratulations Tom!

Amazing news, Congrats!!

just awesome! congrats!

Thank you, I really appreciate all of the comments and support.

[Tom Mutaffis]

Here is video of a couple of the events from Dallas:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUFwLYGnF0k

Video

[Off Road]

Good stuff Tom.

[NightStorm]

Fantastic news! Big, big congrats Tom!

wow.

[Tom Mutaffis]

Sunday 8/22/2010
Still feeling a bit tired from competing last weekend and traveling; weight is steady in the low 230's. Trained at Elite and did not really have a plan for today just wanted to get back into the swing of things.

Power Clean:
225 lbs x 1 x 4 reps
275 lbs x 1
295 lbs x 1
325 lbs x 1
365 lbs x miss - Somehow managed to fall on my butt.

Circus Dumbbell C&P:
160 lbs x 17 total reps, done in 5-6 sets

Finished off with some light machine work. I posted a video of the power clean fail on my Facebook for those who are interested.

[Off Road]

I was laughing at you falling on your butt...but that's a serious amount of weight, I'm glad you are not injured.

[Tom Mutaffis]

8/25/2010
Trained out in the garage, I was feeling pretty tired today. Bodyweight is steady in the low 230's.

Warmup:
Bike ride for about five minutes.

OLY Squat:
Did about five working sets up to 400 lbs x 5 beltless, had a few more in the tank.

Fat Bar Muscle / Power Snatch:
First time doing these, hit 185 lbs x 3.

Finished off with some light band work.

[Tom Mutaffis]

8/27/2010
Decided to do some pressing out in the garage tonight, bodyweight is right at 230 lbs.

Warmup:
Bike ride for a couple of minutes and some light log clean & press.

Log Clean & Press:
250 lbs x 1
280 lbs x 1
300 lbs x 1
325 lbs x 2
355 lbs x 1 - PR!

Very excited about the log press, here is the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4T7lmfLVmQ

[Off Road]

That's crazy strong. Congratulations.

[chevelle2291]

Wow, that's some cool stuff Tom.

[Tom Mutaffis]

That's crazy strong. Congratulations.

Wow, that's some cool stuff Tom.

Thank you.

[Tom Mutaffis]

8/28/2010
I was feeling pretty tired but did run through a quick workout.

Dumbbell Hold:
105 lbs x 35 seconds
115 lbs x 35 seconds

Power Snatch:
185 lbs x 5
195 lbs x 3
210 lbs x 1

Chain Drag:
300 lbs x 50 feet

That was it for today, bodyweight has been steady but need to dial in my diet a bit.

[gatorman2k6]

Tom, what power rack do you have in your garage and is it bolted down? I'm looking to get a power rack, but I can't bolt it down and I figured if you are fine without bolting it down, I'd be fine too and I'll eventually add plate holder attachments to it. Thanks and keep up the strong work in here.

[Coke]

...need to dial in my diet a bit.

Don't we all, lol...always staying on point in here Tom.

[Tom Mutaffis]

Tom, what power rack do you have in your garage and is it bolted down? I'm looking to get a power rack, but I can't bolt it down and I figured if you are fine without bolting it down, I'd be fine too and I'll eventually add plate holder attachments to it. Thanks and keep up the strong work in here.

That is a Bodysolid power rack and it is not bolted down. I did put some dumbbells on the back of it the other night when I was squatting just in case but have never had any problems with it. These racks are very heavy duty and not very expensive, they are also good for home gym applications since they have a little smaller foot print (front to back).

Don't we all, lol...always staying on point in here Tom.

You are right, that is one thing that everyone seems to be working on.

Thanks for checking in.

[Tom Mutaffis]

8/29/2010
Trained with a few friends down in South Carolina today.

Sled Drag: (mostly uphill)
4 plates x 75 feet
6 plates x 75 feet
8 plates x 75 feet
10 plates x 50 feet
12 plates x 50 feet - PR, pretty good speed.
14 plates x 25 feet
8 plates x 50 feet x 3 sets

Stones:
Worked up to 335 lbs x 5 to 50" box

Was pleased with the sled drag and stones, also have some video that I may post.