Born Strong

I started the year off right and made up for the crappy last lifting film of 2017. The Perfect Physique sucked, but Born Strong was pretty kick ass.

This was another one that appeared on Netflix recently. It's a doc about the Arnold Classic Strongman competition. Obviously I'm more interested and aware of the bodybuilding aspect of the Arnold Classic, but this strongman component was really cool to watch. These are dudes in excess of 400lbs! Some of them are only 6'2" and weigh that much. It's gnarly. But there are guys like 'The Mountain' who are something like 6'9". They lift obscene weight. Absolutely insane feats of strength.

Anyhow, this is a legit doc that follows the top four contenders from around the world. There are interviews with their spouses and their friends. They show their eating/lifting routines etc. It's all very different and very interesting.

The thing that struck me most about these strongmen was the fact that they're all so likable as individuals. There's certainly bravado that goes along with being a strongman, but it's nothing like the peacocking of bodybuilders. They can get rather douchey. Let's be honest. But Eddie Hall (I believe it was) really hits it on the head...with a strongman competition it is black and white. You either lifted the most weight or you didn't. It's not subjective. You can't influence a judge. Lift the most. That's it. But with bodybuilding it's all in the hands of the judges. It's a 100% subjective sport. So there's a lot more showmanship, peacocking, bullshit machismo and mind games that come into play.

I'm getting off topic. Born Strong is a good doc. Well worth watching if you've ever been to a gym. Good way to open 2018.