Exercise guide
Atlas Stones
Atlas Stones are a strongman event in which a heavy round stone is lifted from the floor and loaded onto a platform. The movement usually includes an initial pull, a lap onto the thighs, a grip change, and a final stand. It requires coordinated effort from the back, legs, hips, arms, grip, and trunk.
Training context
Before adding Atlas Stones to your training
Stone lifting requires specialized equipment, open space, and a stable loading platform. It is more technically involved than simply picking up a heavy object, so each stage should be practiced before adding more weight.
Stone diameter, surface, platform height, and the use of tacky can all change the difficulty. Record those details along with the stone weight when comparing sessions.
Technique overview
Own each stage of the lift
Start with the stone centered between your feet and wrap your arms around it as low as possible. Pull it tightly against your body and lift until it clears the knees. Sit back to lap the stone on your thighs, reposition your hands over it, and pull it high against your chest. Stand, move close to the platform, and extend the hips to load the stone without leaving a gap between your body and the target.
Treat this as an overview and use a range, pace, and setup you can control.