One Ton Challenge Announcement
The One Ton Challenge at SDA is primarily about getting together with a group of like-minded athletes to lift weights, test their strength, yell support at each other as they attempt and establish new PR’s, and eat and drink large amounts.
After graduating High School, many athletes no longer engage in competition, but in the rare circumstance that they do, each of these events become their version of the Super Bowl.
For many, CrossFit has re-created this environment of camaraderie and competition, and allowed athletes to rediscover the passion and intensity prevalent in team sports. Whether it’s local throwdowns or a larger goal of making it to Regionals or the CrossFit Games, this sport has instigated a revival of the competitive spirit.
The “Super Bowl” for me and Anders did not occur in February, but rather in October of 2015. John Cena invited us to his humble abode in Tampa, FL to compete in the One Ton Challenge.
The ultimate goal was to join the One Ton Club, which meant accumulating over 2000 lbs of weight through establishing a one-rep max for 6 different lifts (Back Squat, Bench Press, Deadlift, Snatch, Clean, and Shoulder to Overhead). Only 31 other athletes have had the privilege of achieving this task with Cena at his home gym.
You can read all about the experience on our previous post about visiting Hard Nocks in Florida.
The Event
San Diego Athletics is bringing the One Ton Challenge to SoCal on January 30th and 31st, 2016.
Now all athletes have an opportunity to join this elite club. However, the ability to achieve the “one ton” is not the only reason to participate.
First of all, the total for females is only 1000 lbs.
Furthermore, the most impactful piece of data for the challenge is the “Power Index,” which is calculated by dividing the total weight achieved by the athletes’ bodyweight. If you are a 120 lb female that achieves 1200 lbs of weight, your power index is 10.0. This beats the power index of a male who achieves 3000 lbs at a bodyweight of 315 lbs (power index 9.5).
The One Ton Challenge at SDA is primarily about getting together with a group of like-minded athletes to lift weights, test their strength, yell support at each other as they attempt and establish new PR’s, and eat and drink large amounts.
Divisions
In the end of January, the One Ton Challenge at SDA will also offer an OPEN division specifically for those that know they will not be able to achieve the 2000/1000 lb goals for male/female. If you enter into the ELITE division, and surpass the goal, you will be rewarded with a limited edition “One Ton Club” T-shirt to validate your achievement, as well as be in the running for a series of different prize packages.
If you fall shy of the goal and enter the OPEN division, you will still be able to win multiple sponsored prizes based on Power Index for male and female participants.
Food and Beer
At the end of training on Saturday, there will be a barbeque and copious amounts of alcohol to enhance recovery, of course!
On Sunday, you will have the opportunity to come back and complete any unfinished lifts, or repeat any lifts you would like to improve. You can repeat any of the lifts as many times as you like within the established period of 9am – 4pm on Saturday and 8am to 12pm on Sunday.
Prizes will be awarded after the 12pm completion on Sunday.
Future Events and Training
SDA will be throwing another One Ton Challenge in June. This will present each athlete with an opportunity to come back and retest their SUPER TOTAL six months later. SDA has also created “The Official One Ton Challenge Prep Program,” which is a 3-month program strategically designed with optimal focus on each of the lifts to ensure progress. This program will be available for purchase on the website.
The Squat, Bench Press, and Deadlift are fantastic because they test maximal strength. The Snatch, Clean, and Jerk are great because they test maximal power. The One Ton Challenge is the ultimate in testing strength, power and athleticism, because it requires athletes to possess the strength to move heavy loads while also requiring the mobility, power, coordination and finesse to maneuver the body through space with heavy loads. Many strong lifters will fall shy of entering the club due to inefficiency in the Olympic lifts, and this fact alone makes the One Ton Club an extremely elite and heralded group to be a part of.
Next week, SDA will post an in-depth analysis of strategy to provide each athlete with the best opportunity to exceed their expectations over the course of the two-day challenge.
Come join all the fun. Lift heavy, hangout with friends, set new PR’s, eat great food, drink some adult beverages, and be a part of the inaugural One Ton Challenge at San Diego Athletics.
Details and sign-up are available on the website for the event:
Any questions, email Admin@sandiegoathletics.com
