Worth getting off the sofa for?

The Strongman workout

We try the Strongman workout

If you’ve ever watched the likes of the UK’S Eddie Hall heave 160kg Atlas stones in a bid to become the World’s Strongest Man, you’ll have an idea of what this workout involves. Undertaken in the basement car park of Manor SW1, one of a small chain of London gyms, it pays tribute to the core events of modern strength competitions (which originated at the Highland Games) and aims to have you hoicking things heavier than you’ve ever imagined.

Err, I can barely carry my shopping home…

The dumb-bells, kettlebells, kegs and sledgehammers are a variety of weights, so there will always be something you can lift. The class is split into ‘events’, each one concentrating on a Strongman discipline – push, pull, carry, hold and throw – which form a circuit.

You mentioned sledgehammers...

Every session is different but expect beer kegs, sandbags and tractor tyres in the mix with more familiar gym weights. Holding a weighted gym D-ball on one shoulder – a deceptively simple action – quickly had me sweating.

So it’s hard, then?

Each exercise takes a minute and might only involve five to eight reps – squats with a sandbag, say – so we were talking effort in short bursts. But after the first two warm-up rounds, using lighter weights to get used to each event, we were encouraged to pick up heavier weights and do fewer reps, maxing out on the fifth and final circuit.

Can I just put this down to take a selfie?

No chance. Phones are banned, and head coach and Strongman creator Ryan Lea will work you hard. The walls are emblazoned with mantras – ‘No egos’; ‘No bulls—t’ – and there are no distractions. It’s just you and that 30kg keg...

Isn’t this just for hulking great men?

Far from it; the class is regularly 50:50 men and women of all strengths. We were encouraged to lift what we’re able. It’s not traditional cardio work, but after shunting a sled across the room, my lungs were screaming as much as my arms and legs.

Want to try weightlifting but feel intimidated by ‘macho’ gym machines? Try a class with all the hallmarks of a Highland Games competition, minus the kilt, says food editor Amy Bryant

Will you go back?

For strength of body as well as mind, not to mention knock-on improvements in general fitness, sign me up. For similar workouts near you, search ‘strongman training’. Single sessions from £19, memberships from £107 per month; mymanor.london