Ireland's strongest man - Pa O'Dwyer.

What got you into Strongman?

I got into strongman because I have always loved the sport, watching it on tv at Christmas, and also because in any strongman competition there is only one winner unlike other sports where there are so many categories, weight classes and age groups. Where at the end of the day there are many winners.

 

What is your best advice for people trying to start Strongman?

It's tough because you've to be strong and fast in all your lifts because they're all tested on the day, over head press, deadlift, squat, atlas stones and you have to be able to move fast with objects. Start off training all those principles.

 

What are a few of your favorite assistance lifts, and how do they assist your main lifts or main events?

I use pause deadlifts and squats and try pausing with heavy weight. It builds an unbelievably strong core. In pressing, I use close grip mostly to strengthen my arms, as a big bench means nothing in overhead press. I also hang plates on a bar as this builds freat stability in the shoulders.

 

 

What event has been your favourite to compete in and why?

My favourite event is the Flag Poles as it's such a tough grinder of an event and in UKs Strongest Man I became the 3rd only man to finish all 5, they're so tough in the same competition even Big Z and Laurence Shaleai failed to do them.

 

 

Do you keep track of your calories/ diet or do you eat whatever, whenever?

Yes, diet is key to being your best! I normally start a bulking diet 10 weeks out and gradually increase my calories and supplements. In the final 4-5 weeks my calories are 10,000 a day and some heavy days il go over that amount.

 

What does an average training day look like?

I rise at 6am for my first meal after that I head to work and finish around 5pm having 4 meals, edging over 7000 cals, I need to be full to train as I train for over 3 hours and my sessions are very strenuous, in that time i'll use Pro-Form nutrition BCAAs, large bottle of coke and sweets to keep sugar levels high.

 

 

What's your life motto?

"No one has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. It is a shame for a man/woman to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable"