Tag Archives: Neck Lift

The One and Only Heavy Lifts!

By Christopher Lestan

As I began my career in the USAWA in 2018 I only knew of the lifts such as the Ciavattone deadlift, or the Jefferson deadlift. Lifts that I could relatively understand and see mentally through my experience with Powerlifting and Olympic weightlifting. These times were simple and I loved it. I would head to Franks Barbell and do 1-4 lifts that would fit in the “push” or “pull” exercise categories. I seemed to gain a grasp on the whole idea of the USAWA and the lifts until Frank Introduced me to the Heavy Lifts.

Now for a time, I had heard of the “Neck lift”, for I would see awards in Franks basement that would say “700lb NECK LIFT” or something along those lines. Frank would also tell stories bout these “heavy lifts” and often was interesting to listen to because it seemed like a mythical lift. Something that was done in the past and only stories from the men and women who were present could tell about the tales.

Then one day I came into the gym. Set my bag down. Put on my converse and started to warm up for that day’s workout. Frank came into the gym but with a different look in his eyes. He had some excitement in his eyes. Some flare. I was curious so I had to ask him what was on his mind.

“What are we doing today Frank?”, I said gently.

He starred into my eyes and said calmly “Time to train the neck lift.”

Now before I could fully understand what was just said I said “Okay”. But then the whole sentence processed through my brain and then I quietly gasped “…. the neck lift….”. My whole day was turned upside down. Today was the day I tried this legendary lift. The day I decide to be calm and collective or look at Frank and tell him my C2-C3 in my spinal cord was hurting.

He pointed towards the corner of the gym and said “can you grab the harness and the heavy-lift bar”. I quickly stumbled over there and saw what looked like a medieval torture device. Then I turned my head to the barbell for the Heavy Lift. Now if you have never seen one of them well they are simply massive. I believe Franks is over 100 pounds. After starring at the medieval torture device and the pipeline for about 2 minutes I dragged them out to the platform. Then I just looked at them. I was lost. What was I supposed to do with them?

“Put 45s on the bar, and put the harness on your head,” said Frank. He then went on to explain which side the head harness should be, and the proper technique for the neck lift. After all the explaining I attempted my first ever neck lift….. and did it not feel good. For those who haven’t experienced the feeling of a neck lift imagine a massive amount of force being pulled from the back of the head. Now this sensation lasts about 1-2 seconds before you get the “down signal”.

The whole workout was centered on active and singles. The heaviest we went to that night was 300 pounds for a top single. The next week only consisted of me being super tight in my trap area and feeling like I got hit by a truck.

A classic example of what a neck lift looks like! This is 700 during training last year!

A classic example of what a neck lift looks like! This is 700 during training last year!

The next lif introduced to me was the Hang and Thigh lift. Now, this lift requires more of a leg drive in the extension part of the lift. However, if your hands are not strong then it will be challenging to get the lift off the ground in general. My introduction to this lift was when I was doing a typical deadlift workout. I was months away from my next competition and was doing the standard light reps but the emphasis on form. After I was done I was going to do rows however, Frank had other plans. He had me take out the Heavy Lifts barbell again along with something that looks like it came from a metal factory. It was a handle with chains on it. Again it looked like a device used in England in 1250.

After about 5-8 sets of Hang and Thigh singles, I woke up the next morning feeling super tired and sore. My whole back was weak feeling, and my glutes weirdly enough were extremely achy.

The last lift that I learned from Frank from the Heavy Lifts was the Hip Lift. This lift is less intimidating and more about power through the legs. There is a belt worn around the hip that attaches to the Heavy Lift bar itself. After attaching the chains together all you do is push with the legs and try to lift the weight about 1 inch from the ground. Now when I first tried this lift I loved it. I have strong legs so this type of lift suited me. However, the next morning my legs were screaming for help. The 1 inch off the ground doesn’t seem like much, yet the amount of stress on the legs is what really kicks in the soreness.

Now I know what you are thinking… WHY WOULD YOU TRY THESE LIFTS. Well, personally I love the idea of a challenge and something new. Additionally, like a lot of these, lifts the is history. These lifts were a staple in the 80s and 90s of the USAWA and IAWA and would be even part of National and Worlds. The amount of fatigue that would set after these lifts after Day 1 of a Worlds weekend would definitely affect the performance of some lifters. Another reason why I love these lifts is they really teach you how to control fatigue. You can’t just one rep max every week with these lifts. There is an art form to the quality and quantity of the workouts with these workouts. Lastly, they are just cool. How many you know personally that can lift hundreds of pounds with a lift named the Neck lift? Or even hip lifted a 1,000 pounds? I can answer that and it’s 0.

When the opportunity arises try these lifts. It’s very difficult to find the bar and harnesses to perform them. But I am telling you they are a blast to try and even perfect!

Heavy Lift Championship-The Neck Lift

By Eric Todd

With the Heavy Lift Championship only a few months away (it occurs on May 9 this year), I thought I would try to drum up some interest by writing a series of articles.  Last time I hosted this meet, I ran a series of articles that related to the performance of the lift.  The one for the neck lift can be found here: Neck Lift

From my understanding, the neck lift is only contested in All-round organizations such as IAWA. Otherwise, it seems like different variations of the neck lift have been used by old time strongman-esque performers.  Here is a video from a performance at Coney Island. It includes footage of a fellow named Steve Weiner performing a neck lift and hold with a fire hydrant: Coney Island

I have read a number of accounts, in particular one by Bill Pearl who is seemingly rather an expert in physical culture.  This particular account is of a strongman named John B. Gagnon.  Gagnon, at one point won the title of World’s Strongest man from Warren Lincoln Travis.  The title was unofficial, as the event was unsanctioned; however, he did, according to this account, best the champion in this particular competition.  All the lifts were done using a platform that could be lifted from above or below.  A number of lifts were contested in this challenge, including several of our heavy lifts.  This meet did include a neck lift, where the claim was that this strongman, Gagnon, hoisted a lift of 1317 pounds. (Pearl).

john b gagnon

Pearl, Bill. John B. Gagnon. 1 Oct. 2018.

I found an image of a strongman from the Bronx named Joe Ragusa who moved to Hollywood to perform in the pictures.  This image shows him doing something similar to our neck lifts with a weight of 655 pounds, though it does not appear that using this method would put nearly as much torque on the neck muscles as what Our USAWA/IAWA method does.

joeragusa-strongman

Wood, John. Joe Ragusa. 30 May 2017.

Then, there was a gentleman only known as “Kong” who claimed to have the world’s strongest neck.  HE has a claim of 502 pounds lifted with his neck.  As you can see from the photo, this method would put a great deal of torque on the neck; however, you can see that he has a hand holding the chain, so I am not completely sure what to think of this claim.

kong-neckstrength

Wood, John. Kong. 8 Nov. 2017.

Outside of Old time strongman acts and circus type performers, the neck lift has pretty much only been a movement used in our organization.  It appears that it has pretty much been contested in our organization since it’s inception, with the earliest record still in our record book being a 470 pound effort by  18 year old Randy Breitenfield on January 23 1988 at the Zercher (I can only assume that refers to the Zercher Classic in Columbia, MO). It also was contested in the USAWA National Championship in 1989.There have been a number of superb neck lifters over the years in the USAWA.  The Women have been dominated by a handful, with Kerry Clark being the cream of the crop with a few attempts over 500 pounds.  Here is a list of women lifters who have have met or exceeded 300 pounds in the neck lift:

Kerry Clark 550 1995 Nationals in Columbia, MO
Jacqueline Caron 400 1992 Gold Cup
Cassie Morrison 325 2016 Heavy Lift Championship
Angela McBride 300 1999 Zercher Challenge

Back in 2011, Al posted an article with the top male neck lifters of all time. neck lift list The numbers have jumped some since, and some new names added to the list of men who have gone 600 pounds or more.   The current list is as follows:

Eric Todd 1080 2014 Heavy Lift Championships
Chad Ullum 1020 2015 Heavy Lift Championship
Joe Ciavattone, Sr 805 2013 Heavy Lift Championship
Al Myers 780 2013 Heavy Lift Championship
Frank Ciavattone 750 2002 Heavy Lift Championship
Joe Ciavattone, Jr 700 2013 Heavy Lift Championship
Christopher Lestan 700 2019 Heavy Lift Championship
Jeff Ciavattone 650 2013 Heavy Lift Championship
Mike McBride 630 2005 National Championship
Joe Garcia 623 1998 Nationals, Mansfield
Dale Fries 605 1995 Goerner
Nile Larson 603 2004 Heavy Lift Championship
John Monk 600 2000 Heavy Lift Championship

In the USAWA Steve Scmidt was the first to hit both the 400 and 500 pound benchmarks in the neck lift.  Big Frank was the first to 600, with his brother Joe Sr being the first to hit 700 and 800 pounds.  Chad Ullum was the first to 900, and I was the first to 1000. Will we see a first to hit 1100 at this edition of the Heavy Lift Championship?  Time will tell…

Myers, Al. “CHAD’S 900 POUND NECK LIFT.” USAWA, 27 May 2011, usawa.com/chads-900-pound-neck-lift/.

“New Video: Coney Island Olde Time Strongman Spectacular!” Markets of New York City, 5 June 2012, marketsofnewyork.com/2012/06/new-video-coney-island-olde-time-strongman-spectacular/.

Pearl, Bill. “Bill Pearl.” John B. Gagnon, 1 Oct. 2018, www.facebook.com/116733248412758/posts/john-b-gagnon-born-in-1883-in-caribou-maine-was-a-strongman-performer-in-the-192/1881209421965123/.

Wood, John. “Neck Lift Archives.” Www.oldtimestrongman.com, 8 Nov. 2017, www.oldtimestrongman.com/blog/tag/neck-lift/.

Neck Lift

By Eric Todd

With the Heavy Lift Championship on the Calendar for May 5, I was under the assumption that people were going to be wanting to start training.  So, I thought I would do a series on how to execute each of the heavy lifts.  They are like no other lifts out there, where the lifter is capable of lifting monstrous poundages.

This particular article will focus on the first lift to be contested that day, the neck lift.  When I first heard of the neck lift, I envisioned the lift I did in high school with a neck harness I bought at Champs Sports with a 45# weight looped through the chain.  I was concerned, as I knew there was no way I could lift hundreds of pounds like this, even though that is where the records stood.  As luck would have it, it was not that lift at all, and I was capable of more than I thought.

The rules of the neck lift are as follows:

A Heavy Lift Bar is used in this lift. A neck harness is also used, which fits over the head. Any style of neck harness is acceptable, provided that it is held in place entirely by the head during the lift. The neck harness must not contact the neck or trapezius muscles. A pad, such as a towel, may be placed between the head and the neck harness. An adjustable chain and hook is attached to the neck harness so it may be attached to the Heavy Lift Bar. The lifter assumes a position with the Heavy Lift Bar in front of the lifter or the lifter may straddle it. The feet must parallel and in line with the torso. Width of feet placement is optional. The feet must not move during the lift, but the heels and toes may rise. The lifter may adjust the chain length to his/her preference prior to the lift. The lifter must not touch the chain or straps of the neck harness with the hands during the lift, but the chain or straps may touch the lifter’s body. Hands may touch the body during the lift, but must be free of contact upon completion of the lift. The lift begins at the lifter’s discretion. The lifter is allowed one test lift to check the balance of the weight and to make adjustments to the chain length. The lifter will stand and lift the weights from the platform. The shoulders and torso do not have to be upright upon the finish of the lift. The legs must straighten, but the knees do not need to be locked. Once the weight is motionless, the hands free from the body, and the plates on both ends of the bar are off the platform at the same time, an official will give a command to end the lift.

Some people neck lift with a narrow stance, but I prefer a very wide one.  I point my toes outward right next to the plates.  With the harness on my head, and the hook in the loop on the bar,   I take the straps  and spread them out wide so they are more to the outside of my body rather than hanging down in front.  I also like to lift my arms up while executing this lift..  At this point, look up, lean back, and drive off your heels.  When both sides of the bar come off the ground at the same time, the official will give the down command for a good lift.  In the image below, you can see Chad Ullum and myself using very similar styles:

NeckChadET

As far as training for the neck lift, I imagine any kind of neck training could be beneficial, such as the neck harness I referenced above or a neck machine.  However, I am not sure there is any real substitute for actually neck lifting.  The technique takes some getting used to, and it is ideal to condition your neck for the feel of these poundages.  Check out the video of Chad’s record setting 900# attempt which was set at the Heavy Lift Championship that was held at York Barbell:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1HK4CjSnh4

Neck Lift Challenge at Worlds

by Al Myers

Chad Ullom (left) and Eric Todd (right) both lifted over 1000 pounds in the Neck Lift Challenge!

OK – I promise that this will be the blog that “wraps up” the news from the 2012 World Championships.  I know I have said that already a few times. However, I want to HIGHLIGHT a special event that will “go down in history” in several peoples minds that were there to witness it first hand.  It was quite a spectacle and one of the most memorable events that I ever remember happening at any lifting event I have ever been at.   Chad Ullom and Eric Todd had agreed to a NECK LIFT CHALLENGE to determine “once and for all” who the Worlds best Neck Lifter is.  They have been trading the Overall World Record “back and forth” between them over the past couple of years. 

Frank Ciavattone (center) served as the Head Official of the Challenge.

Neck Lifter EXTRAORDINAIRE  Frank Ciavattone assumed the role of Head Official.  It is only appropriate that Frank perform this duty – as his Neck Lifting resume is a mile deep!  I took on the roll of the announcer, and I have to admit that I got “caught up in the moment”.   The parameters of this Challenge was laid out beforehand to stimulate competitiveness – unlimited attempts with each lifter getting to choose what they wanted to go to next.  I made a call of a weight, and then they could decide if they wanted to try it or not.  The weight on the bar for THE FIRST warmup was 500 pounds!! It wasn’t that long ago when 500 pounds was considered a world class lift in the Neck Lift.  However on this day it was just the first warmup!!  It wasn’t long and both lifters were over 700 pounds.  At this point – each lifter started using a little strategy to gain an advantage over  the other.  The Champ went to 800, and got it easily.  ET countered with 850, and then Chad went after a NEW WORLD RECORD of 920#, which appeared as a very easy attempt.   ET then made the call to go after the BIG 1-0-0-0.   At this point things were really heating up.  Eric got the 1000 pounds, and became the first lifter to break the 1000 pound barrier in the Neck Lift.  However, Chad then moved the bar to 1010 and with a great effort, made a successful lift.  TWO LIFTERS over 1000 pounds for the first time, and all happened in under 5 minutes!  ET then raised the weight to 1030, which maxed out the Neck Lift bar.  He made the lift in a dramatic fashion.   Chad countered with 1040, but it was just a little too much for him on this day.  After all, he had just completed a 2-day World Meet with many max lifts over the weekend before this monstrous challenge event!

An event like this we could have sold tickets for.  It was a climatic ending to a great weekend of lifting by all.

MEET RESULTS

Neck Lift Challenge
Dino Strength Training Center
Salina, Kansas
October 7th, 2012

Officials (3 official system used):  Frank Ciavattone, Frank Allen, Denny Habecker

Lift: Neck Lift

1. First Place – Eric Todd:  1030 pounds
Age 37 years, BWT 118 KG

2.  Second Place – Chad Ullom: 1010 pounds
Age 40 years, BWT 112.0 KG

Neck Lift Showdown!

by Al Myers

Chad Ullom (left) VERSUS Eric Todd (right) in a Neck Lift Challenge! Will one of these SUPERMEN exceed the 1000 pound barrier?

We are in for a SPECIAL TREAT this weekend at the 2012 IAWA World Championships. The two best Neck Lifters in the WORLD have agreed to have a duel – a NECK LIFT SHOWDOWN! Last year at the 2011 USAWA Heavy Lift Championships in York, PA, Chad Ullom became the first man to exceed 900 pounds in the Neck Lift with a lift of 900.  Then this year at the USAWA Heavy Lift Championships in Bowling Green, OH  Eric “ET” Todd broke Chad’s record with a outstanding 905 pound effort.  However, ET’s record didn’t last long, as Chad upped it to 915 pounds at a record day in the Dino Gym this summer.  Well, that didn’t set well with Eric so this challenge was issued! (ok…in reality I set it all up, but it sounds better this way!!!!).  Both of these guys are “on the hunt” to be the first man to break the magical 1000 pound barrier.  Maybe this challenge on this big International stage will bring it out in them?  This will be a good ole’ fashioned ONE ON ONE DUEL, reminiscent of past circus shows between strongmen. 

The greatest Neck Lifter in HISTORY Frank Ciavattone will be on hand to be the head official for this duel.  Frank holds the Guinness WORLD RECORD in the Neck Lift at 808# under the strict judging criteria of Guinness.  This is the link to Frank’s Guinness World Record:  http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records-4000/heaviest-weight-lifted-by-neck/ .  This battle will occur right after the finish of Sunday’s competition, while the meets scores are being tabulated. It is something that you will NOT WANT TO MISS!!

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