Austrian Oak: Dense Strength Of Nature's Timber

The Austrian Oak is a log of mammoth proportions, crafted entirely of wood, and weighing in at around 440-460+ lbs. Introduced in 2012 at the Arnold Strongman Classic, it is one of the most interesting lifting events in the modern era. Competitors are tasked with lifting the oak from the ground and pressing it overhead. For those unable to press the Austrian Oak, there is a lighter variant weighing around 375 lbs.

The Austrian Oak is a log used in the Arnold Strongman Classic

The Austrian Oak is named after Arnold Schwarzenegger's nickname. In this challenge, each competitor gets one shot for max reps on the famed 430 lb log bar, and then a second run at a "lighter" 385 lb log. In 2015, Žydrūnas Savickas pressed the oak, which was particularly heavy that year, weighing in at 503 lbs, not once, but a total of four times. In 2016, he repped a 204 kg (450 lb) Austrian Oak 4 times.

In 2023, Trey Mitchell and Mitchell Hooper kept the momentum going in this final event of Day One, while Bobby Thompson and Rob Kearney turned around their slow starts by leapfrogging back into the mix.

In 2017, Mateusz Kieliszkowksi, the 21-year-old Polish Strongman, shocked the world by taking third overall. He is probably not up to the challenge of the Austrian Oak yet, but he is expected to have the most reps of anyone on the feather log, which should still give him good points in the event.

The log is made of wood, so its weight varies year-to-year

The Austrian Oak is a log made of wood, so its weight varies year-to-year. It is a challenging piece of strongman equipment, crafted entirely of wood, and is usually around 440-460+ lbs. In 2015, it weighed 503 lbs, and Žydrūnas Savickas pressed it overhead not once, but four times. The log's weight depends on the moisture content of the wood, which can vary depending on the climate and the time of year. Wood is a natural material that absorbs and releases moisture, which can affect its weight. The Austrian Oak is a particularly large and long log, which makes it even more challenging to lift than an equal-weight steel gym log. For those who cannot press the Austrian Oak, there is a "lighter" variant weighing around 375-385 lbs.

The log typically weighs between 440 and 460+ lbs

The Austrian Oak is a log of mammoth proportions, beautifully crafted entirely of wood. The log typically weighs between 440 and 460+ lbs, but the weight varies year to year. In 2015, the oak weighed a particularly heavy 503 lbs, and Žydrūnas Savickas pressed it not once, but a total of four times. The Austrian Oak is the second event of the Arnold Classic, introduced in 2012. It is one of the most interesting lifting events in the modern era. Competitors are not only tasked with lifting this monstrosity from the ground, but they must attempt to press it overhead. Any competitor unable to press the oak is given a “lighter” variant weighing in at around 375 lbs. The sheer length and size of this log make it much more challenging than an equal weight of a steel gym log.

Competitors are tasked with lifting the log from the ground and pressing it overhead

The Austrian Oak is a log of mammoth proportions, beautifully crafted entirely of wood. It was introduced in 2012 at the Arnold Strongman Classic and is one of the most interesting lifting events in the modern era. The oak varies in weight yearly, but can typically reach excess of 460+ lbs.

In 2015, Žydrūnas Savickas pressed the oak, which was particularly heavy that year at 503 lbs, not once, but a total of four times. In 2017, Zydrunas Savickas was the only athlete able to lockout the Oak overhead. In 2023, Trey Mitchell and Mitchell Hooper had great showings in the Men's Austrian Oak Log Press.

In 2015, Žydrūnas Savickas pressed the oak four times when it weighed 503 lbs

The Austrian Oak is a log of mammoth proportions, beautifully crafted entirely of wood. It was introduced in 2012 at the Arnold Strongman Classic and typically weighs 440-460+ lbs, although its weight varies year to year. In 2015, Žydrūnas Savickas pressed the oak four times when it weighed 503 lbs. This was a particularly heavy year for the oak, and Savickas was the only athlete able to lockout the oak overhead. He would solidify himself as the world record holder for the event, and the only person that year to rep the giant log even once.

The overhead press is an incredibly complex movement, and while Žydrūnas Savickas makes it look easy, it requires the use of many muscles connected to the shoulder. The Austrian Oak is a challenging lift due to its sheer length and size, making it more difficult than lifting an equal weight of a steel gym log.

The Arnold Strongman Classic features a second run at a 'lighter' log, weighing in at around 375-385 lbs. This is still a challenging weight, but it gives competitors a chance to gain points if they are unable to press the Austrian Oak.

Žydrūnas Savickas is a dominant force in the world of strongman competitions, winning three out of five events at the heaviest competition in the world. He has set numerous world records, including in the giant barbell squat event, where he squatted 329 kg (725 lb) for 15 repetitions, and the Hummer Tire Deadlift event, where he lifted 1,155 lb (524 kg).

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