Arnold's Classic Physique: Austrian Oak's Weight Secrets

The Austrian Oak is a log of mammoth proportions built by Steve Slater and introduced in 2012 as the second event of the Arnold Classic. The log is made from wood, so the weight varies year to year, but typically is around 440-460+lbs. In 2023, each competitor got one shot for max reps on the famed 430 LB log bar, and then a second run at a “lighter” 385 LB log.

The Austrian Oak is a unique log named after Arnold Schwarzenegger's nickname

The Austrian Oak is a true log of mammoth proportions, and in the opinion of many, it is the most beautiful piece of Strongman equipment ever made. The log is built by Steve Slater, and it is a challenge for even the most experienced athletes. Only a few people have been able to hoist the Oak above their heads.

In 2014, Lalas was able to press the Oak successfully. Zydrunas Savickas was the only athlete able to lockout the Oak overhead in 2017, and he did it for four reps. Jerry Pritchett has also been training with the Oak, but it is still a bit far off for him. Mateusz Kieliszkowksi, the 21-year-old Polish Strongman, 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.

The log weighs anywhere from 195-204 kg (430-450 lb)

The Austrian Oak is a log of mammoth proportions, weighing anywhere from 195-204 kg (430-450 lb). It is a true log, made from wood, so the weight varies year to year. The sheer length and size of this log make it much more challenging than an equal weight of a steel gym log. Introduced in 2012, the Austrian Oak is the second event of the Arnold Classic. In 2023, each competitor got one shot for max reps on the famed 430 lb log bar, and then a second run at a “lighter” 385 lb log. In 2017, Dimitar posted a 415lb “warm up” before moving on to working sets with 440-445lbs.

A lighter Slater log is used for athletes who can't lift the Austrian Oak

The Austrian Oak is a log of mammoth proportions built by Steve Slater and introduced in 2012. It is made from wood, so the weight varies year to year, but it is typically around 440-460+ lbs. Last year, Zydrunas Savickas was the only athlete able to lockout the Oak overhead. For those who cannot press the Austrian Oak, they get a chance at the feather log, which weighs in at a "light" 375 lbs.

The sheer length and size of this log make it much more challenging than an equal weight of a steel gym log. For those who fail on the lift, they will drop a lot of points as their long setup on the clean hurts them when going for multiple reps, which they will need if reduced to the feather log.

In 2023, each competitor got one shot for max reps on the famed 430-lb log bar, and then a second run at a "lighter" 385-lb log. 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.

Jerry Pritchett’s pressing strength keeps climbing with this 415-lb lift put in training, but the Oak is still a bit far off. Expect Pritchett to put up 5-6 reps on the feather log.

The log is made from wood, so the weight varies year to year

The Austrian Oak is a unique log named after Arnold Schwarzenegger's nickname. It weighs anywhere from 195-204 kg (430-450 lb) and athletes have to press it for the maximum number of reps. The log is made from wood, so the weight varies year to year. In 2015 and 2016, Žydrūnas Savickas repped a 204 kg (450 lb) Austrian Oak four times.

The Austrian Oak was introduced in 2012 and is the second event of the Arnold Classic. It is a true log of mammoth proportions built by Steve Slater. The weight varies year to year, but it is typically around 440-460+ lbs. Last year seemed to be a heavy year, as Zydrunas Savickas was the only athlete able to lockout the Oak overhead.

For those who cannot press the Austrian Oak, there is a chance to try the feather log, which weighs in at a "light" 375 or so pounds. There is also a lighter Slater log, which weighs 175 kg (386 lb).

The Arnold Classic is a strongman competition

The Austrian Oak is made from wood, so the weight varies year to year, but it is typically around 440-460+ lb. In 2015 and 2016, Žydrūnas Savickas repped a 450 lb Austrian Oak four times. The log is considered a beautiful piece of strongman equipment.

The Arnold Classic also features a Hummer tire deadlift, where contestants are required to lift a specially designed 13-foot-long bar loaded with Hummer tires from a 15-inch height.

Arnold Schwarzenegger himself has competed in several Olympic weightlifting and powerlifting contests, winning two weightlifting contests in 1964 and 1965, and two powerlifting contests in 1966 and 1968.

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