The Art of Stone Lifting: Nature's Gym

by Scott Shetler
November 23, 2006

Stone lifting is perhaps one of the oldest forms of training, yet there is very little written on this intriguing art form. Sure occasionally we catch a World's Strongest Man competition on ESPN and see these awesome athletes hoisting the Atlas Stones onto platforms, but let's explore a little deeper.

In January 2006 I attended a strength coaches clinic at Wake Forest University. One of the gentlemen who presented that day was Steve Jeck. Steve is probably one of the strongest, nicest and most inspirational men I have ever met. Steve spoke of the importance of setting goals and not letting anything distract you in the pursuit of your goals. With each object lesson he presented, he had a various stone lift to compliment it. For example, when Steve spoke of the importance of "using your head," he followed the speech by attaching a head harness to a 225lb. stone and stood up with it! Imagine 225lbs suspended from a head harness! After speaking with Steve, I immediately became interested in stone lifting and its origins. Steve has a couple of books and a couple of videos about stone lifting so this is where I began.

Clach Cuid Fir

"There is a strength and permanence to stone. And because stones last, the stories of the men who lift them last as well."
- Steve Jeck.

Clach cuid fir is Gaelic for "manhood stones." Manhood stones (also known as stones of strength or testing stones) were used for centuries as tests of strength. Scotland probably has more testing stones than any other country. Typically, a young man was welcomed into manhood when he was able to lift his clan's testing stone to waist height. (Martin/Jeck 1996)

Some of the more famous stones residing in Scotland include the McGlashen Stones, the Inver Stone, the Blue Stones of Old Dailly, and the Dinnie Stones. Other countries play host to clach cuid fir including Ireland, Germany, Greece, Spain, Finland, Switzerland, Tahiti and Iceland. A well known testing stone in Iceland is the 418lb. Husafell Stone, named Kviahellan (pen slab) by an ancient pastor who used the stone as a door to his sheep pen. The test is to lift the stone up and carry it the 50 meters around the perimeter of the pen. I highly recommend Steve Jeck's video "Kviahellan: The Pen Slab." for more on the history of the Husafell Stone.

You might be saying "that's great Scott, but I am not about to hop on a plane and fly over to Scotland just to pick up large chunks of rock." I can understand that! However, next time you are out on a beautiful fall or spring day, hiking your favorite trail take a look around and see what kind of "gym" Mother Nature has to offer you. Getting away from the barbells and picking up some stones, running some trails or climbing some rocks may be just the thing you're looking for to invigorate your exercise program!

For more information on stone lifting please visit www.ironmind.com and check out the following titles by Steve Jeck:

Books:
Of Stones and Strength. - Steve Jeck and Peter Martin.
The Stone Lifter. - Steve Jeck

Videos:
Kviahellan: The Pen Slab.
Steve Jeck Stone Lifting Video.

References:
Jeck, S. Martin, P. 1996. Of Stones and Strength. California: IronMind Enterprises, Inc.