Abu Dhabi How would you look if you ate 10,000 calories a day?
What does it take to pull a bus?
Watching oversized men performing tasks that appear to require superhuman strength, one is bound to wonder what these people eat, how they train to build such incredibly large bodies and enough muscle to pull aircraft and lift trucks.
Gulf News spoke to the contenders in the World's Strongest Man (WSM) competition taking place in Abu Dhabi this week.
Commitment
Making it in the competition isn't a simple task. It takes commitment, years of hard training, conditioning and a diet as efficient as the training routines.
American Kevin Nee is one of the youngest people ever to qualify for this event. A three-time contender already, Nee achieved strength at an incredible pace. Although he has yet to win a title , he is the youngest to reach the strongman finals at the age of 21.
"It takes dedication, sacrifice, hard work, and a love for the sport. It takes a passion where all you want to do is compete and train," said Nee.
Risk of injuries
Most athletes in this event train long hours. Training is hard, consistent and methodical to reduce the risk of injury.
"I train four to six days a week. Four of the days are big training days and the other two are more focused on conditioning, flexibility and athleticism," he added.
Diet is an immensely important part of the life of these athletes. While most people need between 1,500-2,500 calories per day to maintain proper health, strongmen contenders consume four to five times that average.
Focus on protein, carbohydrates
"I try to eat 7,000-10,000 calories a day. I eat whatever I want as long as I'm training hard but generally I eat healthy and I focus on protein, carbohydrates and electrolytes," said Nee.
Josh Thijpen, American, 29 and a World top ten, was inspired by three-time champion Bill Kassmar. Thijpen began training at the age of 12, trains four hours a day and eats about 6,000 calories.
"I eat very healthy foods and I also drink a lot of milk — about one gallon a day. My workout routine includes countless presses with about 200kg weights," said Thijpen. Laurence Shahlaei, UK/Iran, 29 and top ten, lifted 430kg in the deadlift last year.
"I am here to win this year. I trained hard about two to four hours a day, four days a week. I also ate well about 5,000-6,000 calories a day over six meals. On the weekend I eat whatever I want but in general I eat healthy," said Shahaei.
Foods that contain fluid
Vladimir Rizov, 30, from Bulgaria doesn't count calories and has no specific eating habits. "I have been training rigorously, five days a week, for the past eight years. My diet contains a lot of protein and lots of foods that contain fluid. I don't count calories," he said.
Rizov has been watching this event since he was a child, and always believed he can win the competition. He carried 450kg in superwalk on his back. "I always believed my size and shape can help me win," he said.
Food alone may not be enough for most of these athletes. Some supplement their diet with extra protein and vitamins.
"I take all of the supplements my company makes. OX Nutrition and you can find the list of those products at www.houseofox.com," said Nee.
Determination
Strongmen believe that success at this sport takes similar levels of commitment and determination as any sports or school.
"When you truly love something you don't let anything get in your way. I made lifting and eating a priority and put it on the same level as school so that way I couldn't stop," added Nee.
A word to the young Emirati generation about the importance of sports and diet.
"Be patient and be smart. If you train hard and you train smart, good things will happen. If you try to gain too fast you will get hurt and it's very hard coming back from injuries. So just be patient, stay dedicated and good things will come," said Nee.
Well if you want to live a long and healthy life, it's all about balance. Eat right, train smart, and work hard and you will reap the rewards.
KEVIN NEE, 27, US
Height: 1.88 metres Weight: 135kg
Accolades: 3rd Asian World Cup 2011; 8th at World's Strongest Man 2007; Giants Live: Poland 2009 (4th); Best Deadlift: 410kg (former Strongman Style Deadlift, world record holder — set in Norway 2008).
VLADIMIR RIZOV, 31, Bulgaria
Height: 1.95 metres Weight: 145kg
Accolades: squat 330kg; Deadlift 350kg; Benchpress: 220kg; No 1 in Bulgaria
JOSH THIGPEN, 32, US
Height: 1.96 metres Weight: 140kg
Accolades: Three-time WSM competitor; 3rd Giants Live: Ukraine, 2011.
