🏋️ the stoltman bros' 20,000-calorie breakfast

The official dog days of the summer (meaning August) are almost here. We'll help you power through these hot doldrums with the latest greatest in strength.

At 72, Joke Dikhoff will be the oldest athlete in the 2022 CrossFit Games field. This historic competitor should bring a lot to the table in Madison. And she's going viral for legless rope climbs that look easy-as-pie.

The Stoltman brothers, Tom and Luke, are some of the world's top strongmen (and definitely the world's strongest sibling pair). The brothers recently shared an eye-brow-raising breakfast, clocking in around 20,000 calories.

Want to find a fun but demanding way to implement more power and conditioning into your training? Take to battle with some battle ropes.

CrossFit

Joke Dikhoff, 72, Will Make CrossFit History

After seven years away, CrossFitter Joke Dikhoff will make her return to the CrossFit Games next week. And at age 72, she will not only be the only septuagenarian in the field but the oldest athlete in CrossFit Games' history.

A recent post by the CrossFit Games Instagram profile highlighted Dikhoff's journey back to the Games. The Dutch athlete breezes through a legless rope climb in a clip lifted from her profile. Seemingly not breaking a sweat, she then rolls through some barbell snatches, GHD sit-ups, bench presses for reps, and an overhead dumbbell carry. Clearly, there is no slowing her down.

In that same post, Dikhoff credits her son for her requalification while expressing heartfelt appreciation for her gym in the Netherlands, CrossFit NewStyle.

“Special thanks to my son, Marc Dikhoff, the brains behind this master plan,” Dikhoff writes. “I would also like to thank my CrossFit NewStyle community, as they have always been there to support and cheer me on."

Read about Dikhoff's unique history as (and check out those legless rope climbs) as she competes with the Age Group CrossFitters in the 2022 CrossFit Games next week.

Strongman

The Stoltman Brothers Destroy a 20,000-Calorie Breakfast

It's no secret that to excel in a sport like strongman; your diet has to match. With these Herculean athletes often lifting impossibly heavy implements, they have to find a way to fuel their performance. Two elite strongmen, Tom and Luke Stoltman, recently showed what it takes to eat like some of the strongest people on the planet.

In a video posted to their joint YouTube channel, the brothers might have tackled one of their greatest challenges yet: A 20,000-calorie (!) breakfast. The brothers happily cleaned their plates with each new food item, from a generous portion of buttermilk pancakes to countless variations of seafood.

Whatever the brothers are doing in the kitchen appears to work when they transfer it to competitions. Tom Stoltman is the two-time reigning World's Strongest Man. Meanwhile, Luke was Europe's Strongest Man in 2021.

Check out the Stoltman Brothers' indulgent, delicious breakfast for yourself. And try to keep your mouth from watering during this insane mealng.

Training

Prepare for Battle With Battle Ropes

If you've been in any garden variety gym, you've likely seen a couple of ropes lying on the ground. Then, in the middle of your workout, you've undoubtedly noticed as some adventurous person starts slamming both ropes over and over. It looks like a blast, right?

We're here to say that you can also get in on the joy of battle ropes. And you should! They're a terrific way to help develop endurance, conditioning, power, and grip strength.

Plus, let's be candid. Read "Power Slam" or "Russian Twist" as potential battle rope exercises aloud, and try to tell us you're not excited. We'll know you're fibbing!

Here's more on what battle ropes can do for your training.

Everything Else

Tia-Clair Toomey's Training Toolbox

• Tia-Clair Toomey will attempt to become the winningest Individual athlete in CrossFit Games history next week. Here's what the superstar takes with her to the gym.

• CrossFit hasn't released much official format news for the Games yet. But we do know there will only be one significant cut of athletes.

• Three-time reigning Classic Physique Olympia champ Chris Bumstead is so unique that he can notch new personal records inadvertently.

• You don't need a stacked barbell to squat heavy. Check out our breakdown of 10 variations of the goblet squat.