🏋️ strongman legend unveils a surprise

Howdy! It's Monday, and that means it's time you get filled in on what's happened around the strength globe.

It's still months away, but strongman legend Brian Shaw has a new outline of events for this year's Shaw Classic.

Time and again, Chinese weightlifter Lu Delin shows us he's a certified unit. A recent 180-kilogram hang snatch is just another example.

And when it comes to training, there are two main things the dumbbell flye can do: Give us bigger pecs AND make for better hugs. (Aww.)

It's been a busy day so far, so let's jump right in.

Strongman

Brian Shaw Gets the World Set for 2022 Shaw Classic

Win four separate World's Strongest Man contests like Brian Shaw (2011, 2013, 2015, 2016), and you'll have quite the influence. The titular Shaw Classic is an excellent example of the legend's hold on the sport.

Since 2020, Shaw has hosted the annual Shaw Classic — another showcase for some of the world's top strongmen. With this year's Classic right around the bend in mid-August, Shaw recently outlined what the participating strongmen can expect regarding its unique events over his YouTube channel.

Some samples:

• Heavy, heavy Atlas Stones? Check.

• A massive log press? Check.

• A car ... leg press??? Oh, you bet!

Here's Shaw's complete planned itinerary for the 2022 Shaw Classic.

Weightlifting

Not Many Can Hang With Lu Delin

Chinese weightlifter Lu Delin (81KG) has been making waves in his home country for some time. The 2019 Chinese National Champion is particularly known for his prowess with the snatch.

Delin gave us another example when he hang-snatched 180-kilograms (396.8 pounds) in a recent training session. Don't let the stoic-but-definitely-impressed look of his trainer in the background fool you: This is a stellar feat.

Even with the hang snatch not being the typical competition variation, Delin's lift is over five kilograms more than the current (81KG) World Record snatch of 175 kilograms. Delin also performed a 190-kilogram (418.9-pound) snatch off of blocks in February 2021. It appears every time we look in his direction, he's doing something astonishing.

Read more about Delin's hang snatch/snatch strength in context.

Training

Learn to Fly With the Dumbbell Flye

We know you want to make incredible gains with your bench press, squat, deadlift, and the like. But to do so, you'll have to implement some occasional isolation movements that let your body build the requisite foundational strength.

Enter the dumbbell flye.

The dumbbell flye is a great way to activate your pecs and keep your upper body balanced and proportional. Plus, it's valuable and applicable for lifters of all experience levels.

Check out our thorough breakdown of the merits of dumbbell flyes. Thank us later when your bench goes up and your hugs get even better.

Everything Else

Old Man Strength

• Rudy Kadlub, the 73-year-old powerlifting sensation, continues to impress. He recently hit a 454 pound/206 kilogram squat in training, above his current World Record.

• There's a good reason Nick Walker and Kamal Elgargni are elite bodybuilders. They leave no stone unturned in the gym. Check their grueling leg workout for evidence.

• Here's a spontaneous life lesson: To succeed, you'll first have to fail, and a lot. Lifting for massive gains is no different.

• There's no shortage of ways for you to take care of your back properly. Here are 23 different back exercises that should be in your training arsenal. 

• The Figure Olympia is a mainstay in the women's bodybuilding community. We have a retrospective look back at all of the competition's winners.