frequently asked questions
The two best places for information are…
Athlete Info Overview: Click here to learn about weight classes and weigh-ins, how to qualify for different levels of competition, Pro cards, novice vs open classes, and more.
Promoter Info Overview: Click here to view a step-by-step guide to promoting a competition with Strongman Corporation, including timelines, rules/standards, contact info, how to acquire a license and insurance, and more.
Memberships can be purchased online on the day of the competition, but we recommend purchasing the membership 3-7 days prior. This allows time to address any issues that may occur and provide advance info to the promoter to make check-ins easier.
Historically, Strongman Corporation weight classes are in pounds for Local and National events, and in kilograms for International events. (Both are listed below.) In 2025, Strongman Corporation will be transitioning weight classes from pounds to kilograms for ALL licensed competitions. This will provide clarity and consistency across all Strongman Corporation events and bring Strongman Corporation in line with national and international standards across strength sports globally.
NOTE: For all of 2025, promoters may choose to use the old classes that are in pounds or the new classes that are in kilograms (not both!). The registration form needs to reflect the classes being used for the competition and CANNOT be changed after it’s posted. This means that some competitions will have weight classes in pounds and some competitions will have weight classes in kilograms during the 2025 season. Nationals and any competition with international athletes (like the Arnold) will use kilogram classes in 2025. Starting in 2026, ALL Strongman Corporation competitions at every level will use the new kilogram classes with no “allowance” or “rounding” during weigh-ins.
For additional clarity, the kilograms are for weight classes only, not events/implements. The event weights can still be listed in pounds. The only thing in kilograms are the athletes’ bodyweight.
Amateur and Pro Women:
- 125lbs or 57kg – amateur only
- 140lbs or 64kg
- 160lbs or 73kg
- 180lbs or 82kg
- Open (above 180lbs/82kg)
Amateur and Pro Men:
- 175lbs or 80kg
- 200lbs or 90kg
- 231lbs or 105kg
- 265lbs or 120kg – amateur only
- Open (above 265lbs/120kg)
Masters 40+ and 50+ Women:
- 140lbs or 64kg
- 160lbs or 73kg
- 180lbs or 82kg
- Open (above 180lbs/82kg)
Masters 40+ and 50+ Men:
- 175lbs or 80kg
- 200lbs or 90kg
- 231lbs or 105kg
- Open (above 231lbs/105kg)
Promoters may elect to combine classes at Local competitions based on registration numbers and will inform athletes in a timely manner if that is the case.
At a Local competition, the number of qualifying athletes depends on the number of athletes competing ON THE DAY OF COMPETITION and follows these standards:
- 1 athlete in a class: the promoter may merge the class with another class; if the athlete competes alone they will earn an invite by completing (i.e. not “zeroing”) at least 4 of the 5 events to the standards originally set forth by the promoter.
- 2-4 athletes in a class: 1st place qualifies for Nationals
- 5-9 athletes in a class: 1st and 2nd place qualify for Nationals
- 10+ athletes in a class: 1st-3rd place qualify for Nationals
At a Regional competition, the number of qualifying athletes depends on the number of athletes competing ON THE DAY OF COMPETITION and follows these standards:
- 1 athlete in a class: the promoter may merge the class with another class; if the athlete competes alone they will earn an invite by completing (i.e. not “zeroing”) at least 4 of the 5 events to the standards originally set forth by the promoter.
- 2-8 athletes in a class: 1st-3rd place qualify for Nationals
- 8-11 athletes in a class: 1st-4th place qualify for Nationals
- 12+ athletes in a class: 1st-5th place qualify for Nationals
At a Pro-Am competition, qualifications vary by class (Pro-Am qualifies separately from Amateur) and based on the number of athletes ON THE DAY OF COMPETITION. Qualifications follow these standards:
All Amateur classes qualify following the same standards as a normal Local Amateur competition (see above).
In the Pro-Am Classes:
- 1-8 athletes in a class: 1st-3rd place qualify for Nationals
- 8-11 athletes in a class: 1st-4th place qualify for Nationals
- 12+ athletes in a class: 1st-5th place qualify for Nationals
Competitions 4-8 weeks before Nationals can qualify for the upcoming Nationals or Nationals the following year, but not both. This is at the athlete’s discretion.
Competitions less than 4 weeks before Nationals qualify for Nationals the following year.
All other competitions qualify for the upcoming Nationals.
Not usually. Most events have an entry deadline. If you’re past the deadline, you can reach out to the promoter directly to ask.
You must be at least 12 years old. Anyone under the age of 18 years of age must have permission from their parent or guardian, and their Parent or guardian must register the athlete.
Pro-Am events are high-level competitions that feature select divisions where professionals and amateurs compete together for titles and prize money. These events also provide amateur athletes with the opportunity to earn their Pro Card.
There are no qualifications required to compete in a designated Pro-Am class.
First time competitors can compete in the Novice or Open division in most Strongman Corporation licensed events, including local shows, State Championships, Regional Championships, and Pro-Ams.
Nationals, the Arnold World Championship, the America’s Strongest series, and any “invitationals” require qualification, so they are not open to first-time competitors.
Pro Cards are earned at Strongman Corporation Nationals, the Arnold Strongman World Championship, and designated Pro-Am competitions. Please check with the competition to see what the pro-card qualification requirements are for that particular competition.
The Novice class is open to all first-time competitors in Strongman Corporation, regardless of prior experience in other sports or strength disciplines.
The Novice class is intended for athletes early in their strongman competition journey or for whom Open class standards are legitimately unattainable at the time of the competition.
An athlete’s first stop for guidance should always be their coach. The second stop is to reach out to the promoter. The promoter will have the best guidance based on their competition, the selected weights and events, and how the weight classes are shaping up based on registrations. If the coach, athlete, and promoter struggle to come to an agreement, they should reach out to their local State Representative for guidance.
More detail on choosing the appropriate division can be found in the Athlete Info Overview at the top of this page.
No. No one is obligated to compete in Novice.
Fees paid for licensing, event insurance, and memberships are non-refundable. Before completing your order, be sure all billing and shipping information is correct.
Merchandise purchased from a Strongman Corporation partner or affiliate and not purchased from the Strongman Corporation website is subject to the return/exchange policy for that company, not Strongman Corporation.