Peak week is the final stretch for athletes preparing for competition, when they fine-tune their training and nutrition to ensure their best performance. 2018 World’s Strongest Woman (WSW) and 2023 Masters World’s Strongest Woman (MWSW) Andrea Thompson is amidst her prep for the 2025 Arnold Strongwoman Classic (ASC).
With guidance from her coach, 2016 Europe’s Strongest Man (ESM) Laurence Shahlaei, Thompson is honing her overhead press, frame carry, and sled drag technique.
[Related: Hafthor Björnsson Deadlifts 470 Kilograms During 2025 Arnold Strongman Classic Prep]
Warm-Up
Thompson began her warm-up focused on glutes and hamstrings. She previously worked with an Olympic lifting coach to refine her overhead press technique.
“I can press from the front like 130 kilograms; many people keep saying I need to use my legs, but I can’t figure out how to use them,” Thompson commented. “I contacted somebody whose shown me a new technique. If it works, I’ll use that.” She performed the overhead press as a behind-the-neck push press.
Overhead Press
Thompson started her overhead press training with an empty bar, positioning it on her back before driving the bar overhead. Incorporating the overhead press as a push press can improve lower body power and upper body strength. (1)
Thompson added a pair of 10-kilogram plates to the barbell. After a few steadying breaths, she hoisted the bar overhead, then caught it at her upper chest near the collarbone before carefully reracking it. Thompson swapped in 20-kilogram plates on each side and executed the press the same way. She increased the weight again but it slipped as she moves to rack the bar. Shahlaei secured the bar back in place, instructing Thompson to tighten her upper back.
Shahlaei believes there is still room for Thompson to improve her leg drive. She loaded 242 pounds onto the bar, applying Shahlaei’s feedback. Building on her progress, Thompson made 242-pound attempt seamlessly.
With 264 pounds resting on her upper back, Thompson stepped forward, braced, and pushed the weight upward.
Shahlaei commended the effort before sharing that Thompson’s lift can be further polished and done with more speed and confidence.
Frame Carry
Thompson’s next challenge was the farmer’s carry — an exercise that relies heavily on forearm and grip strength. She opened with 121 pounds (55 kilograms) in each hand, walking the entire course length and back.
She increased the weight to 209 pounds per hand for round two. She re-chalked her hands before her third round with 297 pounds in each hand.
Sled Drag
The sled drag event at Arnold is expected to be incredibly challenging, spanning a 10-meter distance. Improving performance in the sled drag and frame carry is closely linked to longer stride length, higher stride rate, and reduced ground contact time. (2)
To prepare, Shahlaei suggested Thompson start her warm-up by pulling him on the sled before gradually increasing the load. She dragged Shahlaei on the sled across the stretch before two more people joined Shahlaei during the third round.
2025 Arnold Strongwoman Classic
Thompson ranked eighth overall at the 2024 ASC. She aims to improve her rank in the predominantly static-strength contest to dethrone reigning champion Angelica Jardine.
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References
- Lake, J. P., Mundy, P. D., & Comfort, P. (2014). Power and impulse applied during push press exercise. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 28(9), 2552–2559. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000000438
- Hindle, B. R., Lorimer, A., Winwood, P., & Keogh, J. W. L. (2019). The Biomechanics and Applications of Strongman Exercises: a Systematic Review. Sports medicine – open, 5(1), 49. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-019-0222-z
Featured image: @andreathompson_strongwoman on Instagram
