One barbell can have two different uses. Some use it for aesthetic supremacy, while others use it to attain earth-shaking strength.

You aren't the only one who you ever wondered about how Mr Olympia athletes and Strongman workouts differ.

Although in both competitions, athletes are incredibly strong but their workout routines couldn't be more different.

Mr Olympia vs World's Strongest Man: the differences in their workouts

1. Purpose

The essential difference comes from the purpose of the training. Mr. Olympia contenders are judged based on muscle size, symmetry, conditioning, and presentation. However, strongman competitions have strength competitions, including events like pulling trucks and more.

2. Training

When it comes to bodybuilding, athletes use high rep ranges, isolate exercises, and controlled movements to build the right look for the competition.

Strongmen, however, prepare through performance-based activities, lifting heavy objects to prepare for the event itself.

3. Conditioning

You may often see bodybuilding athletes use cardio or HIIT to keep control over body fat. It also allows them to improve muscle definition.

Strongmen prefer using sled pulls and heavy carries to combine strength and endurance. These are perfect for athletes to bring out their best performance at the events.

4. Nutrition

For bodybuilders, their diet is crucial to maintaining their muscles and the symmetry of their look. Their diet is very precise, calculating calories and macros.

Strongmen consume a high-calorie diet. Part of this is to build strength and energy to compete and the highest level of the sport.

5. Lifestyle

Bodybuilding is a sport that requires a lot of long-term discipline and attention. Building muscle doesn't happen in a few weeks, but with consistent efforts over the years. Athletes dedicate major chunks of their lives to the sport.

And while strongmen also need discipline, their focus is on adaptability and resilience. The competition varies the events from time to time, even making use of a variety of equipment.

Written by

Ruwa Javed

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar