FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) -Superheroes like Superman, The Hulk and Wonder Woman are often seen as symbols of incredible strength. But at the Midwest Fitness Fest in Fargo, athletes showed that extraordinary strength can exist far beyond comic books.
Competitors from across multiple fitness divisions gathered to test their physical limits through events ranging from strongman competitions and adaptive powerlifting to CrossFit challenges.
Among them was Jason Stordahl, a strongman athlete who trains for events involving unconventional lifts and extreme feats of strength.
“Strong man is where you compete against other folks in your class doing odd best lifts like lifting atlas stones, carrying yokes on your back, pressing logs above your head, in some cases pulling like semis or buses,” Stordahl said.
One notable example of Stordahl’s strength is his ability to pull a 48-thousand-pound fire truck using only a waist harness and his own strength.
Stordahl said his training often includes pulling vehicles with help from his wife.
“I train with my wife and umm I pull our pick up and she puts her foot on the brake and umm just kind of knows how fast I pull a semi or something so that’s how I do it,” he said.
The competition also highlighted athletes overcoming physical challenges and redefining limitations.
Adaptive powerlifting competitor Zsolt Vincze, who lives with spina bifida, said he has no motor function from the waist down. Despite that, he continues breaking national records.
“I just recently broke my own previous national record by 6 pounds and my third attempt will be yet another national record,” Vincze said. “I don’t know the specific number. I told them not to tell me, cause again I got one job to go out there and bench well.”
Women competitors also took center stage throughout the festival. Ashley Brawley said she began CrossFit about four and a half years ago after signing up for a Spartan race and wanting to improve her fitness level.
“I needed to up my fitness capacity so this is what I choose,” Brawley said.
Athletes at the event said fitness has improved more than just their physical strength. Many described positive impacts on their mental health and overall well-being.
“It really helps with funny enough anxiety and stuff,” Stordahl said. “Our family has a lot of anxiety and depression and it keeps my head clear and it makes me feel good.”
Another competitor added that fitness has helped improve both physical and mental health.
“My mental health is the best it’s ever been,” the athlete said. “It helps so much.”
For Vincze, the message behind the competition goes beyond winning titles or setting records.
“You can and will do whatever you set your mind to,” he said.
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