Is the 'Iron Man' the closest thing to a Worlds Best Athlete competition?

BonafideDefacto

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Its near impossible for people to come to common ground on what attributes makes someone the 'Best Athlete'. I for one grew up in Track & Field and it was the Decathlon for my friends and I. 10 events, points for every event based upon finish over 2 days and in the end the highest total. As I get into grown man type activities -running & biking- to stay in shape, this shyt boggles me. The Iron man is nuts. Usually in a tropical heat type environment. A 2.4mile swim, followed by a 112mile bike ride, then a 26.2 mile run. Oh, and you have 17hrs.

Im curious what my folks over here at the coli think. Me and my roommate was arguing cause this cat said he could finish one, I was like:rudy: no you can't, and if you did it would take you a full 2 days. Who even thinks they could finish one?
 

heisenburrr

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Nobody here can

but that is more of an endurance type competition
 

Marvel

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I had a coworker that competes in the Iron Man and it's no joke. He is about 39 years old and he trains year round while working full-time and taking care of family.

Its really an endurance competition, which he says anybody can train for. Doesn't mean you will be elite though, but you can get through it if you train. You have to do endurance training and work on running, swimming, and biking technique. Its all about pacing yourself.

I respect iron men, but there is general belief that they are not real athletes. I played flag football with the iron man and he was not fast or strong and not very coordinated. Its like comparing apples to oranges.

Cross-fit is a good test of strength and endurance. I am looking into to get into it next year. It looks fun and challenging.

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obarth

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Nobody here can

but that is more of an endurance type competition

This. Factors like brute strength, agility, quickness, hand eye coordination aren't really stressed in events like that. You'd of course have to be in great shape, but it'd be your cardio being tested more than anything. I'd think a military obstacle course might be a better test of athleticism if it was long enough.
 

BonafideDefacto

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I had a coworker that competes in the Iron Man and it's no joke. He is about 39 years old and he trains year round while working full-time and taking care of family.

Its really an endurance competition, which he says anybody can train for. Doesn't mean you will be elite though, but you can get through it if you train. You have to do endurance training and work on running, swimming, and biking technique. Its all about pacing yourself.

I respect iron men, but there is general belief that they are not real athletes. I played flag football with the iron man and he was not fast or strong and not very coordinated. Its like comparing apples to oranges.

Cross-fit is a good test of strength and endurance. I am looking into to get into it next year. It looks fun and challenging.
It's crazy how much cross-fit has grown in the past 5 years. I like its methodology of how it 'keeps someone in shape' and its honestly what p90x advertises itself to be, muscle confusion like a mofo. I need to find one where I live now, they are very sparse.
 

mastermind

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its a great test of athleticism, but not the best


the heptathlon and decathlon are the true tests of athletic capabilities, plus mental strength, plus endurance.
 

Marvel

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its a great test of athleticism, but not the best


the heptathlon and decathlon are the true tests of athletic capabilities, plus mental strength, plus endurance.

No doubt, I was referring to crossfit as a better iron man style competition where you go from one event to another.

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mastermind

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No doubt, I was referring to crossfit as a better iron man style competition where you go from one event to another.

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I agree, but I wasnt referring to your post
 

wise prophet

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It's more of carido endurance thing, but def. impressive.

It's crazy how much cross-fit has grown in the past 5 years. I like its methodology of how it 'keeps someone in shape' and its honestly what p90x advertises itself to be, muscle confusion like a mofo. I need to find one where I live now, they are very sparse.

If you join a Crossfit gym, make sure the trainers there know what the fukk they're talking about so you don't wind up doing bullshyt like this:

 
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