Buzz
At times, while working hard in the gym, our objectives may feel unreachable. This is why watching athletes who have reached the peak of their sport can be so uplifting—they all had humble beginnings. Below are some of our favorite documentaries and series about real people accomplishing remarkable feats of strength, which will encourage you to push yourself toward your own fitness goals.
Strongland
This series from Rogue (a manufacturer of fitness equipment) explores the culture of stone lifting in three distinct regions. Fullsterkur takes us to Iceland, Stoneland leads us to Scotland, and Levantadores brings us to the Basque country in Spain. Before seeing this, I had no idea that someone could lift 329 kilograms (over 700 pounds) onto their shoulder, but it's fascinating what we can learn.
Where to watch: YouTube
Fittest on Earth: A Decade of Fitness takes viewers on an inspiring journey behind the scenes of the 2015 CrossFit Games. This documentary showcases the impressive strength, athleticism, and relentless dedication of top athletes in the sport, including Katrin Davidsdottir, Tia-Clair Toomey, Sara Sigmundsdottir, Ben Smith, and Mat Fraser as they compete for the coveted title.
Pumping Iron, the iconic 1977 documentary, follows a young Arnold Schwarzenegger as he competes for the Mr. Olympia title, with Lou Ferrigno—later known for playing the Incredible Hulk—also in the mix. This documentary is a must-see for fitness enthusiasts, and it's worth checking out the follow-up, Raw Iron, which delves into the making of Pumping Iron, released 25 years later.
Eddie Strongman follows the journey of Eddie Hall, the British strongman known for breaking world records in the sport. This gripping documentary explores his incredible feats of strength, along with the sacrifices and determination it takes to be at the top of the strongman world.
“Unless someone stops me, or I pass away, I will remain the World’s Strongest Man,” says Eddie Hall in this documentary. Just two years after Eddie: Strongman was released, he claimed that very title. The film offers an inside look at Eddie’s intense training, eating habits, competitions, and the looming risk of injury, alongside the financial struggles of being a professional strongman.
Where to stream: Netflix
Rising Phoenix
It’s a rare spectacle to witness elite athletes in action, but Paralympic athletes take it to a whole new level. Overcoming disabilities, these athletes push the boundaries of their sports. The documentary is named after Bebe Vio, the amputee fencer, who gave herself the nickname ‘Rising Phoenix.’ Throughout, we meet various athletes, from archers to swimmers to rugby players, track and field competitors, powerlifters, and beyond.
Where to stream: Netflix
Westside vs. the World
Westside Barbell, a renowned powerlifting gym in Ohio, is at the heart of this documentary. The film traces the gym’s history through exclusive interviews with Louie Simmons, the gym’s owner and coach, as well as the athletes who have trained there over the years.
Where to stream: Fubo
Legends of Strength is a captivating miniseries that highlights the lives and accomplishments of remarkable strongmen and strongwomen from history. Each episode brings to light their incredible feats through photographs and expert commentary from historians. The series kicks off with Eugen Sandow, a 19th-century showman widely regarded as one of the first professional bodybuilders, and moves on to feature legends like Louis Appollon, George Hackenschmidt, Katie 'Sandwina' Brumbach, and Arthur Saxon.
Home Game introduces audiences to obscure and fascinating traditional sports from around the world. The show highlights sports like the Highland Games, and various styles of wrestling in India and the Congo, as well as others that are equally unique. While focused on the diversity of physical contests, it also reveals the rich cultural heritage behind them. Watch it on Netflix.
The Strongest Man in History follows a group of extraordinary individuals as they push the limits of human strength to break records and achieve feats that seem impossible. This thrilling series profiles athletes who test the boundaries of physical power in a quest to achieve greatness. You can watch it for a deep dive into strength and endurance.
In this unique take on history, four competitive strongmen—Nick Best, Eddie Hall, Robert Oberst, and Brian Shaw—set out to replicate some of the most iconic feats of strength ever achieved. They attempt to cross Potarch Bridge with the Dinnie Stones, just as Donald Dinnie did, lift a carousel loaded with people like Paul Anderson, press a car with their legs as Monte Saldo once did, and much more.
Where to stream: The History Channel, YouTube, Hulu
