The title strongman competition would lead one to believe that it is a competition on strength. That is not what Summit Sports Training Center believes is the definition of strength. This past Sunday June 29, over 100 athletes competed to see who was the strongest man and women by Summit Sports standards; speed, agility, strength and commitment.

Participants came and competed in both team and individual competitions. The Glen Mills High School Football Team and the Junior Flyers Ice Hockey Team were in attendance. Others, like Danny Burch from Chichester Middle School came solo, dragging his parents along.

The day was kicked off around 12PM when athletes weighed in and were welcomed by the staff and special guest Jameer Nelson of the Orlando Magic. Looking around during the introduction the large group of competitors was very diverse. Hockey players stood next to football players and softball players with basketball players. Many athletes had faces of surprise looking at the strange equipment that isn’t in your ordinary gyms.

What makes an event like this so special is its ability to bring athletes from a variety of sports and put them in competition against one another. “These kids train hours and hours,” Kim Lewis, manager of the West Chester Summit Sports, said. “The only time you get to see the benefits of that is when they’re playing their sport. This is a different way they can showcase their talents.” Events such as the Sled Pull had athletes pulling a weighted sled behind them while trying to get to the finish line as quickly as possible. Strength and speed are crucial to success in the Sled Pull. Perhaps the most feared event of all was the Treadmill Slow Burn, the crowd and athletes gathered around the two high speed treadmills found in the gym. This event was one on one who ever could stay on the treadmill the longest while set at five miles per hour and a forty percent incline.

After finishing up the semi-final round indoors the athletes headed back out to the parking lot making there way through the massage tables, DJ’s and some great smelling food. Massive tires were set up for the Tractor Tire Flip, which was the event that would crown the individual champions. The team final was the historic tug-of-war match.

Steve Mountain, founder of Summit Sports Training Centers was pleased with the competitors “What’s nice about this competition is the biggest and strongest kids don’t always win. It’s a great event to see the individual effort put forth by each competitor to gain the upper hand.”

Summit Sports is a comprehensive sports training facility that conditions athletes in Villanova, West Chester, and Cherry Hill. The Philadelphia 76er’s, St. Joseph’s men’s basketball, and the Philadelphia Flyers are among their top clients.