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Home HOW I TRAINED TO LIFT THE DINNIE STEENS By David Horne This article was featured in Iron Grip magazine Vol 1 # 1, Dec 2000, and is now updated. Photos will follow. I have been requested for this article, so here it is. History Named the Dinnie Stones after Donald’s exploits with them, these are the most famous lifting stones in the world and possibly the toughest to lift. In around 1860 Donald lifted the two stones and carried them across the width of the Bridge of Potarch, which crosses the River Dee, near Kincardine O’Neil. Since then, they have become a popular test of strength for not only the local strongmen, but nationally and internationally as well. Originally the weight of these stones was given as 340lb and 435lb, a combined total of 775lb. In 1998, Gordon Dinnie got the two stones weighed to ensure accuracy for granite replicas that he had commissioned. They now weigh 321lb and 413lb, a combined total of 734lb, a deficit of some 41lb, which had been lost over the years, possibly through all the attempts to lift them. My training The date for our attempt at lifting the Dinnie Stones was organised for 5th April 1998, with David Webster and Gordon Dinnie officiating. This gave me about four months to train, not only for the Dinnie Stones but also for the Blue Stones of Old Dailly and the Inver Stone, all part of our stone lifting tour of Scotland. So my training also consisted of rock lifting and the Bear Hug Deadlift, my own exercise I invented which simulates the lifting of round smooth stones. If you go through training for the stones without encountering the pain you’re going to feel on the day, much of your preparation will be time wasted. So it is a must to recreate the apparatus, I did this by getting two metal rings made up and attaching them to two loading pins. Originally I didn’t have the exact measurements for the rings, so I estimated, and they came out a little thinner than the originals, which made a tough event even harder. I’m of the opinion that I would prefer the attempt on the day to feel easier than my training sessions. My friend, Nick McKinless, who also lifted the Dinnie Stones, trained on a similar set-up. There are a few factors that on the day will stop you in your tracks if you’re not prepared for them. These are (1) 92lb differential between the stones, (2) the thin rings, (3) the sheer size of these stones. These problems can be overcome by using the replica rings now on offer, the largest discs you have and by having roughly a 92lb difference between each weight. If you get used to these, nothing should cause you a problem if you’re strong enough, even if it rains as heavily as it did on our day. Your training routine has got to include not only work on the replica apparatus, but also a lot of back, side, and of course a serious amount of grip training if you’re going to succeed in lifting these stones. Deadlifts performed with an overhand (non hook) grip will not only strengthen your back, but your grip as well. The One Hand Side Bend is a great exercise for strengthening the side muscles of the torso. This area has got to be trained heavily, as the Dinnie Stones take no prisoners. I used a strong H-bar (triceps bar) for this. My best lifts in training prior to the attempt: Using my Dinnie apparatus 190kg L/H (front) 225kg R/H (back) Total 415kg (915lb) Bear Hug Deadlift 168kg x 3 singles Deadlift a 140kg concrete rock x 20 consecutive reps One Hand Side Bends 108kg x 5 reps either side Middle Fingers Deadlift and Walk 90 feet with 100kg One Hand Pinch Lift 60kg x 3 reps Your attempt On your attempt, I would strongly advise you to put both of the stones together and straddle them, then holding one ring at the front and the other at the rear, concentrate and start to lift. The lightest stone will probably clear the ground first, even when this occurs you have got to keep pulling the heavy stone in a kind of a side bend until it comes up as well. Whether you have the large stone at the front, or the rear, these stones will not come up easily. They certainly are a great test of strength and bravery. Our attempts List of attempts made on the day (all lifts were performed with no hook grip employed): David Horne lifted both stones together Nick McKinless lifted both stones together Lee Morrison lifted the small stone with one hand David Horne lifted both stones together Lee Morrison lifted the small stone with one hand for 5 reps David Vass lifted the small stone with one hand Lee Morrison lifted the large stone with one hand David Vass lifted the large stone with one hand David Horne lifted both stones together, nearly got a second rep Nick McKinless did a lift and drag of around 4 yards with both stones Lee Morrison tried lifting both stones David Horne lifted the small stone with only the index and middle finger of the left hand David Horne nearly lifted the large stone with only the index and middle finger of the left hand Nick McKinless walked 9 yards while holding the small stone in right hand-lost balance David Horne lifted the large stone for 20 reps with right hand. Replica rings Exact replica rings and loading pins are now available here. These have been designed using the exact measurements that I took from the Dinnie Stones when I went up to Scotland the first time and lifted them. A return visit A year later I travelled north to lift the Blue Stone at Old Hartley, near Newcastle. After this I went to Aberdeen to see David Vass and also have another go at the Dinnie’s with my son Jason. Again it was raining, and again I hoisted them. This time I had the large stone at the front, as this was how I had trained for this particular attempt. I can’t honestly say it felt any easier, but there is a little less strain on the side muscles. Jason (aged 13 then) nearly lifted the small Dinnie Stone with one hand, with it skimming the floor on three occasions, and it’s surely there another day. I've recently been asked quite a few questions on training for this feat, so here are a few pointers. (6 Aug 08) 1. It is hard to lift them if it’s right at your strength limit, so get strong! Remember there are no warm ups, the first lift is THE weight. 2. If you are not tall then lift with your feet closer together, so that when you lift you will get some extra clearance on the stones, as the stones (especially the big one tilts when it comes up). 3. Wear good strong boots with a hard sole and heel. 4. Wear some knee wraps (like rehbands), this will keep the area tight. 5. I’d wear tracksuit bottoms instead of jeans, it will just be more comfortable, and you can wear the lifting belt properly. 6. In training play around with trying the big stone at the front and at the back – see which feels the best. I’ve lifted the stones in both styles, and found that each style stresses the body slightly different. Train on some very heavy side bends. 7. Remember that the stones are in Scotland and it rains a lot, in fact in both my visits it rained both times I was lifting. So get used to training with the rings outside in the cold and wet. 8. Using the replicas will aid you so much. Copyright David Horne 2006

HOW I TRAINED TO LIFT THE DINNIE STEENS

By David Horne

This article was featured in Iron Grip magazine Vol 1 # 1, Dec 2000, and is now updated. Photos will follow. I have been requested for this article, so here it is.

History
Named the Dinnie Stones after Donald’s exploits with them, these are the most famous lifting stones in the world and possibly the toughest to lift. In around 1860 Donald lifted the two stones and carried them across the width of the Bridge of Potarch, which crosses the River Dee, near Kincardine O’Neil. Since then, they have become a popular test of strength for not only the local strongmen, but nationally and internationally as well.

Originally the weight of these stones was given as 340lb and 435lb, a combined total of 775lb. In 1998, Gordon Dinnie got the two stones weighed to ensure accuracy for granite replicas that he had commissioned. They now weigh 321lb and 413lb, a combined total of 734lb, a deficit of some 41lb, which had been lost over the years, possibly through all the attempts to lift them.

My training
The date for our attempt at lifting the Dinnie Stones was organised for 5th April 1998, with David Webster and Gordon Dinnie officiating. This gave me about four months to train, not only for the Dinnie Stones but also for the Blue Stones of Old Dailly and the Inver Stone, all part of our stone lifting tour of Scotland. So my training also consisted of rock lifting and the Bear Hug Deadlift, my own exercise I invented which simulates the lifting of round smooth stones.

If you go through training for the stones without encountering the pain you’re going to feel on the day, much of your preparation will be time wasted. So it is a must to recreate the apparatus, I did this by getting two metal rings made up and attaching them to two loading pins. Originally I didn’t have the exact measurements for the rings, so I estimated, and they came out a little thinner than the originals, which made a tough event even harder. I’m of the opinion that I would prefer the attempt on the day to feel easier than my training sessions. My friend, Nick McKinless, who also lifted the Dinnie Stones, trained on a similar set-up.

There are a few factors that on the day will stop you in your tracks if you’re not prepared for them. These are (1) 92lb differential between the stones, (2) the thin rings, (3) the sheer size of these stones. These problems can be overcome by using the replica rings now on offer, the largest discs you have and by having roughly a 92lb difference between each weight. If you get used to these, nothing should cause you a problem if you’re strong enough, even if it rains as heavily as it did on our day. Your training routine has got to include not only work on the replica apparatus, but also a lot of back, side, and of course a serious amount of grip training if you’re going to succeed in lifting these stones. Deadlifts performed with an overhand (non hook) grip will not only strengthen your back, but your grip as well. The One Hand Side Bend is a great exercise for strengthening the side muscles of the torso. This area has got to be trained heavily, as the Dinnie Stones take no prisoners. I used a strong H-bar (triceps bar) for this.

My best lifts in training prior to the attempt:

Using my Dinnie apparatus 190kg L/H (front) 225kg R/H (back) Total 415kg (915lb)
Bear Hug Deadlift 168kg x 3 singles
Deadlift a 140kg concrete rock x 20 consecutive reps
One Hand Side Bends 108kg x 5 reps either side
Middle Fingers Deadlift and Walk 90 feet with 100kg
One Hand Pinch Lift 60kg x 3 reps

Your attempt
On your attempt, I would strongly advise you to put both of the stones together and straddle them, then holding one ring at the front and the other at the rear, concentrate and start to lift. The lightest stone will probably clear the ground first, even when this occurs you have got to keep pulling the heavy stone in a kind of a side bend until it comes up as well. Whether you have the large stone at the front, or the rear, these stones will not come up easily. They certainly are a great test of strength and bravery.

Our attempts
List of attempts made on the day (all lifts were performed with no hook grip employed):

David Horne lifted both stones together
Nick McKinless lifted both stones together
Lee Morrison lifted the small stone with one hand
David Horne lifted both stones together
Lee Morrison lifted the small stone with one hand for 5 reps
David Vass lifted the small stone with one hand
Lee Morrison lifted the large stone with one hand
David Vass lifted the large stone with one hand
David Horne lifted both stones together, nearly got a second rep
Nick McKinless did a lift and drag of around 4 yards with both stones
Lee Morrison tried lifting both stones
David Horne lifted the small stone with only the index and middle finger of the left hand
David Horne nearly lifted the large stone with only the index and middle finger of the left hand
Nick McKinless walked 9 yards while holding the small stone in right hand-lost balance
David Horne lifted the large stone for 20 reps with right hand.

Replica rings
Exact replica rings and loading pins are now available here. These have been designed using the exact measurements that I took from the Dinnie Stones when I went up to Scotland the first time and lifted them.

A return visit
A year later I travelled north to lift the Blue Stone at Old Hartley, near Newcastle. After this I went to Aberdeen to see David Vass and also have another go at the Dinnie’s with my son Jason. Again it was raining, and again I hoisted them. This time I had the large stone at the front, as this was how I had trained for this particular attempt. I can’t honestly say it felt any easier, but there is a little less strain on the side muscles. Jason (aged 13 then) nearly lifted the small Dinnie Stone with one hand, with it skimming the floor on three occasions, and it’s surely there another day.

I've recently been asked quite a few questions on training for this feat, so here are a few pointers. (6 Aug 08)

1. It is hard to lift them if it’s right at your strength limit, so get strong! Remember there are no warm ups, the first lift is THE weight.

2. If you are not tall then lift with your feet closer together, so that when you lift you will get some extra clearance on the stones, as the stones (especially the big one tilts when it comes up).

3. Wear good strong boots with a hard sole and heel.

4. Wear some knee wraps (like rehbands), this will keep the area tight.

5. I’d wear tracksuit bottoms instead of jeans, it will just be more comfortable, and you can wear the lifting belt properly.

6. In training play around with trying the big stone at the front and at the back – see which feels the best. I’ve lifted the stones in both styles, and found that each style stresses the body slightly different. Train on some very heavy side bends.

7. Remember that the stones are in Scotland and it rains a lot, in fact in both my visits it rained both times I was lifting. So get used to training with the rings outside in the cold and wet.

8. Using the replicas will aid you so much.