The Stoltman Brothers Train to Defend and Rebuild

Luke Stoltman’s Top Set Was a Fluke

Reigning three-time World’s Strongest Man (WSM) Tom Stoltman and his older brother, 2024 Europe’s Strongest Man (ESM) Luke Stoltman, vlogged a push workout in early March 2025.

Warm-Up for Heavy Dumbbell Pressing

The duo warmed up by burning at least 80 calories via exercise bikes, followed by light resistance exercises and mobility drills. Pressing kettlebells while balancing the weight on the handles can reinforce shoulder stability, muscular control, and grip strength while identifying imbalances. These benefits transfer to dumbbell exercises, and the stability demands provide progression with lighter weights.

Addressing Dominant Delts

The brothers transitioned to overhead presses using an axle bar — thicker than standard barbells. Tom attached resistance bands to the loaded barbell to help him incorporate leg drive.

"I’m shoulder dominant, so when I press, I stop [short]; it helps dip into the press."

Bands resist the press toward lockout, forcing more technique and explosive extension through the legs. "When the band tension kicks in, you have to really explode," Tom said. To master his form, he performed eight sets of two reps with 120 kilograms plus the bar.

Dumbbell Progression, 130KG Challenge, & Misloading

The session highlight was Luke’s max dumbbell overhead press attempt. He started with assisted dumbbell presses at 70 kilograms, grabbing a weight rack for stability. To generate power, he focused on minimal leg drive, strict form, and lateral flexion. As the loads increased, Luke incorporated jumps, like weightlifters, using extension and momentum to propel the bar to lockout. Movement efficiency matters in completing lifts. Muscular stimulus is not the goal; it is the efficiency of movement.

Conclusion

Luke’s top set was a fluke, and his lifts were 20 kilograms lighter than anticipated due to the adjustable dumbbell’s weight. This serves as a reminder to always verify the resistance and weights used in a workout.

FAQs

• How did Tom and Luke warm up for their push workout?
  • They burned at least 80 calories via exercise bikes, followed by light resistance exercises and mobility drills.
• What is the purpose of using resistance bands in overhead presses?
  • To resist the press toward lockout, forcing more technique and explosive extension through the legs.
• What is the key to efficient movement in completing lifts?
  • Movement efficiency matters in completing lifts. Muscular stimulus is not the goal; it is the efficiency of movement.