ArmProgress Articles

Armwrestling training, grip strength, technique, and tracking that builds pullers.

Why Arm Wrestling Is Suddenly Everywhere: Inside the Sport's Comeback

Arm wrestling went from smoky bars to sold-out arenas and millions of online views. Here's what's actually driving the sport's resurgence — the promotions, the crossover stars, and the platforms that turned pulling into a spectacle.

2026-09-24 · 4 min read

Shardara Armsport Club: How a Small Kazakh Town Builds World Champions

In a small town in southern Kazakhstan, one arm wrestling club has reportedly produced dozens of world champions. Here's the story of Shardara Armsport — and how it fits into Kazakhstan's rise into an arm wrestling superpower.

2026-09-23 · 3 min read

Levan Saginashvili: The Georgian Hulk Who Rewrote the Super Heavyweight Division

Seven-time world champion, near-untouchable in supermatches, and widely called the strongest arm wrestler alive — the story of Levan "Georgian Hulk" Saginashvili, his record, his rivalries, and why he's stepping away with the throne still his.

2026-09-22 · 3 min read

Denis Cyplenkov: The Hulk With the Biggest Hands in Arm Wrestling

Famous for hands the size of catchers' mitts and a 6–0 shutout of Devon Larratt, Denis 'The Hulk' Cyplenkov is one of the most physically imposing pullers ever — and one of the sport's most bittersweet stories.

2026-09-21 · 3 min read

Michael 'The Monster' Todd: The King's Move, the Comeback, and 50+ and Still Winning

Arkansas's Michael 'The Monster' Todd built a career on titles, a controversial signature move, and one of the great comeback stories in arm wrestling — winning world-level matches into his 50s. Here's his record and what makes him so hard to beat.

2026-09-20 · 3 min read

Over the Top (1987): The Stallone Movie That Put Arm Wrestling on the Map

How a Sylvester Stallone trucker movie, a real world championship at the Las Vegas Hilton, and champions like John Brzenk, Cleve Dean and Rick Zumwalt turned arm wrestling into pop culture — and set up the sport's comeback decades later.

2026-09-19 · 4 min read

The Greatest Armwrestling Champions of All Time (And What Made Them Unbeatable)

A roundup of armwrestling's most dominant champions — John Brzenk, Devon Larratt, Levan Saginashvili, Denis Cyplenkov and more — and the technique lessons behind their careers.

2026-09-13 · 3 min read

Best Apps for Armwrestling Training in 2026 (And Why Generic Fitness Apps Fall Short)

Looking for the best workout app for armwrestling? Here's an honest look at general fitness apps versus armwrestling-specific tracking, and what actually matters for pullers.

2026-09-13 · 3 min read

The Arm Wrestling Training Plan That Actually Builds Match-Winning Strength

Past the beginner stage? Here's a real 4-week arm wrestling training plan — weekly split, sets and reps, progression rules, and the injury-prevention work most pullers skip.

2026-09-13 · 3 min read

John Brzenk: Why Arm Wrestlers Still Call Him the GOAT

Decades before arm wrestling had YouTube stars, John Brzenk was already the standard everyone else got measured against. Here's what made "The Illinois Express" the sport's most enduring legend — and what still holds up about his approach today.

2026-08-24 · 4 min read

Devon Larratt: Inside the Career of Arm Wrestling's 'No Limits' Legend

From Canadian special forces to the most-watched arm wrestler on the internet — how Devon Larratt built a career that changed how the world sees arm wrestling, and what pullers can still learn from him today.

2026-08-24 · 4 min read

East vs West: Who Actually Dominates Arm Wrestling's Biggest Rivalry Right Now

East vs West isn't just a phrase in arm wrestling — it's the name of the sport's top promotion, and its own rankings tell a lopsided story. Here's the current #1 in every weight class, broken down by East and West.

2026-08-06 · 4 min read

How to Train for Armwrestling: A Beginner's Guide

New to armwrestling? Here's how to actually train for it — the table skills, the gym lifts, the key muscles, and a simple weekly plan that builds a real puller.

2026-06-18 · 2 min read

Grip & Forearm Strength for Armwrestling: The Exercises That Matter

In armwrestling, the hand and forearm win. Here are the grip and forearm exercises that actually carry over to the table — and how to program them without frying your tendons.

2026-06-17 · 2 min read

The 3 Key Armwrestling Movements: Toproll, Hook, and Press

Every armwrestling match comes down to three core techniques. Here's how the toproll, hook, and press work, which muscles drive each, and how to train them.

2026-06-16 · 2 min read

Why You're Not Getting Stronger at the Table (And How to Fix It)

Training hard but stuck at the table? Here are the real reasons armwrestlers plateau — and the tracking-based fix that turns random pulling into steady progress.

2026-06-15 · 2 min read

Left vs Right: Why Armwrestlers Must Train Both Arms

Most armwrestlers train one arm and neglect the other. Here's why training both arms matters for strength, symmetry, and injury prevention — and how to track the gap.

2026-06-14 · 2 min read