Northampton Trainer Eyes Coveted Strongman Championship Title

Image: Made of Metal Coaching

In the heart of Northampton, a local personal trainer is preparing to flex his muscles on an international stage. Danny Curtis, 40, is setting his sights on the United Kingdom’s Natural Strongman’s (UKNS) England’s Strongest Man contest, scheduled for next March. His ultimate goal? To qualify for the prestigious World Championship tournament in the summer.

Strongman contests aren’t your average fitness competitions. They require participants to lift and manoeuvre hefty, unwieldy objects like logs, sandbags, and tyres. It’s a test of strength, endurance, and sheer willpower. Despite the daunting challenges, Curtis believes he stands a “very good” chance of clinching the title.

UKNS is known for providing athletes with a “transparent and drug-tested pathway” across all its competitions. Curtis, standing at 5ft 11in and weighing 95kg, will be competing in the new lightweight category for over-40s.

“Prior to 2019, I had no idea these contests existed for average-sized people like me,” Curtis confessed. His first taste of the competition was in 2019 in Northampton, and since then, he’s been hooked. “There’s such a great community. I’ve made friends from all over the world through the sport,” he added.

Among the challenges he’s faced, the most bizarre was carrying a 120kg metal shield on his chest for a full minute. To prepare for these gruelling tasks, Curtis has transformed his garage into a strongman gym. His neighbours are now accustomed to seeing him hauling sandbags or dragging tyres around local streets.

As Curtis gears up for the upcoming contest, his determination and passion for the sport are an inspiration to us all. His story serves as a reminder that it’s never too late to chase your dreams, no matter how big or heavy they may be.