Hatton focused heavily on improving hand and grip strength in his 2025 Arnold Classic training preparations.
Last updated on March 20th, 2025
Two-time America’s Strongest Man Lucas Hatton continues to impress on the elite strongman scene, securing a second-place finish at the 2025 Arnold Classic and a third-place spot at the 2024 Strongest Man on Earth competition.
Hatton shared how he prepped for his silver medal finish at the 2025 Arnold Classic and reflected on the challenges of the competition at the 2025 Arnold Sports Festival at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, OH, from Feb. 28 through March 1, 2025.
Overall, Hatton felt good about his Arnold Classic performance, “I don’t think stones are ever systemically fatiguing for me,” he said. “When you train stone-to-shoulder, there’s a lot of pressure — it’s challenging. I felt none of that on the floor, and grip was a nonfactor for anyone.”
Hatton’s Arnold Classic Training
Hatton described training for the Arnold with a completely different mindset than other major shows. During his off-season, he approached training seriously, with carefully planned structure, meticulously organizing cycles months in advance.
Hatton’s Arnold preparation was divided into two distinct phases. The events were not disclosed in the early stages of training. As a result, some exercises like the jerk and behind-the-neck push press ended up being accidental but fortuitous practice once event details were revealed.
Hatton refined his techniques, incorporating various mobility routines and prioritizing grip strength. He remained tight-lipped about the specifics but confirmed that the three-time Arnold Strongman Classic champion Mitchell Hooper also used one of Hatton’s routines.
The Arnold Classic Environment
Unaccustomed to posing for photos with fans, Hatton planned when and where to appear. Hatton described himself as a regular guy who appreciates not needing to organize paid meet-and-greets like Mitchell Hooper or three-time Arnold Classic winner Hafthor Bjornsson.
I feel weird doing that down the road. I’d rather just be in the crowd and do it.
Due to time constraints, Hatton couldn’t walking around the expo and spent most of his time in his hotel room.
Event One — Elephant Bar Deadlift
Each athlete was given three attempts with the Elephant Bar. Hatton felt rushed during his final deadlift attempt, throwing off his focus.
“Because of what happened in Strongest Man on Earth, I almost wasn’t willing to go buck wild on deadlift because I understood fundamentally that there wasn’t a ton to be gained on the deadlift,” Hatton explained, finishing seventh in the deadlift, earning four points.
Event Two — Overhead Gauntlet
Hatton warmed up backstage before taking on the overhead gauntlet. While he believed he could have pushed further by completing four presses instead three, he was satisfied with the event win.
Event Three — Timber Carry
In past preparations, Hatton’s heaviest frame carry was 820 kilograms, which he admitted was challenging. This time, he pushed further, building up to an 850-kilogram hold for several seconds without grip issues. By the end of day one, Hatton ranked third, while Hooper led with a strong four-point advantage.
Event Four — Big Jerk
Hatton approached the jerk event with confidence. He planned to begin with the heaviest load, implementing a robust jerk off the blocks provided by Arnold for the behind-the-neck push press event. He praised the blocks’ sturdiness and how seamlessly they were built into the platforms.
Event Five — Timber Trial
The carry-and-drag was Hatton’s standout event. Confident, he knew he’d excel. “I’m not slow; I’m just fat,” Hatton joked. He finished fourth in the event, missing third place by mere milliseconds to Tom Stoltman.
Event Six — Stone-to-Shoulder
Hatton approached the stone-to-shoulder event with nervous anticipation. He trained diligently with a similar stone, managing five singles sets during his final practice session. Despite early struggles with the second stone, he discovered a practical approach to persevere.
Hatton finished two points behind Hooper overall. Hatton considered whether he could have pushed harder to claim the title but acknowledged that Hooper rose to the challenge. Ultimately, Hatton believes the Arnold is the most intense among all the competitions he’s participated in.
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Featured image: @lucas.hatton on Instagram
