LIFT 1 - 76KG ‘WICK STONE’ OVERHEAD

The first challenge in the Gauntlet is the 76 kg ‘Wick Stone’—a stone that has earned its name for a very good reason. Named after John Wick, the last thing you want from this stone is a headshot.

While the stone has surprisingly good handholds for an overhead lift, don't mistake that for an easy press. Its irregular shape means this is nothing like putting a dumbbell or barbell overhead. Before you even think about pressing, you have to solve the puzzle of the clean. The stone needs to be rolled and guided into the perfect position, with your hands deep underneath and the high point balanced against your chest. Only then are you in a position to attack the lift.

From there, lifters tend to fall into one of two camps. Those blessed with exceptional pressing strength can brace hard, lean back, and drive the stone overhead with little assistance from the legs. Charlie, featured in the video, is a perfect example. His outstanding bench pressing strength allows him to perform the lift with almost strict pressing technique, making an incredibly awkward stone look deceptively straightforward.

For everyone else, success comes from speed and commitment. The legs become essential, turning the movement into something much closer to an Olympic-style push press or jerk. Once the stone starts moving, there's no room for hesitation. You have to commit fully, explode through the legs, and punch the stone overhead with confidence.

And confidence is perhaps the biggest challenge of all. Throwing a 76 kg natural stone above your head isn't something you can fake. It demands trust in your technique, commitment to the movement, and the willingness to get underneath something that feels determined to come back down.

Fortunately, no one is expected to jump straight onto the Wick. Several stones build towards this challenge, including a beautifully shaped 61 kg overhead stone that provides the perfect stepping stone for learning the movement, refining technique, and building the confidence needed before taking on Wick.

Like every lift in the Gauntlet, the press itself is only part of the story. The real challenge is getting the stone into that final launch position. Once you've mastered the clean and found your balance, the press becomes the reward. As with all great stone lifts, the party starts long before the lockout.