LIFT 2 - 115KG ‘BRAZIL STONE’ TO SHOULDER

The second challenge in the Gauntlet is the 115 kg Brazil Stone, named because, from just the right angle, its outline bears an uncanny resemblance to the map of Brazil.

At 115 kg, this is a serious stone, but what really makes it memorable isn't just the weight—it's the size. The Brazil Stone is large for its mass, forcing you to wrap yourself around it in a way that demands both strength and technique. Its angular shape gives you plenty to work with, with edges and corners that can provide surprisingly effective grips if you know where to find them.

Those same angles, however, are a double-edged sword.

With experience, the Brazil Stone almost reveals a secret. Its corners can be used as leverage points, allowing skilled lifters to roll, pivot and guide the stone efficiently towards the shoulder. It's never comfortable, but it can become surprisingly smooth. Get it wrong, though, and those same sharp edges suddenly become your worst enemy. They'll dig into your forearms, prod your chest, slap your face and generally remind you that natural stones have no interest in making life easy.

That's what makes the Brazil Stone such a rewarding challenge. There's a genuine knack to it. Some lifters seem to unlock the puzzle, using the stone's geometry to make the shoulder almost look effortless. Others have to fight for every inch, bringing it to the chest, re-gripping, popping it higher and higher before finally forcing it onto the shoulder through determination as much as technique.

If you're watching the video, don't be fooled by Seb's performance. Seb is an enormous man with exceptional strength, and he's able to bully the stone in a way that very few people can. For most lifters, the Brazil Stone is anything but forgiving. It demands patience, practice and an understanding of how to work with the stone rather than simply against it.

Because of that, we encourage people to earn their way to the Brazil Stone rather than rushing straight into it. A great benchmark is our 107 kg shouldering stone. It's only slightly lighter, but every bit as awkward, making it the ideal qualifier before taking on Brazil. If you can shoulder the 107 consistently, you've developed the strength, positioning and confidence needed to tackle the next challenge.

Sandbags are another invaluable training tool. Our 80 kg, 100 kg and 120 kg sandbags develop the same qualities of strength, explosiveness and shouldering technique, while being considerably kinder on your forearms, chest and face. They allow you to build movement patterns and confidence without the punishment that sharp-edged natural stones inevitably deliver.

If you're completely new to shouldering, there's no need to start anywhere near 100 kg. Our sandbags begin at 32 kg, providing the perfect introduction to the movement, while our natural shouldering stones start at around 40 kg. From there, it's simply a matter of building experience, refining technique and gradually working your way towards the Brazil Stone.

As the shouldering challenge in the Gauntlet, the Brazil Stone introduces an entirely new skill set. Strength will only get you so far. Success belongs to those who learn its quirks, respect its angles, and are willing to put in the time until this awkward lump of granite finally starts to feel like an old friend.