LIFT 4 - 149 ‘WALNUT STONE’ TO CHEST
The fourth challenge in the Gauntlet is the 149 kg Walnut Stone, named simply because it resembles an oversized, thoroughly misshapen walnut.
Don't let the name fool you. This is one of the most technically demanding stones in the collection.
The Walnut has earned a reputation as one of the trickiest stones to chest, frustrating lifters of every level. We've seen people with 300 kg-plus deadlifts struggle to lap it confidently, let alone bring it to their chest. It's a perfect reminder that stone lifting has never been a numbers game. Strength gets you in the conversation, but technique decides whether you finish the lift.
The problem is that the Walnut refuses to behave.
Its balance point is constantly shifting. Just when you think you've found control, the stone rolls, leans or kicks away from you, forcing you to react instantly. Its irregular shape offers very little in the way of dependable handholds, and because of the way it sits, you're often forced to carry the weight further away from your body than you'd like. Those outstretched arms turn an already formidable 149 kg into something that feels significantly heavier.
Every inch of the lift demands adjustment.
There's no single trick to unlocking the Walnut. Every attempt teaches you something new about where it wants to sit, how it likes to move and when to commit. Over time, those tiny lessons begin to add up until the stone that once felt impossible starts to become predictable.
As with all our stones, progression helps. Our sandbags build the strength and body positioning needed for heavy chesting, while the lighter natural stones develop the feel and coordination that only awkward objects can teach. But the truth is, there's no perfect substitute for the Walnut itself. Eventually, you have to spend time with the stone, learn its personality and accept that experience is the only real teacher.
In fact, once you've completed the Walnut challenge, the stone becomes one of the best training tools in the yard. Rather than setting it up in the perfect position, we encourage lifters to leave it exactly where it lands and simply pick it up. Approach it from different angles, chest it from awkward positions, and learn to solve whatever problem the stone presents. If you can confidently chest the Walnut regardless of how it's lying, you'll develop the kind of instinct and adaptability that transfers to almost every natural stone in the 150 kg range. At that point, you're no longer just lifting one stone—you've learned how to lift awkward stones.
The video features Matt, who demonstrates exactly what's possible when that experience comes together. His chest is clean, controlled and almost effortless, making one of the Gauntlet's most awkward stones look remarkably tame. Don't be deceived. What looks simple on screen is the result of countless repetitions and an understanding of the stone that can only be earned.
The Walnut Stone doesn't reward brute force. It rewards patience, persistence and the willingness to keep showing up until the stone finally stops surprising you.