A Strongman Gym in a Woodshop

Intriguing Meeting in Rural Northern Michigan:
Since our adventure began in March, traveling through such contrasting locations as Miami, Key Largo, rural Tennessee, Detroit, and rural northern Michigan, finding a suitable training space had been not so much a challenge, but a necessity. Although my focus had primarily been on rebuild movements rather than strongman events, I always searched for a "strongman gym" on Google, just in case. I'd sometimes find things hours away. We all know good strongman is hard to find! Finally, in rural northern Michigan, a name popped up - The Ludus Strongman gym. With limited information available, I called the number provided but received no response, only a voicemail greeting from "Sanderson Woodcraft..." It seemed like an outdated listing.

A Surprising Text Exchange:
I decided to shoot a text at the number and ask if it was a strongman gym. I received a reply! The individual wanted to know who was asking. Ha! Introducing myself as Tommy Lovell, I received a surprising reply - a screenshot of my Instagram account asking "THIS Tommy Lovell?" Finally, a little recognition! I was speaking with Alex Sanderson of Sanderson Woodcraft. It was a strongman gym, too!

Unveiling The Ludus Strongman Gym:
Arriving at the location labeled as a "gym," I discovered it was, in fact, a large woodworking shop situated behind Alex's house. Despite its unconventional appearance, the shop boasted an array of equipment that suited my upcoming training block. As Alex diligently worked on his woodworking projects, planing and sanding, I ran yokes and loaded atlas stones. The ambient sounds of the shop provided a surprisingly pleasant background melody.

A Heartwarming Community:
Every Friday, Alex and his fellow strongman buddies gathered together, exchanging small tastings of novel beers. Each person brought their own selection to share with the group, fostering a sense of camaraderie and creating a truly beautiful community. It had been quite some time since I experienced such a tight-knit group of friends, as back home, Squats and Science had been my main community. The nostalgia and warmth of this gathering served as a poignant reminder of the importance of cherished friendships.

Capturing the Essence:
There are plenty of stories to tell. But I instead have created a video that hopefully does it all justice. Witness the fusion of craftsmanship and strength, as Alex's passion shines through.

Onward to North Carolina:
As our journey continues, our next destination awaits in North Carolina. However, the memories and experiences shared at The Ludus Strongman gym, with Alex and his wife Sabrina, will forever remain in our hearts.

Conclusion:
Stay tuned for the next chapter of our journey, as we set our sights on North Carolina's captivating wonders.