Finally, an answer to how effective CrossFit is, head to head with Strongman in a lifting contest

No longer must CrossFit enthusiasts hide in the shadows.

No longer must GAA players partial to a bit of no-rest circuit training keep their winter training methods a secret. CrossFit can make you strong and it can even push someone like Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (AKA The Mountain from Game of Thrones) the whole way in a lifting challenge. The Icelandic Strongman faced off with one of CrossFit's finest enthusiasts, Alec Smith, and it's impressive how close they come to matching one another's numbers. Head to head in a clean ladder, the pair started at 320lbs (145kgs) and it gets competitive. If you're not versed in the power clean, here's an example from 3weekdiet.com to show you. The ladder started at over 145kgs and ended when either participant could no longer lift.

• Alec Smith of CrossFit tops at 390lbs (177kgs)
• The Mountain of Strongman tops at 410lbs (186kgs)

Strongman wins. Take a look. Most conditioning coaches trying to improve your strength will preach to keep the weight high and the reps low. Four to six reps they'll tell you, no more. The next day, increase the weight. Go for sets of three and four. Take a longer rest if you have to. CrossFit, on the other hand, is a lot more dynamic and a lot more non-stop. There are so many different examples of different CrossFit workouts so here's the very first example of one, courtesy of Google Images. But if you can top out on a clean ladder at 177kgs through CrossFit training, let's talk. Still no match for the strength training though - or just no match to The Mountain.