hello there,
Well, I’m originally from “all Pudzianowkfolk” land.
I reckon I know a thing or two about strength sports department in Europe.
As far as I am concern, Russia would be Numero Uno. This may not be so apparent when you watch Strongman competition, however, you need to take into account a massive number of Olympic lifters.
when it comes to Olympic lifting - south-east Europe (Bulgaria, Turkey - is it really Europe?? - Greece, GEORGIA - ex Russian republic - should be clearly distinguished!
Powerlifting - Again, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, All Scandinavian nations.
You may want to disagree, however, note that we do NOT compete outside IPF (good or bad) and who does, or tries, can not comeback to IPF again (and this IS stupid), but you are actually paid dome money for competing, there some prizes to be won, federation sponsorships, travel costs refunded, etc… so they protect their shit!
Strongman competition - well, Poland, Scandinavian countries, Ukraine, Litvenia other Baltic Countries.
And the most important why??
The TRADITIONs in strength sports to start with.
But probably the most important factor contributing to all this is still STICKING to the basis!!! There are still few gyms most of you know in West Europe, and I guess in USA - I am taking about geeky, puffy equipment and pinky dumbbells max 24 lbs, with bosus and Swiss balls and colorful rubber coated 10-15 lbs bars, with NO squat racks, no real Olympic bars, but 2 pieces of Smith Machines and a several rows of cardio machines equipped with mini tv screens and headphones as standard.
In Poland you can not extensively find it. I suspect, it would be even more difficult in any other countries.
I mean there?s hardly NO treadmills, No cross-trainers, some occasional Bikes, and little of FANCY resistance machines. And I am soooo pleased people do not really know it so far. (there are these stupid trends of cardio best for fat loss, and “Weider?s systems”-whatever they are).
Normally in the gym you?ll get full range of pulleys, Olympic Bars with stacks of bumper plates (for some reason there?s NO castiron ones, and sets of Dumbbells and chin-up bars
Unfortunately, the trend is NOT good. Spin and “fitness marketing” rules, and I am afraid that all the “bad-ies” will flood Eastern/Central Europe shortly, too.
But, before it happens, will continue to kick your ass for a few more years!!