Top professional strongman Hugo Girard can't help but be excited about the back lift event at this weekend's World Muscle Power competition.

"It's going to be quite an experience," Girard said, "to see how we compare to the old-time strongmen."

Some of the biggest names in the history of strength, such as Louis Cyr and Paul Anderson, were known for their huge back lifts. Girard has taken this classic test of strength—a lift that few have ever seen performed—and brought it to a modern level with an apparatus designed to leave no doubt about the weight lifted or the style of the lift.

"This event gives our modern strongmen a chance to pay respect to the greats like Louis Cyr and Paul Anderson, " Girard explained, "and at the same time build a name for yourself."