In 2025, I was asked by Rogue Fitness to build a timber sled and a set of carry logs for a new event at the Arnold Strongman Classic. The athletes were to carry a group of carry logs weighing several hundred pounds 30 feet, load them onto the sled, and pull the sled 30 feet back to the starting line. As with most of these events, the big challenge was creating a structure that could hold up to the strongest men and women in the world hurling 400lb logs onto it. Additionally, there was a target weight for the empty sled and loaded with logs. Much effort went into weighing timbers and logs and sizing accordingly to attempt to hit the end target weight. The sled was made with Eastern White Pine in order to keep the empty sled weight around 600lbs. 1/2" HDPE was added to the "feet" and the top "deck" of the sled, to allow the sled to slide uniformly and to protect the timbers, respectively. The sled was designed collaboratively between my dad (Steve Slater), Rogue's engineering team, and myself.

View the whole event here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-6IZOWNzJY&t=597s

Professional photo courtesy of Rogue Fitness