I've been competing in strongman for six years. I've done local shows, regional qualifiers, and a handful of national-level events. In that time I've tried just about every grip aid on the market — chalk, liquid chalk, rosin, tacky sprays, homemade concoctions that I'd rather not describe. None of them fully solved the problem I kept running into: stone lifting in summer heat.
If you've never tried to load an atlas stone in 28-degree heat with sweaty forearms, consider yourself lucky. The stone doesn't care how strong you are. If your grip fails, the event is over. I found that out the hard way at a regional qualifier two summers ago when I dropped a 120kg stone on the fourth rep and watched my podium finish evaporate. That was the moment I decided something had to change.
Why I Started Looking for a Proper Tacky
After that competition I went deep into the strongman forums and Facebook groups asking what the top stone lifters were actually using. The answer that kept coming back was tacky — specifically a heavy-blend tacky for hot conditions. The logic made sense: chalk dries out fast in heat and actually reduces friction once your hands are sweating. A good tacky stays grippy precisely because it's designed to bond under pressure, not dry out.
The name that came up most consistently among serious competitors was CERBERUS. I'd seen their kit at competitions — their belts and wraps are everywhere — but I hadn't paid attention to their grip products. A bit more digging and I landed on the CERBERUS Atlas Tacky Grade IV – Heavy Blend Stone Lifting Grip for Heat.
Grade IV is their heaviest blend, specifically formulated for hot weather and high-sweat conditions. That was exactly what I needed.
Why CERBERUS Specifically
I'll be honest — I nearly went with a cheaper generic tacky I found online. It was about half the price. But a few things pushed me toward CERBERUS. First, the brand has a genuine reputation in the sport. These aren't gym influencer products; they're used by World's Strongest Man competitors and serious regional athletes. Second, the Grade IV designation told me they'd actually thought about formulation for different conditions rather than just selling one product and calling it done. Third, the infographic on the product page broke down exactly what the heavy blend does differently — and it matched what I needed.
First Training Session With It
I ordered the 150g tub to try before committing to the larger size. It arrived quickly and the first thing I noticed was the consistency — it's thick and slightly stringy, which is exactly what you want. Not runny, not rock-hard. It applies cleanly to the forearms and hands without making a mess of everything around you.
My first session with it was a Saturday morning in July. The temperature in my training barn was already pushing 25 degrees by 10am. I was working up to a heavy single on the 140kg stone. I applied the tacky, let it tack up for about thirty seconds, and went to work.
The difference was immediate and obvious. The stone felt like it was sticking to me rather than me trying to hold onto it. I hit the 140kg clean, then came back and did three more reps for a training PR. My training partner — who'd been sceptical about tacky in general — asked to try some on his next set. He hasn't gone back to chalk for stone work since.
Competition Day
The real test came at a summer qualifier eight weeks later. Stone loading event, five stones from 100kg to 160kg, 60-second time limit. It was an outdoor event and the temperature was 27 degrees by the time we got to stones. I'd seen two athletes in earlier heats struggle badly with grip — one dropped the 140kg stone twice.
I applied the Grade IV about two minutes before my heat, let it set, and went. I loaded all five stones clean. The 160kg — which I'd never successfully loaded in competition before — went up on the first attempt. I finished the event in the fastest time of the day in my weight class and took first place in that event.
I'm not saying the tacky did all the work. But it removed the variable that had cost me before. When your grip isn't a limiting factor, you can focus entirely on technique and effort. That's what a good product does — it gets out of the way and lets you perform.
Practical Notes After Several Months of Use
A few things worth knowing if you're considering it:
The 150g tub lasts me roughly six to eight weeks of regular stone training (two sessions per week). I've since moved to the 250g tub for better value. Application is straightforward — a thin layer on the forearms and palms is enough; you don't need to cake it on. It washes off with warm water and soap without too much effort, though you'll want to do it before it fully sets.
It's also worth knowing that Grade IV is the heavy end of the range. If you're training in cooler conditions or just starting out with tacky, CERBERUS offer lighter grades that might suit you better. But for summer competition or hot training environments, Grade IV is the one.
Where to Get It
You can pick up the CERBERUS Atlas Tacky Grade IV directly from the product page. It sits in the Grip Spray & Chalk collection alongside other grip aids, and you'll also find it in the broader General Purpose Athletic Equipment and Athletics collections. If you're building out your kit more generally, the Sporting Goods range is worth a browse too.
If you're serious about stone lifting and you've been relying on chalk alone, do yourself a favour and try a proper tacky. The Grade IV from CERBERUS is the one I'd recommend without hesitation — especially if you're competing or training through summer.
— Declan Farrow, regional strongman competitor and reluctant convert to the tacky life
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