From grit to glory: Kaylan Rekken’s Strongman journey
March 30, 2026, 10:26 am
Stephanie Zoer
Kaylan Rekken of Carlyle has qualified for the provincial Strongman competition on July 18, with the hopes of moving on to nationals in Quebec in October.
Kaylan Rekken’s strongman journey did not begin under bright lights or in a packed arena, it started the way many strongman careers do, in a gym, with a willingness to push beyond the limits.
Rekken is the son of Kelly and Susan Rekken who owns and operates Kelly’s Hot Shot in Carlyle. Rekken has worked for his parents as a journeyman picker operator for many years.
When Rekken became divorced he felt he had two choices. Either go to the bar or go to the gym. He chooses to go to the gym. Rekken began a vigorous workout in body building, and he was pleased with what he has accomplished.
Rekken and his girlfriend Mariah Perkins went to the Grenfell fair. At the fair they had a “Test your Metal” competition. It was similar to a strongman event. Perkins suggested that Rekken enter. After all, what could it hurt to test one’s strength. Rekken paid the fee in went in.
There was a fire truck pull, log press, dead lift, sandbag throw and a farmers carry. At the time he was 180 pounds and competing against men that were 300 pounds. Surprising himself, he placed third and he was hooked.
Being a strongman is completely different than body building. Every muscle needs to be conditioned, endurance is worked on, cardio and especially the core and balance are a huge part of the strongman competitions. Rekken went to work on his strength, going to the gym every day to learn the aspects of being a strongman.
Rekken found a trainer in Regina at Mettle Performance Training. Danielle Elias is his trainer.
“She is very good at what she does,” said Rekken.
She has taught him how to condition his body and lift weights that require the least work. It is also a mental game that prepares the mind.
He said that everyone has been so good to him and the gym is so friendly. He can take his three children during his training. They always have things for them to do. It is a great environment.
For Rekken, stepping into competition meant adapting to a completely different environment than training. In strongman, unfamiliar implements, crowd energy, and time pressure all play a role. Even seasoned gym lifters quickly realize that competition day brings challenges that no workout can fully replicate.
Rekken entered a competition on March 21 in Warman, Saskatchewan. He was in the 105 kg novice class.
“The support is incredible, not only from my family but from the other competitors. They all cheer each other on,” said Rekken. “It is a great feeling.”
Many of the classes are repetitive, on how many can be lifted in a one-minute span. These weights range from 130 pounds and up. They are mostly dead weight lifts. Each time a lift is done, the competitor needs to look at the referee to make sure the lift was properly done in order for it to count.
One of these conditions is that the elbow is straight above the head. Rekken has what is called a soft lock out elbow. This means his elbow does not go completely straight and the referee needs to know this before the competition starts.
While Rekken was lifting 130 pounds with one arm above his head, he held it there for several seconds as the referee was waiting for his elbow to straighten. Once Rekken’s trainer told the referee of his condition, he was able to drop the weight and continue.
Most regular pickup trucks weigh 6,000 to 8,000 pounds, and most people get in and drive them. At the competition they are required to pull the trucks, but up a grade of five to eight degrees.
“Once you have the truck rolling, you do not want to quit as it is way harder to start again,” said Rekken.
At the Diamond Crusher Strongman competition Rekken was pleased to win.
“I never once thought that I would win this, I was going for the experience,” he said.
Rekken has set goals for himself. He will enter the Barbarian competition in Saskatoon which is May 30. The provincials will be July 18, for which he has qualified. If he wins, he can go to Nationals in Quebec that are held in October. His ultimate goal is to make it to the Arnold Classics in the States.
“It will take hard work and dedication, but it is something I look forward to,” he said.
