How to Train for Stein-Holding at Oktoberfest with the Cubs
Holding a full one-liter beer stein out at shoulder height sounds simple until you actually try it. About 60 seconds in, your shoulder starts to burn. At 90 seconds, your arm starts shaking like a flag in the wind. After two minutes, most first-timers are out. Last year at Oktoberfest with the Cubs, the stein-holding contest at The Toyota Camry Lot next to Wrigley Field was one of the most entertaining moments of the weekend, and the qualifier even fed winners into the Illinois state tournament. Here is what the contest looks like and how to train for it if it pops up again.
What Stein-Holding Actually Is
Stein-holding, known in German as Masskrugstemmen, is a Bavarian bar tradition that has turned into a real competitive sport. Last year's Cubs event used standard Oktoberfest rules, which is the same format you would see in Munich or at the Illinois state qualifier.
The Basic Rules
You hold a full one-liter stein at arm's length, parallel to the ground, with one hand on the handle. Your arm stays straight. Spilling more than a small amount, bending your elbow, or letting your arm drop below horizontal disqualifies you. Last person standing wins. Sounds easy. It is not easy.
Why It Is Harder Than It Looks
A full one-liter stein weighs around 5 pounds when you include the glass. Holding 5 pounds out from your shoulder for two minutes hits muscles you almost never use in daily life. The deltoids fatigue first, then the forearm grip, then your back kicks in. Most people fail because they did not realize how quickly small muscles tire out under sustained tension.
The Path to the Illinois Tournament
Last year's Oktoberfest with the Cubs qualifier fed winners into the broader Illinois state stein-holding tournament circuit. Other Chicago Oktoberfests run their own qualifiers too. Winning means more than bragging rights, since the Illinois tournament eventually feeds into the national series, which feeds into the world championship in Bavaria.
How to Train Before the Contest
You do not need a gym membership to train. You do need consistency. A few weeks of light training can move you from a 60-second contender to a real competitor.
Build Shoulder Endurance
Pick up something around 4 to 5 pounds at home. A liter water bottle works perfectly. Hold it at shoulder height, arm straight, for as long as you can. Do this a few times a week, and you will see your time climb steadily. Most beginners can double their hold time in two to three weeks.
A simple training plan that helped attendees last year:
- Week 1: Hold for 30 to 60 seconds, three times per session, three days a week
- Week 2: Hold for 60 to 90 seconds, three times per session, three days a week
- Week 3: Hold for 90 to 120 seconds, three times per session, with rest days between
Strengthen Your Grip
Grip is the second thing to fail. Your fingers tire out long before your shoulder gives up if you do not train them. Squeeze a stress ball during commercials, use a grip trainer at your desk, or even hang from a bar at the park. Anything that fatigues your grip in practice helps under contest pressure.
Practice With a Real Stein
About a week before the contest, switch to an actual glass stein filled with water. The shape and balance of a real stein is different from a bottle. The handle position changes the angle of your wrist. Getting comfortable with the actual feel matters more than just raw muscle.
Contest-Day Strategy
Training is half the battle. The other half is showing up to the contest with a smart approach.
Eat and Hydrate Smart
Skip the pretzel-and-three-beers strategy before you compete. Eat a real meal a few hours before, hydrate steadily, and avoid going into the contest already buzzed. Stein-holding gets dramatically harder with alcohol in your system, since fine motor control is one of the first things to slip.
Lock In Your Stance
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent. Most people put all their weight on one leg, and that throws their balance off after 90 seconds. Square your stance, brace your core, and keep your shoulders relaxed. Tense shoulders fatigue faster than loose ones.
Find a Mental Focal Point
The last minute is mostly mental. Pick a fixed spot to stare at and breathe slowly. Most disqualifications in the final stretch come from arm shake, which gets worse the more you panic about it. Calm breathing keeps the shake to a minimum.
What to Bring on Contest Day
A few small things make a real difference once you are at The Toyota Camry Lot and the contest is starting. Worth packing if you plan to compete:
- A light long-sleeve shirt if it is chilly, since cold muscles fatigue faster
- A water bottle to stay hydrated before your turn
- A friend with a phone to film, because you will absolutely want the footage
Make Stein-Holding Part of Your Cubs Weekend
Stein-holding turned into a real fan favorite at last year's Oktoberfest with the Cubs. Whether or not the festival returns this year, training for it is a fun excuse to add a Bavarian twist to a Chicago weekend around the ballpark. If you are planning a future visit, the Cubs offer Wrigley Field tours, ticket packs for home games, and gear at the Cubs Team Store. Stein not included.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the average stein-holding contest winning time?
Most regional qualifiers see winners hold between 5 and 10 minutes, though elite competitors can push past 15 minutes.
Can women compete in stein-holding?
Yes. Most contests, including the Illinois tournament, have separate men's and women's divisions to keep competition fair.
Do I need to be 21 to enter?
Yes. The contest involves alcohol-filled steins, so all entrants must be 21 or older with a valid ID.
Is there a women's stein weight that is different?
Women typically hold the same one-liter stein as men, since the contest weight is standardized at the one-liter Bavarian glass.
Can I drink the beer after holding it?
Yes, though most competitors save the celebration drink for after their elimination.
How do I qualify for the Illinois state stein-holding tournament?
Most qualifiers are run through regional Oktoberfest events like the past Cubs festival. Check the Illinois tournament organizer's site for the upcoming qualifier list.