Below is one of America's premier strongmen, Brian Schoonveld, showing his prowess on the log lift. However, unlike lifting a barbell, lifting a log is a much different endeavor! Essentially, the best way is to lift it in stages. Thus this implement may stop several times on the way up.

The first step:
Try to rest the log on the upper thighs, or on top of your belt buckle if possible.

The second step:
Straighten your upper body in a quick manner while simultaneously rolling the log
up your upper body. The requires great back strength and particularly biceps strength.

Note: I've been told by several good log lifters that having a forward protrudence (belly)
will assist by providing a shelf where the log can be rested. Also the bigger the log is in
diameter, it's supposedly easier to lift.

Now, the above is NOT the same as cleaning a barbell, and the only way to get good at
this is to get your own log and practice.

The third step:
Once at the shoulders, it is optional how you get the log overhead. The most common method is a push press. Check the link for more information about Push Presses

The log can also be power jerked, and in some rare cases competitors split jerk it.
For information about jerking technique click> Jerking

Yours truly on the right with Brian Schoonveld on the left.
Just to give you an idea how big some of the leading strongmen are!
I am 6' tall and 220 lbs. Brian is about 90 to 100 lbs heavier than I.
This picture was taken when Brian won the 2000 Showdown.

Another great log lifter, Sven Karlson of Norway
This is how close Sven came to lifting 385 lbs at the
2000 Beauty and the Beast. Sven personally told me
that his best, with his own log, is 418 lbs.