March is nearly here, time for an honest experiment

Here is some back ground.

A long time ago (2006) the American kb scene was ruled by a tight circle of athletes known as SRKCs. Long story short, they all chose to go different ways with their training. Along came new (and improved, at least I am told improved) methods of training. I guess in Russia just like in America there is more then one way to lift these stupid things (the country is HUGE, go figure) and disputes arose on what is right and wrong.

Anyways, i don’t really care for the politics of other peoples training or the silliness of what federation is where. However, i have received many requests to give the traditional style of KB training an honest try. The requirements put for the trial “seem” to be minimal in nature to the extreme intensity of my current program, so it looks to be a nice change of pace for 90 days.

So what is this- I will use the one hand switch style of training with the “GS” style snatch and Jerk done for time. I have been coached on these lifts by the man who holds the American record for his weight class, so i am comfortable with the techniques.

What is the experimental part? I want to see if this longer paced strength endurance phase will be of any benefit to me as a steel bending strongman and grip athlete. I already know KBs are great for endurance for sports, for speed, for power blah blah. I will give this a go as it has been suggested that i some how am missing out on some hidden training secret known only to the Russians and the Americans who paid 1,000 dollars to attend a workshop with the awesome VF and become coaches in their organization. Other than Mighty Andrew Durniat i have not heard much from grip training w/traditional KB lifting. Andrew is in the “Seriously bad ass” class of athlete; i doubt KBs played that much of a role to his 400+ axle DO lift, blob and inch lifts. You don’t build that strength just with the primary KB lifts, other wise every bean pole at the NAKF meet would be tossing blobs and pulling inches, such is not the case.

So for my first workout I did a 6 minute set of snatches with a hand switch at 3:00 with a 16kg bell and a single set of jerks with 16kg for 10 minutes. This was the recommend volume. It was pretty damn boring, but i shall be a good sport. I will post my impressions weekly. My grip training and iron palm will continue as scheduled, I was told these single sets will not interfere with money makers. More to come as time goes by.

One a separate note. Grip and Rip 2.0 is a GO for the 5th of April at Brad Nelsons gym. There will be a TSC on the 4th of April and a workshop will follow. The next day we are getting it all out for a 8 hour day or training and hands on work. I will do a demonstration that evening. I would like as many of readers who are able to attend to attend. If your in the local area of the TC please make plans to at least drop in and say Hi on the weekend of the 4th/5th of April.