ActivitiesGuy Log II: Kettlebells + Yoga

Training Training Logs
261

[quote]dagill2 wrote:
I’m becoming more and more of a fan of the Kb, I just can’t persuade myself to go full on girovek yet, do you find you miss the heavy lifting?[/quote]

I don’t think I really miss it, but it’s hard to say because it’s been awhile since I did much heavy BB work. The last time I was really strong and well-rounded in the core lifts was seven years ago, at the end of college football. After that I had a long endurance-sport fascination where I did only sporadic strength work (and low quality stuff at that, like P90X). Only last year did I really start any strength training of note, and I was bench-only for awhile because I had a bum leg (from running). It’d be easier to answer the question if I transitioned straight from heavy lifting into KB work.

I’ll probably include some heavy barbell lifting again down the road. My dad has a bunch of weightlifting stuff at home, some of which is earmarked for me someday when I have the room for it (he still uses it, but he has more than he needs: three Olympic bars, 100 kg’s of bumper plates, a couple of old Standard bars, a few hundred pounds of standard plates). So one day I’ll have an Oly bar and a few bumpers, and then I’ll probably bring some barbell cleans, presses, and deadlifts back into the equation.

For now, the challenge of hoisting my 88 is enough jollies in the heavy-lifting department. I may purchase a 106-pounder at some point - part of the SFG Level II cert requires pressing a 106, and I’d love to say that I can meet that standard - but the shipping cost is exponentially higher than it was for my 88 (must be something about crossing the 100-pound mark for a single package) so that will have to wait for now.

To be clear: I don’t do what I do now because I think it’s the absolute-best-way-to-build-muscle, and I wouldn’t tell someone who is having great success to stop what they’re doing and do it my way instead. I do it because it’s convenient to work out at home with KB’s in my current circumstances, and I really enjoy it.

262

Thursday 4/9 (PM)

A1. KB Clean-N-Press 2x53
A2. Lat Pulldown 6x150
A3. Chest Press 6x150

Five rounds.

KB Clean-N-Press 2x88
KB Clean-N-Press 2x88
KB Clean-N-Press 2x88
KB Clean-N-Press 2x88
KB Clean-N-Press 2x88
KB Clean-N-Press 6x88
KB Clean-N-Press 4x88
KB Clean-N-Press 2x88
KB Clean-N-Press 2x88
KB Clean-N-Press 2x88
KB Clean-N-Press 2x88

Glass half empty take: the workout was OK - I didn’t fail any reps - but I wasn’t real sharp. Some of the presses were a little wobbly, and I’d been planning to attempt 10x88 on the clean and press but just wasn’t feeling it, so I kept all my sets on the low rep side.

Glass half full take: considering that I could barely get the 88 overhead ONCE a few months ago, I’ve come a pretty damn long way if I can look at a workout where I pressed it 28 times and never failed a rep as an off day.

I’ll take it. Progress continues apace. Perhaps I’ll go for 10x88 next week.

263

Friday 4/10 (AM)

KB Medley (15 Minutes)

Unstructured workout today. I couldn’t really decide what I wanted to do so I just did a hodge lodge of double KB front squats, presses, double KB swings (which I don’t do much) and a few snatches.

264

[quote]ActivitiesGuy wrote:

Glass half full take: considering that I could barely get the 88 overhead ONCE a few months ago, I’ve come a pretty damn long way if I can look at a workout where I pressed it 28 times and never failed a rep as an off day.

I’ll take it. Progress continues apace. Perhaps I’ll go for 10x88 next week.[/quote]

This. It’s great to look back at your old records and see how far you’ve come. A few years ago, 95 lbs for 1 was my best on bench press. Now, 95 for 25 is my best. It’s hard to see the gains day to day, but it really adds up over time. Keep up the good work! :slight_smile:

265

[quote]Babypowerlifter wrote:

[quote]ActivitiesGuy wrote:

Glass half full take: considering that I could barely get the 88 overhead ONCE a few months ago, I’ve come a pretty damn long way if I can look at a workout where I pressed it 28 times and never failed a rep as an off day.

I’ll take it. Progress continues apace. Perhaps I’ll go for 10x88 next week.[/quote]

This. It’s great to look back at your old records and see how far you’ve come. A few years ago, 95 lbs for 1 was my best on bench press. Now, 95 for 25 is my best. It’s hard to see the gains day to day, but it really adds up over time. Keep up the good work! :)[/quote]

Exactly. I was a little frustrated mid-workout that my reps just didn’t feel that strong or crisp. I’d spoiled myself for the prior few days by hoisting the 88 in a fluid, steady press every time. Last night some were just a little wobbly.

And then I reflected a little and realized that I wasn’t really in danger of failing any of those reps, and decided that it’s a sign of progress that I now take for granted what used to be effectively a 1RM lift.

I do really want to buy that 106 pounder and start working on it…

Thanks for dropping in. Your log is a fantastic one.

266

[quote]ActivitiesGuy wrote:

[quote]Babypowerlifter wrote:

[quote]ActivitiesGuy wrote:

Glass half full take: considering that I could barely get the 88 overhead ONCE a few months ago, I’ve come a pretty damn long way if I can look at a workout where I pressed it 28 times and never failed a rep as an off day.

I’ll take it. Progress continues apace. Perhaps I’ll go for 10x88 next week.[/quote]

This. It’s great to look back at your old records and see how far you’ve come. A few years ago, 95 lbs for 1 was my best on bench press. Now, 95 for 25 is my best. It’s hard to see the gains day to day, but it really adds up over time. Keep up the good work! :)[/quote]

Exactly. I was a little frustrated mid-workout that my reps just didn’t feel that strong or crisp. I’d spoiled myself for the prior few days by hoisting the 88 in a fluid, steady press every time. Last night some were just a little wobbly.

And then I reflected a little and realized that I wasn’t really in danger of failing any of those reps, and decided that it’s a sign of progress that I now take for granted what used to be effectively a 1RM lift.

I do really want to buy that 106 pounder and start working on it…

Thanks for dropping in. Your log is a fantastic one.[/quote]

Yeah, you should buy it! It could be a good inspiration. As you walk by it, you can say to it, “I will press you someday soon.” :slight_smile: Also, you can always use it for lower body until then. It’s probably not too bad of a weight for KB squats and swings.

Thanks for the compliment about my log. :slight_smile: I feel like my training is a little all over the place at times and I’m constantly experimenting on myself, but maybe all of that can be helpful for someone reading it. I know I’ve been learning a lot from reading other people’s logs. It’s cool to see what works, what doesn’t work and to see people progress over time.

Thanks for keeping up your log too. :slight_smile: I really like the idea of kettle bell training. You seriously don’t need anything else. I would consider doing the same thing, but I like powerlifting too much to quit using a barbell. :stuck_out_tongue: I actually really missed heavy back squats and deadlifts when my husband and I took time off from barbell training. Now, I kind of do a mix of both and it seems to work for me. :slight_smile:

267

[quote]Babypowerlifter wrote:
Yeah, you should buy it! It could be a good inspiration. As you walk by it, you can say to it, “I will press you someday soon.” :slight_smile: Also, you can always use it for lower body until then. It’s probably not too bad of a weight for KB squats and swings.
[/quote]

I’m sure I could do swings and squats with it, yeah. But the purchase would actually be a little silly. The shipping cost gets exponentially greater for something over 100 pounds (my 88 pounder cost $102 plus $25 shipping; buying a 106 from same place, Rogue Fitness, costs $121 plus $116 for shipping?!)

There are two other considerations:

  1. I am saving up for a ring for my fiance-in-waiting, and explaining that I dropped $250 on another kettlebell would be a little tricky because I’ve kept her waiting long enough, haha. It wouldn’t surprise her that I made such a purchase; she does KB workouts as well and knows how much I love them, and she’s put up with a bit of a spending spree on KB’s this spring (we transported all of my “old” ones to her place, and I bought a bunch of brand-spanking-new Rogues which will be our permanent collection). I’d feel bad spending on another “vanity purchase” when she (and my parents, and her parents) knows that the proposal is coming, but everyone’s waiting until I have enough money to buy a big enough rock to warrant her hand :slight_smile:

  2. It is likely that within 2 years, I will be moving (not necessarily to a different city, but out of my current residence; my studio apartment is very nice, but would be a very cramped place to begin married life). It’s already going to be enough of a pain to haul my present collection of seven KB’s out of there on top of whatever other stuff. I’m not about to add another (extremely heavy) piece of luggage to the mix. Once we are settled in a semi-permanent residence, I will go ahead and splurge on the Beast.

[quote]Babypowerlifter wrote:
Thanks for the compliment about my log. :slight_smile: I feel like my training is a little all over the place at times and I’m constantly experimenting on myself, but maybe all of that can be helpful for someone reading it. I know I’ve been learning a lot from reading other people’s logs. It’s cool to see what works, what doesn’t work and to see people progress over time.
[/quote]

Your training is all over the place? Have you seen the mess in here?

I agree that reading other logs is good. Whether you train the same way or not, it’s good to be exposed to a variety of different ideas, and the effect of community is absolutely a thing.

[quote]Babypowerlifter wrote:
Thanks for keeping up your log too. :slight_smile: I really like the idea of kettle bell training. You seriously don’t need anything else. I would consider doing the same thing, but I like powerlifting too much to quit using a barbell. :stuck_out_tongue: I actually really missed heavy back squats and deadlifts when my husband and I took time off from barbell training. Now, I kind of do a mix of both and it seems to work for me. :slight_smile:
[/quote]

I made a comment to this effect to dagill just a little while ago. It’s likely that one day the barbell will be re-incorporated, once we move to a bigger place together and my dad gives my allotment of stuff from home (I’ll probably get at least an Oly bar and a set of 20kg and 10kg bumpers to start off, and I’ll cobble together enough small plates to load the thing a bit heavier).

For the time being, the KB is keeping me happy, healthy, and giving me a way to stay fit and push for some strength gains.

For future planning, one big attraction is that (when we have kids) we can avoid the difficulty of needing to split gym time or running time or whatever so one of us is always watching the kids. Little Boy, sit in your crib. Daddy’s going to play with his toys. One day you’ll be allowed to play with these, too. Good? Good.

268

[quote]ActivitiesGuy wrote:

[quote]Babypowerlifter wrote:
Yeah, you should buy it! It could be a good inspiration. As you walk by it, you can say to it, “I will press you someday soon.” :slight_smile: Also, you can always use it for lower body until then. It’s probably not too bad of a weight for KB squats and swings.
[/quote]

I’m sure I could do swings and squats with it, yeah. But the purchase would actually be a little silly. The shipping cost gets exponentially greater for something over 100 pounds (my 88 pounder cost $102 plus $25 shipping; buying a 106 from same place, Rogue Fitness, costs $121 plus $116 for shipping?!)

There are two other considerations:

  1. I am saving up for a ring for my fiance-in-waiting, and explaining that I dropped $250 on another kettlebell would be a little tricky because I’ve kept her waiting long enough, haha. It wouldn’t surprise her that I made such a purchase; she does KB workouts as well and knows how much I love them, and she’s put up with a bit of a spending spree on KB’s this spring (we transported all of my “old” ones to her place, and I bought a bunch of brand-spanking-new Rogues which will be our permanent collection). I’d feel bad spending on another “vanity purchase” when she (and my parents, and her parents) knows that the proposal is coming, but everyone’s waiting until I have enough money to buy a big enough rock to warrant her hand :slight_smile:

  2. It is likely that within 2 years, I will be moving (not necessarily to a different city, but out of my current residence; my studio apartment is very nice, but would be a very cramped place to begin married life). It’s already going to be enough of a pain to haul my present collection of seven KB’s out of there on top of whatever other stuff. I’m not about to add another (extremely heavy) piece of luggage to the mix. Once we are settled in a semi-permanent residence, I will go ahead and splurge on the Beast.

[quote]Babypowerlifter wrote:
Thanks for the compliment about my log. :slight_smile: I feel like my training is a little all over the place at times and I’m constantly experimenting on myself, but maybe all of that can be helpful for someone reading it. I know I’ve been learning a lot from reading other people’s logs. It’s cool to see what works, what doesn’t work and to see people progress over time.
[/quote]

Your training is all over the place? Have you seen the mess in here?

I agree that reading other logs is good. Whether you train the same way or not, it’s good to be exposed to a variety of different ideas, and the effect of community is absolutely a thing.

[quote]Babypowerlifter wrote:
Thanks for keeping up your log too. :slight_smile: I really like the idea of kettle bell training. You seriously don’t need anything else. I would consider doing the same thing, but I like powerlifting too much to quit using a barbell. :stuck_out_tongue: I actually really missed heavy back squats and deadlifts when my husband and I took time off from barbell training. Now, I kind of do a mix of both and it seems to work for me. :slight_smile:
[/quote]

I made a comment to this effect to dagill just a little while ago. It’s likely that one day the barbell will be re-incorporated, once we move to a bigger place together and my dad gives my allotment of stuff from home (I’ll probably get at least an Oly bar and a set of 20kg and 10kg bumpers to start off, and I’ll cobble together enough small plates to load the thing a bit heavier).

For the time being, the KB is keeping me happy, healthy, and giving me a way to stay fit and push for some strength gains.

For future planning, one big attraction is that (when we have kids) we can avoid the difficulty of needing to split gym time or running time or whatever so one of us is always watching the kids. Little Boy, sit in your crib. Daddy’s going to play with his toys. One day you’ll be allowed to play with these, too. Good? Good.[/quote]

  1. Glad you’re popping the question! That’s exciting! Congratulations!! :smiley: Yeah, that definitely takes precedence over a new kettle bell. :stuck_out_tongue: As a woman, I’m going to totally give unsolicited advice and tell you that women usually care more about being married than how big the rock is. :slight_smile: I’m sure she’ll be thrilled with whatever ring you give her. The important thing is that you love her and you’re marrying her. My husband spent $500 on my ring when we were fresh out of college. We’ve been married for 4 1/2 years and it was the best decision of my life and I’m so glad that he asked me to be his wife. :slight_smile: Anyway, I’m happy for you. :slight_smile:

  2. The moving thing also makes sense. It sounds like you’ll just have to do more reps with the same kettle bell. Sometimes that’s better for training anyway. More volume is usually a good thing.

It sounds like you have a good solid plan as far as training and life goes. I hope you’ll update everyone about your life through this log. :slight_smile: It is a great community.

269

Indeed, I am not at all the materialistic type and she isn’t really either. The price of the rock is certainly secondary to being married. But she’s a LITTLE bit of a princess (not much, but a little) and I have an idea what her expectations are. I won’t have to sell the family farm, so to speak, but I will be putting aside portions of each paycheck for another month or two yet. We’ve been together about a year and a half, and we’ve been talking marriage plans for awhile. Like I said, everyone knows where this is going. I just want to buy a nice ring and surprise her when I do propose. I very much share your belief that the love and marriage matter far more than the ring.

270

Friday 4/10 (PM)

A1. KB Swing 15x88
A2. Lat Pulldown 6x150
A3. Chest Press 6x150

Six rounds.

KB Clean-N-Press 2x88
KB Clean-N-Press 2x88
KB Clean-N-Press 2x88
KB Clean-N-Press 2x88
KB Clean-N-Press 2x88
KB Clean-N-Press 2x88
KB Clean-N-Press 2x88

271

Saturday 4/11

Outdoor KB Workout

Warmup: about 100 KB Swings x 88 (done over 5-6 sets)

Workout: KB Clean-N-Press 2x88 (22 sets, done EMOM)

I love taking a bell outside for a workout. Really enjoyed this.

Taking tomorrow off from KB’s, though. My wrists are a bit sore. I think tomorrow I’ll just get a nice hot yoga class in the morning, come home and watch the final round of the Masters.

272

Sunday 4/12

Bikram Yoga Class (90 Minutes)

Feeling a little beat up today - have really been pushing the heavy KB work last few weeks - so I decided that today would be a yoga class and that’s it. Just laying around and folding laundry and watching the Masters. Will come out tomorrow rested and ready to rock with some clean and pressing.

273

Monday 4/13 (AM)

Warmup: Goblet Squat 10 x 26, 35, 44, 53, 88

A1. Double KB Clean, Squat, Press 1 x 44’s
A2. KB Swing 10 x 88

Ten rounds.

274

[quote]ActivitiesGuy wrote:
The shipping cost gets exponentially greater for something over 100 pounds (my 88 pounder cost $102 plus $25 shipping; buying a 106 from same place, Rogue Fitness, costs $121 plus $116 for shipping?!)

There are two other considerations:

  1. I am saving up for a ring for my fiance-in-waiting[/quote]

Buy ring. Take fiance on road trip to Columbus, OH. Visit Rogue. Propose. Buy KB to celebrate. Win!

275

[quote]LiftingStrumpet wrote:

[quote]ActivitiesGuy wrote:
The shipping cost gets exponentially greater for something over 100 pounds (my 88 pounder cost $102 plus $25 shipping; buying a 106 from same place, Rogue Fitness, costs $121 plus $116 for shipping?!)

There are two other considerations:

  1. I am saving up for a ring for my fiance-in-waiting[/quote]

Buy ring. Take fiance on road trip to Columbus, OH. Visit Rogue. Propose. Buy KB to celebrate. Win!
[/quote]

Ha! Indeed. Good sport though she is, I think I’ll propose to her in a more romantic venue than Columbus, OH.

I have indeed considered just driving to Columbus to pick it up rather than pay the $100-plus for shipping. Come to think of it, I might wait a bit longer until I’m ready to make a couple of purchases (I’m also kicking around the idea of an axel for some clean-and-pressing) and do it all at once. Which means I’d really better save some money.

276

[quote]ActivitiesGuy wrote:
Ha! Indeed. Good sport though she is, I think I’ll propose to her in a more romantic venue than Columbus, OH.
[/quote]

What could be more romantic than a warehouse full of beautiful, American made fitness equipment?! Swoon…

277

[quote]LiftingStrumpet wrote:

[quote]ActivitiesGuy wrote:
Ha! Indeed. Good sport though she is, I think I’ll propose to her in a more romantic venue than Columbus, OH.
[/quote]

What could be more romantic than a warehouse full of beautiful, American made fitness equipment?! Swoon…
[/quote]

Indeed.

I’ve got another thread going where I’m also kicking around the idea of a different toy, such as an axle, keg, or sandbag. Honestly, the prospect of adding axle clean & presses to my kettlebell-centric routine has me really excited. Hmmm…

278

Monday 4/13 (PM)

Outdoor Workout!

KB Snatch 20 x 44
KB Snatch 20 x 44
KB Snatch 20 x 44
KB Snatch 20 x 44
KB Snatch 20 x 44
KB Snatch 20 x 44
KB Snatch 20 x 44
KB Snatch 20 x 44
KB Snatch 20 x 44
KB Snatch 20 x 44
KB Snatch 20 x 44

279

Tuesday 4/14 (AM)

KB Snatch 20x35
KB Snatch 40x35
KB Snatch 60x35
KB Snatch 80x35
KB Snatch 100x35

Probably not ideal to stack a snatch workout back to back with another, but oh well. I will have to be in the office very early tomorrow, which means getting up extra early and probably just some light spinning bike, so I’ll have a day or two off from KB work.

I also must say that once the idea of a stubby axle and some bumper plates crossed my mind, it’s been impossible to remove from my mind. Extra incentive to spend less/save more for the next few weeks and buy that ring…

280

OK. So I’ve been focused-but-unstructured in my training, if that makes any sense. I have managed to stay committed to improving my KB performance as a primary goal, but have occasionally found myself staring at my KB’s with a “So…what should I do today?” thought bubble over my head. I’m OK with that, but might adopt a more structured program for the summer.

I am planning to save money for a few weeks and then buy a Stubbly Axle from Rogue Fitness and obtain some bumper plates (either from my dad at home, or via order to Rogue). I like clean and presses of all kinds, think it would be cool to start doing some work with an axle, and realized that a stubby axle would be ideal size for my limited space (and can be loaded heavy-enough for my purposes).

When I’m able to do that, I may adopt a program along the following lines:

Sunday: Bikram Yoga
Monday: KB Snatch
Tuesday: Easy Cardio (Spinning Bike)
Wednesday: KB Clean & Press
Thursday: KB Snatch
Friday: Easy Cardio (Spinning Bike)
Saturday: Axle Clean & Press

I’ll retain some goblet squats and KB swings in the program as warmups/finishers on the lifting days, so those are not listed in the main programming but will still get some work.