What you’re describing is more a product of the design of your particular log. Basically, the fabricator made the hand cutouts too small/narrow, so your forearms are bumping into the log. I have the same issue with mine, since it’s the cheapest one I could buy. On a better log, you won’t run into it, but I’ve found it beneficial training with terrible equipment and competing with great stuff vs the other way around.
I’ve never had much luck with full on elbow sleeves and overhead pressing. They tend to restrict my forearms too much and cut into my ability to grip the implement, which in turn limits my ability to clean it into place. I like sleeves more with benching. For overhead, I go with more of an elbow cuff. That said, lotta big pressers dig the sleeves, so you gotta figure out what works for you.
@Benanything kettlebell sport is a funny one. Kettlebells as a conditioning tool are great. Kettlebell sport as a conditioning method for a strongman or powerlifter might not be as optimal. Kettlebell sport is massively technical with a steep learning curve, plus its foundations are pretty much the exact opposite to what we do. In a nutshell, kettlebell sport aims to have you maximally relaxed and exerting minimal effort. Everything from breathing onwards is set out to minimise tension in the muscles. Very useful for endurance, not for lifting heavy things.
The other issue is that while you’re highly unlikely to get any major injuries doing kettlebell sport you’re almost guaranteed to pick up minor ones that will hinder you doing strongman and powerlifting. Mainly this will involve tearing your palms, but also possibly bruising your hips and forearms. It takes a while to learn how to grip and transition the bells during the sets without developing blisters and tears. If you’re using kettlebell sport just for conditioning, it will take even longer. The way we grip barbells and implements is drastically different to the way you need to grip a kb, because again the focus is on minimal force exertion and positioning the handle much closer to the fingers.
But, there are a couple of things that you might find useful from the GPP approaches. They aren’t fun, but will help your conditioning.
Jump squats with kb held behind your head. At the end of a session do 100 as fast as possible. Full depth squat and explode upwards making sure to extend the ankles too and get as much height as possible. I’d start with 16 kg. If you’re feeling suicidal use 24 kg.
Essentially Fartlek training. Find a soccer field or running track. Jog three quarters and sprint a quarter. No rests, do this however many times until you’re done. 10 is decent from memory.
This is a homemade one of my own. Get a tyre or sled or prowler. Any of those will work. Stick weight on it until the total is 0.75-1 x bodyweight. Attach harness. Drag for a minute, rest for a minute. Do this for 30 minutes. If you don’t have a harness or sled, replace with squats at the same weight. You can alternate front and squat too, but don’t change the weight.
If you are going to invest time in learning a kettlebell sport event, I’d recommend a hybrid: clean and press. I believe you’re in Singapore, so the go to guy would be Hayati Nufus. He’s done the IKSFA courses and that means he’s been trained by the best coach in the sport Sergey Rudnev.
The reason I say clean and press is because all you’ll need to learn is the clean and rack position. The press is self explanatory. It’s the most physically demanding variant of the competition events but also the least technical.
If you’re sad about being alone on Valentine’s Day, just remember.. Nobody loves you on the other days of the year either.
Well, I thought this was funny considering I was out with a bunch of guys training of Valentine’s Day. Overrated holiday if you ask me but maybe I’m just bitter.
Trained with a log for the second time. Managed to clean and press 85kgs. Technique can use more work as always. Log still being a major pain in the ass, so much for thinking I’ll like it back when I’ve never trained with it before.
Well, I said not exactly… It’s study week(week before exams) and as such my training might be a little all over the place. As long as I get something done, I’m fine with it. I’ve been replacing my 531 main movement, Quasi Conventional Sumo Deadlift, with the rack pull simply cause… Deadlifting with them small plates suck ass. That and I have a axle/tire deadlift comp coming up in early April so might as well get some work in to mimic it so far. This switch is NOT permanent. However, I’m sure this will help get me stronger. Certainly feels so, lower back getting more work in than usual as of late. Oh and as for the actual training session. Chin Ups were… Pretty hard. Must be the log clean & press from yesterday. I would consider this a very efficient training session. Was in the gym for 30 minutes. 10 minutes spent waiting for the rack, used them for the chins. 20 mins for all the rack pull sets.
CYCLE 1, 3+ Week, not exacty, just the accessories
“Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish." - Euripides
Close Grip Bench Press
20kgs x5
40kgs x5
60kgs x3
72.5kgs x4x4 all reps done paused up till this point
72.5kgs x2
62.5kgs x2x4
Clean
40kgs x3
Clean & Jerk
60kgs x3x1
70kgs x6x1
Originally supposed to bench 72.5kgs for 8 sets of 4 and clean&jerk 70kgs for 8 singles but well, I guess I’m kinda tired. Oh and I was pretty convinced I had a “online fitness debate” in real life. Kid was trying to show me the correct way to squat. Thighs above parallel and torso parallel to the ground. Oh and of course he calls himself a crossfitter. Hell, he give’s crossfit a bad name.
“He that fights and runs away, May turn and fight another day; But he that is in battle slain, Will never rise to fight again.” - Tacitus
Squat
20kgs x5
60kgs x5
75kgs x5
87.5kgs x3
110kgs x3
117.5kgs x3
132.5kgs x0 all reps done using high bar and in flip flops, couldn’t get into a low bar position
Originally had a longer workout planned but well, its kinda hard to train when you’re down with a flu.
##19/2/16
##Quick gym session just to get the blood flowing
Anything in life worth doing is worth overdoing. Moderation is for cowards. - Shane Patton
Did a bunch of hang cleans and worked up to a 80kgs hang clean for 1. Kinda hard doing hang cleans with a bent bar with barely rotating collars. Ain’t no excuse though.
Just a random thought, how would one know if they’re actually working hard enough? People be talking about the mentalities of champions and how they’ve never seen someone train that hard before etc etc. Maybe it’s just me but is it odd that I don’t think I’m EVER training hard enough?
I tend to base my thoughts on this by doing the things that I imagine my competition ISN’T doing. When I was in North Dakota, I would train in sub zero temps in my garage, because I figured other folks weren’t doing that. When it’s hot out, I like to train at the hottest part of the day. Pretty much every single time your instincts say not to do something, it’s most likely a sign that DOING it would be what separates you from everyone else.
Of course, this can also result in injuries, illness, death, etc, so it’s a bit of a razor’s edge.
@T3hPwnisher
Thanks for the reply! It is definitely an interesting way of looking at things. Oh and this reminds me, how would you say your philosophical views(from my understanding, you take quite a bit of influence from Nietzsche) have affected your day to day life/training/etc? This seems like a possible video rant topic, just saying. I’ve been starting to read up and watch some videos on philosophy and it is absolutely fascinating, is there any resource you would recommend to a newbie?
Nietzsche’s work definitely resonated with a lot of my thoughts on training, and in turn could be extrapolated to just life. I’ve written explicitly about him in my blog as it relates to lifting (along with Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, and Plato), but for some basics to take away from him.
-He talks about the idea of the “herd mentality”, wherein, in order to preserve itself, humanity tends to clump together on one thought process/morality and do whatever it takes to promote those ideas that preserve the species. This essentially perpetuates mediocrity, because extraordinary humans tend to live by values that would destroy lesser men. This is why attempting to do what everyone else does is a recipe for mediocrity, while doing what everyone else isn’t can result in greatness.
-He is of course famous for “That which does not kill me makes me stronger”, which you can easily apply as needed.
-He coined the notion of the “Will to Power”, which he believes exceeds the will to life/live. Whereas many posited that man/nature was constantly doing whatever it took in order to live/survive the longest, Nietzsche argued that what we observed was simply a byproduct of nature/man doing whatever it took in order to exert and expand it’s power. This meant that many would pursue greater power in SPITE of it’s negative effect on their life.
Honestly, there is a ton of what Nietzsche writes that can be applied to lifting if you go into it wanting to read it that way. As for where to start, it’s hard to say. I’ve only read his original works, as I kind of enjoy the fun that come with unpacking just what the hell he’s trying to say, but it can be a little tough to get at to start. Walter Kaufmann has been my favorite translator so far of Nietzsche, so you might consider picking up one of his books ON Nietzsche to start just to see how he breaks down his philosophy. From there, you could start with the Genealogy of Morals. I’m about halfway down with The Antichrist, and though it’s a critique of Christianity, it starts out real strong with stuff that could apply to the lifting world as well, and it’s a pretty short read too.
And while we’re on the topic of philosophy as it applies to lifting, I’d be remiss if I didn’t throw in just a quick pitch of Machiavelli’s “The Prince”. It’s a classic read, and the biggest takeaway you can get from it as a lifter is that an unwillingness to change your approach to fit your environment is a recipe for disaster. All successful princes were able to change with fortune, and those who did not adapt perished.
Long post, haha. You’ve stumbled onto one of my other passions for sure, but if you’d like to discuss more and are ok with my clogging up your blog, feel free.
@T3hPwnisher
Oh no, I don’t consider this clogging up my blog at all. I would consider this a personal space of sorts for me and having some ramblings on philosophy could somehow brighten the mood(?). I’ll get around to reading your recommendations soon and if I’ve any thoughts/questions, I’ll be sure to hit you up. Thanks brother!
Squatting in knee wraps is still pretty new to me, will take some time to get used to
Snatch
20kgs x3
30kgs x3x1
Maybe did a few 40kgs single but for the most part, didn’t do much. Wrist hurting, shoulder hurting, everything be a pain in the ass.
Well next week gon be my exams so that sucks ass. Probably gonna cut down on gym work for the next week and a half.
Well, fuck me. Decided to start off with some Farmer’s Walks today. Couldn’t even get 100kgs per hand off the floor. Worst still, I’m pretty sure I pulled/strained my lower back or something(possibly worse). Feeling pretty horrid right now, I can barely bend over. Hopefully this does not hold me back for the rest of the week. Oh and internship is starting next week yeah, hopefully it turns out better than last time.
First week of internship over and I gotta say, juggling training and work is pretty hard. Definitely a good learning experience though, I might change up my program a bit so it’ll be easier to manage.