2008/05/31 - Being a jerk(er) on an off day

I was supposed to have an off day today but what the hell, a few jerks and swings cannot hurt. Tomorrow will DEFINITELY have to be an off day.

Z NWU 1
O/A Jerk (24kg): 4 minutes @ 7rpm (one switch): 28
O/A Jerk (16kg): 4 minutes @ 9rpm (one switch): 36
Swings (32kg): 3 x 10R/10L: 60

Yoga and Qigong for 20 minutes.

I'm glad I rediscovered yoga and now also the qigong. My new way of kettlebell training and the addition of joint mobility work, yoga and energy work is shifting my whole attitude towards training. Yes, it still is about getting stronger, leaner and fitter but the more important part is that it is becoming about living a generally better, healthier and more meaningful life. This stuff really is about reclaiming myself.

2008/05/30 - Snatch training

I am really enjoying the GS style of training but I have a long way to go. I have made progress fast over the past 4 weeks and am keen to see where I'll be in another month.

Snatch (16kg): 6 minutes @ 15rpm x 5 and 12rpm x 1 (2,2,1,1): 87
Snatch (16kg): 2 minutes @ 15rpm: 30
Jerk (24kg): 2 minutes @ 7 rpm: 14
Squats (24kg): 4x5
Yoga for 15 minutes.

I'm really glad I've started incorporating yoga into my training. My lower back is usually very tight after snatches or swings but the yoga seems to be sorting the problem out.

2005/05/29 - Jerk day

Z NWU 1 as warm up.

OAJ (16kg): 4 minutes @ 9rpm: 36 (one hand switch)
OAJ (24kg): 4 minutes @ 7 rpm: 28 (hand switches on the minute)
Swings (32kg): 3x10R/10L: 60

15 minutes of Yoga to end the session.

Under Catherine Imes' guidance I decided to incorporate the 24kg into my jerk training. My goal currently with the 24 is 4 minutes at 8rpm with only one hand change.

GS and Yoga

Training for today:
Z NWU1
Snatch (16kg): 8 minutes @ 12rpm: 96 (hand switches every minute).
Snatch (24kg): 2 minutes @ 9rpm: 18 (hand switch on the minute).
GS Squats: 2x5 with 24kg.
Iyengar Yoga for 15 minutes.
Because of Steve Cotter's inspiration I've decided to make my training more holistic and incorporate Yoga and Qigong into my training. These "soft" methods help me to stay relaxed and also keep my energy up.

2008-05-25: Hard style / fluid style

I haven't posted for a while. In the last 3 weeks or so I've shifted from using ETK / RKC methods to the GS style of kettlebell lifting. This came about because of some chats I've had with Steve Cotter on facebook. I came to the conclusion that your own body is the ultimate laborotory. At the moment I'm using this instrument (my body) to test the effects of GS style training. The experiment calls for going back to absolute basics. In stead of constantly pushing towards heavier weights I've decided to go back to the 16kg kettlebell in order to see how far I can take my body with this relatively light weight (light because I can currently press the 40kg without too much strain.) On my first day of GS training it was a struggle to jerk the 16kg non stop for 4 minutes. I'm now up to 8 minutes (a total of 72 reps) after just three weeks of training. I've decided to stick to this protocol for a while because it seems to be "healthier" for my body for now. My joints and tendons feel better and I'm experiencing an increase in overall well-being rather than feeling constantly sore. My thoughts on mastering a certain weight is shifting away from the ability to press a heavy weight once towards being able to work with that weight for an extended time period. Only when able to maintain a certain work ratio will I feel that I've owned the weight.