Kettlebell Workout Programs To Match Your Level on the Pyramid:
https://chasingstrength.com/which-kettlebell-workout-program-is-right-for-me/I got an email the other day from a disappointed customer.
He purchased one of my toughest kettlebell products – full of double kettlebell complexes – and he struggled to complete one of the programs with his selected pair, so he completed it with a single 20kg.
Then, he did the same thing again with a single KB program –
He selected a bell that was too heavy to complete that program.
His results?Disappointment.
So, he emailed me and asked me if he should use “X weight” or “Y weights” and how he should proceed.
Before I tell you exactly what I told him, let’s have a quick, yet incredibly important “training philosophy” review.
Strength, like playing the piano, is a skill.
It takes practice.
It can’t be rushed.
There’s no app to download and no easy button to push.
If you are ignorant of this fact, or choose to ignore it –
You will at best be disappointed with your progress…
And at worst injure yourself.
Both breed unnecessary frustration, discouragement, and disappointment.
So, that’s why I created this 5 Level Pyramid of Kettlebell Training.
If you’re new to strength training and / or new to kettlebell training, start at Level 1.
Nail those skills down and climb the pyramid as you do.
My customer apparently was new to kettlebell training and not as strong as he thought he was.
He started at Level 5.
Hence his disappointment.
However, it was compounded even further.
Let me explain.
If you set out to bake a chocolate cake, but ignored the instructions, would you be shocked if your cake didn’t turn out right?
In this day and age some people would be.
But you and both know they shouldn’t.
They simply chose not to follow the directions – either accidentally or willfully.
So when this gentleman said “should I use X weight” or “Y weights” for “Z program”?
I said –
“I don’t know.”
“Are those weights the prescribed RMs for the programs?”
“If not, you need to find your RMs.”
Then I gave him the following guidance:
“I’d like to see you complete the program with a single 24kg before moving on to doubles.”
Which is the click here bare minimum I recommend being able to use for the Level 1 and 2 exercises before progressing to Level 4 exercises.
Remember, strength is a skill.
And whatever enthusiasm you have to train and progress, must be tempered with mindfulness and attention to detail.
The single kettlebell work found in Levels 1–3 builds the strength and conditioning needed to train with the double kettlebell work found in Levels 4 and 5.
By short-circuiting the process – inadvertently or otherwise, you handicap your current and future progress – your “GAINZZZ”.
So, just remember, to avoid “workout disappointment,” select the right skill level for your kettlebell training and work on practicing the Skill of Strength.
When you do, not only will you get stronger faster than you normally would using traditional / popular workouts for men over 40 (“Bootcamp Beatdown” for example)...
You’ll also build muscle, burn off some unwanted “fluff”, increase your stamina, and improve your health.
And as a result of that, you’ll find it’s easier to stay consistent with your workouts and motivated by your progress.
Hope this helps.
Stay Strong,
Geoff