Kickin' It In Gear

I've started some workouts the past couple days that will lead my progression towards passing the snatch test for the RKC. I had a basic idea, but looked to Tim Anderson (RKC II) for guidance/approval. Basically, my plan is to test where I'm at now and go from there. I'm keep track of my progress in a notebook, but not really laying out a plan. Since I don't have a ton of time, I'm going to modify my workouts based on the daily progress I am making. Now that I'm satisfied with my quality, I'm going for quantity.

I tested myself, and one minute of two-handed swings seem to suffice for making sets. So yesterday I did three sets of swings with the 24kg for one minute each. On the last set I had to set it down at thirty seconds, and then continue for another thirty after about a ten second rest. So my goal on my next swing workout will be to make the full three minutes worth with only the rest between sets. I know that my forearm/grip strength is where my weakness lies.

Today I did 100 snatches in increments with the 35 pound kettlebell. I did ten each hand to start with for warm-up, and then did twenty per hand for two more sets. I took a one minute rest between sets. I used a cloth glove to help work on my grip, plus save my hands. That workout didn't tax me too much, but was tiring. After that set and a rest, I attempted to snatch the 24kg. I got 5 and 3 with the right hand, but didn't fare so well with the left. With the left hand I was able to snatch it, but coming back down on the hike pass I was not able to hold on to the kettlebell. So basically, it got hiked. Another problem I had with the right hand was that I found myself trying to "catch" the weight by squatting towards the last snatches. I'll fix that issue later by only doing a few at a time and concentrating on technique.

So that's it, the first couple days of my workouts working towards quantity. Mainly 100 snatches in five minutes with the 24kg. I'll get there. On a side note, for you country music fans out there, Justin Moore's new cd is great. Enjoy your day.

Getting Started

Creating this blog has several purposes for me. One of these is to get myself out there as a person available for personal training, another would be to share some of my experiences to help others in their path to fitness. I've also started it to document my progress towards my RKC (Russian Kettlebell Challenge) Certification. I am a certified Battling Ropes instructor, and am available for training in that system. It is an awesome and challenging system. It was through my Battling Ropes certification that I came to know some RKC instructors who turned me on to the finer points of kettlebells and the RKC. I was already interested in learning more about kettlebells because of working with them in CrossFit workouts. The problem was that I wasn't receiving the technical instruction I wanted on the finer points of kettlebells. I have since been introduced to Tim Anderson RKC II and his attention to detail and the minute details of kettlebell movements have helped me greatly and started me on the road to achieving my own RKC certification. I have trained people in physical fitness for years and been very successful at it. I am purposefully staying away from too many personal details about my life in this blog, but trust me, I am very well qualified and tested in the benefits of physical fitness. I hope that those who follow this blog will find it interesting and helpfull. If anyone out there is interested in some training, just email me at chadraysfitness@gmail.com