Bodyweight Thoughts on "Convict Conditioning"
- Thread starter Kozushi
- Start date
- Status
Kozushi
Level 7 Valued Member
I think it's a faulty bias to arbitrarily decide to be either bodyweight-only or weights-only. It's more intelligent to weigh the advantages of particular exercises against each other and fit them into your programme.
The one arm pushup is the best pressing exercise I can do in my house, so I am going to do it.
Nothing beats the one arm swings and getups for all round physical preparation. Whenever I don't do those for a while my body falls apart. My lower back in particular gets terribly achy, I get fat and feel like crap in spite of maintaining great strength through other moves like the one arm pushup and pistols.
Weights strengthen tendons and bones too, not just bodyweight exercises.
Hands were created to grip things.
These are some other thoughts I've had after reading the book.
The one arm pushup is the best pressing exercise I can do in my house, so I am going to do it.
Nothing beats the one arm swings and getups for all round physical preparation. Whenever I don't do those for a while my body falls apart. My lower back in particular gets terribly achy, I get fat and feel like crap in spite of maintaining great strength through other moves like the one arm pushup and pistols.
Weights strengthen tendons and bones too, not just bodyweight exercises.
Hands were created to grip things.
These are some other thoughts I've had after reading the book.
Antti
Level 10 Valued Member
I agree on your points on bodyweights vs weights.
There are always some limitations to the movement selection. The best thing we can do is make the most intelligent decisions from the options we have.
It is perfectly possible to be very fit and 100% happy and only do bodyweight movements. However, it is vain to think that it is the end all of exercises, and that bodyweight is the correct choice for all goals.
I think one of the top things of the S&S program is that the movements are not only some of the best movements around, but truly best done on a kettlebell instead of with bodyweight or with a barbell. They really are the best bang for your kettlebell buck. And I think everybody should be proficient and comfortable with the movements. They benefit everyone. Getting a set of kettlebells and training with them is very worthwhile for just S&S.
However, I think that it's only sensible to explore and benefit from other training modalities. Why limit ourselves arbitrarily? Why not strive for the best we can, within our limitations?
Kozushi
Level 7 Valued Member
Yes, I was questing for other moves right from the start of S&S. I came upon the ROP system and started using some of these moves too - the C&P especially but I did try out the snatch. I do think that to be truly "all-powerful", being able to press is VERY IMPORTANT, so I took the C&P quite seriously. Then I did some math and looked at human physiology and realized that the one arm pushup loads terrifically more weight on the arm and also that a forward push develops far more and far bigger muscles than an overhead press, so I'm currently using the one arm pushup for my pressing needs. However, we'll see where I go with this in the future. The TGU is a spectacularly brilliant training move and it incorporates many of the charms of bodyweight exercises too. Interestingly, I haven't found a use for the snatch in my training, and I don't do pullups - can't find a point for them, even though I spent my youth doing pullups. I definitely spend a decent amount of time walking in the neighbourhood for exercise.
@Antti, there was a time when we required students at our bodyweight and barbell certs to already be SFGs because the SFG is where we teach the principles; the other certs are where we apply those principles to different exercise modalities. I don't honestly know if we still have that requirement but the logic makes sense. The kettlebell is the most accessible mode of exercise we have, and therefore the best place, all other things being equal, to learn about strength and begin implementing it for yourself and for your students in you're a teacher.
-S-
-S-
pet'
Level 8 Valued Member
Hello,
@Kozushi
As far as bells are concerned, I found alll I needed with swings and bent presses.
Otherwise, I only use bodyweight: one arm chin up, one arm one leg pull up, pistols, hspu, dragon flags, lots of "flows" (animal walks with balance poses, strength moves). Basically, if a move does not serve either my health (can injure me, does not make me stronger and more endurant, etc...) or my purposes, I skip it.
I want my training as natural and instinctive as possible
Kind regards,
Pet'
@Kozushi
As far as bells are concerned, I found alll I needed with swings and bent presses.
Otherwise, I only use bodyweight: one arm chin up, one arm one leg pull up, pistols, hspu, dragon flags, lots of "flows" (animal walks with balance poses, strength moves). Basically, if a move does not serve either my health (can injure me, does not make me stronger and more endurant, etc...) or my purposes, I skip it.
I want my training as natural and instinctive as possible
Kind regards,
Pet'
Kozushi
Level 7 Valued Member
You're an amazing athlete!
I don't think any of us know what "natural" means though. Are antibiotics "natural" - I say, "yes". Barbells? Also, "yes". Everything we do is natural because we are a part of nature.
Kozushi
Level 7 Valued Member
Swinging weights and lifting weights are also natural. People have hands for a reason.
Kozushi
Level 7 Valued Member
Why BnP over TGU? I'm curious. You know what you're doing. The TGU to me seems like God's exercise.
pet'
Level 8 Valued Member
Hello,
@Kozushi
I do BnP because S&S does not have a press, but I still wanted to work on abs, back and spine flexibility. Plus, I can do a lunge right after the BnP if I want to keep working this skill.
BnP also stretches me very well, especially the shoulders.
I maintain leg strength and conditioning the swings.
Kind regards,
Pet'
@Kozushi
I do BnP because S&S does not have a press, but I still wanted to work on abs, back and spine flexibility. Plus, I can do a lunge right after the BnP if I want to keep working this skill.
BnP also stretches me very well, especially the shoulders.
I maintain leg strength and conditioning the swings.
Kind regards,
Pet'
Antti
Level 10 Valued Member
I agree about the TGU.
Regarding presses I prefer an overhead press myself. It too uses the whole body and I find the movement more natural.
Antti
Level 10 Valued Member
If I remember correctly either a kettlebell course or a certification is still required for the other fields. I have no experience of any of them, living where I do with the means that I have, but I have read about them.
The kettlebell is my #1 choice for GPP. Basic kettlebell moves are an excellent starting point on the road to strength, and also a home base to always come back to. It is only natural that the other principles are taught along them.
the hansenator
Level 6 Valued Member
In some cases, it's all about accessibility too.
Bench press isn't available to me, I don't have a bench, so I do pushup variations. Also, handstand pushups aren't available to me either, I don't have a wall to practice them, but I can bring a dumbbell or kettlebell up to the living room for overhead presses.
pet'
Level 8 Valued Member
Hello,
This is why I often look for some bodyweight alternatives in cases I do not have my bell (travels, etc...). Portability is crucial: anywhere anytime. For instance, I recently figured out that Hindu push ups and Hindu squats. Massive amount of both (200) with minimum rest, it gives a huge conditioning while maintain flexibility.
As soon as one knows "training principles" and have clear goals, it is easy to change exercises and programs.
Kind regards,
Pet'
+1
This is why I often look for some bodyweight alternatives in cases I do not have my bell (travels, etc...). Portability is crucial: anywhere anytime. For instance, I recently figured out that Hindu push ups and Hindu squats. Massive amount of both (200) with minimum rest, it gives a huge conditioning while maintain flexibility.
As soon as one knows "training principles" and have clear goals, it is easy to change exercises and programs.
Kind regards,
Pet'
Kozushi
Level 7 Valued Member
Well, one big difference for me is that when I don't have my kettlebells I get kind of fat, which I don't like.
pet'
Level 8 Valued Member
Hello,
@Kozushi
Do you naturally store fat ?
Compounds such as push ups and squats works well if you control diet at the same time. I went some time in Corsica and eat at almost every meal (to test) local cheeses and cold meats. Then I simply walked a lot and dived (+ compounds and OAOL PU / Pistols). I did not gain weigh doing so.
Kind regards,
Pet'
@Kozushi
Do you naturally store fat ?
Compounds such as push ups and squats works well if you control diet at the same time. I went some time in Corsica and eat at almost every meal (to test) local cheeses and cold meats. Then I simply walked a lot and dived (+ compounds and OAOL PU / Pistols). I did not gain weigh doing so.
Kind regards,
Pet'
Looking at each page's Requirements, it looks like either a kettlebell course or a kettlebell certification is required prior to SFL, but not SFB.
- Status