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Kettlebell Double (uneven) Kettlebells

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Out of curiosity: Would it matter much to use double uneven kettle bells, if the difference is only 4 kg ?

I use intermediate kettle bells ranging from 16 to 40 kg, at some point I will start using double bells. I'd rather use uneven bells then having to buy even more bells to even them out. Is there anyone out here using uneven weights for double KB programs with success ? Let me know :)
 
I have.
But only for grinds like FSQ or press. Just switch the KBs after every set to keep the work balanced.

Pavel somewhere said that you should stay away from something like uneven double snatches.
On the other hand in RotK you're supposed to use uneven KBs and get the KBs overhead by doing a double snatch before your C&Ps. Then again it's only one double snatch and when you're doing it you're supposed to be relatively fresh, because it's always at the beginning of a ladder.

IMO uneven KBs are fine for something like Kettlebell STRONG, but I'd stay away from complexes, especially complexes that use double snatches and that have you work under fatigue. So I'd definitely avoid something like KB Muscle.
 
Kettlebelephant said:
I have.
But only for grinds like FSQ or press. Just switch the KBs after every set to keep the work balanced.

Pavel somewhere said that you should stay away from something like uneven double snatches.
On the other hand in RotK you're supposed to use uneven KBs and get the KBs overhead by doing a double snatch before your C&Ps. Then again it's only one double snatch and when you're doing it you're supposed to be relatively fresh, because it's always at the beginning of a ladder.

IMO uneven KBs are fine for something like Kettlebell STRONG, but I'd stay away from complexes, especially complexes that use double snatches and that have you work under fatigue. So I'd definitely avoid something like KB Muscle.
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Thx, much appreciated.
 
I LOVE uneven doubles, especially for front squats. the only ballistic I would do is double cleans. just try and treat them like they weight the same. I've strapped 2 2kilo plates on my kettlebells to make them even. though I like uneven bells for front squats.
 
I think uneven bells are perfectly fine for front squats and presses.
To a certain extend even for doible swings.
But I would def not use them for snatches.
 
Shawn90 said:
Out of curiosity: Would it matter much to use double uneven kettle bells, if the difference is only 4 kg ?

I use intermediate kettle bells ranging from 16 to 40 kg, at some point I will start using double bells. I'd rather use uneven bells then having to buy even more bells to even them out. Is there anyone out here using uneven weights for double KB programs with success ? Let me know :)
Click to expand...

Shawn, Pavel's book Return of the Kettlebell has a very detailed section about using 2 different bells in double kettlebell programs. Good stuff.
 
Pavel Macek said:
Shawn, Pavel's book Return of the Kettlebell has a very detailed section about using 2 different bells in double kettlebell programs. Good stuff.
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Yes I have read it. Speaking of ROTK.. Are there any reviews about it ? On this forum I only read about Neupert's programs.
Anyone done ROTK ?
 
I believe that @Mark Limbaga has done it (if I'm wrong my bad)
I've read ROTK and I can say that its to0 advanced for me, and maybe a lot of people on the forum. I think for ROTK to be effective you have to either hit 1/2 of your bodyweight or be close. Personally I wouldn't take it one until I could do 32 maybe 28kg for sets of 6-8. also ROTK has a mean goal "press your body weight" but its in part a hypertrophy program so that number would keep going up... its kinda brilliant! Evil but brilliant.:)
 
Maine-ah KB said:
I believe that @Mark Limbaga has done it (if I'm wrong my bad)
I've read ROTK and I can say that its to0 advanced for me, and maybe a lot of people on the forum. I think for ROTK to be effective you have to either hit 1/2 of your bodyweight or be close. Personally I wouldn't take it one until I could do 32 maybe 28kg for sets of 6-8. also ROTK has a mean goal "press your body weight" but its in part a hypertrophy program so that number would keep going up... its kinda brilliant! Evil but brilliant.:)
Click to expand...

You're supposed to be able to press 1/2 bw and 200 snatches in 10 minutes with 24kg. I will do ROP before I touch a double-KB program, but I can already press 1/2 bw (32kg) even though I'm still working on Simple. However I'm bored out of my mind and often tend to day-dream about how it would be to work with double bells. Plus it can't harm to gather information at forehand. PLUS this forum is full of experienced gireviks. Nothing more valuable than experience :D

So uneven bells for grinds are NP but for ballistics, rather not. Oke... You guy's mention ROTK. But I can't find any 'review' about ROTK. It's all about Geoff Neupert's programs.

@Mark Limbaga
I'm curious about ROTK, what it would give in terms of strength. How this kind of strength carries over to the real-world. And ofc. if it is a good muscle building program.
 
If you are after strength, the best double bell programs that have worked for me and the other Filipino SFGs are KB strong phase 1,and plan701a by Hector Gutierrez jr

I would also recommend "the wolf" from more kettlebell muscle then chase it down with the total tension complex
 
My ROTK comments I found from other posts...

What programme are you currently doing (and why?)


I think that link above sums up my my thoughts pretty well.

So I ended up doing rotk from Jan and ended it in April or May (I'm traveling in Vancouver and don't have my notebook on me). I worked up to 36 and 32 kg bells. I tried playing with the 40 kg and 32kg bell somewhat, but it is just too heavy for me right now. I especially struggle with the double snatch. I can do it, but I am having to try too hard for a workout. FYI, these weights are for the GRIND block only. For the BALLISTIC block, I had to use much lighter weights. Mostly because of my endurance. 10 reps of LCCJ with a 32 and 28 (or 24) bell was close to my limit. I would run out of gas. So I am more advanced at the GRIND block.

Did I follow the program 100%? Not really. I never pushed "density" or time, as the program calls for. I took as much time as I wanted to recover in between sets. This, in my opinion, made the program a little bit more "park bench" then it is intended to be.

Results. I did gain a few lbs as I mentioned before. Also, I got stronger at pressing. But mainly I improved or maintained my general fitness level. I think the LCCJ volume improved my endurance. I did not conduct the 2 tests listed in the book, but I have an inkling of where I would stand.

After RoTK, I took 1 or 2 weeks off and I freestyled it (barbell plus kb) for a month or 2 and really focused on my nutrition and fat loss. I did very little exercising, I tried to do as little as possible. Then about 5 weeks ago I started a 20 week power lifting program. I am going to lift at a meet in November (for the first time).

I have owned RoTK book for years and I am glad to finally have tried the program. Do I recommend the program to others? Yes, if they are ready and can handle heavier bells above 24 kg. This program will make you strong!! Will I ever do this program again? Maybe... It is a fine program and works, but I think I can get the same benefits (or very close to it) with a simpler, more minimalistic, program, that is easier on my body. Something like ETK+.

There is something magical about double kettlebells. I will always work in a program of this at least once per year.
 
Something like 24&20 work well together. I use these days mostly competion kettlebells so only diffence is weight. Size is same.
 
I own almost a full set but don't fancy doubling up, I'm using uneven bells for DKBFS and while the first few run throughs felt a little odd, I don't really register them as differing weights once I'm squatting they blend into one. That's only a 4kg difference the next will be 8 so this may be different.
 
Nothing wrong with uneven bells, and even arguably some advantages.

But I just hate the feel, so I never use them. I'd never even consider doing a program like ROTK.
 
Uneven double's I've found (at least for front squats) have a big advantage for moving up in weight. I can do double 28s but double 32s aren't there yet. 24+32 can be done, it weighs the same as double 28s. the idea is your getting use to cleaning and racking a 32. work your way up to 28+32 and then 32+32. Its simple but it works, read it in ROKT, which I haven't done but the kindle version was such a good deal on amazon.
 
I heartily endorse different double weights for swings, cleans, presses, and especially farmers' walks. When lifting "real life" stuff how often do you carefully weigh out each hand's load ? ? ? Exactly! Get used to different weights in each hand and you are better prepared for having to move potentially heavy things in an emergency or when simply helping out.

I like the different weight farmers' walks because they work your lateral stability.
 
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