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Kettlebell S&S 2.0 out now on kindle

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Bauer

Bauer

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Hey everyone, S&S 2.0 has just been published on kindle:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZQKWMKR/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_6kxUDbFN1M3E2

I have had a quick read.

First of all: Congrats @Anna C and @Pavel Macek , you deserve it :)

A couple of notes on the changes--while trying not to give away too much.

The book has been revised very thoroughly and there a changes to almost every chapter as far as I can see. S&S 2.0 is much more clear on the talk test and prescribes a more patient approach. Further, the suggested progression is much more detailed - and yet really simple. It is still an oldschool template without waviness - but 2H swings get way more exposure. And rest-pause is introduced. Pretty cool! There a couple of finer technique points added. The timed tests are introduced differently. There are no special plans to get to sinister - so following @Pavel Macek 's log is still a great idea. ;-) 8kg jumps for gents are highly encouraged - and the recommended starting weight for swings has been lowered for men.

All in all it is very true to S&S 1.0. In some cases it is just more clear (don't do timed sessions every day) and in some cases there are some new adaptations (dont't even test before you achieve Timeless Simple). I think the revision was a successfull endeavour. A lot of the info will not come as a surprise to those who have been following this forum or the articles on S&S - like the central roll of the talk test. But it is nice to see it introduced more strongly in the book itself. And I don't mind spending an extra 10 bucks on it. Imagine trying to find a personal trainer writing a customized program for you - it will hardly be any better and cost a lot more. S&S 2.0 will deliver.

Personally it comes in timely and I will use it from now on.

I hope I could do the book justice and haven't spoilered too much while answering some of the more likely questions.
 
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Yes! I read it quickly this morning, will read more thoroughly again later.

I really like the Timeless Simple concept, and the more detailed training progression.

My father-in-law (66) will be happy to hear about these changes. He struggled with the time test fixation, could never really get there. Now I can tell him to focus (first) on owning the daily volume at a given rate at talk-test intervals, and working that up in weight. Only once at 32kg for both (a great strength base, especially for someone his age), look at taking on the Simple Challenge.
 
Yes, love the timeless concept!

If I understand correctly it takes about 20 weeks at least to fully progress to the next bell each time (24 for the first bell), correct?
So if you start with a 24 on swings and 16 on TGU they will not likely ever catch up to timeless simple for both unless you wait on swings for the 20 weeks for TGU to catch up?
Correct?

(not judging, just making sure I understand it)
 
@ClaudeR I may have mis-read it on a quick read, but I believe it talks about going faster if able (?).

I started my entire “fitness journey” with S&S, with 16kg. I had no trouble systematically progressing (building out heavier sets in the regular practice) up to 32kg for both, in about 5 months; what made it (achieving Simple proper) take longer than that was first trying to get the time standard with 24kg before fully moving on to 32kg, and then struggling for a few months to compress the rest periods on both the swings and get-ups at 32kg.

I also did more EMOM type work than I should have, again with a fixation on the time standard. In retrospect - especially after a 3-month heavy A+A snatch cycle last fall - I realize (and this revision further articulates) that the emphasis on consistent power repeats is the special sauce, not a test.
 
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ClaudeR said:
Yes, love the timeless concept!

If I understand correctly it takes about 20 weeks at least to fully progress to the next bell each time (24 for the first bell), correct?
So if you start with a 24 on swings and 16 on TGU they will not likely ever catch up to timeless simple for both unless you wait on swings for the 20 weeks for TGU to catch up?
Correct?

(not judging, just making sure I understand it)
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Yes, except for experienced girviks or strength athletes.
 
This is a good quote from near the end (emphasis added):
Once you own Simple, it will be easy to maintain what you have worked hard and long to reach with two talk-test regulated S&S sessions a week, plus an occasional three-week peak. Be content maintaining a level of all-around fitness most people will never approach - and do it with a minimal time investment.
Click to expand...

In that section he also advises after Timeless Simple to take a "detour into barbell strength", specifically deadlift, military press, and squat, to make the Beast (48kg) feel like a toy if/when you revisit S&S to continue working up the weight past 32kg (for men).

I started deadlifting for the first time the summer after I had worked up to 32kg as my work weight for swings and getups over the previous winter/spring, while I was trying to compress the rest periods to get the time standard. I have really enjoyed my deadlift development since then (and other experience with the other barbell lifts), and I do credit S&S for a solid strength and power foundation for that work.
 
Are all the days 100 swings and 10 getups still or do you jump up to say 120 and dosn to 80 some days now?
 
Love 2.0 Answered so many questions, especially with progression. I also love the idea of 2 handed swings with the same weight every 2-3 days. At 49, I'm stronger than I've ever been and I used to bang out Crossfit Wods 3-4 times a week. Until I got hurt........

Simple actually became simple to understand.
 
Thanks for the review @Bauer. Good to see they cleared up some of the misunderstandings in 1.0. There’s no telling how many people started the program and quickly gave up because they tried to meet the time standard every workout. I’ll hold out for the hardcopy but for now it says the paperback version is currently unavailable and there’s no option to add it to your cart. I guess they sold out of the first run.
 
Hasbro said:
Thanks for the review @Bauer There’s no telling how many people started the program and quickly gave up because they tried to meet the time standard every workout.
Click to expand...
If Reddit is any indication, it seems nearly everyone misunderstood 1.0 in this way.

I don’t know anyone “in real life” who does/has done S&S, but I was just explaining it to someone the other day (before I saw these changes), who does the HIIT class type thing, and struggling to articulate it. This revision is much easier to communicate and frankly “sell” to someone looking to get stronger with just one tool. Like, if you are not able or interested in using barbells, this revision will get someone quite strong when you focus on strength and power and not a “performance”.
 
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