John Grahill
Level 8 Valued Member
Well, as to the clean technique, I strongly encourage picking up "Kettlebell Strong" ..... it's a great go to guide.
Just take your time, it comes eventually.
Kettlebell "Giant 1.0"
- Thread starter John Grahill
- Start date
Just take your time, it comes eventually.
BrianCF
Level 7 Valued Member
Chalk and do it on the lawn.
Gypsyplumber
Level 7 Valued Member
I’m currently running week 3 of the giant 1.0. I’m able to do up to 100 reps with double 24s on my heaviest days and normally I’m hitting around 80 reps. I love the program but was wondering if anyone whose done it before noticed a drop off in their squats at all after doing only clean and presses for a few months (for those who cycled it more than once)? I’m already wondering what my next move will be, either another variation of the giant or the moving target complex.
barrak
Level 6 Valued Member
So today was my first Giant 1.1 8-rep day with a pair of 16s. I was surprised how smooth and easy it went... for a cautious 48 reps total. It was easier than my first 6-rep day in Giant 1.0 for the same total rep count!
I did start MAF walk/run sessions during off-Giant days two weeks ago, after not running for over 30 years. Could this aerobic capacity minimal gain so far have been in play?
I did start MAF walk/run sessions during off-Giant days two weeks ago, after not running for over 30 years. Could this aerobic capacity minimal gain so far have been in play?
Eyetic
Level 6 Valued Member
Well building Zone 2 takes much more than 2 weeks, I believe you just got better, stronger and more efficient after the first cycle of 1.0.
IMayAgainKnowChris
Level 5 Valued Member
I got a funny one…. My final day of 1.1 and since I had been going hard I figured I’d make it a deload week before 1.2. So sets of 6 today and I said “I’ll just do 20 min and not push too hard. Well I ended up actually getting 1 more set than last week which was my “go hard” week. Wasn’t even pushing. What the hell?
MikeTheBear
Level 6 Valued Member
So I decided to join in the fun and bought a copy - it's only $20. I think @John Grahill has earned a commission from Mr. Neupert for his marketing efforts. 
I would not have thought of purchasing the program were it not for this thread.
I intend to add some squats to the program simply because for me squats are necessary. Back in 2000 I wanted to get back into lifting but I had a busy job and a new baby so I went on a minimalist program of clean and push press (I used a barbell as I hadn't yet bought KBs) and back squats. It wasn't really an organized program as I just worked up to an easy single in both lifts. Also, my clean at the time was more of a "power upright row from the floor" kind of thing as I hadn't received any instruction other than from the Internet (which at that time was minimal). I don't even think I made contact with the bar on my thighs, that's how bad it was. Ran this 3x per week. Despite having crappy clean technique and no programming to speak of I made the best progress in gaining strength that I had ever made. My bench press and deadlift both went up and I didn't even train those lifts. Since then the clean and "overhead" (press, push press, or jerk depending on the weight) has been my favorite exercise.
I'm hoping to gain some conditioning with The Giant given that this program is based on repetitions. I'll see how to fit the squat into all of this and post my solution to those who are interested.
I would not have thought of purchasing the program were it not for this thread.I intend to add some squats to the program simply because for me squats are necessary. Back in 2000 I wanted to get back into lifting but I had a busy job and a new baby so I went on a minimalist program of clean and push press (I used a barbell as I hadn't yet bought KBs) and back squats. It wasn't really an organized program as I just worked up to an easy single in both lifts. Also, my clean at the time was more of a "power upright row from the floor" kind of thing as I hadn't received any instruction other than from the Internet (which at that time was minimal). I don't even think I made contact with the bar on my thighs, that's how bad it was. Ran this 3x per week. Despite having crappy clean technique and no programming to speak of I made the best progress in gaining strength that I had ever made. My bench press and deadlift both went up and I didn't even train those lifts. Since then the clean and "overhead" (press, push press, or jerk depending on the weight) has been my favorite exercise.
I'm hoping to gain some conditioning with The Giant given that this program is based on repetitions. I'll see how to fit the squat into all of this and post my solution to those who are interested.
John Grahill
Level 8 Valued Member
Ha ha ha. Welcome to the madness Mike!So I decided to join in the fun and bought a copy - it's only $20. I think @John Grahill has earned a commission from Mr. Neupert for his marketing efforts.
I intend to add some squats to the program simply because for me squats are necessary. Back in 2000 I wanted to get back into lifting but I had a busy job and a new baby so I went on a minimalist program of clean and push press (I used a barbell as I hadn't yet bought KBs) and back squats. It wasn't really an organized program as I just worked up to an easy single in both lifts. Also, my clean at the time was more of a "power upright row from the floor" kind of thing as I hadn't received any instruction other than from the Internet (which at that time was minimal). I don't even think I made contact with the bar on my thighs, that's how bad it was. Ran this 3x per week. Despite having crappy clean technique and no programming to speak of I made the best progress in gaining strength that I had ever made. My bench press and deadlift both went up and I didn't even train those lifts. Since then the clean and "overhead" (press, push press, or jerk depending on the weight) has been my favorite exercise.
I'm hoping to gain some conditioning with The Giant given that this program is based on repetitions. I'll see how to fit the squat into all of this and post my solution to those who are interested.
No commission needed for me from Geoff or this guy named "Mike the Bear" who wrote a great book with a compilation of complexes!! ?
I'm starting another round tomorrow with the clean and push press! Need to take off some pudge and gain some strength endurance back!
Steve W.
Level 8 Valued Member
BrianCF
Level 7 Valued Member
Welcome to the team, Mike!So I decided to join in the fun and bought a copy - it's only $20. I think @John Grahill has earned a commission from Mr. Neupert for his marketing efforts.
I intend to add some squats to the program simply because for me squats are necessary. Back in 2000 I wanted to get back into lifting but I had a busy job and a new baby so I went on a minimalist program of clean and push press (I used a barbell as I hadn't yet bought KBs) and back squats. It wasn't really an organized program as I just worked up to an easy single in both lifts. Also, my clean at the time was more of a "power upright row from the floor" kind of thing as I hadn't received any instruction other than from the Internet (which at that time was minimal). I don't even think I made contact with the bar on my thighs, that's how bad it was. Ran this 3x per week. Despite having crappy clean technique and no programming to speak of I made the best progress in gaining strength that I had ever made. My bench press and deadlift both went up and I didn't even train those lifts. Since then the clean and "overhead" (press, push press, or jerk depending on the weight) has been my favorite exercise.
I'm hoping to gain some conditioning with The Giant given that this program is based on repetitions. I'll see how to fit the squat into all of this and post my solution to those who are interested.
I've kept all the double kettlebell front squat on the shelf. For me, I don't feel my shoulders need any more fatigue.
That being said, I feel doing pulls on off days (pullups, rows, light band pullaparts) has helped me.
2nd week of 1.2 did 11 sets of 9 in 27:27. Felt great when I was finished.
barrak
Level 6 Valued Member
Those wrist HR monitors are totally unreliable for certain strength training. I recorded my Day 3 Giant 1.1 session earlier this morning, comparing chest strap readings with optical readings from my Garmin Instinct.
First three sets were recorded with the chest strap, followed by 4 more sets (not 5) without the strap. I started recording after set 1 (forgot to push the start button), so the graph shows sets 2 to 8, a set every 4 minutes, 7 reps per set. Chest strap was a Garmin HRM2-SS.
First three sets were recorded with the chest strap, followed by 4 more sets (not 5) without the strap. I started recording after set 1 (forgot to push the start button), so the graph shows sets 2 to 8, a set every 4 minutes, 7 reps per set. Chest strap was a Garmin HRM2-SS.
Dan S
Level 4 Valued Member
Well I jumped into the mix today. I purchased Kettlebell Express and I started the Giant 1.0 with a pair of 35lb Kbs. I started with 30 minutes and I was able to get in 19 sets. I feel ok. I started to go to hard in the beginning but I backed off and slowed down as I went through. Still learning this self regulation thing. Happy to see how this goes. I am doing my best to actually follow the program and not "add" anything to it. Although i like to do steady state runs on the days I don't lift and I still might throw those in.
Eyetic
Level 6 Valued Member
Dayz
Level 8 Valued Member
I just tested my new RM after finishing my second cycle of the Giant 3.0 with 2 x 24s. Results are in: I doubled my rep max! From 4 reps to 8!!!
My overall progress on the Giant now looks like this:
Cycle 1 (using Push Press):
Cycle 2 (using Strict Press)
Now that I have an 8RM I am not sure what to do next. Should I try 1.0, or do another cycle of 3.0? I may be able to get more reps as I wasn't feeling 100% today, but I am not sure.
My overall progress on the Giant now looks like this:
Cycle 1 (using Push Press):
- Press RM from 1 to 4 reps
- Push Press RM from 4 to 9 reps
Cycle 2 (using Strict Press)
- Press RM from 4 to 8 reps
Now that I have an 8RM I am not sure what to do next. Should I try 1.0, or do another cycle of 3.0? I may be able to get more reps as I wasn't feeling 100% today, but I am not sure.
IMayAgainKnowChris
Level 5 Valued Member
First day of 9’s on 1.2. Got more sets than I did in my first day of 8 on 1.1 and it felt CRISP (8 sets but I wasn’t pushing too hard). I remember buying this program two months ago and thinking “am I missing something? I think I only got the introduction PDF” because it was just a few pages and SO simple. The proof is in the pudding though, huh?
Chris Mills
Level 6 Valued Member
I’d do 1.0. I think @Geoff Neupert commented elsewhere in this thread that it works with 8rm, and I have done it.
John Grahill
Level 8 Valued Member
My second time through I used double 36 k's and they were really a "comfortable" 8 RM. It did work. It did cause a reduction in overall volume per workout but I was fine with that because those things are heavy!
@Dayz If in doubt, use the 3.0 for another cycle and bring them to a 10RM.
Oaks
Level 4 Valued Member
A
Agree with what the others wrote. As another option, you could run 1.0 with push press.
barrak
Level 6 Valued Member
Here's what worked nicely for me when I advanced from 5RM to 8RM after a 3.0 cycle with a pair of 16s; I added another two weeks of 3.0, except I upped the rep count per set by 1. So 3-rep sets on Day 1, 4-rep sets on Day 2 and 2-rep sets on Day 3. I tested after these two weeks and got a 10RM.