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Kettlebell "Giant 1.0"

I have a question on the longer term effect of higher volume programs like the Giant.

So I did my first Giant session yesterday, I have decided to alternate my C&Ps with Rows as I find if I neglect the rows at the expense of more pressing, my shoulders hate me for it.

In session 1 week 1 I got 50 presses and 50 rows.

That's a significant amount of volume already and it's only going to go up from here.

My question is this......What are the longer term implications of this. Will I still see progress using a lower volume program in the future or is it a case of, once you ramp up the volume, assuming you continue training consistently you need to keep volume high.

I realise intensity needs to be factored into this discussion I'm just not sure of the interplay.

Any thoughts appreciated.
Personally I preferred to separate the two.

GTG TRX rows (little low back stress) or pull ups on off days.

Sometimes a few sets of the above after my giant workout but never during.
 
I have been itching to run the Giant as a single bell program. I think @Cearball may be right about the fat loss thing.....using a heavy bell and doing the right and left sides one after the other is a lot of time under tension. I always made gains with unilateral training.....for what it's worth, Dan John loves the 1 arm press....Google Dan John 1 arm press and you'll see he's a big fan.

I know that conventional wisdom says that 1 arm presses won't help your double presses but I personally don't know if that's true in my case. Several years ago I did the ROP press program with a 40 and my double 40 press capability improved.

This is on my radar post "Dumbbell Strong".....
Training them concurrently is working great! Low volume OALC 44k one day, high volume Double Clean+Push Press 32K+36K the next. The OALC overloads the shoulders/arms/grip, and the Double Clean and Push Press overloads the torso, they really compliment each other. I'm only a beginner, but this combo just keeps on providing. Hoping it can help me catch up to you Mr Grahill
 
Just going to throw out there for the record that the Giant is probably my favorite programming ever. I've gone through 1.0 -> 1.1 on my lighter double jerk, then 1.0 with single, then 3.0 with heavier doubles, and just started this week a heavier single (working 3.0 C&J now with 1x32kg). I absolutely love it.

I was on a more complicated program for the last five weeks that wasn't working well with my life (leaving me too tired, physically and mentally), and switched back to Giant. The simplicity is great. I'll make great progress on it (guaranteed, basically). Thanks @Geoff Neupert for the brilliant programming!
 
Training them concurrently is working great! Low volume OALC 44k one day, high volume Double Clean+Push Press 32K+36K the next. The OALC overloads the shoulders/arms/grip, and the Double Clean and Push Press overloads the torso, they really compliment each other. I'm only a beginner, but this combo just keeps on providing. Hoping it can help me catch up to you Mr Grahill
I wouldn't necessarily make it a goal to catch up to me...looks like you're accomplishing more! Nice work!
 
Did my first 9 rep session yesterday and didn't fail a set that I thought I might. Got 8 sets in. It's amazing how the number for the previous cycle's heavy day almost feels light once you move up to the next cycle. Definitely had a pump when I finished yesterday, which I know is not in the spirit of the StrongFirst way. But, this is a hypertrophy program, and it felt nice.

Also, starting last week I tried S&S for the first time and got Timed down with a 55 lb KB. I think I fell in love. I'm now doing it two times a week in between Giant sessions. The swings give me some conditioning and the TGUs are very therapeutic for all of the pressing in the Giant. It's a nice yin and yang so far. Really enjoying my routine right now. Losing weight like crazy and getting in great shape.
 
Did my first 9 rep session yesterday and didn't fail a set that I thought I might. Got 8 sets in. It's amazing how the number for the previous cycle's heavy day almost feels light once you move up to the next cycle. Definitely had a pump when I finished yesterday, which I know is not in the spirit of the StrongFirst way. But, this is a hypertrophy program, and it felt nice.

Also, starting last week I tried S&S for the first time and got Timed down with a 55 lb KB. I think I fell in love. I'm now doing it two times a week in between Giant sessions. The swings give me some conditioning and the TGUs are very therapeutic for all of the pressing in the Giant. It's a nice yin and yang so far. Really enjoying my routine right now. Losing weight like crazy and getting in great shape.
Dude, and you were worried!! I don't think I ever got that many rounds!! Yes....one heck of a pump!
Doing a wellness check.. Mets and Jets got taken to the wood shed this week by my Yellow Sox and Patriots.

Finished first week of 2.0. 60 reps, 68 reps, 72 reps. Amazing how the 6 rep max becomes 4 sets of 8, 3 months later. 200 for the week
Yeah....I'm ok....at this point in my life I kind of expect major collapses from those wonderful organizations!! Fan killers!!
Most of us mere mortals are happy if we get a glimpse of you on the horizon as you rapidly disappear....
You sir need to set your sights higher!
 
Just going to throw out there for the record that the Giant is probably my favorite programming ever. I've gone through 1.0 -> 1.1 on my lighter double jerk, then 1.0 with single, then 3.0 with heavier doubles, and just started this week a heavier single (working 3.0 C&J now with 1x32kg). I absolutely love it.

I was on a more complicated program for the last five weeks that wasn't working well with my life (leaving me too tired, physically and mentally), and switched back to Giant. The simplicity is great. I'll make great progress on it (guaranteed, basically). Thanks @Geoff Neupert for the brilliant programming!
Thanks for the feedback. Glad it's serving you well!
 
Did my first 9 rep session yesterday and didn't fail a set that I thought I might. Got 8 sets in. It's amazing how the number for the previous cycle's heavy day almost feels light once you move up to the next cycle. Definitely had a pump when I finished yesterday, which I know is not in the spirit of the StrongFirst way. But, this is a hypertrophy program, and it felt nice.

Also, starting last week I tried S&S for the first time and got Timed down with a 55 lb KB. I think I fell in love. I'm now doing it two times a week in between Giant sessions. The swings give me some conditioning and the TGUs are very therapeutic for all of the pressing in the Giant. It's a nice yin and yang so far. Really enjoying my routine right now. Losing weight like crazy and getting in great shape.
So far no issues doing the Giant and S&S? And you're saying the tgu is nice for the shoulders and all the pressing?
 
So far no issues doing the Giant and S&S? And you're saying the tgu is nice for the shoulders and all the pressing?
No issues so far. I'm trying to be mindful of my recovery and haven't noticed any interference. Yeah, the TGUs have been like a tonic, for my whole body really. I had never practiced them very much until recently but am now beginning to see why others like them.
 
Is it me or are the heavy days in Geoff's programs just pure evil? As in anxiety/dread before you start? 2 weeks through 2.0. Whether it be Kettlebell Muscle, More Kettlebell Muscle, or the Giant, the longer you progress on these programs, you get to know your limit from a strength and conditioning perspective. See heavy day, week 9 of the Long Haul, weeks 6 and 12 of Kettlebell Muscle, and The Giant, 2.0,, 1.1 or 1.2. I had to push press the last 2 reps of the "8" set in the 4th round. I got them, but wasn't going to try and grind them out and risk popping my SI joint.
 
Is it me or are the heavy days in Geoff's programs just pure evil? As in anxiety/dread before you start?
You are right, I image @Geoff Neupert laughing like a Dr. Evil with a cat between his legs while knowing that a bunch of people is suffering out there with Giant 1.1 or 1.2 heavy days.....

He even states Rest as needed "you insignificant mortal" and uh ohm....remember use great form.... xDDDD
 
Hello everyone,

Just a little update about my progress.
After starting double KB work in April with 2x24kg bells and barely a 1RM C&P (but heh, that’s all I had)
I did Strong Phase 1 => DFW => The Giant 3.0
Then an Hybrid between 3.0 and 1.0 => 1.0
I’m currently doing an additional round of 1.0 because sets of 6 still felt somewhat difficult during my first time through 1.0.

I’ve just finished the week #1 of my second attempt on 1.0.
I’ve maintained 60 reps / sessions on all of them and even 64 on Friday.
12x5, 10x6 and 16x4. I am aiming for 72 reps on the third week and then I’ll feel confident enough to transition to 1.1 after the deload week.

It has been said by other members but I feel like I’m more wired for low rep sets. And at the same time I really like the challenge and how longer sets make my muscles feel.

I’m also trying to eat more (more carbs especially). I’ve have been eating for fat loss since April and I think it may have slowed me down a little bit.
 
Hello everyone,

Just a little update about my progress.
After starting double KB work in April with 2x24kg bells and barely a 1RM C&P (but heh, that’s all I had)
I did Strong Phase 1 => DFW => The Giant 3.0
Then an Hybrid between 3.0 and 1.0 => 1.0
I’m currently doing an additional round of 1.0 because sets of 6 still felt somewhat difficult during my first time through 1.0.

I’ve just finished the week #1 of my second attempt on 1.0.
I’ve maintained 60 reps / sessions on all of them and even 64 on Friday.
12x5, 10x6 and 16x4. I am aiming for 72 reps on the third week and then I’ll feel confident enough to transition to 1.1 after the deload week.

It has been said by other members but I feel like I’m more wired for low rep sets. And at the same time I really like the challenge and how longer sets make my muscles feel.

I’m also trying to eat more (more carbs especially). I’ve have been eating for fat loss since April and I think it may have slowed me down a little bit.
Awesome work. I'm running 2.0, right now. Those 7 and 8 sets are no joke. I'm doing 1.1 after that. Such a great program.
 
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