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AXE Prereq

bobbymac58

Level 2 Valued Member
Hi,
Just got my copy of AXE, and in a couple places Pavel notes that a prerequisite to beginning this training is the ability to pass the "Simple" swing test with a 32kg. I'm 65 and don't know that I'll be able to safely perform a high volume of swings with a 32. Can I start with a smaller KB (most likely a 24, potentially a 28)? Thanks in advance.
 
bobbymac58 said:
Hi,
Just got my copy of AXE, and in a couple places Pavel notes that a prerequisite to beginning this training is the ability to pass the "Simple" swing test with a 32kg. I'm 65 and don't know that I'll be able to safely perform a high volume of swings with a 32. Can I start with a smaller KB (most likely a 24, potentially a 28)? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Yes of course and then build your way up from there
 
bobbymac58 said:
Hi,
Just got my copy of AXE, and in a couple places Pavel notes that a prerequisite to beginning this training is the ability to pass the "Simple" swing test with a 32kg. I'm 65 and don't know that I'll be able to safely perform a high volume of swings with a 32. Can I start with a smaller KB (most likely a 24, potentially a 28)? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Yes!

I wouldn't worry about the 32kg prerequisite.

I'm small (in height and weight), and I've never been able to 1-Arm Swing the 32kg (28kg is my grip limit).

I performed Simple (100 Swings in 5 minutes with 24kg) and could do Get-ups with 36kg. But my little forearms limit my grip.

As long as you have good technique and can perform explosive Swings, then 24kg is all good.
 
renegadenate said:
Yes!

I wouldn't worry about the 32kg prerequisite.

I'm small (in height and weight), and I've never been able to 1-Arm Swing the 32kg (28kg is my grip limit).

I performed Simple (100 Swings in 5 minutes with 24kg) and could do Get-ups with 36kg. But my little forearms limit my grip.

As long as you have good technique and can perform explosive Swings, then 24kg is all good.
Click to expand...
Thank you!
 
I've been able to do timeless simple with 36kg bell but that was a few years ago. When I tested for AXE, my technique was there but my grip was a bit rusty. So I chose to start AXE with 28kg and go from there instead of worrying about making timeless simple with 32kg again.
 
I'm finishing another program and will move into AXE 1-hand swings 2x per week. Just playing around, I grabbed the 24k bell and followed AXE protocols, doing 4 reps x 20 sets. No stop signs. I'll bump that up to 28k 4r and see how that feels.

It's been about 3 years since I achieved Timeless Simple. Instead of running S&S again, I thought I'd very conservatively get into AXE by doing it 1 x per week, over 3/4 weeks and see where my start point is. I'm assuming it will be 32k 4r per set, but I'll have a few easy sessions to determine that.
 
bobbymac58 said:
Hi,
Just got my copy of AXE, and in a couple places Pavel notes that a prerequisite to beginning this training is the ability to pass the "Simple" swing test with a 32kg. I'm 65 and don't know that I'll be able to safely perform a high volume of swings with a 32. Can I start with a smaller KB (most likely a 24, potentially a 28)? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
As others have said: The most important thing is to have good technique and to actually do powerful swings. Not sure if you really need to have met Timeless Simple standards. However, spending some time S&S (3-12 months) seems like a good idea.

How much experience do you have? How competent are you with Swings? Pavel advises in S&S to start with a 16 kg and spent about 10 months (at least) to work up to 32 kg.
 
Bauer said:
As others have said: The most important thing is to have good technique and to actually do powerful swings. Not sure if you really need to have met Timeless Simple standards. However, spending some time S&S (3-12 months) seems like a good idea.

How much experience do you have? How competent are you with Swings? Pavel advises in S&S to start with a 16 kg and spent about 10 months (at least) to work up to 32 kg.
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Thanks for your note, Bauer. I've trained with kettlebells for 15 years or more, and I have excellent form (so I've been told).
 
bobbymac58 said:
Thanks for your note, Bauer. I've trained with kettlebells for 15 years or more, and I have excellent form (so I've been told).
Click to expand...
Well, then: I am not Pavel, but I would go for AXE without trying S&S first.

The KBSF course is similar to AXE and does not mention prerequisites. On the contrary, 5 reps OTM are the bread and butter of the beginner's plan (although only for 20 minutes, and followed by TGUs).
 
Bauer said:
Well, then: I am not Pavel, but I would go for AXE without trying S&S first.

The KBSF course is similar to AXE and does not mention prerequisites. On the contrary, 5 reps OTM are the bread and butter of the beginner's plan (although only for 20 minutes, and followed by TGUs).
Click to expand...
The kbsf course recommends 30% bodyweight as "not a beginner" and 40 % bodyweight before moving into clean and jerk.

It would have been a bit clearer if the AXE book had similar guidelines. I have some friends that are big and strong and the 32 is nothing for them, even with sub par techniques. For me however, at a bit over 40%, it's pretty rowdy.
 
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