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Barbell Cool (I think) deadlift story.

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MattM

MattM

SFG1
I haven't deadlifted off of the floor in 10+ years or touched a barbell in 2 years. Last week I went with my gf to her gym to spot her on the bench. She was also doing some deads so I gave it a go with 185. Just did one rep and was very surprised at how easy it was. That kinda sparked the deadlift bug and I decided that I would try to test my one rep max.

Fast forward to yesterday. I ended up pulling 405 sumo for just one rep (don't think I could have gotten another). I was extremely happy that I was able to do this as it is a movement that I haven't practiced since the early 2000's (when I was clueless and hurt my back (the first time)). Over the years I have done many stiff/romanian/kb/single leg deads and many heavy swings over the past 3 years.

I realize that this is by no means a huge number or overly impressive (and I'm not bragging), but I'm happy. Now I just need a deadlift program *sigh*

Moral of the story: Next time someone tells you kettlebells don't make/keep you strong, tell them to pound sand.
 
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Maybe for some. I stopped deadlifting, did nothing but S&S for 6 months and my deadlift dropped. Results may vary.
 
Mine dropped about 30 pounds, too. I think it was because my grip was the limiting factor in help weight, so while my grip got stronger, my hips got weaker. I never really used the shadow swings like I probably should have. Solution: I started to throw 2H swings into the mix so I can really let it rip. We'll see how it goes.

Side note: I still have a 2x BW deadlifts, if only just.
 
First and foremost, I would like to thank the SF-community, and Pavel for their expertise. I can't imagine a life without the strength and health I get from kettlebells.

MattM, I echo your experience. I got started with kb training through martial arts over a decade ago through Tommy Blom in Sweden (best coach I've ever had in any sport/activity) and I have been hooked ever since. Some of my highlights in kb training so far are: 1. strict military press of 40 kg kettlebell with both hands at 82-83 kg bw for ladders, 2. 180 snatches for the SSST (not great by any means), 3. One arm swinging the 56 kg bell for 50 reps, and 4. OAP with both hands, 4 reps on right side, 3 on left (I did this when I was doing high volume Long cycle with 2x 32 kg bells). Punchline; I have stuck completely to kb training and never done any barbell training at all.

A few months ago I decided I would like to give the deadlift a go since it seems to be the twin of the kb swing. So I took a lesson to learn the lift and then I practiced with the new barbell-equipment I had ordered. I pulled 150 kg (330 lbs) as a PR on my first ever serious DL session without a belt or any such assistance. A 150 kg deadlift is not fantastic by any means, but please remember that it was the first time I ever performed the lift in my life, having only done kettlebells before. I fully intend to make this the start of my dl-journey, and not the end of it. It should also be noted that I could have added a bit more weight to the bar for a true max.

This reinforces what Matt wrote and most of us know already; anyone who dismisses the kettlebell as a strength builder simply doesnt know what he/she is talking about.
 
@Chicago, Thank you so much for those words, that is really nice to hear.

That is some really nice numbers over all and if I did have anything to do with those numbers I'm really happy!

Where and when did you train with me (I might have a clue because of the name).

/Tommy
 
@Tommy Blom, Master SFG, welcome to the new StrongFirst forum!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Tommy is a world-level instructor of Krav Maga. I forget his exact title/rank - Tommy, please tell us, and thank you very much.

-S-
 
Well done by all
I know for myself I don't worry about maintaining a 2x+ BW DL through my KB practice
 
Dear Tommy,

Yes, I use the same name I used at the Girya.se/forum-site. I trained Kravmaga under your tutelage in Gothenburg and also did thaiboxing and boxing during that time. You introduced me to kbs in 2004 if my memory serves me correctly. IF I have had any success in lifting, it´s because I´m standing on your shoulders;)

My program for now is 3 days of kettlebells per week and one day of barbell training combined with lots of hiking. I will always have the kbs as my base and use the barbell for deadlifts and Zerchers as a high- quality addition to that. However, my goal for the DL is to achieve 2x bodyweight and then keep climbing.

Thank you to both Steve and Brett!
 
@Chicago Glad to hear and thank you agin for those words!
Hope you're doing well (asides for the lifting that obviously goes well :) )
 
Dear Tommy,

Im doing great, I moved from Sweden many years ago for career purposes. The very first thing I did was to order two kettlebells in order to keep up the routines you taught me.

Matt; I know and even though it shouldn´t be surprising it actually was. An observation; I´m in the process of trying to close the CoC2.5 and I´m almost there. The reason I bring it up is that I started doing grueling, heavy farmer´s walks with kettlebells after each workout to improve my grip. The carryover to the deadlift was impressive, both in terms of grip and overall stability in the lift. It´s of course too early to draw any major conclusions, but it wouldn´t surprise me if one can improve the DL PR a bit this way. The farmer´s walk is HIGHLY underrated in my view and it´s now something I do for every session.
 
@Chicago The farmers walk, and other related heavy carry exercises have helped my deadlift tremendously. They build much more than just your grip. I also like to put a carry at the end of my workouts.

The COC#2.5 is a challenge for sure. I have been stuck there for a long time. The COC#3 has been elusive for me, I am close on the right, not so close on the left. Keep at it heavy grippers have huge carryover to life, and lifting.
 
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