I too fight the "bulge" and have a special disliking of those people who can eat what they want and never get heavy! If I'm not careful I blow up easily! I've often said I can hear myself getting fatter!Primarily directed at @Geoff Neupert , but I would appreciate the feedback of other folks here as well...
As someone who started out at over 385 lbs and dropped a bunch of weight through running (4x marathoner at 240 lbs), adopting strength work has been a relatively new thing for me. Since starting kettlebell work some months back, my appreciation for strength only grew.
I am currently about 250 lbs and could easily get down to 215-220. I have heard about the idea of "dry fighting weight" and love the anti-metcon mentality.
As someone who could stand to lose 30 lbs or so, is there a program or programs that might work better than others?
I will say, I do enjoy lifting heavy (sets of 5/side). I will add that I only have single KB. No doubles.
Thanks in advance.
Welcome to my world. LOL.I found a downside to the Giant:
Swings are so boring now.
Even double KB swings.
Sure, there is always the art of perfecting the form, which is never ending.
And double KB swings are a nice change of pace, but compared to C&P, it feels a bit like I'm just wasting my time or doing a warm up.
@ThePhoenixRises ,Primarily directed at @Geoff Neupert , but I would appreciate the feedback of other folks here as well...
As someone who started out at over 385 lbs and dropped a bunch of weight through running (4x marathoner at 240 lbs), adopting strength work has been a relatively new thing for me. Since starting kettlebell work some months back, my appreciation for strength only grew.
I am currently about 250 lbs and could easily get down to 215-220. I have heard about the idea of "dry fighting weight" and love the anti-metcon mentality.
As someone who could stand to lose 30 lbs or so, is there a program or programs that might work better than others?
I will say, I do enjoy lifting heavy (sets of 5/side). I will add that I only have single KB. No doubles.
Thanks in advance.
The swing might be boring for me too nowadays, but I sure owe it a lot. Yet, you just sold me on the Giant... now that my right shoulder is mostly healed and my t-spine mobility is passable for presses.I found a downside to the Giant:
Swings are so boring now.
Even double KB swings.
Sure, there is always the art of perfecting the form, which is never ending.
And double KB swings are a nice change of pace, but compared to C&P, it feels a bit like I'm just wasting my time or doing a warm up.
I think we need to consider the concept of "can" versus "should."@Geoff Neupert can the Giant be run alongside traditional but limited barbell training? I have access to an outdoor gym, but only once per week. I was considering doing The Giant(single kettlebell version)on the days I'm not training with a barbell.
Thank you.
I think we need to consider the concept of "can" versus "should."
"Can" you?
Sure.
"Should" you?
Probably not.
MAYBE some low volume squatting. MAYBE...
But like @John Grahill said, it's about recovery.
Remember -
It's not how much work you can do, but how much you can recover from.
Hope that helps.
Gotta say again, I've run the Giant and am still doing it. I wouldn't really add to the weekly pressing volume. If you can handle the extra work, I'm willing to bet you went too lightly with the weight you chose for the program ?! If you can handle the extra work like that you're a better man than I am!I was wondering the same thing about barbell training on top of The Giant. Before, I wouldn't even second guess it. In my crossfit days, I would do a barbell lift every day before my metcon. I've done various powerlifting and bodybuilding programs throughout the past few years as well. Aside from wendler's 531 community, I've never seen people advocate such minimal training than the kettlebell community, more specifically the strongfirst community.
When I started my home gym, I had planned on running wendler's kryptia program with kettlebells on the assistant work, in which I would alternate kb cleans/front squats for 10 reps in-between bench/military press sets and pull-ups/dips for 10 reps in-between deadlift/squat sets. But yet I don't have a squat rack and bench yet. Just a barbell and a few kettlebells.
Anyways, I'm currently addicted to kettlebell training, and my long-term goal is to eventually double clean and press the beast. I'm currently running 1.0 with 24s. I have 1 more day left, and I'm excited to start 1.1. I'm averaging about 100 reps/day with a 30 min timer. I'm also doing Zonin's "Don't Fear Heavy Weight" deadlift plan. He said that it was fine to run with ROP, so I didn't think that it would hurt alongside the giant. I also do pullups and ride on my peloton 3x/week. I've felt pretty good so far. But then when I come on here, I wonder if I'm over doing it. Should I be doing 20 min giant sessions, since I've been deadlifting as well? Or maybe alternate days between kb and barbell work, spreading things out over 6 days vs 3? Since I'm starting 1.1 on Monday, should I make any adjustments?
I also have Reloaded and was thinking about running the deadlifts/military presses from it 2x/wk my next cycle, when I start 1.2. Could do something like this:
M - Giant Day 1
T - Reloaded Heavy Deadlift/Light Military Press
W - Giant Day 2
T - Rest
F - Giant Day 3
S - Reloaded Heavy Military Press/Light Deadlift
S - Rest
Sorry for the novel. Just Throwing out ideas.
Remember that if adding something to the main thing, the main thing must remain the focus.I was wondering the same thing about barbell training on top of The Giant. Before, I wouldn't even second guess it. In my crossfit days, I would do a barbell lift every day before my metcon. I've done various powerlifting and bodybuilding programs throughout the past few years as well. Aside from wendler's 531 community, I've never seen people advocate such minimal training than the kettlebell community, more specifically the strongfirst community.
When I started my home gym, I had planned on running wendler's kryptia program with kettlebells on the assistant work, in which I would alternate kb cleans/front squats for 10 reps in-between bench/military press sets and pull-ups/dips for 10 reps in-between deadlift/squat sets. But yet I don't have a squat rack and bench yet. Just a barbell and a few kettlebells.
Anyways, I'm currently addicted to kettlebell training, and my long-term goal is to eventually double clean and press the beast. I'm currently running 1.0 with 24s. I have 1 more day left, and I'm excited to start 1.1. I'm averaging about 100 reps/day with a 30 min timer. I'm also doing Zonin's "Don't Fear Heavy Weight" deadlift plan. He said that it was fine to run with ROP, so I didn't think that it would hurt alongside the giant. I also do pullups and ride on my peloton 3x/week. I've felt pretty good so far. But then when I come on here, I wonder if I'm over doing it. Should I be doing 20 min giant sessions, since I've been deadlifting as well? Or maybe alternate days between kb and barbell work, spreading things out over 6 days vs 3? Since I'm starting 1.1 on Monday, should I make any adjustments?
I also have Reloaded and was thinking about running the deadlifts/military presses from it 2x/wk my next cycle, when I start 1.2. Could do something like this:
M - Giant Day 1
T - Reloaded Heavy Deadlift/Light Military Press
W - Giant Day 2
T - Rest
F - Giant Day 3
S - Reloaded Heavy Military Press/Light Deadlift
S - Rest
Sorry for the novel. Just Throwing out ideas.
lol thanks, even though I'm 37, I still want to act like I'm 27 sometimes. But yeah 24kgs was my true 10 rep max when starting, because of my press strength. If it was based on the clean, I'd probably need 32s. My shoulder's strength is really underdeveloped compared to the rest of my body. Relied on kipping movements vs strength movements in order to "win" the workout for too many years. So my main focus with kb training is to develop shoulder strength, that's why I chose the giant. I did RoP for a cycle with the 24, prior to starting the giant. I went from pressing the 32kg 0L/1R to 2L/2R! I can't wait to retest again, but I think I'm going to wait until I finish 2.0 to retest, which is 3 more months with 24s. Then I'll order my 28s and repeat the program.Gotta say again, I've run the Giant and am still doing it. I wouldn't really add to the weekly pressing volume. If you can handle the extra work, I'm willing to bet you went too lightly with the weight you chose for the program ?! If you can handle the extra work like that you're a better man than I am!
You are correct. The Giant is a minimalist program, so adding to it doesn't really make it minimalist anymore. lol I think the problem with the internet is you have access to so much information that makes you want to try everything. My ultimate goal is to press the double beast one day. So that should be my main focus. I wouldn't mind being able to deadlift 5 wheels (495lbs) as well. Prior to covid, I was up to a 445lb deadlift. I guess I just need to do something justify my barbell purchase, while still being able to add to my kettlebell collection. lolRemember that if adding something to the main thing, the main thing must remain the focus.
So the question is what's your focus?
Hi Taro, I'm only sharing my own experience here but I felt the same way using the 2 x 36. By the 3rd week of the 1.0 I said to myself the 1.1 just won't happen. I'm now preparing to do week 2's workout 3 now. I would try to use the 2/ 24s if possible but accept the fact that there will be fewer overall sets. Compared to what I did with the 32s I am doing less overall volume but my results are "better" during this cycle.I'm making The Giant 1.0 with 2x24kg.
Week 3, day 2 after me.
I will not be able to do more/heavier with double kbs.
Maybe Giant 1.1 from single 24.
What will be better?
What will be the better next step?
The Giant 1.1 with single 24kg,
or
The Giant 3.0 with a single 28kg.
I am also thinking about some Strength aerobics, for a change.
I feel my joints..
You are correct. The Giant is a minimalist program, so adding to it doesn't really make it minimalist anymore. lol I think the problem with the internet is you have access to so much information that makes you want to try everything. My ultimate goal is to press the double beast one day. So that should be my main focus. I wouldn't mind being able to deadlift 5 wheels (495lbs) as well. Prior to covid, I was up to a 445lb deadlift. I guess I just need to do something justify my barbell purchase, while still being able to add to my kettlebell collection. lol