Here’s a practical question.
You’re going to be living out of a suitcase for a year and can have one kettlebell. Your goal is to maintain the snatch test, the SFG II press test and the SFB push up test, all at whatever weight or progression is required for your age, gender, and body weight.
For the one kettlebell, do you take your snatch test bell, or a heavy bell? Even if the heavy approach would be preferred, could the lighter approach work?
Snatch test bell - One school of thought might say take a snatch test bell and rely on higher volume or bottoms up with that plus the pushup training to maintain the press. This approach gets points for convenience.
Heavy bell - Another might say the snatch test bell may be more convenient, but it won't work. Instead, take one that’s 70-80% of the press test bell, and rely on heavier snatches/swings with that be able to hit the snatch test.
@Karen Smith has mentioned maintaining her press while traveling with no kettlebell by just bodyweight training. Some @Geoff Neupert strength programs also carry great conditioning benefit, though usually with heavier weight. Iron Cardio from @Brett Jones could be a template for maintaining these standards with one bell. So might this single bell C&J program program from Pavel. There was an article I can't find now on a pushup and jump program that might have a place too.
So, the basic choice is snatch test bell or a heavy one? If you’d like to offer a different option, consider doing so in terms of % of the snatch test or press test weight (or a bell size up or down) rather than kg’s which will be different for everyone.
My guess is most in this community would normally take the heavier approach. Still, the convenience benefit of the lighter bell matter. Someone has said “Put me on an island for a year with a 16kg and I’ll come out stronger.” Could the above goals be met with a bell below snatch test weight?
Looking forward to the community’s thoughts!
You’re going to be living out of a suitcase for a year and can have one kettlebell. Your goal is to maintain the snatch test, the SFG II press test and the SFB push up test, all at whatever weight or progression is required for your age, gender, and body weight.
For the one kettlebell, do you take your snatch test bell, or a heavy bell? Even if the heavy approach would be preferred, could the lighter approach work?
Snatch test bell - One school of thought might say take a snatch test bell and rely on higher volume or bottoms up with that plus the pushup training to maintain the press. This approach gets points for convenience.
Heavy bell - Another might say the snatch test bell may be more convenient, but it won't work. Instead, take one that’s 70-80% of the press test bell, and rely on heavier snatches/swings with that be able to hit the snatch test.
@Karen Smith has mentioned maintaining her press while traveling with no kettlebell by just bodyweight training. Some @Geoff Neupert strength programs also carry great conditioning benefit, though usually with heavier weight. Iron Cardio from @Brett Jones could be a template for maintaining these standards with one bell. So might this single bell C&J program program from Pavel. There was an article I can't find now on a pushup and jump program that might have a place too.
So, the basic choice is snatch test bell or a heavy one? If you’d like to offer a different option, consider doing so in terms of % of the snatch test or press test weight (or a bell size up or down) rather than kg’s which will be different for everyone.
My guess is most in this community would normally take the heavier approach. Still, the convenience benefit of the lighter bell matter. Someone has said “Put me on an island for a year with a 16kg and I’ll come out stronger.” Could the above goals be met with a bell below snatch test weight?
Looking forward to the community’s thoughts!
