bluejeff
Level 7 Valued Member
Hello, first off this is my first post here! I'm looking forward to exchanging ideas about training and programming! I love all the SF material and it's principles have benefited me greatly.
However.... I often find myself at a loss as to how I can progress with my goals, and feel overwhelmed with all the different approaches.
Quick background of myself: 36 year old male, 160lbs on a soaking wet, "heavy" day.
I've been training mostly bodyweight skills for the last 6-ish years, with some supplemental weights, and as of the last 8 months or so, some more integrated kettlebell training. Most of my training goals are body weight in nature (full ROM freestanding HSPU, Front lever, etc) but I have found that incorporating KBs feels nice on my body, especially to address unilateral strength imbalances. It would be nice to press half-bodyweight KBs at some point, since I would like to do those HSPUs! I also train and teach basic-intermediate hand balancing (basic handstands, handstand shapes, and straight-arm press handstands, though I suffered a wrist injury about a year ago which set back my HS press strength)
One of my main current goals is increasing vertical pressing/pushing strength -and muscle- for that freestanding HSPU. The motor pattern for the HSPU is not quite the same as a military press, but many people have reported that military pressing aided them with HSPUs, which is why I wonder if a half-bodyweight (probably 32kg for reps, for me) KB press would translate. Current max is only 1 rep with the 24kg on my right, and a push press with the left. I worked the ROP pressing program for 5 weeks or so, but strayed a bit back into bodyweight pressing variations again the last couple weeks.
I have also read various articles here in which horizontal pushing (such as push-ups, OAP, OAOLP) seemed too help people maintain or even GAIN vertical pressing strength (usually in the form of a better KB military press).
I have a simple first question (I hope): Would it be beneficial to build very strong pushups, with bands or a weight vest? Or should I simply get my KB press really strong and then focus on technique?
In the past I have also done every variation of pike pushups and eccentric HSPUs under the sun with no success. I think my volume and intensity were both too high, so I have brought that down and am re-evaluating. Also a STRICT-form pike pushup (hips over vertical forearms, elbows in, head forward from hands, posterior pelvic tilt) still feels brutal.
Curious to see what the Strongfirst minds have to suggest!
However.... I often find myself at a loss as to how I can progress with my goals, and feel overwhelmed with all the different approaches.
Quick background of myself: 36 year old male, 160lbs on a soaking wet, "heavy" day.
I've been training mostly bodyweight skills for the last 6-ish years, with some supplemental weights, and as of the last 8 months or so, some more integrated kettlebell training. Most of my training goals are body weight in nature (full ROM freestanding HSPU, Front lever, etc) but I have found that incorporating KBs feels nice on my body, especially to address unilateral strength imbalances. It would be nice to press half-bodyweight KBs at some point, since I would like to do those HSPUs! I also train and teach basic-intermediate hand balancing (basic handstands, handstand shapes, and straight-arm press handstands, though I suffered a wrist injury about a year ago which set back my HS press strength)
One of my main current goals is increasing vertical pressing/pushing strength -and muscle- for that freestanding HSPU. The motor pattern for the HSPU is not quite the same as a military press, but many people have reported that military pressing aided them with HSPUs, which is why I wonder if a half-bodyweight (probably 32kg for reps, for me) KB press would translate. Current max is only 1 rep with the 24kg on my right, and a push press with the left. I worked the ROP pressing program for 5 weeks or so, but strayed a bit back into bodyweight pressing variations again the last couple weeks.
I have also read various articles here in which horizontal pushing (such as push-ups, OAP, OAOLP) seemed too help people maintain or even GAIN vertical pressing strength (usually in the form of a better KB military press).
I have a simple first question (I hope): Would it be beneficial to build very strong pushups, with bands or a weight vest? Or should I simply get my KB press really strong and then focus on technique?
In the past I have also done every variation of pike pushups and eccentric HSPUs under the sun with no success. I think my volume and intensity were both too high, so I have brought that down and am re-evaluating. Also a STRICT-form pike pushup (hips over vertical forearms, elbows in, head forward from hands, posterior pelvic tilt) still feels brutal.
Curious to see what the Strongfirst minds have to suggest!