Kettlebell Real World Supplemental Training with S&S

[Benedictine Monk]

I am curious if anyone has any thoughts on adding the following items as supplemental training, assuming S&S is done 4-5 times a week

(1) Grip work (IronMind products) - particularly for those of us beginning firearms training or who want to close a #2 as a real world target for grip strength useful in emergencies.

(2) Pavelizer Ab Work (seems from reading S&S this would be a no-no)

(3) Sprint training (upright and prone -- suspect Special Operators may have some thoughts on this)

 

[Harry Westgate]

For what it's worth, I've been training with kettlebells for a few months now (currently coming up to three full weeks of S&S), and I find that they work the grip a hell of a lot on their own. Whilst I can't speak for the #2 gripper, I haven't trained my #1 seriously since before I started kettlebelling, and yet I can close it now WAY more easily than I could before I started lifting KBs and used the gripper as my main form of grip work. Like I say however, moving up to the #2 may take more focused training. I found GTG worked well for owning my #1; I was doing lots of singles throughout the day, with assistance from the free hand if needed with a controlled negative.

 

[Whiskey_Fox]

As a "SOF" Soldier (Special Operations Forces) sprinting is important since it helps with operational maneuvering under load. Though it is not the be all, end all for running. We are not tested in sprints, but long distance runs (5 mile standard).
And I agree with Harry above, grip training seems to already be incorporated into KB training. I myself have to carry my 2x53 KBs to the gym when I workout. So essentially I'm doing farmers carries to and from the gym.

What is your overall goal for incorporating direct grip training?

 

[Antti]

I do agree with the talk about the grip work, proper kettlebell workouts work the grip extremely well. I would definitely seek to at least master the simple level before adding any other grip work.

 

[banzaiengr]

I've never found anything to work the grip like heavy swings.

 

[Benedictine Monk]

I'm still rehabbing a tennis elbow/tendonitis issue that is almost, but not quite gone.
I'm up to the blue Expand Your Hand bands from Iron Mind, and about to move to red.

I have a suspicion that buying a set of Iron Mind Zenith (not CoC) grippers might help
me fix a problem that may indicate an underworked range of motion on my right hand.

I half suspect that excessive bad mousing has caused a problem that full range crush gripping
would help with. That said, I'm not dogmatic about it and was curious if anyone else had issues
and exercises they were integrating with S&S.

 

[Benedictine Monk]

My ART specialist will see me again next week about the elbow and depending on how
it looks may refer me in house for acupuncture (may be the final piece of the puzzle to
restore full functionality).

Will keep you all posted.

 

[Benedictine Monk]

I do agree with the talk about the grip work, proper kettlebell workouts work the grip extremely well. I would definitely seek to at least master the simple level before adding any other grip work.

That's quite sound advice. My only reason for looking for an exception is because I think I may need full range grip work to remedy
an underlying pre-existing problem that may be crucial to progressing in the swing. But, again, I'm open to suggestions.

 

[Whiskey_Fox]

(1) Grip work (IronMind products) - particularly for those of us beginning firearms training or who want to close a #2 as a real world target for grip strength useful in emergencies.

Best thing I have found for firearms training is repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition. Just apply the "to press alot, you have to press alot" mantra to firearms drills.

Also, Rob Shaul from Military Athlete (Strong, swift, durable now?) has great "Range Fitness" workouts that my team uses sometimes. We just change any barbell exercises to kettlebell. This also helps with the small muscle movements in the hand when shooting with a sidearm.

In "real world emergencies" your body will revert to muscle memory. So train how you want your body to react when the s*** hits the proverbial fan.

 

[Will Moore]

I believe the "gripper for firearms training" is oversold, especially for anyone remotely conditioned let alone strong. My wife cannot close a #1 and she can drive a Glock or HiPower just fine.

My impression is that most would benefit from adding some form of loaded carry to their week, myself included. It seems folks either lack equipment, kit or space, which leaves loaded carry on the sideline.

All the best as you unpack this @Benedictine Monk !