John Grahill
Level 8 Valued Member
So one more run through the Strong program for me.
Background: over the past few years kind of let myself go and bounced around through several programs in my garage. I tipped the scales at 230 last year and decided to change that. Went on various programs aimed at conditioning and attempted to clean up my diet. 207 right now with a goal of 200.
So I have numerous times attempted the Strong (double clean and press) program with 2/40s in the past and ended up crushed in mid phase 2. Also have injured myself with it as well but that was my fault. Was recently stalled out in various other "random acts of exercise" and decided to change things up.
Had not done much pressing with kettlebells and did a quasi test double clean and press about two weeks ago. I took 2 /32s and got six good reps, 2/36s and got 4 good ones and 2/40s getting two.
Admittedly I'm a little weaker these days but I'm also in my mid fifties! (Hell at this age you can hear yourself getting fatter!) However I am smarter. 5 years ago I probably would have taken the 40s and really gutted out 2 more reps which would have looked like a "dog's breakfast," i.e. spine flexion, body english, etc. and said, "ok here's my tough 4 reps" to start the program. That was the "old" me but the "older" me is smarter now. Getting 4 reps when only 2 are in good form is a 2RM, not a 4RM. Egos need to be left at door!
I decided to use the 2 /36 kg bells and go through Strong again. Back in 2015 I did them through both phase one and then the "slow and steady"and it delivered some of the best results I've had with training. ( The Rite of Passage was the other great program I have done)
As I am writing this I am getting ready to hit up day 5 (10 x 1) and am actually looking forward to training! (Lately training has felt like a nuisance but I'm actually excited about looking forward to training again) including warm up sets with lighter bells I'll be done in about 25 to 30 minutes feeling good!
I'm going through it this time with a changed mindset on another score. My goal is to complete all three phases. I am not going to be adding stuff here to make it more "complete" ... I have recently corresponded with Geoff and have a game plan which echoes my recent posts in the ROP thread....do it as written!
On "off" days I will walk/ruck. I will watch my diet and report back in six months or so hopefully leaner, stronger, etc. with my 4-5 rep max being my 10-12 rep max! Looking forward to this journey.
Background: over the past few years kind of let myself go and bounced around through several programs in my garage. I tipped the scales at 230 last year and decided to change that. Went on various programs aimed at conditioning and attempted to clean up my diet. 207 right now with a goal of 200.
So I have numerous times attempted the Strong (double clean and press) program with 2/40s in the past and ended up crushed in mid phase 2. Also have injured myself with it as well but that was my fault. Was recently stalled out in various other "random acts of exercise" and decided to change things up.
Had not done much pressing with kettlebells and did a quasi test double clean and press about two weeks ago. I took 2 /32s and got six good reps, 2/36s and got 4 good ones and 2/40s getting two.
Admittedly I'm a little weaker these days but I'm also in my mid fifties! (Hell at this age you can hear yourself getting fatter!) However I am smarter. 5 years ago I probably would have taken the 40s and really gutted out 2 more reps which would have looked like a "dog's breakfast," i.e. spine flexion, body english, etc. and said, "ok here's my tough 4 reps" to start the program. That was the "old" me but the "older" me is smarter now. Getting 4 reps when only 2 are in good form is a 2RM, not a 4RM. Egos need to be left at door!
I decided to use the 2 /36 kg bells and go through Strong again. Back in 2015 I did them through both phase one and then the "slow and steady"and it delivered some of the best results I've had with training. ( The Rite of Passage was the other great program I have done)
As I am writing this I am getting ready to hit up day 5 (10 x 1) and am actually looking forward to training! (Lately training has felt like a nuisance but I'm actually excited about looking forward to training again) including warm up sets with lighter bells I'll be done in about 25 to 30 minutes feeling good!
I'm going through it this time with a changed mindset on another score. My goal is to complete all three phases. I am not going to be adding stuff here to make it more "complete" ... I have recently corresponded with Geoff and have a game plan which echoes my recent posts in the ROP thread....do it as written!
On "off" days I will walk/ruck. I will watch my diet and report back in six months or so hopefully leaner, stronger, etc. with my 4-5 rep max being my 10-12 rep max! Looking forward to this journey.
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