Training Forges Character

[Mario Garza]

Background: 27 years old, male, 93kg, 1.85m. I've been strength training on and off since high school, mostly using barbells. At my strongest I had a 200lb bench press, 260lb squat, 300lb deadlift. I moved to a smaller place and started using kettlebells since I no longer had space for my rack, weights, etc.

Aims and objectives:
I want to be strong, flexible, and healthy. Also, I would love to see if I can develop protocols to achieve an aesthetic body using kettlebells.

Right now: Working on achieving Simple.

 

[Mario Garza]

Here's my gameplan for the next month:

 

[Mario Garza]

Day 1 of 60 towards Simple.

3x5 halos w/ 16kg
3x5 hip bridges
3x5 goblet squats w/ 32kg

8 x 10 2H swings w/ 32 kg
10 x 1 TGU w/ 24 kg

 

[Mario Garza]

Day 2 of 60 towards Simple.

3x5 halos w/ 16kg
3x5 hip bridges
3x5 goblet squats w/ 32kg

8 x 10 2H swings w/ 32 kg
2 x 10 1H swings w/ 32 kg
20 x 1 TGU w/ 24 kg

First ever 1H swings with 32 kg. They were heavier than I expected, but did them with the best form I could. Also, I did twice the max volume of getups I'd done before with the 24kg.

Overall, great training session. I feel awesome when doing more volume with a heavy weight (for me, that is).

 

[Mario Garza]

Day 3 of 60 towards Simple.

Recovery day. I just did 30 mins of yoga. It helps me unite mind, body, and spirit.

 

[Mario Garza]

Day 5 towards Simple.

Today I did the usual S&S warmup. Then I started my swings, but felt something wrong with my back so I immediately stopped. Finished with a long session of yoga to stretch my muscles and hopefully be well tomorrow.

 

[Mario Garza]

Day 8 towards Simple.

My back hasn't healed completely yet, so I did 30 mins of yoga and 45 mins of MAF on a stationary bicycle.

I think the problem with S&S for me right now is the transition from 2H to 1H swings. I may go back to the traditional S&S programming, but mixing 1H and 2H reps within sets, as described here:

SIMPLE & SINISTER: GETTING FROM TWO- TO ONE-HAND SWINGS

 

[Mario Garza]

2H swings 5x10 20kg / Avg HR 128 bpm / Max HR 159 bpm / 16:39

Getups 3x1 20kg

 

[Mario Garza]

2H swings 6x10 20kg / Avg HR 132 bpm / Max HR 163 bpm / 16:04

Getups 2x1 20kg

 

[Mario Garza]

2H swings 5x10 20kg / Avg HR 132 bpm / Max HR 161 bpm / 16:03

Getups 4x1 20kg

 

[Mario Garza]

MAF walk 45 min (including warm up and cool down) / Avg HR 138 bpm / Max HR 155 bpm / 4.56 km / Pace 9:52 per km

 

[Mario Garza]

2H Swings 6x10 20 kg / Talking test / 15:50

Getups 5x1 20 kg

 

[Mario Garza]

2H swings 4x10 20kg / Avg HR 133 bpm / Max HR 162 bpm / 20:09. Heart rate took forever to go down today.

Getups 2x1 20kg. Felt weak.

 

[Mario Garza]

2H swings 6x10 20kg / Avg HR 134 bpm / Max HR 164 bpm / 19:49.

Getups 5x1 20kg.

 

[Mario Garza]

2H swings 6x10 20kg / Avg HR 138 bpm / Max HR 167 bpm / 17:30.

Getups 5x1 20kg.

 

[Mario Garza]

2H swings 7x10 20kg / Avg HR 140 bpm / Max HR 165 bpm / 17:30.

Getups 5x1 20kg

 

[Mario Garza]

2H swings 8x10 20kg / Avg HR 141 bpm / Max HR 166 bpm / 16:56.

Getups: L 20kg, R 20kg, L 24kg, R 24 kg, L 20kg, R 20kg, L 20kg, R 20kg, L 20kg, R 20kg.

 

[Mario Garza]

2H swings 9x10 20kg / Avg HR 139 bpm / Max HR 163 bpm / 18:53.

Getups: L 20kg, R 20kg, L 24kg, R 24 kg, L 24kg, R 24kg, L 20kg, R 20kg, L 20kg, R 20kg.

 

[Mario Garza]

2H swings 9x10 20kg / Avg HR 143 bpm / Max HR 167 bpm / 18:55.

Getups: L 20kg, R 20kg, L 24kg, R 24 kg, L 24kg, R 24kg, L 24kg, R 24kg, L 20kg, R 20kg.

 

[Mario Garza]

MAF walk 45 min (including warm up and cool down) / Avg HR 134 bpm / Max HR 150 bpm / 4.34 km / Pace 10:22 per km / 2% incline