More thoughts...
Since I started doing VWC in combo with increasing load in S&S, I've noticed a couple things:
- My general work capacity has increased dramatically and steady strength gains. I posted in another of @Bret S. thread that I was able to throw kayaks around one armed in and out of water, in and out of the straps, pull them around. All this was on a hot day after mowing two yards.
- My elasticity when loading my hamstrings and snapping the bell up to the lock out has greatly increased.
- My S&S practice has improved, however perhaps it would have improved anyway (or more) if I had dedicated those days to S&S as well. I'm not sure, but I can at least say that it hasn't hurt anything and at least allows for progression.
Things I like so far about VWC:
- Huge contrast from the typical kettlebell training I've been doing for the last 6 months. Something about the speed and the lighter load is enjoyable.
- I never feel the burn, at least not at 12kg. Actually, even though my HR is pretty high it never feels unmanageable.
- It has helped me start to learn double breathing for snatch technique.
- It has helped me clean up my technique some. I've been really working hard on implementing GN's method that he has a video on from the old Kettlbell Secrets days. And by the way, when I nail it I can finish the set of 7 reps in about 13 seconds.
- I can pass the talk test for a long time. The only thing that starts to take me out is losing power.
- I feel thoroughly worked but not drained. Granted again, I am at a lower weight and the highest work load I've done is 60x7 @12kg. After about 10 min of stretching or walking around I feel mostly recovered.
Things I don't like about VWC:
- @Rif has pointed this out, but chasing the clock can get old and for me sometimes a little stressful. I don't know that I could accomplish 80x8 at any load. I've done it on accident here and there when I miscounted my reps.
- It stinks when you feel like you've been at it for a long time during your session and you've really only done 20% of that day's work.
- A solid playlist of music is required for me to maintain my sanity.
Going forward, I feel like I might want to try to roll through all the protocols listed in the book just to see what happens. I feel like it would make me a cardio beast, and if you look at the protocols, there is heavier work down the road too. I got my butt handed to me a while back when I went to a kettlebell class at my first instructors gym. It was embarrasing and I want to return to reclaim my honor in the next couple months.
We get so focused on the best, new or most efficient program, that we forget to experiement and see what our body responds to.