Archive for the ‘ Resistance Training ’ Category

Walking Kettlebell Snatch

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

This video is my first ever attempt at the walking kettlebell snatch. My kettlebell instructor, Pavel Stejskal and I were shooting kettlebell snatch variations and he suggested that I try this one. It provided a unique challenge to coordination and balance, especially when attempting it on uneven ground up a slight incline. It is also interesting to see the differences in my form depending on which leg I step with first.

When attempting the walking kettlebell snatch try to alternate legs on each rep and switch arms at the half way point.

Kettlebell Training and Workouts

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

I have been interested in working out with kettlebells for several years, but I was afraid that I would hurt myself if I did not have a professional certified kettlebell trainer (RKC) to coach me. About four months ago, my roommate mentioned that he had a friend who was RKC certified and that he would be willing to train us once a week.

Thus began my kettlebell training. The first few workouts felt a little awkward, and they made me extremely sore. As the weeks passes, my stability and technique improved and I found myself getting stronger faster than I ever had before. I am now about three months in and I am hooked. We are not doing the workouts twice a week and are thinking about growing the class by inviting more of our friends to join us. Here are a few videos from a recent kettlebell training session with our instructor, Pavel Stejskal RKC.

Kettlebell Swings – One Minute Set, 16kg & 24kg Kettlebells

The kettlebell swing is one of the best known kettlebell exercises and often the first kettlebell move that you will learn. Here Pavel and two students demonstrate a one minute set of swings. We worked up to one minute over the course of three months. We began with sets of 10 and then 20 and finally after we could easily do 3 sets of 20 we tried one minute sets of kettlebell swings.

Kettlebell Snatch – 24 kg, Front, Side and Back View

The kettlebell snatch is my favorite kettlebell exercise. I can make a whole kettlebell workout out of several fast paced sets of swings. In this video I demonstrate the snatch with a 24 kg kettlebell from several different angles. I was worn out so my form is a little off, but not too bad.

Bear Walk w/ Renegade Row Using Kettlebells

In this video, Pavel demonstrates the kettlebell bear walk with renegade row. I have not really tried this exercises, but it is a great core and upper back exercise.

Kettlebell Workout, Training Montage, Pavel Stejskal

Here is an amazing kettlebell training montage. This video was shot at the end of a kettlebell workout that lasted over an hour. In this video, Pavel demonstrates a number of kettlebell exercises.

Pistol w/ 2 16 kg Kettlebells (70.55 lbs) – One Leg Squat

Here is a pistol (one leg squat) with 2 16 kg kettlebells. I think that this is my most impressive video so far. Some day I hope to be able to do higher sets with this much weight, and hopefully I will be able to do one rep with twice as much weight.

Switch Grip Pull Up – Dynamic / Plyometric Pull Up

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

I am always looking for ways to make pull ups more dynamic and explosive. One of my favorite variations is the flying switch grip pull up. This variation involves switching your grip from under to over handed or over to under handed at the top of the pull up.

In order to accomplish this movement you must pull yourself up quickly and aggressively so that at the top of the motion you have time to let go of the bar with both hands and reverse your grip.

The hardest part of the switch grip pull up is getting the rhythm so that you can perform each repetition in a smooth safe manner. Based on my experience it is easier to start in the chin up (palms facing your body) position.

Switch Grip Pull Up – Close Up

Switch Grip Pull Up – Wide View

Switch Grip Pull Up Precautions

The switch grip pull up can be a dangerous exercise. First of all it is important to be able to do at least 10 pull ups and chin ups before attempting this exercise. When you are ready to try the switch grip variation, make sure that the ground below your feel is free of debris. Try to use a pull up bar that is about 6 inches off the ground. When doing the switch grip pull up it is easy to just barely miss when trying to regrip the bar and fall awkwardly to the ground. If the pull up bar is too low you run the risk of collapsing to the ground, if the bar is too high then you run the risk of injuring your ankle upon landing.

Kettlebell Front Squat to Overhead Press on Bosu Ball

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

Here is something I came up with at the gym a few weeks ago. Initially I did it with a 50 lb dumbbell. Then a week or so later I got the idea to try it with a kettlebell. I think that this is a great kettlebell exercise with or without the bosu. Adding the bosu ball makes it a true balance challenge.

Push Ups – Hands on Medicine Balls, Feet on Stability Ball

Sunday, September 6th, 2009

Here is a fun and challenging push up variation. Work up to this by doing sets of push ups with your feet on the stability ball, and separate sets with your hands on medicine balls. Once you can do both of those variations easily try this more difficult style of push up.

Comment below about my form and post links to any more difficulty push up videos that you know about with medicine balls and stability balls.