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PaperclipPerfector  11d ago (text post)   2331 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for March 23, 2025

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So a class that has significant big lifting mixed in is CrossFit. You get competition, you get teaching, and you get lifting and cardio.

For Kettlebells any of the classic Pavel programs from Enter the Kettlebell will work and are simple to follow. Start with a 35#/16kg if you're a normal size man, and work to get to a 24kg/53# in a few months. Stick to the 24kg until you can complete the 100 snatches in ten minutes test. By the time you get there, you'll be in pretty good shape and pretty strong, go back to barbells and you'll be shocked at your strength in the DL and squat.

Okay. So I have to buy just two kettlebells, then?

You really just need the 16kg to get started, then a few months later the 24kg.

If you catch the bug like me you'll end up with a bunch over the years.

Don't buy an adjustable they're shit and gay.

Is this what I should start with? Not seeing any other real in-depth description of Program Minimum from Enter the Kettlebell.

Idk that version looks annoying to me.

https://theswissbay.ch/pdf/Books/Fitness/Pavel%20Tsatsouline%20-%20Enter%20The%20Kettlebell%21%20Strength%20Secret%20of%20The%20Soviet%20Supermen%20%282006%2C%20Dragon%20Door%20Publications%29.pdf

If you don't want to just pay the $10 or borrow it from the library. At any rate the basic concept is something like: Do a bunch of KB swings, do a bunch of Turkish Get Ups. Don't worry too much about doing "more" reps, and don't add weight, just try to do the exercises and keep your muscles under tension. Both Swings and TGUs are exercises where you have to focus on form and they're easy to pretend to do. The program minimum will not take long each week, will work your whole body, will accustom you to lifting weights. If you can master the swing, it gets you ready for everything else, it's the basis of the clean and jerk, the snatch, all the fun stuff.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=16kg+kettlebell&crid=V6L0W7O31JJ9&sprefix=16kg+kettl%2Caps%2C268&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

Buy literally any cast iron 16kg kettlebell. I splurged on Rogue MiUSA ones, but that was after I already loved kettlebells and had spent a ridiculous quantity of time working with them so I didn't mind spending extra, and I was ordering enough stuff from Rogue to get free shipping. I also have some random enameled ones I got at a local store 14 years ago, and some off-brand Amazon ones in heavier weights I ordered because I got free shipping. AVOID GETTING KETTLEBELLS MEASURED IN POUNDS, GET THEM IN THE CLASSIC 8KG INTERVALS. I started with 50#ers I picked up at a local store, and it didn't matter to me at the time, but years later it pissed me off because the classic benchmarks are measured in KG and mine were always a little off.

That version does look annoying! I'm glad that that's not what you meant, because it looks way more complicated than was advertised in this thread. I will see if I can get the book itself. Swings look fun. Thanks for the purchase advice.

Sweet, thanks. I'll take a look at the Program Minimum lifts somewhere. Hopefully there's a video. I don't want to buy the book. I'll check at the YMCA if they have any kettlebells there. Seems to me like a 35 pound kettlebell is a lot safer than loading up hundreds of pounds on your back and lowering yourself, but I might just not be creative enough coming up with failure scenarios.

I did 3 great chin-ups the other day. I was proud. Someday I'll be able to do 5, hopefully.

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