Comments on: A Shift in My Kettlebell Training

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:12:22 +0000

Sarah – Train simple – check! Train to get strong – check! ETK works for both. Finding fun in ETK may be the tough part, but as Josh pointed out in a blog post, fun can be found in the success realized through good training, even though the day-to-day practice may not be a barrel of monkeys.

Thanks for your point of view. It’s good to have confirmation that there isn’t just one path to success at RKC. My path will not be strictly by the book either.

By: Sarah(London) RKC

Sarah(London) RKC — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:45:22 +0000

Your last para says it all!

Train simple. Train to get strong. Don’t worry about the RKC or you aint gonna have fun.
Keep your variety days separate. And swing a big kettlebell

oh and regarding coming to this ‘late’. I think you’ll find this IS the exact right time ;D

…. ps. I used etk as reference, but didn’t follow it.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 18:31:00 +0000

Laura — Elise hasn’t looked at my Turkish Get Up in a few visits. Definitely I could use some feedback on that. Good call! She does look at my swing every time — A LOT! However, I have this fear that as soon as I leave, my good technique stays in her studio, LOL!

We have discussed the best way to prepare for the RKC several times (probably every time I see her.) That’s one reason I have been on the fence about the right way to do this. She’s not that into ETK.

By: Laura

Laura — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 17:38:38 +0000

Sarah, have you asked Elise for her input? I would say, if she’s happy with how your form looks on TGUs and swings you’re probably okay with skipping the program minimum. Otherwise I think I might follow Josh’s advice. I read somewhere recently that for every faulty rep it’s necessary to do ten perfect ones in order to reprogram the body. If your swings and TGUs are already up to par you don’t need the reprogramming, but in case they aren’t the RKC Program Minimum seems like it’d be a great way to get perfect form into your muscle memory.

(I think this underscores the importance of working with a good trainer. It’s the only way to get feedback on your technique!)

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:19:29 +0000

Lillian & Nancy — Thanks for the encouragement! You guys rock!!

JC — I will check on adding an option to be notified when there are follow ups to your comment. Thanks. And please do let me know when you blog about your fast. Twitter is an easy place to find me: @strongsarah

Juan — Thanks. I appreciate the kind words. You and Christine inspire me!

Tonya — Yeah, don’t we love the pullups! I have the Iron Gym at home, and some bands to help when I can’t do any more “real” ones. (Happens pretty quickly!) But there is always the option of doing rows. Still a pull!

Cath — Thanks, Girl!! Planning is the easy part – execution can be pretty tough! Thanks for the encouragement. I am sure I will need it as I go along!

Jessica — That’s a very impressive gain in a short amount of time!! Congrats. And good luck with the AOS test!! Let me know how that goes!

Josh — I do appreciate your input, even if it’s not what I want to hear!! You are making me rethink things. As I ponder, let me say CONGRATULATIONS on your great accomplishment of becoming a RKC Instructor!!!!! Terrific work, Josh!! Thanks for ~~ruining my afternoon~~ making me think about this some more.

By: Josh Hanagarne

Josh Hanagarne — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:40:30 +0000

Just my opinion, Sarah: skipping the program minimum is nearly always a mistake. At the RKC you spend about 10 hours learning the swing and the get up. I thought I was doing them correctly–I wasn’t.

You may be doing them perfectly and can tell me to butt out:) I can’t encourage you too much, though–if you’re jumping ahead to the ROP, make sure you do swings and Get ups on some of your variety days.

Just to give you an idea of why I say this: I was doing TGUs with 40kg before the RKC. Now I’m starting over with the 16kg because my form was so bad. Nothing to feel bad about. This is all worth doing right. Otherwise, you wind up reinforcing imperfect movement.

Just my two cents as someone who jumped way too far, way too fast.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:53:41 +0000

Best of luck with ETK! I am working on getting ready for the AOS test and it continues to amaze me how quickly my strength can improve with regular practice. For example, 3 weeks ago I was only able to do 3 overhead presses of 16kg and two days ago I did 5 sets of 5 on each side. I think you will find the same thing…once you put your mind to it, the improvements will come fast!

By: Cath

Cath — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:19:32 +0000

You go girl! Planning ahead is always the best plan! LOL I’m so looking forward to reading about your progress. We’ll all keep you focussed and commited and you’ll get there in no time! OH!! and nice work on the fasts!! xo

By: Tonya B

Tonya B — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:13:17 +0000

Good luck following ETK. I can’t wait to hear how the pullups treat you. The pullups and the fact that I frayed my rotator cuff in December have kept me from starting this program. Here’s to progress!

By: Juan B

Juan B — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:04:43 +0000

You go Sarah!!
Smart choice on the program. I agree on the way you chose to being it. I myself did it the same way. I started doing AOS ETK first and then move to Pavel’s ETK.
Keep on with your RKC goal.
Hey, you can always go back and start it all over again from the begining(I have).