Just wanted to say hello!

[$ilverback]

Hi RKC!

Just wanted to introduce myself!

I'm Al, and I live in Woodford in Essex UK. I'm 38, wife and two younglings - a matching set of each sex ;-)

I've been training martial arts for ooooh 25 years on and off and did a spell of Bodybuilding in young days, and have done Muay Thai for last 15 years, where I competed (again, as a mid 20-something) and this year took up Brazilian Jiu~Jitsu.

OK, so that's my boring life story over with! I have recently ordered a 1pood cast from Tekfitness, after being encouraged by the amazing Pavel's book Enter the Kettlebell.

I've started doing the run in training, and have adapted a Dumbell to be weighted offcentre - onyl a 12 kg one tho to practice my swings and clean and press.

Am also looking to do the warrior diet when the book comes thru post, as I hear good things about that too - and I need to shift some lard (6'4'' & 300lbs)!

One thing I wanted to talk to you guys about was reps, did I imagine it or did I read Pavel say that the sets should only have 5 reps per set?

I can't telly ou guys how impatient and excited I am to get my bell thru - no stock till end of month - bah!

Also, current training regime is BJJ training @ 2-3 times per week plus maybe the odd bike ride and still flirting with week 6 of one hundred push ups (I can do 100 with a little breather, but only light and not deep perfect form at the moment).

So... Q2 is this- as I start to train with the bells, what frequency should I use?

I am thinking every other day than my BJJ - with maybe a day off depending on how I feel.

What do you guys think?

Appreciate any wisdom, and it's great to be a member of what seems to be a really tight and friendly community!

Be Swell!

Al

[Al-uk]

Hi Al,

I am just round the corner in Reading. Like you I am in my 30's and have trained and competed in the martial arts. ETK great book, do yourself a favour and get a kettlbell!

For strength, keep your reps under 5.

For endurance, reps can be in the 100s.

One thing I keep have to re-learn is focus on one thing at a time.

So do your BJJ training. Then either follow the program min. in ETK or do the 100 push up thing.

The Program Min. is 4x a week. Swingsx2 TGUx2.

Years ago I did Pavel's push-up program that was published Muscle Media. I started at 50 and after 2 weeks I could do a solid 100 no problem. It's a great program for increasing pushup numbers and has you doing sets through out the day. I got some funny looks at work. I think it has been reprinted in 'Beyond Bodybuilding'.

Good luck with your goals and welcome to the party!

Cheers,

Al

[$ilverback]

Ha! Another Al!

Well thanks buddy fo rth einfo, will checkout the pavel push up thingy..
As for starting off, yeah i want strength but also lard melting.
Just had first bjj comp - masters (over 30), over 100kg and white belt catgory ..lol and I failed to escape theside control of the other guy, who had dome lot of rugby and was really powerful across the shoulders and the chest, and I was like, ok, that does it!

So I'll run the minmum plan then recalibrate after a month or so.

In addition, I cant remember EVER reading a fitness book and actually laughing out loud.
Pavel kicks serious ass!

Here's to the bells!

[Roman]

Al ($ilverback),

Welcome to the party!

I second the recommendation for ETK's Program Minimum.

After you build up a foundation with the kettlebell, check into posts about Mark and Tracy Reifkind (and google "Rif's blog") for kettlebell training weight loss ideas that really work. You could address a post to Rifstonian (Mark's username) at that time if you wanted more details. I have never trained for significant weight loss myself, but I understand the way Rif has done it is one of the best around.

Good luck!


Alex