Ashley's kettlebell swing
In 2008, the kettlebellers of Montague participated in a 5000 kettlebell swing challenge. Well, now the bar is set higher and the challenge is open to all who want to participate.
It is a simple challenge. Pick your start date and within 30 days accumulate 10,000 kettlebell swings. You track and post your own progress.
You can join at the facebook events page, which will let you participate in a fun, supportive swing community (heh heh) or simply comment on this post with your start date and update your swing totals as you go.
C’mon! Fitness and fun in one small ball with a handle. Yes, it has an attitude too!
12 comments
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February 24, 2010 at 9:17 pm
Greta
580 for the big bottom blogger…and..oh….my hands are pretty raw….yipes. I only had callouses in the middle..not the edges of my hands–so the outer parts of my palm are pretty sore. I will build some callouses soon, tho.
580….and my 9 year old official did the count for me. Only a 15 pound bell, tho…..we’ll see how I feel tomorrow and I will decide to proceed with 15 or move to my 20. I might have to progress a bit slower to the 20…..what do you throw around when you do your swings, Wendy? (do I even want to know??)
February 25, 2010 at 6:47 am
thewholeway
Ah Greta you are amazing! Yes the hands will toughen…mine were pretty sore when I did those 220 continous snatches!
I am not throwing any big kettlebells as I am just at the end of rehabbing from my shoulder issues and have some wonky scaps still and rotation issues. So, I am using the 8kg (18.2 pounds) for this volume of work. For smaller volume, I’d swing the 20 or the 25 pounder.
I’m so glad you joined the challenge! I’ve put your total on the event page on Facebook and a link to your blog. There are 34 Challengers signed on to the event page!
February 25, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Greta
Thanks for putting me on the facebook page!
So….as far as a “swing” goes…I did only snatches yesterday. But, would a clean and jerk count as a “swing” as well?? I am thinking of changing them up a bit. And…once my tax refund hits…I am going to buy a 26 pounder just because. I have been somewhat “eyeing” the level II rank requirements……….for a future goal. !!! I need to get below 165 pounds, tho….LOL…..that category is 5 less swings per arm. Another good reason to get this last 20 or so pounds off.
I did wear gloves for the last 200 or so…..handball gloves…the only ones I could find. I do not want to wear them, tho…I want to toughen up my hands and be a purist.
Butt is a wee bit sore today……weapons of ass destruction indeed. Whooot!
February 25, 2010 at 1:09 pm
thewholeway
Your discretion, Greta, to count what you think counts. The challenge is for pure fun and motivation. Whatever works, works!
February 25, 2010 at 5:34 pm
Greta
200 more for my totals. I did 70 snatches each arm with my 20 pound bell. Then I did 30 clean and jerks each arm–also with my 20 pound kettlebell…and…..holy guacamole……that is WAY harder than with the 15 pound bell. Now I am afraid of my 26 pounder coming.
I am afraid that snatches are easier for me than the clean and jerk. Is that normal? I also am not 100% of my form in my snatch. I do not seem to really bend my arm much going up or down….is that really bad and do I need to adjust it? When I tried to put in an arm bend as the bell got eye level or so…it seemed to make it more wobbly for me. Maybe the snatches are easier for me because I am doing them wrong.
February 25, 2010 at 7:26 pm
thewholeway
Snatches are easier than clean and jerks, generally, and surely easier than a press! You need to get that “arm bend” in for proper form…are you swinging it and then letting it swing over the top of your hand and beat crap out of your wrist? That ‘arm bend’ is really a small punch movement. Do you do any high pulls? Cuz it is like a traveling high pull.
Nice work with those kettlebells! Impressive!
February 26, 2010 at 12:18 am
Greta
It is not hitting my wrist in the snatch at all. But I think I am keeping my arm mostly straight..not bending it. I will have to video it and see.
When I was doing the clean and jerks today I noticed it was hitting my wrist more than I would like. I have a bruise on my left wrist. I do not have the “professional” quality bells…that might be part of it.
For the rank tests on snatch, you have to do the 60 (or whatever) per arm in 10 minutes, right? And you can switch arms as often as you like? I have seen some videos where they only use one arm the whole time, so I was confused.
And, same with the one-arm jerk? You do 60 (or whatever you need based on rank, weight, etc) per arm in 10 minutes, and can switch the arms up?
Then the long cycle is different…right…it is only a clean then press…then pressing again from the clean position…not swinging it all the way back down?? And you hit your 50 (or whatever) per arm in the 10 minutes?
It is all a bit confusing. Thanks for any light you can shed.
February 27, 2010 at 6:04 am
thewholeway
A video is a great idea to check your form on the snatch Greta. And, the ‘prograde’ kettlebells are nice, but you shouldn’t have to bruise with the fitness style kettlebells, which are what I also use.
I think you are referring to Competition standards above? I have to admit to not knowing too much about Sport Kettlebell Standards except to check out standings and video occasionally. I don’t use the kettlebell in the sport style and I’m drawn to competition practice. I’d check out Dragondoor’s stuff on Sport style. I know Steve Cotter teaches sport, but many programs do not.
Sorry, that’s likely not much help to you.
Hitting your wrist on the clean (as in clean and jerk) just requires a bit more coordination of the clean which tends to come with practice and being able to absorb the clean into the rack with a wee bit of body softening….might not make sense. Once you are in rack you complete the jerk with the kettlebell already resting against your forearm, so there shouldn’t be any bumping at this phase of the movement.
Play on girl!
February 27, 2010 at 12:06 am
Greta
220 more for an even 1000. I used 15 today. The 20 pounder “did me in” yesterday! I’ll be back at the 20 soon, tho….do not worry.
February 27, 2010 at 5:54 am
thewholeway
Yay! Strong work Greta.
February 27, 2010 at 9:56 pm
Greta
Thanks for the tips. The body softening DOES make sense and that is what I need to work on. I definitely have become a bit bruised with the clean and jerk…but not the snatch. I will be more mindful of my form and maybe get out my Pavel dvd again and review.
And, I DO actually bend my arm going up on the snatch…I paid close attention today in front of a mirror. I just do not bend it quite the same as others…some do a bit of a punch up…mine is more like a swing all the way up. I wish I lived near you……I’d be there in a flash. Maybe Diane and I can make a pilgrimage up one day….she can pick me up on her way north.
After my run today I did 75 swings on each arm. So….add another 150 to my totals. 1150. Whooop!
February 28, 2010 at 7:06 am
thewholeway
Sounds like you are doing mostly fine Greta but check the DVD again. The snatch isn’t a swing and is more like a punch up, which is why I suggested the high pull as an intermediary step…
Maybe we could all meet in the middle
I like that idea!
I’ll add your 150….
Swing on!