Well, I continue to progress with the Snatch Test. Today I warmed up while one of the trainees was here and then hit my 5-minute snatch test once he left.

After speaking with Dave Whitley, he suggested I go away from trying to get as many reps as possible before switching arms like I had been doing, and instead hitting planned blocks. Andrew Durniat also suggested the same thing to me, so i figured if those two dudes are telling me the same thing, I better listen.

So, I set out today to get 20/20, 15/15, and then 10/10. However, my left arm kept wearing out on me. I was trying to maintain better form with that arm and keep the track of bell more of a straight line as opposed to an arc. Not sure if that tired me out more or what…

Here is the rep pattern that I ended up getting (right hand first this time): 20/18, 15/10, 10/10, 8/8, 7.

I wanted to give it a try with my right hand first this time because my form is better on that arm, but I think I like the feel of going with my left hand first though.

Today was another PR of 106 reps in 5 minutes.

I think I could have probably squeaked out a couple extra snatches on the last attempt with my right hand, but I had the music turned up so loud that I thought I might have missed the buzzer. I use my BlackBerry for my timer and unfortunately the screen goes black after like 30 seconds. I went over to see if I had already gone 5 minutes and as I reached down to check the buzzer went off. So I might have 108 in the tank right now. Check out the video:

I think if I had someone hear telling me exactly how much time I had left on the clock, I could do a lot better. Going to work Swings today in mass quantities for my second workout to get my endurance up in that movement as well.

It was definitely nice to gas out today. I actually missed it over the last 8 or ten days, since I wanted to avoid damaging my hands for Nationals.

With more consistent practice, I have no doubts I can get over 110 by the time the test rolls around. Need to continue working on form, using more of my lower body, work on breathing, and pulling the bell down more.

Thanks to everyone who has left comments both here on Diesel, through the email and on my YouTube Channel.

Speaking of my YouTube Channel, I worked on it a bit last night. Check it out and subscribe if you have time = > Jedd’s YouTube Channel: Grip, Strongman, and More!

Ultimate Forearm Training for Baseball | How to Bend Nails | How to Tear Cards | Feats of Grip Strength Explained | How to Build Your Own Equipment | How to Lift Atlas Stones | The Sh*t You’ve Never Seen | Sled Dragging for Athletes | The Road to the Record DVD

I have called upon the readers in the Diesel Universe for my Muscle-up training in the past, and now I have another favor to ask.

In September, Smitty and I are going to an RKC certification, and we will be doing the 100-rep Snatch Test.

Before last week, I never did more than like 20 snatches total in the same day, so this is all completely foreign to me, so i was wondering if some of you would take the time to watch a couple of the videos I have taken of myself trying the Snatch Test.

If you have time to watch, and leave any suggestions you have in the comments section, I would really appreciate it.

Video 1

This is my very first set trying the snatch test. I got 68 reps. I did not count one of them because I partially snatched it with both hands. I must have miss-counted when I first reviewed the video because I say 13 reps on the last set but I actually got 18.

I really thought I’d get much more than 68 on my first set, but I was taking too much rest time during repetitions, I think.

Rep Pattern: L25, R25, L18

Video 2

I took about 15 minutes rest and tried one more set. This time I made quicker transitions between reps and got 80 reps. Lost a rep on a flubbed transition and had to do a short swing. Definitely need to avoid that on test day.

Rep Patter: L20, R20, L15, R15, L10

Like I said in the video, my form is rough and I am SO not in shape for this. I was really huffing and puffing on this day. I am more used to Juggling Kettlebells and doing other Feats with them

Thanks in advance for any suggestions you might have.

Make it a great day!

Jedd

P.S. To all you Steel Benders – I just started working on a project today that is going to help you out tremendously. Stay Tuned for further announcements.

Ultimate Forearm Training for Baseball | How to Bend Nails | How to Tear Cards | Feats of Grip Strength Explained | How to Build Your Own Equipment | How to Lift Atlas Stones | The Sh*t You’ve Never Seen | Sled Dragging for Athletes | The Road to the Record DVD

How to Do the Kettlebell Snatch Without Forearm Pain

Many people interested in strength and fitness are turning to kettlebells in order to accomplish their goals.

Unfortunately, many are also experiencing pain because of it.

It’s common for new kettlebell practitioners to develop serious pain in the back of their forearms due to improper form in the kettlebell snatch.

You see, to the eye of the beginner, when watching a more experienced athlete perform movements such as the kettlebell snatch, many think that at the top of the movement the kettlebell spins freely in the hand.
CHECK OUT THE REST OF THIS KILLER POST AFTER THE JUMP (more…)

Photo Source: Niki DeSantis. Athlete: Mike Rankin

If you’ve been around the NET at all, you’ve seen a lot of video clips where people juggle kettlebells.  There are tons of different ways to juggle kettlebells.  I’ve seen guys do it behind their back, going between their legs, and even juggling more than one bell at a time.

While you may also have the goal of mastering the art of kettlebell juggling, it’s important to start out on the right foot or else you could get very frustrated and maybe even injured by improper technique. The way I started out was by performing what I call the Forward Flip and Catch.

READ THE REST OF THIS KILLER POST AFTER THE JUMP (more…)

Hello everyone. If you love kettlebell training, then I’ve got a post for you!

I’m going to show you a few ways to modify the kettlebell snatch to make it more challenging and grip strength intensive. And then I am going to ask you what ways you modify kettlebell lifts in your training.

There are almost endless ways that you can vary your kettlebell training to provide yourself with a new stimulus.

Using a heavier bell…

Doing more reps per set… (more…)