Plateau(s).
You hear the term often in the gym, magazines, and just about anything related to fitness. A big plateau for most is transitioning from the “Hang” position of a snatch or clean to performing the exercise through its full range a motion, correctly. While many factors must go into breaking through this plateau, a helpful tool is the kettlebell. Unfortunately most of the power racks in the gyms now days are not conducive to setting various pin heights from the knee joint down to the feet. This leaves you with creating your own blocks on either side of the barbell out of plates, wood blocks, or aerobic steps. We all know about “Murphy’s Law” and you can just imagine what negatives can result from setting a round plate and bar on top of any one these surfaces in a gym atmosphere. True, you can easily design a set of homemade blocks with safety stops so you do not crack those lovely mirrors. This method works great, but I found that most people tend to stack whatever is available and not bother to go through the process of design, construction, and more important safety.
An easier solution is the kettlebell. Its stable bottom allows it to be elevated easily and safely on just about any surface available in the gym. Even a single 2×6 works great, is easily transported in a gym bag, and requires little to no modifications. As an added benefit you have the luxury of doing single arm snatches and cleans to help you break through that plateau.
If you are thinking about buying a kettlebell, shop around. Different manufactures offer varying handle heights. As an example I own several forty pound kettlebells from three different manufactures. All three have different heights from ground to grip. The tallest kettlebell is three inches higher than that of the smallest. Consider your weaknesses, needs, and plateau’s when shopping for a kettlebell.
If you need help busting through your plateau, give me a shout. I am located in Bear, Delaware and still have a very limited number of evening and weekend slots open for your training needs.
Please contact me, J.Johnston aka “JJ”, Delaware’s Renegade Kettlebell Professional at jjcrewguy@aol.com
Having competed in a long laundry list of sports has given me some of life’s greatest lessons. From winning to losing, from the meaning of team to mano a mano each presents a certain gift.