Mick has kindly given us an insight into the history of his kettlebell training. Mick is undoubtedly an accomplished lifter, and also has a great deal (15 years) of boxing experience and a black belt in Aikido. Mick is also currently training to be one of the first 3 Instructors in Australia for Target Focus Training, which he should achieve by December this year.
His stats are:
Age: 37 years
Weight: 81.5kg
Height: 6ft2in
PBs:
Snatch:
1x16kg @10min 121/118 (over a year ago)
1x20kg@10min 100/100 (last week)
1x24kg@10min 70/77
Jerk:
2x16kg@10min 108
OALCCJ:
1x24kg@10min 68/68 (March 08)
Goals:
Reach level 1 in 6mths, CMS within 12mths and travel overseas to compete.
Mick has recently opened up a training facility in Bondi:
115 Bronte Rd Bondi Junction.
For enquiries email: [email protected] or call Mick on 0414694034
The journey so far...
One Sunday night about four years ago in the beer garden of The Coogee Bay Hotel I was having a few quiet schooners with the founder and creator of Target Focus Training (TFT) Tim Larkin. Talk got to "ways to train", "what are you doing?" etc. as it always does with like minded individuals. If you've ever met/seen Tim he is an imposing figure, back then I think he was at about 6', 210lbs and 5% BF and very fit. Anyway he mentioned that he was now getting heavily involved in Kettlebell training and that he loved it. Now as Tim has the "pick" of training methods at he's disposal (he literally knows everyone in the industry) I thought I'd investigate a little further.
Next thing you know I have my first 16kg delivered with a Pavel DVD from Australian Kettlebells. Tim gave me a template for an EDT style workout so I jumped straight in. Within two weeks I was hooked and ordered my first 24kg bell.
It seemed that all my prayers had been answered. My training after my first EDT cycle developed into something straight out of a Dragon Door advert :-) It was effective and I had some great strength increases, but it always seemed that something was missing. I did hundreds of presses, TGU's, swings, snatches, windmills, renegade rows etc. I managed to press more then half my body weight (44kg) and was feeling strong. Then two years ago I had the chance to talk to Steve Cotter and he evaluated my programme. While he thought it was good needed something extra, so he wrote me a new one. This was my first real glimpse into the world of Girevoy sport (GS). Since then I've experimented but have found that training with GS methods works best for me.
To me Girevoy sport is not just a pastime, it's become a passion. I'm not and never will be the best lifter out there but I just love the mechanics of it. It's a sport which breeds longevity. I can't remember the last training related injury I've received, actually I don't think I've had one since I changed my training. Along with that comes the friendships and camaraderie that stems from knowing what it's like to spend time under "the bells". Within months of starting my GS journey, I made contact with a fellow Girevik living in Tasmania, Paul tucker. His vast knowledge and in-depth understanding of the sport and, more importantly, his willingness to pass on any and all information freely, really galvanized my belief in the fact that this was the activity for me.
The politics of the KB community are unbelievable to me, people become so passionate about "a style" of training it is almost scary (if not for the fact that it's funny) yet this passion breeds commitment . And in turn this commitment leads to results.
Whether or not your goal is to last 10 minutes or 10 reps it's all about being active.
Obviously the way I like to train isn't for everyone. To me spending a full 10 minutes under the bells is an achievement worth noting. What I will say is that I've tried KB's from all directions, sides if you will and the greatest results I've found have come after switching to a GS based programme. Now in saying that, I'm not one to disregard stuff that works and is beneficial so yes I still incorporate TGUs and some of the earlier exercises I was doing, it's just that the balance has changed dramatically. Oh and I can still press that 44kg and even though I don't lift heavy very often. And I will add that when I posted 222 reps with the 24 in a SSST it was way easier then doing 70/77 GS style (even though I rested in the hang, can't do that now :-) ).
I've made friendships that will last a lifetime and have had a lot of fun along the way. My life has been changed for the better because of a humble piece of metal which I like to chalk and lift for multiple reps, go figure... My own journey with the KB has only really just begun and I'm sure it'll lead me to a great place.
My advice is to forget the "politics" and style v's style garbage. Find what works for you and go at it.......
Now once my Achilles tendon heals, I'm training for the next comp :-)
Mick
Mick