Off - Kettlebell Slow Strength 2.0 - 10/10/2024
- Trifecta Stretching (20 Second Holds)
- Bridge
- L-Sit
- Twist
- Passive Bar Hang
Personal Training Blog - No Substitutions - Follow the Program
Off - Kettlebell Slow Strength 2.0 - 10/10/2024
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The Convict Conditioning System
Man, if there's one thing that I've looked into too much it's Convict Conditioning. There are four main mistakes I think people make when first approaching Convict Conditioning. The first mistake that many people make is ignoring that there are four books to the series plus a really good PDF that explains many of the misconceptions. It IS a complete system :
Convict Conditioning
Focuses on the big six calisthenic movements.
Convict Conditioning Super FAQ (PDF)
Explains the misconceptions and offers some additional higher frequency programming options.
Convict Conditioning 2
Incorporates finger training, grip training, calves, flag work, oblique training, neck bridging and joint mobility/active stretching.
Also has sections for diet, lifestyle and mindset.
Convict Conditioning 3 (Explosive Calisthenics)
Offers options to work up to superman pushups, suicide jumps, front flips, back flips, kip ups and the muscle up.
Animal Movements and Small Space drills.
C-Mass
Offers hypertrophy work and diet advice for building mass.
The second mistake I think many people make is taking the rep ranges far too literally. Like, 3 x 50 horizontal pull ups done at waist height and a 2-1-2 cadence, forget it. From what I've gathered from speaking with the Kavadlo's and others, is that the rep ranges were there just as a rough guide but became gospel.
The third mistake is not realizing how difficult calisthenics can be. Every change in leverage amplifies any weakness you have whether that is extra weight or tendon strength. Weights are so much simpler to progress with which is why Convict Conditioning is such an impressive attempt at quantifying calisthenic progressions without getting into gymnastic style training.
The fourth mistake is not respecting the early progressions, steps 1-3 are pretty much rehab steps. When done at a proper tempo, these exercises oil and stimulate the muscles/joints/tendons without destroying them. These movements will set a broad base for the future movements. No one ever got worse by practicing the basics. Instead of asking yourself : "When can I progress?" instead ask yourself : "How much benefit can I get out of this movement?" Keep on wringing that sponge until all of the water is out.
Mastery of Bodyweight
Why would you move an external object for exercise when you aren't even able to move yourself? I find many people who look over calisthenics as an easy modality but aren't even proficient in the basics. Some people can't even do a basic push-up or flat foot bodyweight squat. Reaching a certain level in calisthenics proficiency will lead to better performance in weight lifting but it doesn't go the other way. More body awareness has never been a bad thing. It's not that I don't value weights, I certainly do but dude, why not 100% our body first before lifting externally. I just can't wrap my head around how that could be a bad thing.....
Enter New Blood
In the Convict Conditioning Super FAQ, Paul Wade presents us with some higher frequency programs. If you work an active occupation and/or practice intermittent fasting and/or walk at least 10,000 steps per day, I strongly recommend avoiding higher frequency programs. If I sat at a desk, for sure, I would follow something higher because my energy expenditure would be so low. Enter the basic New Blood program from the original Convict Conditioning book. It involves using the basic four movements : push-ups, squats, leg raises and chin ups. It is recommended that you hammer these four movements hard until step 6, then you can introduce dynamic handstands and bridging. Along with these four movements I am incorporating some movements from the other Convict Conditioning books. Remember this is a complete system. I am adding in : grip, fingertip work, isometrics and calf work. Until I reach a basic proficiency in these movements I am omitting : explosive work, animal movements and neck bridging (until later). I'll also be doing trifecta stretching sporadically throughout the day, before bed and when I have time or feel the need.
New Blood with Mobility, Form and Warm-up Guidelines
Day 1
Push ups
Fingertip Push ups
Grip Work
Leg Raises
Calves
Day 2
Isometrics
Day 3
Off
Day 4
Isometrics
Pull-Ups
Fingertip Push-Ups
Grip
Squats
Calves
Day 7
Off
Convict Conditioning Warm-Up and Cool Down Guidelines
Big Six (Push-ups, Squats, Leg Raises. Pull-Ups, Bridges, Handstand Push-Ups)
Two Warm-Up Sets of Lower Steps in the Series at 50% Effort.
Obviously if you're on step 1 or even two you can't do this method exactly.
Grip Work
Fingertip Pushups
1 Minute Joint Circling (Wrist, Elbows, Shoulders)
Eagle Claws 2 x 10
1 Set of 5-10 Reps of an easier step.
“Forearms”
Bust out some easy hangs.
Stretch out your fingers until you feel ready.
Calves
Perform after lower body work
Explosive Work
Joint Circles
Convict Conditioning Video Summary
Push ups
Moving Plank
Feet Together
Grip with Hands
Soft Arms at Top
Smooth Descent and Complete Control
Keep Elbows Tight and Fire Lats
Keep Hands Close
Breath In/Down Breathe Out/Up
2 Seconds Down - Pause - 2 Seconds Up
During 1 Arm Work keep Reps identical for both sides. Begin with a weaker
arm.
Leg Raises
No Isolation Movements for the Abs.
Always use the Full Body
Hard Work, Not lots of Work
Biomechanical Breathing
Keep breathing smooth.
Keep Gut Tight
No Momentum
2 Seconds Down - 2 Seconds Up
1 Second Pause at Top
Never let feet touch the floor
Train your spine through bridging
Chin Ups
Natural Grip
Begin from the Top
Keep Shoulders Packed
Soft Elbows
Hollow Body
Get Chin over the Bar
No Kipping
Keep Elbows Free
Pause for 2 seconds at the top / 1 second at the bottom
Lose Weight
Squat
30 to 40 degrees turned out for feet. Comfortable and Natural.
Push knees out to track feet.
Keep a natural spine. Don’t round the spine forward. Keep your head up
and straight. Keep shoulders square and down.
Lead with the hips. Sit down and back.
Always use full range of motion.
Never bounce at the bottom. Pause for 1 second.
Press through the heels.
Biomechanical Match Breathing
Brace the core.
For one legged movements, keep reps the same on both sides.
Bridging
Move for Reps
Seize the Arch
Pause at the top for 2 seconds.
Breathe smoothly and naturally.
Keep feet at shoulder width.
Push through all the limbs. Use arms and legs.
Use your entire hands. Grip the floor.
Press your chin up. Look at the wall behind you.
Raise your hips.
Keep heels flat.
Bang out some Trifecta stretches post bridge work.
Off - Kettlebell Slow Strength 2.0 - 10/10/2024 Pre-Bed Stretching and Mobility Trifecta Stretching (20 Second Holds) Bridge L-Sit Twist Cra...