Just swinging seems to be working because I am the only barrier to swinging my kettlebells

Update: I personally choose my cast iron kettlebells from Dragon Door and my competition kettlebells from Kettlebell Kings.

In yesterday's post, I bragged about something that wasn't a big win or a big deal to anyone but me; however, it was a very big deal for me. 

Put succinctly, my kettlebells live right by my bed and right by my bedroom TV. They live on a step box and are covered with chalk and they're just there. They couldn't be more convenient. Yes, I didn't really use them, religiously, every single day, the way I had and have and do promise myself that I will do every single day.

What was the problem? It was too easy to make excuses to myself that were viable enough that I fell for them every single time.

• "I can't do them now, I need to have a pad and a pencil ready so that I can track the number of swings and the weight!"
• "I can't do them now, I need to have my Atlas Wristband 2 on my wrist, charged up, and ready to record all my swings!"
• "I haven't found the perfect Android or iOS app for my Note or Touch where I can log all my swings and sets."
• "I'm not ready, I haven't set up my Gymboss or BTBSIGN Interval timer, how will I know when, for how long, and how often to swing?"
• "Dammit, I ran out of time before I need to jump into the shower and head out for the day, I guess I'll have to do it tonight."
• "Drats, I can't do all those swings so close to bed or I'll be so jacked from all the adrenaline that I won't get to sleep!"
• "I can't do the swings now because I just had breakfast (lunch, dinner, a snack, etc)"

The good news is that all of that ended yesterday. From yesterday on, all of my daily kettlebell swings will be ephemeral. I won't track any of them.

My Two-Handed Kettlebell Swing Daily Morning Workout Routine

1. Eat some eggs, have some coffee and take my morning meds while watching Seth James DeMoor's daily vlog that publishes at 7am my time every day.
2. Pick up my 12kg competition kettlebell and swing until I stop, giving me some time with light weights to do a personal diagnosis of my body and work out the kinks, put the bell down.
3. Chill out for between 10-seconds and maybe 5 minutes, depending on how many squirrels my ADHD brain notices, "hey, look, squirrel!"
4. Pick up my 16kg iron bell and swing until I stop, giving my body some more time to work on the hip hinge and diagnose any funny knee pain or impending sciatica or any strange heart rate suggestions that I should take it easy today. Put down the bell.
5. Chill out again, for as short a time as feels either necessary or convenient or until I decide, "okay, I'm ready!"
6. Pick up the 20kg cast iron bell and swing it until I stop, then put it down.
7. Chill out some more, trying to keep the rest to 20 or 30 seconds but sometimes closer to a couple-few minutes, maybe a little longer.
8. Pick up the 24kg kettlebell and swing it until I really don't feel like I have it in me to want to do any more, always keeping gas in the tank, which, according to Pavel Tsatsouline, is essential if you want to have a rest of the day that doesn't suck. Put the bell down.
9. Rest and recover, but by this time, I feel like I am away and feeling stronger, so the rests are actually closer to 30-90-seconds between sets.
10. Pick up the 24kg and swing until I am done, put the bell down.
11. Repeat with the 24kg kettlebell again and again until I either 1) run out of time and the work day guilts me into doing only a few 24kg sets of swings or 2) I feel like I am going to ruin the rest of my day and tomorrow if I keep on going with too many sets. I need to work every day so I need to make sure I never put myself into lactic acid traction for the rest of the day (already bad) or the next day (generally, even worse). 

For now, I am not going to touch any kettlebells for the rest of each day until the morning of the next day. What do you think? Maybe I can do a monthly fitness test that I can come up with in order to log my progress. Maybe even do a weekly fitness test so log and track my progress. Ignore the days but, maybe, on Sundays, I can really put myself to the test and see how my body is adapting to the stress I put on my posterior chain day-after-day, week-after-week. 

If you have any ideas as to how best to do this, please let me know in the comments. 

What ChatGPT Thinks

Swinging kettlebells can be an effective exercise on its own because it targets multiple muscle groups, including the posterior chain (glutes, hamstrings, and lower back), core, and shoulders. However, to achieve your fitness goals, it's important to have a well-rounded workout program that includes a variety of exercises that target different muscle groups and aspects of fitness.

That being said, swinging kettlebells consistently and with proper form can be an excellent way to build strength, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness. One of the benefits of kettlebell swings is that they are a compound movement, meaning they engage multiple muscle groups and joints simultaneously, which can help increase overall functional strength and power.

In terms of barriers to swinging kettlebells, the main obstacle is often motivation and consistency. It can be challenging to maintain a regular workout routine, but making small, achievable goals and tracking progress can help keep you motivated and accountable. It's also essential to ensure that you are using proper form and technique when performing kettlebell swings to prevent injury and maximize results. If you're unsure about proper form, consider working with a certified trainer or taking a class to ensure that you're getting the most out of your workout.

What Bard Thinks

I'm glad to hear that you're finding success with your kettlebell swing workouts! It's true that the only barrier to swinging your kettlebells is yourself. If you're consistent with your workouts and push yourself to improve, you'll see great results.

Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your kettlebell swing workouts:

• Use proper form. This is essential for preventing injuries and getting the most out of your workouts.
• Start with a light weight. You can always add more weight as you get stronger.
• Focus on your form. Don't worry about how many swings you can do at first. Just focus on getting the form right.
• Listen to your body. Don't push yourself too hard. If you experience any pain, stop and rest.
• Vary your workouts. This will help to keep your workouts interesting and to prevent boredom.
• Make sure to get enough rest. Your body needs time to recover from exercise.
• Eat a healthy diet. This will help you to fuel your workouts and to recover properly.
• Stay hydrated. It is important to stay hydrated, especially when you are exercising.

By following these tips, you can create a kettlebell swing workout routine that is safe and effective.