AXE PROGRAM IS TERRIFIC
Summary: few PR in 2.5 weeks of Axe
Background: could not do Simple, 16kg TGU was ok but struggled with 1-hand swing for 24kg. Usually could do 3 or 4 swings only. Workout in my basement at 6am before work. 12kg to 24kg KB + squat rack and BB.
My KB goal is to continue to do Axe with 24kg hoping to do H2H when my grip will be stronger. The reason is the kayaking, SUP and backpacking seasons are starting soon. Last summer, I was able to do 1-hand swing with 21kg KB and putting my kayak on my roof was so much easier. I'm going to add some push press to my training because I cannot really "swing" my 23 kg kayak in my garage. My 15kg SUP is so heavy and awkward to carry, it's reinforced for whitewater so extra wide too.
- Beginning of March (before Axe): 5 x 1 Hand Swing with 24kg KB for the first time on both sides. So happy. I've been struggling with 24kg for so long.
- 3 weeks off to take care of my dad.
- Wednesday April 3rd: 1st attempt to Axe "by memory" (I read the book months ago) -> 21kg x H2H. 6 swings OTM then 8 swings because too easy. Stopped at 28 minutes, I was late to work. Surprised and so happy, it was easy.
- Reread the book and forum threads
- Few days later 2nd Axe with 24kg x 1-hand x 2 rep OTM until 25 minutes because of stop signs. So happy, that was 50 x 1 hand-swing with 24kg for the first time.
- Few days later 3rd Axe with 24kg x 1-hand x 3 rep OTM until ~34 min because I wanted to do 100 swings.
- Few days later 4th Axe with 24kg x 1-hand x 4 rep OTM until ~22 min because of stop signs
- Wedn April 17: 5th Axe with 24kg x 1 hand x 5 rep OTM until 20 minutes because ... "this is 100 swings, I'm wondering if I can do TGU now?" and I did my 10 TGU with 16 kg in 9 minutes. Kind of untimed "SIMPLE", celebration dance ;-)
- Thursday April 18, watch videos of @Anna C swinging 28kg and 32kg like if it was "nothing" (she's my new hero). It was on a interesting thread about speed of 1H swing
- Friday April 19: went to a shop to buy a 28kg KB hoping than by doing 2 hands swing with 28kg on days when my hands need a "rest" it will help my 24kg x 1H. The shop has only a 32kg on display so I tried several 2 hands swings and it felt easy. Wondered if I needed a 28kg or a 32 kg. They brought the 28kg, tried it and could even do a single hand with the 28kg on both sides (=45.8% BW) !!!! I was shocked. The sale guy was so good "because it's your first time here, you have $50 discount, and because the 32kg is a floor display, I'll give it to you at 50% if you buy both" ... I tried them again and bought them. So it's like if I paid $2 less for the 32kg full price and I got the 28kg free ;-)
- Friday April 19: I had to play with my new toys when I came home ;-) OTM 28kg x 10 rep with 2 hands swings x 2 minutes (easy) + OTM 32kg x 10 rep with 2 hands swings x 2 minutes then stop sign... few minutes break, then decided to do TGU. The first one felt heavy ... I screwed up and picked up the 20kg KB instead of the 16KB. It was my first time doing a TGU with a 20kg !!! I did 3 on each side then stop sign. I was so happy. (I'm sore today as expected, rest day ;-) )
Grip Strength: I've been handing from my pull up bar with 2 hands (10 sec to 1 min) and 1 hand (5 sec), I think it's helping my grip strength a lot, the stretch feels so good. I do it few times/day. On non-Axe day I'm doing front squat BB, ring dip, pullup and 2 days of rest per week.
Thank you to all of you, this forum is a gold mine of information.
Great work, @Ellen! Thanks for sharing your progress. Those are great insights.
Your season of kayaking, SUP and backpacking sounds awesome.