Phase 2 - Becoming the Beast Tamer

In my first phase of training, I spent 8 weeks working on re-acclimation to heavier barbell training and increasing my 1RM in fundamental movements such as squats, rows, pressing, a deadlifting. I ended up with a 50 lbs. increase in my squat max and a 30 lbs. increase in my bench max compared to my strongest days as a college wrestler. All the other lifts went up dramatically, but I did not measure a 1 RM in all of them. In this next phase of training, I will switch over to a style of training that will build off the baseline strength increases of the last phase and progress toward absolute maximum strength in 3 specific lifts, plus tremendous hip power. This new phase will help me achieve the specific strength goal of completing the "Beast Tamer Challenge"

But first..."What is the beast tamer challenge??"




A: This is a classic challenge offered at the RKC (Russian Kettlebell Challenge) Instructor course. This challenge is optional and is not a requirement for becoming a kettlebell instructor. Its purely for the glory. In order to complete the beast tamer challenge, the person attempting must successfully complete the following with the "beast" (a 106 lbs. kettlebell):



1) A standing Overhead Press with the "beast" - The kb must be cleaned to the half rack position and come to a full rest. The knees must stay totally locked while the beast is pressed and the student may not excessively bend to the side.




2) A Pistol while holding the "beast" - A pistol is a single leg squat with the free leg extended out in front. The butt must come all the way down to the heel with a pause before coming back up. See the picture below.



3) A Pullup with the "beast" hanging by a chain - The student must touch their neck or chest to the bar and MUST initial the pullup from a dead hang. No kipping and no lifting the knees above hip level.



There is a VERY short list of people who have completed this challenge. It is an elegant challenge in the sense that it is a great measure of full body strength. Most people can work up to completing one of the lifts, but not many can complete all three. Based on the pictures, wouldn't you think I was on that list?? Well, the Beast and yours truly have a bit of a history. I am proud to say I was the only person to even attempt this challenge at both the certifications I attended (RKC 1 and 2). The first time, I failed right away. I started and ended at the Military Press. You just dont appreciate how big the Beast is until it is resting on one side of your body, making your wrist feel like its going to break. I barely budged it...kinda embarrassing.

The second time I was way more prepared. I started with the pistol because I my legs are proportionally stronger than my upper body. My pulling strength is also good from wrestling for so many years, but my pressing strength as always lagged. I easily knocked out a beautiful pistol. Next, I got chained up for the pullup and was shocked how easy it was to get my neck to the bar. Then, it was time for the dreaded Military Press again. As I attempted the lift, I knew right away that it would be ugly. I trained and trained to be able to press the beast, but I neglected to work on being able to clean it properly. A fatal mistake indeed. After a sloppy clean, I actually did press the Beast to a full lockout, but I leaned way to far to the side and got disqualified. Strike two!

Let me just say there will not be a strike 3! I am so confident that I can complete this challenge that I am going to propose to dragon door that they allow my to complete the "Double Beast Tamer Challenge" Yes, I am not only going to tame 1 beast, but 2 beasts!!!! Well, maybe...

The hypothetical "Double Beast Tamer Challenge" would look something like this:

1) Double clean and military press (one beast in each hand)
2) Double pistol (one beast in each hand)
3) Double pullup (2 beasts chained to the body)

Now THAT would be sick!

As of right now, its going to happen in Vienna, Virginia at the next RKC certification. I hope I get selected as an assistant, otherwise I may just have to "roll in" haha. I will detail my plan for completing this challenge tomorrow. Stay tuned....