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Simple and sinister Quotes from Pavel that make you stronger [Article]

Posted by Pascal Landshoeft

Nov 24, 2017 10:00:00 AM

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  1. The unique nature of kettlebell lifts provides a powerful training effect with a relatively light weight
  2. You can replace an entire gym with a couple of kettlebells
  3. The kettlebell swing has been known to improve the deadlift of elite powerlifters
  4. The kettlebell swing has been known to improve the running times of high-level long distance runners
  5. It is vain to do with more what can be done with less - Razor Occam
  6. Simple and sinister is not a program to maximize any one attribute or performance in a particular event.
  7. There are only two moving parts in Simple and Sinister, the swing and the get-up
  8. The Turkish get-up is the ultimate slow lift; the kettlebell swing is the ultimate quick lift
  9. The get-up is an old-time strongman stunt that is the king of "functional training".
  10. Once you have conquered the get-up you will be the master of your body, not its guest.
  11. Your simple and sinister workout is 100 swings total and five get-ups per arm.
  12. A workout should give you more than it takes out of you
  13. Women, Pick up that kettlebell and you should have no problem a better man than most men
  14. No choice. More work.
  15. Train barefoot or wear shoes with a flat, thin sole and room for the toes to spread.
  16. Respect every kettlebell, even the lightest one
  17. Always use perfect form picking up and setting down a kettlebell
  18. The body will always sacrifice quality for quantity - Gray Cook
  19. Kettlebell high-rep ballistics are the closest you can get to fighting without throwing a punch.
  20. The top of the swing is a plank.
  21. If your technique is correct, the kettlebell will form an extension of your arms
  22. In the swing, the arms work on the negative, the hips on the positive
  23. Be explosive. But do not confuse speed with panic
  24. A hard style swing demands maximally explosive individual reps - not maximum speed.
  25. Rest when the dirt is in the air. The farther you throw it, the more rest you get
  26. Do not abuse chalk - a little is good; a lot may make the skin tear.
  27. Heavy weight is instructive - Gray Cook
  28. Simple and Sinister is not a circuit. Do all sets of swings before you moving on to get-ups.
  29. A single get up rep on one side lasts about 30 seconds
  30. You do not have a weak and a strong arm- but a strong and a stronger one
  31. Do not rush; explore the movements
  32. The talk test is solid. I do not want to rob the next set of intensity by starting out of breath
  33. The kettlebell swing is inefficient, which is why it is a great fat burner - Dan John
  34. Stop your sets before your reps slow down - Alfonso Duran
  35. It does not matter if you can do 1.000 punches if none of them can knock out our little sister
  36. Finish each kettlebell swing with a powerful glute cramp and abdominal brace
  37. Get an idea of when you slow down and train to push the "slow down" rep point higher and higher
  38. Ballistic events are funny: you will never be at your best when you are trying your hardest
  39. Almost universally experienced fighters hit their hardest at 80% of effort
  40. Fifty percent of very strong is strong. Fifty percent of weak is irrelevant.
  41. When you own your breath, nobody can steal your peace - Anonymous
  42. General endurance is the basis for development of special endurance
  43. What is endurance except for continued strength?
  44. Out with a workout, in with a recharge
  45. Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler - Albert Einstein
  46. Easy training is far better than no training
  47. A Ruskie might not use death as an excuse
  48. I'm not as good as I once was, but I am as good once as I ever was
  49. Don't try to out-tough professional tough guys

If you want to read more about Pavel's work refer to my review of Deadlift Dynamite which he coauthored with Andy Bolton. You will also find further information on other programs on this blog and I hope you enjoyed the read. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Conclusion

Simple and sinister is a solid program to run for people who want to train strength and endurance in a fast and efficient way. In my opinion, the prerequisites are that you are not overweight and have some flexibility in the hip. The movements are more accessible to beginners than the barbell squat, deadlift and bench press as you can start with less load. Therefore it is excellent to introduce women to strength training, ease teenagers in the world of strength or progress beginner men into the world of strength. 

The progression on the Turkish get up is especially appealing as it is a satisfying and easy goal to achieve to lift more and more weight over your head while only using one arm.

More experienced strength athletes will find that reading Pavel's book will help them to understand breathing and bracing on a deeper level. The kettlebell can become a less complex tool for warm ups for heavy squats and deadlifts as you only not one piece of equipment instead of a plethora of the same.

Further reading

 

Topics: Lift stronger, Kettlebell