My 32 Kilogram Kettlebell Felt Light Today

Last night I got a text that inspired me to use the kettlebell today in a WOD. I wanted to go with the 32kg one and push the intensity. I love a good kettlebell swing, but I am not a fan of the Crossfit style overhead swings. I like Russian swings and going heavier. That doesn’t mean the lighter ones don’t wind up going overhead at times.

I do occasionally like to use the lighter bell to go faster. Usually when I do go lighter, I use a 24-kilogram one, but I don’t shy away from using just the 16 kg if that feels right for the day.

Recently, when I have been doing WODs that involve swings, I have been trying to use the heavy motivator that weighs about 100 pounds. Molly bought it for me for Christmas last year. It was something I had wanted for a while but was too cheap to buy the damn thing for myself. I didn’t think I would be able to really use it in a WOD, but it turns out that I can and do occasionally use it in a workout.

Those workouts where I use it are obviously a little slower, and I tend to come up just a little short of the goal, but that is okay. I am a little more cautious with it. I always feel like I pushed myself with it though. I just consider those workouts ones where my goals are not aligned with Street Parking’s goals. I am good with that. When we went to the CrossFit gym, the owner always emphasized form instead of speed or weight. At the gym, the coaches were watching and could stop you if you’re not doing something properly, and I appreciated it when I got corrected.

I feel like Street Parking gets too hung up on time goals, especially with a lot of their members not doing things properly. Watching a video or two doesn’t teach you form. Years of practice does and no matter how light it is moving poorly is an injury waiting to happen.

The main thing I wanted to take away from using that heavy one was to make the 32kg one feel lighter. After using it today, I can say that it felt like the 24kg used to feel to me. I broke up the swings earlier than I had to, but I do feel that I could probably have gone through that WOD doing unbroken sets.

I am no stranger to the two-pood kettlebell. I often used one when we went to CrossFit Trinium because I was strong enough and had good enough technique. When there were large classes, they would run out of the 24kg ones, so I would get volunteered to go heavier. I am glad I did. That little extra push to be uncomfortable has been a big help in my getting to a place where I do it here on my own just because I want to.

Music for Alice In Chains.