Tom Cashmore

Hi Rip; Hoping you can shed some light on this for me. A good friend of mine loves kettlebell lifting but is always complaining about how sore he is....he is old like me at 61 yrs. I said that I would try his kettlebell lifting if he would commit to giving SS barbell a go with me. I did a workout with him and although the 20 kg bell was light I did get gassed from constantly swinging it around. Did some kettlebell snatchs and my shoulder although not injured did not feel that safe doing constant reps for minutes on end. I told him this type of lifting is probably not the best way to go for guys our age...that barbell lifting will keep us going longer and looking better into our later years on the planet.

Mark Rippetoe

Kettlebell lifting is repetitive exercise with a light weight. It is not strength training. So, it depends on what you want to do in the gym: get sore, or get stronger. Playing with the kettlebells is better than playing with dolls, but if increased strength is your objective, you have to train for strength.

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Tedmiester

Hi guys, I'm a novice running LP for 8 months now. My last 3x5 sets were at:

Squat: 317
Bench: 256
Press: 182
DL: 395(1x5)

You can see all of these in my form check post.

My question is: is it appropriate for me to add RDL in place of back extensions? I cant add any more weight to the extension higher than a 45lb plate. I did RDLs yesterday with 135 and i think i got the form correct(felt the stretch in my hamstrings and bounced off it while maintaining an extended lower back), although the weight was a little light for 3x10.

Mark Rippetoe

What is your Power Clean?

Tedmiester

3x5x135lb

Mark Rippetoe

Then power clean is your light pulling day. RDLs are pointless at your level of training advancement.