The Problem with CrossFit, Kettlebells, and Functional Training | Starting Strength Radio #36

Joe rogan needs to get Rip on his podcast!!

I think we should let them push all the "fluffy" workouts...keeps the squat racks and benches open and available!

We are huge proponents and supporters of Rip and Starting Strength in general. We believe in the power of the deadlift, bench press and squat and use it on a daily basis with our clients. When it comes to Kettlebells, I'd like to share some constructive feedback to what is said in the podcast. 1) Kettlebells are a fad Depending on the sources, we can date kettlebells back into the 17th century. Strength equipment that survived this long is not usually considered as a fad - if we put american/russian politics aside. 2) Kettlebell is not strength training It's probably not in a typical sense since there is a ballistic component involved (as Rip mentioned) and Russians do consider kettlebells as a form of cardio. Aside from the TGU however, there are more exercises that intentionally avoid the ballistic component and therefore can be judged strictly as a form of strength training; such as the goblet squat or the strict press. Even ballistic movements like the Clean & Press or the Long Cycle require a proper amount of force production especially from the legs and don't depend on ballistics alone. Specifically at the point when both kettlebells are in the rest position prior to the dip, jerk and overhead fixation. Finally, providing the kettlebell swing as the main exercise to build strength from a kettlebell training point of view wouldn't be the right exercise in the first place. Even though it's the most popular, I'd rather use the Clean & Press (or the mentioned long cycle) in that regard. 3) How to build strength for kettlebells The question probably should be rephrased since kettlebells are not a question of raw force production alone.  Pressing or snatching a heavy kettlebell (28 kg+) overhead for example can certainly be achieved with raw strength. However, the best way to "become stronger/better with kettlebells" would be to improve the technique itself (juding from the girevoy/ kettlebell sport style of view). Anecdotally speaking, I'm now able to clean & press the 28 kg for a certain amount of reps because I've been working on my technique and not by getting stronger on my deadlift, squat nor bench press. We see the same results with our clients as well. Enjoy the holidays guys; looking forward to more content in 2020!

This is so true. Get stronger to improve everything. I'm not quite as old as Rip but I'm close and been involved at all levels of strength training individuals for over 3 decades. Thanks for spreading the word guys.

Hi Mark, I really enjoyed your video. I hope God gives you a long healthy life so you can continue to inspire humans to be physically strong. I am from the UK and recently the National Health Service (which is UK large free social health service) has implemented in their guidelines for newly diagnosed cancer patient that they must join a gym within 48h to begin a strength and HIIT training programme. The reason being is that it has shown being physically strong and conditioned before cancer treatment, patients are better prepared to undergo chemo-radio therapy and surgery. In addition, their recovery rate is fast and do not require to spend as much time in recovery if they come into the treatment strong and fit. Only now the medical community have realised the huge benefits strength has on your cancer prognosis and other health conditions. I wish the health and fitness would focus on strength and condition through training the big compound lifts as voiced in SSBBT. Thank you for your help. Mo

I play billiards and getting stronger has certainly improved my game. I notice increased stability in contorted positions as well as increased stamina. Having a strong back and strong hands and forearms is a huge advantage since most billiard players don’t train.

Your best content in months. This is the Rip I signed up for

After years of touch and go experiences with the Starting Strength Method, this video has, finally, for some reason, convinced me. I am amazed by my own ability to make excuses for myself.

This is my favorite YouTube video, by far! Thank you, Mr. Rippetoe, for sharing your knowledge and wisdom!

This channel is a hidden gem. Great work guys. ❤

His tips are great and I love hearing him speak

I used kettlebells extensively and effectively in two situations. First, for rehab and second when I was a fighter. Olympic/power lifting did not give me the endurance I needed in the ring. Kettlebells did. And there's no way I will do Olympic lifts for high reps.

I was a competitive swimmer in high school - a sprinter. The summer before my senior year I weight lifted religiously in the afternoon and ran a fast paced 1.5 miles in the morning. I was in incredible shape when swimming started in the fall. I got my fastest times in the 50 yard freestyle. Of course everything when to pot when my coach had me swimming endlessly and doing no strength training.

Thank you, Starting Strength. You put out the absolute best information in the online "fitness community." Rip dropping pearls of wisdom in these videos.

My father was a competitive runner till his late 70'e. Innumerable trophies. His heart enlarged and would pause He got a pacemaker, beginning of the end. He died hard. He avoided heavy weight training as he did not want to become "muscle bound." Thank you Kenneth Cooper founder of "Aerobics "..

If I had to commute an hour and forty-five minutes to work, I would DEFINITELY listen to Rip the whole time.

I think kettlebells became popular probably a) the mystique (we’ve all heard stories about elite Russian athletes) b) convenience (not many people have space for a power rack in their residences but kbells can be stuck back in the closet when you’re done) and c) more fun than boring cardio machines. If you read the history provided by Pavel, he states that kbells were popular in the Soviet military due to them being cheaper alternative to barbells and power racks and providing good enough fitness for soldiers. Like anything take it with a grain of salt. Personally, I view it as Olympic lifting made easy. An Olympic snatch has a lot of moving parts and should be coached to make sure you avoid injury and improper technique. A kettlebell has a much wider room for error while providing most of the benefits in interested in. That being said, even Pavel acknowledges that barbell training is superior to kettlebells for making someone stronger.

Great leveling explanation on CrossFit. It peaked my interest years ago but only enough to notice that the movements concerned me. Some are just unbelievably stupid. I am also not a gym go’er but do train using powerlifting at home and have achieved many goals, injury free. I workout to feel better so injuries are the wrong direction.

Mark, to your golf example, I have a story. I began your program about 3 weeks ago and got to session #7. At 67 years old my weights are modest but improving at 5 lbs per workout. Last week our Oregon gyms closed because of COVID. I went to play golf (5 handicap) with my buddies one bright November morning. It was 40 degrees. I had zero warmup. I swung an "Orange Whip" a couple of times and then hit my first tee drive as long as on a hot summer day, and straight! As a cold, stiff old guy that first drive shouldn't have gone very well. I have only the Starting Strength Program to blame. By next Spring things could be pretty phenomenal!

None of my doctors told me to lose weight even though I was almost 280 lbs at under six feet tall, with high blood pressure. Granted, I've been lifting for 12 years or so. The doctors wanted to treat the symptoms rather than the cause. I lost about 20lbs, quit drinking and my blood pressure has improved by 20% systolic. Point being, look at what could be the root cause of your problems, people are out for money and that may tamper with their methods of helping you.