I don't understand S&S strength standards

[khohanguc]

@lostscaredme Ok I get it then. So not comparable to the powerlifting program of 1,2X your BW for BP, 1,5X for squats etc. That's great insight honestly thank you

 

[lostscaredme]

@khohanguc If you did want some parameters connected to weight, Strongfirst has KB weights assigned to different weight classes for their KB certification: https://www.strongfirst.com/certifications/sfg-i-requirements/

 

[dawn16]

@khohanguc Yeah. It’s marketed toward people who didn’t want to deal with that. When I read simple & sinister, I think “simple” refers to the fact that the plan is simple, easy to follow, and requires little brain use, not that the weight is simple.

 

[lostscaredme]

@dawn16 They use the phase “simple, not easy” a lot

 

[nikpraw]

@khohanguc It’s marketing, friend. That’s it.

Do you need Pavel’s approval? No. can you hit the simple standard at your size? I’ll bet you can! Keep at it and you’ll have some jumps and surprise yourself. Being small, you have always had a higher bar, if you’ll forgive the pun. Now rise, and meet it! Go kick some ass.

 

[khohanguc]

@nikpraw thanks

 

[hbogdon]

@khohanguc All valid points that show that these "standards" are poorly constructed

 

[clovertravis]

@khohanguc As someone who spent a year working toward timed "simple" (which was not, despite my being 6'3 and 180#, "easy," because at the time I was 48 with no serious athletic background) and finally achieved it...

Meh.

I got pretty good at two things, but when I finished it, the universe didn't notice. No t-shirt, no bells and whistles, just me knowing that I'd met an arbitrary standard while being terrified of what 32kg over my face would feel like if I lost control (which I did, once, but managed to guide the bell to the side before stupidly trying to catch it with my off-hand and bending my wrist backward somewhere around 85 degrees). I'd have been better off starting double KB work or doing, you know, ANY pressing during that 12-month period. Live and learn.

You've gotten good advice. Keep setting goals that are meaningful for you. If this one isn't, ignore it.

 

[jim_68]

@clovertravis Sad you had to waste time with S&S -- I wish it would not be the recommended program in this sub!

 

[clovertravis]

@jim_68 It's been interesting to watch how discussions about/attitudes toward S&S have shifted over the past 2.5 years.

 

[pastorprakash]

@clovertravis For me personally, I dislike the Strongfirst marketing more so than their programs like S&S. S&S is a decent program with its share of flaws, but I really can’t stand the whole Strongfirst wannabe fighter/soldier marketing. It’s so stupid and cringey. As if achieving Sinister will make you better prepared for a street fight or battlefield than practicing an actual martial art. Just sell the workouts for what they are, ways to improve fitness and get in shape.

 

[franciscovelasco]

@jim_68 It’s recommended for beginners. It’s simple to follow and introduces you to the basics. A lot of repetition of the swing is important because it’s the foundation of many movements and if your basics suck, then everything else will suck.

I’d imagine that’s why it’s the recommended program for beginners. Otherwise? I see a lot of people sucking the dick of DFW and I’m a bigger fan of Armor Building Complex, myself.

 

[jim_68]

@franciscovelasco There are a ton of online resources that are better than the book for learning to swing.

In fact id bet most folks learn to swing from the videos than the book.

 

[franciscovelasco]

@jim_68 Who said anything about the book? I thought we were talking about the program.

Doing 100 correct swings every time you exercise will drill that motor pattern in, setting the stage for other things to build onto. That’s why I recommend it for beginners.