Max Vo2 Snatch

Olympic weightlifting is on hold for at least six months as I focus strictly on kettlebell training. I had too many nagging injuries (right knee, left shoulder, left hip) that have since gone away since resting for a few weeks and then transitioning to kettlebell for the last two weeks.

A further impetus for putting down the O-lift training is work has been a lot more demanding with late night and week-end meetings that require extra preparation. My kbell training sessions are now under 45 minutes from start to finish versus a minimum 1.5 hours for the O-lifts.

At the moment I have been focusing on snatching the 24kg bell looking to get as close as possible to the SSST (Secret Service Snatch Test: 200 24kg snatches in under 10 minutes) before I turn 60. One of my students, ten years younger, succeeded with this challenge via a program of Max Vo2 I recommended. Well its time to follow my own advice. Prior to a trip overseas I was able to to do 40 sets of 5 rep/set with 15sec work/ 15secs rest protocol. Since returning and only training twice over four week period I had some serious back sliding. Here is where I am now:

Max Vo2 Kettlebell 24kg Snatch: 6 reps/set @ 15 secs work/ 15 secs rest:

• 26 sets
• 3.5 minutes rest
• 10 sets
• 3 minutes rest
• 8 sets
• 3 minutes rest
• 6 sets

Total: 50 sets / 34.5 minutes

I found a few years ago that resting after the first session and then doing mini MaxVo2 sessions gets the volume up without injury. A five minute Z-Health R-Phase warm-up and quick shower afterward got me through this in 45 minutes.