Eleven years ago, I arrived in St. Paul to attend the second ever kettlebell certification from Pavel Tsatsouline. Throwing water balloons in freezing temperatures and having very sore lats are just a couple of the great memories that accompany this truly transformative “watershed” moment for me.
Fast forward eleven years and I have been teaching with Pavel for over ten years at more workshops and certifications than I care to count. Basically, what I am saying is that I have the time and experience necessary to provide assistance in preparing for the SFG Certification.
Step 1: Read and Understand the Requirements
This sounds like a no-brainer, but I have seen too many people come in still questioning what the requirements are for them. “What weight do I need to use for this exercise?” is not a question you want to be asking in the midst of a very physically challenging weekend (especially if you are required to use the 24kg kettlebells but have only been lifting the 16kgs).
There will be a snatch test of 100 reps in five minutes. The weight for this test establishes the weights used for testing the techniques taught during the Certification. So read and understand the snatch test requirements and what weights will be required of you.
Step 2: Plan
The SFG is not something you should just “decide to do because it looks fun.” It is a physically demanding weekend that requires preparation. Three months is a minimum and six months prep is wise for this undertaking. This article will lay out the training details so you just need to define the time frame, etc.
Understand the requirements as stated in Step 1. (Why was Step 1 Step 1 instead of Step 2? If you are going to plan, you need to know what you are planning for.)
Find an SFG instructor, either in person or on-line, and get coaching on basic form. We all need eyes on us to see what we are doing.
Step 3: Be Smart
Focus on the goal and don’t try to put too many things into the mix. Getting injured while training for your first marathon at the same time as prepping for the SFG Certification can ruin all of your plans for both events.
So here we go…
I have written prep programs in the past (as well as snatch test preparation programs), but in this article I will be combining those into one program. No need to leave you trying to figure out how to merge the two.
SFG Certification Prep Basic Template
Monday: Rest and Recovery
Tuesday: Snatch Prep Day 1
Wednesday: Snatch Prep Day 2
Thursday: Rest and Recovery
Friday: SFG Prep Day 1
Saturday: SFG Prep Day 2
Sunday: SFG Prep Day 3
Why So Structured?
The SFG weekend is three action-packed physical days so your training should reflect those days and structure. Training three days in a row might not be your norm, but it will be required at the Certification. Let’s just start doing it.
Yes (I am channeling you and your questions). You will need to set aside other training goals and workouts. As Dan John has said, “Keep the goal the goal.”
Start where you are not where you want to be. I cannot write out specifically what weights on what days, etc., since I do not know you and where you are right now. Recommendations will be made, but you must adjust these recommendations to where you are right now, not where you want to be at the end of the program.
If you need to be using the 24kg kettlebell for your snatch test and double 24kg kettlebells for your other testing, but have never lifted any bell heavier than a 16kg, you need to begin at the 16kg kettlebell and progress as appropriate. Adjust reps and rest periods as appropriate and be smart.
Ladies will likely need to be confident with the 16kg kettlebell (single and double) and gentlemen will likely need to be confident with the 24kg (single and double).
What does confident mean?
Performing the snatch test with the correct weight (plus two minutes).
Performing the techniques with the correct double kettlebells for multiple sets of 5 reps.
The Details
Weights will be recommended based on a goal of 24kg snatch test and double 24kg testing weights (adjust as appropriate).
Movement Prep – Know What You Need to Do to Prepare for the Training Day
This should involve an FMS screen to identify weak links that need to be addressed and might include foam roller, stretching, dynamic warm-up, etc., but it should be specific to you and your needs.
The get-up is performed without the high bridge as it will be tested.
Snatch Prep Day 1 – Heavy Swing Day
Movement Prep
Superset:
Get-up: 24kg x 2+2 x 2 sets
Single leg deadlift 24kg x 5+5 x 2 sets
Two-arm swings x 10 reps x 10 minutes:
Perform reps at the top of each minute—rest till next minute
Weight—32-40kg kettlebell (ladies 20-24kg)
Add a rep each week until you reach 20 reps per minute
At that point start working on (one-arm swings 5+5 and finishing the 20 reps with two-arm swings) with your heavy kettlebell adding reps each week until 10+10 for 10 minutes
(Reduce the two-arm swings as you add reps to the one arm swings – i.e. 5+5 one arm + 10 two arm then 6+6 one arm + 8 two arm, etc.)
Fast and Loose Drills and Recovery Work
Snatch Prep Day 2 – Volume Work
Movement Prep
Get-up x 32kg x 1+1 x 3 sets
Snatch Volume Work
16kg or 20kg kettlebell x 15 min
Perform longer sets per hand (20+20 for example) for as many sets as possible during the 15 minutes
NEVER to failure—adjust reps as needed and rest as needed
Fast and Loose Drills and Recovery Work
SFG Prep Day 1 – Single Kettlebell Work
Movement Prep
Circuits of:
Swing x 15 two arm
Clean and press x 5+5
Swing x 5+5 one arm
Clean and front squat x 5+5
Swing x 20 alternating or 10+10 one arm
Get-up x 1+1 (adjust weight or reduce steps of the get-up as needed)
Swing x 15 two arm
Snatch x 5+5
Swing x 5+5 one arm
Rest 15-30 seconds between exercises
Rest 2-3 minutes between circuits
Perform 2-3 circuits
Adjust weights, reps, rest, etc. as needed. Quality is the priority!
SFG Prep Day 2 – Double Kettlebell Work
Movement Prep
Circuits of:
Double 24kg kettlebells
Clean and press x 3
Get-up x 1+1 (adjust weight or reduce steps of the get-up as needed)
Clean and press x 3
Clean and front squat x 3
Clean and press x 3
Double swing x 3
Clean and press x 3
Single kettlebell snatch x 5+5
Clean and press x 3
Rest 15-30 seconds between exercises
Rest 2-3 minutes between circuits
Perform 1-2 circuits
Add reps until performing sets of 5 for the double kettlebell drills
Adjust weights, reps, rest, etc. as needed. Quality is the priority!
Rest 10 min – Fast and Loose Drills, etc.
Circuits of:
Double 24 kg kettlebells
Clean and front squat x 3
Double swing x 3
Clean and front squat x 3
Clean and press x 3
Clean and front squat x 3
Get-up x 1+1 (adjust weight or reduce steps of the get-up as needed)
Clean and front squat x 3
Single kettlebell snatch x 5+5
Clean and front squat x 3
Rest 15-30 seconds between exercises
Rest 2-3 minutes between circuits
Perform 1-2 circuits
Add reps until performing sets of 5 for the double kettlebell drills
Adjust weights, reps, rest, etc. as needed. Quality is the priority!
Fast and Loose Drills and Recovery Work
SFG Prep Day 3
Movement Prep
Get-up 16kg x 5+5
Snatch Test Density Training
24kg snatch
4+4 x 16 sets
Reps at top of each minute
See notes below for Snatch Density Training
Double 24kg Kettlebell Work Circuit
Get-up x 1+1 (adjust weight or reduce steps of the get-up as needed)
Double swing x 10
Double military press x 5
Double front squat x 5
Double clean x 5
Rest 15-30 seconds between exercises
Rest 2-3 minutes between circuits
Perform 2-3 circuits
Adjust weights, reps, rest, etc. as needed. Quality is the priority!
Fast and Loose Drills and Recovery Work
Notes on Snatch Test Density Training
You will be adding reps and reducing sets as you progress on this program
Guidelines:
First session was 4+4 x 16 sets (reps at top of each minute—rest till next minute)
You will add a rep to each arm and reduce the number of sets as you are able to complete the workout “comfortably.”
Example:
5+5 x 15 sets
6+6 x 14 sets
7+7 x 12 sets
8+8 x 10 sets
9+9 x 8 sets
10+10 x 7 sets
Don’t rush the reps or progress too quickly. Be willing to spend a couple of sessions at a particular rep and set level.
Conclusion
There you have it. A pretty complete program for preparing for the SFG Certification, but you must adjust the program to meet you where you are currently and progress as you can with perfect form under the stress of the training.
Men might start the suggested training using a 16kg kettlebell (single or double) and progress over weeks to a 20kg to 24kg, etc.
Women might start the suggested with an 8kg kettlebell (single or double) and progress over weeks to a 12kg to 16kg, etc.
You might start with half the reps and twice the rest periods. Do whatever you need to do to fit the training to you—adjust your plan and add rest days as needed. Even including a 50% volume or using a lighter kettlebell (20kg for men or 12kg for ladies) for a week every four to six weeks of prep is a great idea.
Remember this is about practicing the drills and perfecting form while increasing the conditioning needed to have a successful SFG weekend. So be smart and arrive at your SFG ready to learn and succeed, not suffer and fail!
Please post questions about this routine to the StrongFirst Forum.
I look forward to your success in achieving the SFG Certification.
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