Home / Weekly Newsletter / Weekly Newsletter May 21, 2020

Weekly Newsletter May 21, 2020

Happy Thursday to you,

I hope all is well and you are happy and healthy. 

This week I’ve been filming all the new videos for my muscle building program which I’m hoping to launch within the next week or two.

If you purchased the previous version of my muscle program or my complete workout package then you’ll be receiving the latest version as soon as it is ready, free of charge 🙂

I’ll also be offering the program at a substantial discount, for the first 48 hours, to all my newsletter subscribers, so look out for that email if you are interested.

My new kettlebell workout app continues to do well.

If you missed it you can download the new app below:

Download the free iPhone app here (Android version coming next month)

Finally, thanks to all those who left me a review on the app store, I really, really, appreciate it. 

Movement Focus

The Split Squat

The split squat or static lunge is one of the best lower body exercises for the legs, buttocks and hips.

One big surprise of the split squat is just how cardiovascular the movement is without the need to even move your feet.

When I start training a new client the split squat is one of the first exercises I work on.

Static Lunge Home Exercise
Static Lunge Exercise

The beauty of this lower body exercise is the flexibility you have to load the movement.

Here are a 5 loading options in order of difficulty:

  1. bodyweight only
  2. one kettlebell held with two hands at chest height
  3. one kettlebell held down on the leg back side
  4. two kettlebells down by your sides
  5. two kettlebells up in the racked position

As the movement is not as dynamic as the stepping forward or reverse lunge you can control the foot position and leg angles which is critical for beginners.

The rear knee should come as close as possible to the floor to fully activate the buttocks and create a 90 degree angle at the front knee.

When it comes to adding muscle and condition to the legs the split squat is one of my go-to exercises due to the intense lower body overload you can generate.

The legs and buttocks have to work hard to stabilise the movement so there is no rest as the muscles are constantly ON. Compare this to squats and deadlifts where you get a rest at the top or bottom of each rep.

I use the split squat heavily during my new muscle building program for this exact reason, the muscles cannot escape intense activation.

For adding muscle you need to push your muscles to grow so I overload the movement with two kettlebells, one in each hand held down by your sides.

No matter what your experience everyone can benefit from this wonderful exercise. 

Weekly Workout

Here’s the Split Squat in one of my super-abbreviated workouts:

  • Split Squat – 8 each side
  • Clean & Press – 8 each side
  • Repeat for 3 – 5 sets

The above full body workout will surprise you. It is very cardiovascular and will activate most of the muscles in your body.

You can perform both the split squat and clean & press with either one kettlebell or two.

Run through 2 sets of lighter or bodyweight reps beforehand as a warm up. 

Get the weights right so the last few reps of each set use some serious effort.

This is the only workout you will need to do today!

See all my kettlebell workout programs here

Training Tools

One kettlebell or two?

Everyone should begin by using just one kettlebell, an 8 or 12kg for women and a 12 or 16kg for men.

Master the basic movement patterns first, that means: goblet squats, single arm deadlifts, rows, get ups, then swings, cleans, presses and lunges.

Only once these are all done should you think about adding another kettlebell.

The split squat is the perfect exercise to begin with two kettlebells, one in each hand by your sides.

You can then move on to two kettlebell front squats, double overhead presses and double rows.

Save the more dynamic two kettlebell exercises until last, these include double swings, double clean & presses, and double thrusters.

An important rule to remember is that your body doesn’t understand equipment it only does what it can to cope with the movement.

So whether you are using two kettlebells or one, providing the movement is challenging your body will respond and adapt.

That’s all for today my friend,

Take care of yourself and each other,

Greg

P.S. Use ATHOME to get a special discount off all my workout programs