Couple of weeks back, Connie managed her first “two hands anyhow”.
If you are wondering, the two hands anyhow is an old-timey strongman lift where your aim is to put as much weight overhead as possible using one implement in each hand (usually a barbell and kettlebell).
The record is 203kg, set by the great Arthur Saxon well over a century ago using a 152kg barbell and a 51kg kettlebell.
It’s a fascinating lift, albeit not one to be attempted lightly in the “traditional” way as few possess the superlative proprioception, mobility, flexibility, and strength needed to execute a bent press (required to get the barbell overhead), let alone execute a bent press while manhandling a kettlebell in the other hand.
It’s for these reasons my five year old did not perform her two hands anyhow with a barbell and kettlebell. She actually used her little dumbbell and a 1.25kg plate, both implements she has gotten well used to handling in recent months while training alongside Jess and I.
Believe it or not, my approach with Connie’s training is beyond casual. I never “tell” her it’s time to train (don’t even invite her to join in anymore), she has no programme, and is free to do whatever she wants in our little weightroom so long as she keeps out of the way and doesn’t do anything dangerous.
This way, she gets to figure out how her body works, naturally gravitating towards squats, presses, and pulls (fundamental movement patterns that are the basis of everything I teach clients and write about in my books), alongside balance and stretching based movements (crabs, standing on one leg, and suchlike).
I’m sure much of this is because that is what she sees Jess and I doing, but I can’t help but conclude there is a “natural” pull to this type of training at play as well.
Whatever the case, it self-evidently works and we have one very happy, very healthy, and very strong five year old as a result.
What’s my point?
Simply this:
I don’t train the yoof (not even my own kids).
It’s not something I am interested in doing, and I can’t ever really see this changing.
However.
There is much to be said for encouraging (through leading by example, not merely telling) “agenda-free” movement using both bodyweight and basic resistance implements like dumbbells, plates, and even barbells so long as they can be handled properly.
Honestly, I think this is an order of magnitude more valuable and effective than getting young ones involved in formal sports, but that’s just my opinion.
What is not my opinion (because it is fact), is that the aforementioned style of “training” (quotes because it’s technically “exercise” rather than training proper) is also highly beneficial for those who have never really trained before or who have been out of action for a long time; to not only prepare the body for the rigors ahead, but also to encourage mental engagement, critical thought, and ownership (all of which are easily abdicated when you “just do Starting Strength”).
Speaking of mental engagement, critical thought, and ownership… all are fostered by my obnoxiously titled Real Paper Newsletter, every issue of which contains tools you can use to get strong and in shape The Slow Way, for results you can keep with little fuss or hassle.
To learn more about what that’s all about, consult the audio and letter at the below URL:
https://philtyreman.co.uk/information/
Thank you,
Phil Tyreman