Pavel Tsatsouline

[kombatmaster777]

I want this thread to contain any intelligent
opinions on the author Pavel Tsatsoline.

I'd like to note that he overadvertises (I said this
so people don't repeat this sad fact), but I want to
focus on the content and usefulness of his work and
not this man's character or marketing strategies.

Why I started this thread?

Pavel's material is the first chunk of information
that actually propelled me foreward (and fast)
in the development of maximal strength.

I am also curious if there are other renowned
strength authors out there that deal with the
development of maximal strength (I lean more towards
bodyweight training and dislike weight training).

Basically tell me your opinions on his work
and I'll try to put together an awesome review
for all to see.

Here are the topics he writes about and his books:

Flexibility: :happy:

Beyond Stretching
Super Joints
Relax Into [The] Stretch

Kettlebell :dunno:

Enter the Kettlebell
The Russian Kettlebell Challenge
From Russia with Tough Love: Pavel's Kettlebell Workout for a Femme Fatale

ABS :jawdrop:

Bullet Proof Abs
Beyond Crunches

Strength Books Part 1- Bodyweight Training :turtle:

The Naked Warrior :banana:

Strength Books Part 2- Weight Training[/COLOR] :weightlifter:

Power to the People


Rules :rules:

1. Always explain your comments wether it is a positive or
negative opinion.
(Plz don't complain cuz the explanation
is long because I'm the one putting together the super
review)

2. Don't argue about petti things.

3. Intelligent answers please

4. No stupid questions
(Your teachers are wrong! There are stupid
questions out there...in some medow with my future family playing
pong lol)

5. Keep it Real

If you have experiences with his equipment or books please
write about it.

Feel free to compare his strength, flexibility, equipment,
or kettelbell methods with other author's methods and/or equipment.

After the discussion's over I will (hopefully, if yall contribute:yeleyes:)
put together a super review of Pavel's books, methods, and, equipment.

Thanks in advanced,

-kombat

[Sweeper]

I own The Kettlebell Challenge, Enter the Kettlebell (and companion DVD), and of course own a kettlebell.

I started kettlebell taining about 3 weeks ago and have lost about 2% body fat doing only the minimal program from Enter the Kettlebell (get ups for 5 mins 2 X a week, man maker 2 X a week [one-handed swings until you're tired, jump rope until you can swing again... trying to get to 12 minutes]).

Every session I can do a little bit more, and it has given me noticeable strength and endurance gains.

I'm also watching what I eat.

Kettlebells are fun, you don't need storage space, and they work. Pavel is very entertaining in his writing and DVDs--but he also knows what he's talking about. Furthermore, his training evolves and he admits when he was wrong on a technique and shows a better way on the newer DVD/Book, which demonstrates to me he honestly wants to give the best instruction he can.

Personally, I love the advertisements in the backs of his books. Here's this commie bastard embracing capitalism, exploiting his own background, and making a ton of cash while still sharing a pretty damn unique and efficient way to gain strength and endurance, and burn fat. More "Power" to him!

[kombatmaster777]

Hey Sweeper, thanks for the reply.

I never got into his kettelbell material, but
does it promise substantial strength gains
as well as endurance gains?

How does one know when to progress
to a higher weight in kettlebells?

Does Pavel still apply his GTG stuff
on kettlebell work our is it all high
intensity high rep work?

Much appreciated,

-kombat

[Ad McG]

Moved to Misc H+F.

Sweeper won't be answering your questions I'm afraid as he is now perma banned!

His stuff is decent but not amazing. Value for money wise you are much better off getting somewhere else. Most of his principles you can get online from the dragondoor site and the forums there. Ross Enamait is a great alternative who gives far more bang for your buck. Also check out the www.bodyweightculture.com website, it's right up your street.

[Switch2]

Dangnabbit, at least kombatmaster777 appears to be the same person and can be relied upon for equivalent infor. LOL

[kombatmaster777]

Thanks for the reply Ad McG.

Guess we'll have to make a
grave somewhere for sweeper.


I understand Pavel's a little
pricy, but I found his two books
PTP and the Naked Warrior totally
worth it.
(I'll put the prices of all his books
in the super guide when I have
enough info)

When you say Pavel's stuff is good, but not amazing
do you mean that you've read his books and know
of better methods or you've tried his methods
and found that they don't work for you?

I've heard of Ross, but I have no idea of how
good his books are.

Btw, thanks for the sight I'll look into it.

pce,

-kombat

P.S. Switch2, I don't know what you mean by me appearing
to be the same person, but I'll give it an lol. lol.

[Yohan]

He puts together kettlebell routines - ok. What's special about his kettlebell routines.

It should also be mentioned that doing kettlebell routines isn't going to increase your maximal strength past a certain point (which will be pretty low).

[Yohan]

Flat out dude, if you are basing your good reviews of his stuff based on the fact that it has helped you understand maximal strength, I think your good review is unfounded. That assumption is based on the fact that you are quoting stuff about maximal strength based around the use of kettlebells. Kettlebell exercises are generally low weight, and help to build muscular endurance and explosive strength.

here is a decent article on building maximal strength:

http://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/weighttrainingprograms3.html

The basic idea is that if you want to develop maximal strength, you have to be lifting heavy loads (so heavy that you can only perform 1-5 reps).

[kombatmaster777]

I will admit that Pavel opened my eyes
for the first time on building maximal
strength and I've stuck to his methods.

I'm probably a little ignorant as to who
his competitors are and their material,
but thats what this thread is for.

Feel free to give the good and bad
about Pavel and I'll include it
in my unbiased (I'll try the best that I can lol)
review.

Don't forget to compare him to other people
and don't be vague.

thanks guys,

-kombat

[Yohan]

I will admit that Pavel opened my eyes
for the first time on building maximal
strength and I've stuck to his methods.

Um, you are probably wrong here as you stated in the other thread that you don't use heavy weights but stick to bodyweight training and kettle bells.

I'm probably a little ignorant as to who
his competitors are and their material,
but thats what this thread is for.

It's not a matter of who his competitors are and what material they use. There are infinite different ways of using kettlebells. It comes down to - rep schemes, weights, exercises, and mixing it with other exercises. Whatever your goals are, you can incorporate a rep scheme, and exercises to acheive those goals. However, as I said before, the kettlebells are specialized because they are really only going to build explosive strength (the extension of hips in a snapping motion) and muscular endurance, and anaerobic (and possibly aerobic) threshold. They don't build maximal strength. They won't help you achieve hypertrophy, etc.

Feel free to give the good and bad
about Pavel and I'll include it
in my unbiased (I'll try the best that I can lol)
review.

Ok - he uses an improper definition of maximal strength, if his definition of maximal strength is depicted accurately in your posts.

[Ad McG]

The reason I say it's vastly over-priced is because it doesn't actually give you that much. For example, The Naked Warrior describes how to do 2 exercises well. That is basically it. It does describe how to do them well and gives some useful tips but they basically amount to nothing more than bracing and getting in the correct position. Ross Enamait on the other hand gives you a huge volume of information for less than the cost of one of Pavel's books.