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View Full Version : My Review of Coach Szolek's ABC Manual



11-21-2003, 05:58 AM
I debated over whether to actually say this but I really think it's true. I've been at this 25 years now. There are only really a few discoveries that you make that stay with you. For me that's Nuatilus (if you weren't around for that it's hard to explain), Karate, Dinosaur Training, Ashtanga Yoga, all aspects of CST, and ABC training.

Each of these thing's taught me something -Nautilus was, right or wrong, applying thought to training; Martial arts really is too much to summarize, suffice to say primal violence all the way to zen; Dinosaur training taught ballistics were good and the body is a unit(never touched a machine again) and Ashtanga tapped me into the whole body weight, Indian wrestler thing.

CST overall is sort of this endless discovery of movement combining the best of all of the above. Still too new to me to say more then that.

ABC is really a new piece to the CST puzzle. That statement can't really be over emphesized. The movements are actually unique to the implement. Yes, the snatch and CJ are there, and although they feel different, there not "new". But a number of the movements will actually require new nueral pathways to be set up. They require, in some cases, even more flexibility then OCS moves, due to keeping both hands on the CB. They completely put to rest any concerns about absolute strength or hypertrophy using CBs. They will teach you brutal lessons about core activation.

Note: you do not need the 45 to do these moves. I'm using a 25 and getting smoked. I will switch to a 45 in a couple months. The manual is a must, just use the heaviest Cb you have or bust out the $ for the book and 1 big boy - whatever that is to you.

Bill

jimmy23
11-21-2003, 07:30 AM
very nice review! I own one 15 pounder, and am thinking of investing in this book and a bruiser for my Christmas gift to myself.

James Boelter
11-25-2003, 10:43 PM
Thanks, Bill. I knew that Coach Sz. was publishing a book, and I knew that it would undoubtedly be worthwhile, but I wasn't quite clear on the content or the 'intention' of his work. CST and OCS are growing so fast and in so many different directions that if I blink (or just spend a few evenings doing extra clinical intern massages instead of visiting the site) I wind up waaaaaay behind the curve.

I've got 12 hours of double time/holiday pay coming up on Friday...I may find myself with an irresistible compulsion to spend the extra gelt on Mike Mahler's MMA Kettlebell/BWE DVD and Coach Szolek's book. Thanks very much for bringing it to my attention!

11-26-2003, 03:09 AM
Jim,

While you blinked Cotter's MA KB DVD came out too. The 2 PKC guys who got Mike's say it really worth it, though. No doubt Cotters will be too. Toy cash management is always tricky.

Bill

Chuck
12-10-2003, 06:56 PM
I've got Mike Mahler new video and I concur that it is worth the money.