Plateaus are not good, right?

In sporting terms a plateau is deemed to be a bad thing if you want to progress. Comments are common such as "If you follow the same training plan repetitively you'll reach a plateau and not improve". To a sense I agree, to another I don't. Yes, if your training plan isn't progressive or periodic you're just getting your body to get used to a constant workload and not improving...it's a given fact. You'll get bored and eventually fall away disillusioned.

But a plateau can be a good thing. If you reach a plateau it's important to recognise it. If you find yourself capable of achieving your target you need to drive that level of ability home. That then becomes a foundation for the next level.

OK, why am I giving my thoughts on this? I'll explain. When I started with Kettlebells I went with 12Kg bells. The first test I did I failed to complete the duration of the test in both disciplines of the Biathlon, namely the jerk & the snatch. The second test I did I averaged over 15 jerks per minute and over 21 for the snatch. That was my plateau. Beating my body with 12s was now not an option. The important thing was to progress either with volume or weight and considering volume was going to be difficult to achieve much more then weight is the option. So my next level was for 16Kg kettlebells. My first test was as successful as my first test on the 12Kg kettlebells. 78 reps completed but failed to meet the full time allocated in the jerk and not much more success in the snatch. This gave me a new target as endurance and correct technique now had to kick in - not strength in the shoulders. I soon discovered to achieve both of these that flexibility had to be paramount before I could rely on endurance or technique.

I'm now happy that I'm approaching the next plateau of 16Kg kettlebells. What this means is different than what it meant in the 12Kg plateau. It means that I can probably compete in the 16Kg range shortly and "probably" last the full length. As I say - I'm approaching it...there's a bit of time to go. So progression can be subtle but as per a previous post you need to listen to your body to see what you are capable of. I know I'm progressing as I completed a good week of training which I wouldn't have been able for previously - not world class but my class. This weeks training consisted of:

• 1 hour on bike & 20 mins flexibility in the morning followed by 1 hour at the club with another 20 minutes flexibility on Monday evening
• Tuesday was 1 hour assistance training at home with another 20 minutes flexibility
• Wednesday was 1.75 hours on the bike hard riding with 20 minutes flexibility
• Thursday just flexibility
• Friday I was in good form to try single 20's & 24Kg bells on various exercises at the club.
• By Saturday I'm feeling strong if not initially suffering from a peculiar, temporary muscle pain in the shoulderblade.

But at this stage I'm looking at using 20Kg and occasionally 24Kg to assist in reaching this plateau. If the weather is fine maybe this plateau may be the last but I'd doubt it. I prefer to look at each plateau as a foothill to the mountain that needs to be climbed.

Please note - I'm not qualified in sports technique. The above blog entry is based on personal opinion and not on expert learnings.