The subject should read: Stop trying to win your practice.

And that makes the point even better. Trying to win practice doesn’t make much sense. Then why do so many try to win the practice of training?

Let’s apply this to programming for Kettlebell Simple & Sinister by looking at common ways people try to win the practice from Pavel Macek, StrongFirst Certified Master Instructor:

• Rushing between sets—confusing the practice phase, peaking phase, and test

• Adding sets with a heavier weight too early or too often—not allowing time to adapt

• High frequency when progressing to heavier loads—impacting recovery

• Jumping to the test too soon without peaking

• Peaking too long, so every session becomes a test

• Changing and complicating the program—adding volume or exercises

• Not having light/variety days—stretching, one-legged deadlift, cleans, presses, etc.

But the opposite of some of these can be pitfalls as well:

• The rest can be too long, which will make peaking more challenging

• Low-frequency practice—2x week is maintenance level, making it hard to progress

• Not using heavier work to build a strength reserve