I hate “tips”. They’re generally used as marketing tools to engage a reader and get you to sign up for something. Website and magazine editors who write “tips” are just looking for content. So I normally hate anything labeled as a “tip.”
Nevertheless, I’m going to offer you a few of MY OWN tips!! Because I really use them.
I worked with a powerlifting trainer who got me into six sets of everything. I’d lose count with that many! So I bought this little counter thing on eBay for all of four bucks, shipping included. I click off all my sets, whatever I’m doing. For kettlebell swings, I count in increments of 100 swings.
Taking care of your hands can be difficult with high-rep routines. I’ve developed a simple technique to keep my callouses from getting pinched. I generally swing one-handed and alternate hand to hand. As I’m reaching out to the rising kettlebell, I slide my fingers over the handle to push back the pad on the palm of my hand and avoid pinching as I squeeze the handle. Somehow I get a better grip on a moving kettlebell then when I pick one up!
There are eleventy million uses for the Gymboss Interval Timer. One of those uses is to be sure I don’t rest too long. Clicking the counter and hitting the Gymboss timer is my routine between whatever my increment/interval might be. The Gymboss can also be used to count off a number of intervals but I am not always consistent with that. I don’t want to stop just because I set an increment. If I can keep going, I KEEP GOING!
I especially enjoy using a heart rate monitor. I use a basic one with a strap that doesn’t do anything but give me a readout to a simple watch-style display. Working with high-rep routines I’ve been very pleased to see how my heart rate has been climbing as my breathing has been getting ever-more steady. I love seeing my heart rate drop rapidly afterward. I’m amazed how rapidly I am seeing my conditioning improve! Having a digital display confirmation of that is really motivating!
I don’t recommend strapless monitors. They do not offer a continuous display. You wear a watch-style display and usually you have to touch your fingers to it to get your rate. Strap monitors let you see your heart rate with a quick glance while you’re working.
