Not wanting to plagiarize Geoff Neupert but I thought I would copy and paste a very thought provoking and simple answer to 99% of all questions:
"Ok admittedly, I have been trolling the forums of late. (And, no, this post won't be redirected to my blog...) I've noticed something very disturbing - when asking about certain programs, or books being sold on DD, the answer inevitably arises, "Yeah, but can I add {insert favorite exercise(s) here}..."
And I get that, I really do, because I have my favorite exercises.
But I wanted to (without sounding like a jerk) ask a question back -
"What is your goal? Or rather, what is it EXACTLY you want to accomplish?"
That really should be the first question you measure all answers against.
Here's a possible sample conversation:
Trainee: "Should I do Viking Warrior Conditioning?"
Me: "I dunno - what are you're goals?"
Trainee: "To be a Bad-A$$!"
Me: "Ok, what does that really mean - how does it play out? What's it look and feel like? What are some numbers that you could put up on certain lifts that would, in your mind, qualify you as a Bad-A$$?"
Trainee: "I dunno..."
Me: "Ok... go think about what that would look like and get back to me with your answer."
Ok, that may be a little extreme, so here's another well-meaning question that I've been asked several times - "Should I do Kettlebell Burn or Kettlebell Muscle?"
Me: "I don't know - what are your goals? If you want to shed fat and get lean, do "Burn." If you want to pack on some muscle in a short amount of time, do "Muscle.""
So, you see, really, the answer to "Can I...? " or "Should I...?" is really dependent on YOU and YOU ALONE.
All these programs and books are resources or guides for you to follow to help you get to your goal. Just make sure the program you use matches your goal. If your goal is fat loss, then Return of the Kettlebell is not the program you want to be using, because it's intent is to help you gain weight, not lose it.
So, what's a girevik to do who just wants to "get in shape?"
Well, first, define what "get in shape" means. To quote my buddy Josh Henkin, RKC TL, "Round is a shape." What's it mean to YOU?
If you're still not sure, here's a general guide that will prepare you to just be flat out awesome from using kettlebells.
1. Enter the Kettlebell (Combine with Super Joints and Relax Into Stretch and Fast and Loose on your "variety days" - 12 weeks. Minimum. More like 18-24.
2. Rest a week.
3. The Naked Warrior - 12 weeks
4. ETK Redux - 4-6 weeks
5. Return of the Kettlebell - 12-24 weeks.
6. Rest a week. Maybe 2.
7. Kettlebell Muscle - 12 weeks.
8. Rest a week.
9. Cycle back thru 1-8.
Total possible training time = 82 weeks. Or just over 1 and a half years of training time.
Now, you may not agree with me, but this "flat out kettlebell awesomeness" is just what I would do based on what I know, what I've read, and what I want. It may not be EXACTLY for you. But it meets my goals - Strong and muscular.
I hope that makes sense.
Thoughts?"
http://kbforum.dragondoor.com/kettlebells-strength-conditioning-forum/144835-answer-question-can-i.html
I include this more for my own benefit than that of anyone else :)
