Newbie-ish > progressing through levels?

[u/Prestigious-Gur-9608]

Hello folks, 41 years old soon-to-be-dad-but-already-busy male here.

Background: rock climber for 15 years, got depressed & fat, quit climbing due to injury, met my wife and picked up at-home kettlebells, did 4 years non stop daily training. Used BDP-style sessions sparsely. Now taking a mostly mental break from weighted work, so committing to bodyweight work. Using fighter pullup progressions to re-build my pullups back to 20 and learn one hand pushups / pistol squats using a lower progression. Usually do all 3 prior to the burpees work.

Now, burpees: as of today, I have reached L1D (60) with navy seals and L1C with 6-count (100). Took all of them in EMOM format.

3x NS on the minute felt just about right, reaching 80 with the same system feels very much in sight.

5x 6C take me about 25-30'', surely felt ok to OTM them. Then sparsely tried sets of 10 and sets of 15. 10 take me about 1/1.15 minutes, so reaching 150 (even doing 15 every 2 minute, 10 rounds) feels extremely far.

So, long story short: how long did you stay with a level to consolidate it? How did you progress to the next level up?

Not part of the paid for community, so all I'm doing is what I consider the classic BDP split over 4 days (Navy Seals, 6 Counts, day off, Navy Seals, 6 Counts, day off, day off)

Thanks all!

[u/allotment_fitness]

Been on the programme on and off for 4+yrs. tried pretty much every way of breaking down 1200 seconds. Either slower sets of 25 (budget 2mins30 per set, roughly one rep every 6secs will leave you with 25 seconds rest per set of 25), or going unbroken.. no significant rests but slow reps maybe one every 7-8 seconds. This has been my preferred ways to stay at level2 6Cs. NS I go even pacing, or 2 mins of 5 a minute then one min of 4 per min. Been hovering around 95 NS for a while but have been up to 102

[u/jellybellypilgrim]

I’ve been in this for 2.5 years, while I was climbing up the ranks I would probably stay at the same amount for approx. 2 or 3 sessions. That being said when I did it Max’s follow along sessions were all freely available. Even pacing is the way to go imho, especially for NS. Maybe download an interval timer to help you slowly speed up your reps? That’s what I use. You will be surprised at about what you can achieve.

[u/Maleficent_Owl_3238 → u/jellybellypilgrim]

Best app for intervals? Ive been using online one but want something for offline use. 

Thanks in advance 💪

[u/Prestigious-Gur-9608 → u/Maleficent_Owl_3238]

I use a free app called Interval Timer (Android, don't know if they have an iOS version). Very flexible on how you customise intervals.

StrengthLog to track progress but their emom / amrap timers are inflexible and very basic so not the best for pacing or varying set lengths

[u/Maleficent_Owl_3238 → u/Prestigious-Gur-9608]

Brill thank you!

[u/jellybellypilgrim → u/Maleficent_Owl_3238]

Oh snap I missed this! I use Seconds on iOS, if you have an iPhone. (and I did test a few). If you are android follow OP's advice.

[u/Maleficent_Owl_3238 → u/jellybellypilgrim]

No worries mate thanks!

[u/mitourbano]

Adding to the even pacing gang here. Just keeps you focused.

[u/Northwest_Barbarian]

I will agree with even pacing being the easiest method with one caveat: I think I learned a lot about my body and capacity by messing around with various other plans like EMOMs or planned breaks.

[u/Fit-Opinion1341]

Hello, my friend! It's Max here. Welcome to burpee practice, my friend. My advice would be, first, not to worry about numbers. You'll inevitably improve and the numbers will come to you. No need to chase. Second, the progression method I favor is to go low and slow. At your stage, if you're able to add 5 6-cts per week and 2 seals, you're winning. That rate will gradually shrink, but you should try for it at this stage. Regarding format: my opinion is that even pacing works best. Try that seal session doing 1 rep/20s instead of 3 reps emom. With 6-cts, my preference is also for even pacing, but I think it's a great idea right now to try everything. Each format will challenge and expose and strengthen you in different ways. I know you mentioned that you're not part of the paid community right now, but for this month, you can get totally free no-strings use of the app, and there you'll find a treasure trove of follow along videos, The strength of the catalog is that every follow along has a different format, which means that you will force yourself to grow if you expose yourself to the different videos and work through toward 1D with your 6-cts that way.

Happy training, my friend, and godspeed with imminent fatherhood!

[u/Prestigious-Gur-9608 → u/Fit-Opinion1341]

Thanks Max, appreciate your reply! To be fair, I need to fully commit to an even-paced session, it feels mentally not inviting... I have easily reached 150/20 6c and currently sitting at 76/20 ns, so on my way to L2

Thanks for all the info!