I'm thinking about purchasing the FTK, but don't want to give up intense KB training for 12 weeks. Is there room in this program for other forms of training or is it likely that additional training would hamper progress and/ or result in over-training? Also, how many days of running and how many TRX days are involved each week?

Woody,

What kind of KB training are you doing right now?  Is it more strength or endurance focused?  The FTK is a rather comprehensive program that uses the 2/1, upper/lower split, strength training approach (TRX Lower Body, TRX Upper Body, rest one day) with a six-day per week running program.  I wouldn't recommend doing KB and TRX training on the same day as you will likely wear yourself out quick, but there is still room for both tools in your program.  I am not a big fan of running on treadmills and running outdoors is limited here, so I've been using Keith Weber's "Extreme Kettlebell Cardio Workout" for cardiovascular and muscular endurance and the TRX for strength training.  I'm a big advocate of the FTK as it is, but I think you'll find that there is enough flexibility that you can tailor it to fit your needs.  I'm not sure what your specific goals are, but if you don't have any running-oriented goals, my recommendation would be to follow the FTK TRX program and use a 16kg KB cardio program in place of some of the running.  If you start feeling like you are overtraining, you can always back off the KB frequency for a bit and run more to give your muscles, particularly your shoulders, a bit more rest. 

Mike -

Thanks for the response. I think that I'm now leaning toward the the "Home Training Bundle" with the ALL Body Express and Core DVD's. This way I can plug TRX workouts into my KB, running and bodyweight training. My KB training currently consists of AOS Newport, Firepower and Steve Maxwells 300 KB Challenge.

The ABX video is a good whole body routine; between that, the free videos on the site and the comments on the forum I think you'll have plenty of exercises to keep you entertained and challenged for quite some time.  How do you like AOS Newport and Maxwell's 300?  I joined the AOS forum the other night and like it a lot.  Weber's EKCW has me sufficiently humbled, but I've heard really good things about Newport and would like to give it a shot once I tame the EKCW. 

AOS Newport is brutal throughout, then it ends with 4 minutes of TGU's and a 5 minute snatch challenge. In between each round of work, there is an ab segment. The 300 is a different kind of misery. It consist of 18 exercises done in a non-stop sequence for a total of 300 reps. The challenge is to do all 300 reps without putting the KB down. This is my favorite routine because it smokes you in 20 - 30 minutes. Also, you don't need to be in front of a television once you memorize the routine or write it down.

Nice!  Both sound pretty awesome, I'll probably give The 300 a shot first then.  I hate working out inside and I usually just watch a DVD and then write the exercises down so I can take it outside.  Let me know when you get the ABX; there are a couple of threads floating around here that talk about incorporating KB work into your actual TRX workout when you are ready to spice it up. 

 Woody,

                 I love my KBs as well and was wondering if you or someone know if there is a free link to Steve Maxwell's 300 program? Thanks for the help.

Taylor

Try a search of the forum on www.artofstrength.com. I remember seeing the entire routine listed there.

                                                                                                                                                                         W

 Woody,

                   Thanks for the link. It is an awesome place for KB stuff as well. 

               -Taylor
 

 Here is another short and intense Kettlebell / TRX metabolic circuit that you can try as well

http://community.fitnessanywhere.com/blogs/mfp_interviews/archive/2008/10/02/trx-kettlebell-fusion-workout.aspx