StrengthAxis Program Design

Kettlebell + Barbell + Bodybuilding Pyramids- August, 2025

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey

As I prepare for my annual pilgrimage to the Sierra, I find solace in the ever-changing landscape of the natural world. Like Mother Nature, I am not static. I am the dynamic essence of change. Who I was is not who I am to be. I have awakened into god’s grace.

Burnout

I experienced burnout and depression in the earlier part of the year. I made a pivot on 40th birthday to become the man god has intended me to be. Weekly therapy has been a godsend that has assisted me in my blindspots, strengths, and self-reconciliation.

Gratitude: Swamis, San Diego, CA

I have begun to offer myself permission to rest and love the person that I am. This journey has opened up a desire to lead by example, continue stifling my ego, and build a robust & compatible system of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.

Though the trail may be fraught with danger, the summit is awe-inspiring. I wish to encourage you to explore your inner-self. Rest, patience, and presence are great places to start. This well-roundedness serves as a opportunity to discover your true potential.

Training

I do not wish to treat StrengthAxis Program Design as a kettlebell-only program. My daily students receive a mix of barbells, kettlebells, dumbbells and bodyweight. But if options are limited, I have provided core kettlebell lifts for hardstyle “true-believers.”

Our essence still remains on kettlebell chains and complexes. But sometimes I like to throw a wrench in my students’ programs to force adaptation: hence the big barbell lifts and dumbbell bodybuilding. But remember, I accept feedback, so please LMK.

StrengthAxis Program Design is reserved for PAID SUBSCRIBERS. The top section of this article is a preview of  August's Program Design. There is a paywall separating the movements and their programmed volume and intensity. If you find value in my coaching expertise, please support me and my family by becoming a PAID SUBSCRIBER.

What’s New With Me

I have been successfully using BetterHelp for my therapy sessions. Though I’ve acted like a therapist to thousands of students, it was time for me to gain a foothold into my own mental health. This has been the catalyst for the improved John Parker v 2.0.

I have been loving my weekly fitness routine: rucking x 1, Muay Thai x 2, pickleball x 2, ATG + Harambe System x 3-4, and walking as much as possible. This is a busy schedule, but I must admit, I feel tired, accomplished, and joyful by day’s end.

Next week we will make a trip to Bishop and Mammoth Lakes, CA. Diana and I will then travel into Yosemite for some choice hiking before going to visit my family in Northern California. If you didn’t know this about me, I absolutely love road trips.

Lastly, I have gained a solid base for the technique and practice of firearms. I’m at 80% proficiency. For the next year I will return to martial arts for overall readiness training with a splash of conditioning. Thank you for the constant inspiration.

John Parker

July 31, 2025

I can’t think of a better opportunity: a walk with Diana and my buddy Tommy, rucking down the cliffs to black sand beaches, then up the Glider Port Trail. Best way to spend a Friday night. Black’s Beach - San Diego, CA.

Okauchee Lake , WI + Pickleball at Krueger Park, WI

My training foundation is Ben Patrick’s ATG Online Coaching for baseline strength/mobility/flexibility. I then perform 3-6 Harambe System movements in hypertrophy fashion. Though VRT has somewhat of a steep learning curve, once familiar, the strength athlete can decisively push themself to elite power, strength, and hypertrophy.

Harambe System Deadlift PR - Blue Kong + Light Green. I’m not sure what the free weight equivalent would be, but this movement feels like a heavy rack pull. The force at the top felt much over 500lbs.

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Schedule

Goals

1. Power + Strength: Barbell or Kettlebell: SupraCycle + SuperNova

2. Strength + Hypertrophy: Core Kettlebell Lifts or Bodybuilding Pyramids

3. Conditioning: StrongFirst Plan 044c - Snatch + One Arm Swing

Resiliency Training

1. BOMBPROOF

   1. Self-Myofascial Release

   2. Resiliency: Scapular Strength 15+15+15+15/2, Tibialis Raise: 20/2, Standing Calf Raise: 15+15/2, ATG Split Squat 20+20/2, Poliquin Step Up 20+20/2, Seated Good Morning 20/2, Back Extension 20/2

   3. The Long Stretch

      1. High Priority Mobility: Upper & Lower

      2. High Efficiency Stretching: Upper, Midsection, Lower

Author’s Note: The B subsection of Resiliency Training has become the foundational series that has built ideal mobility in my body. I highly recommend that my students perform this regularly. I have all but eliminated back pain while stifling injury potential.

Nutrition

1. Preferred Method 2: Standard - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + PWO Meal

   a. Protein Intake = 1g of animal protein per ideal pounds of bodyweight.

Double Kettlebell Loading

Tactical Load

Selecting a Tactical Load requires choosing a moderate kettlebell that can be trained with daily. It should deliver power, strength, and conditioning goals sustainably. The Tactical Load will represent 60-70% of the athlete’s current 1RM Military Press:

ie; 40kg 1RM - 40 x 0.70 = 28kg.

Although the Tactical Load will be sufficient for 5/4 snatches, the athlete should likely “bell up” by 1-2 kettlebell sizes to have enough stimulus for the 10/2 one arm swings.

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Snatch and One Arm Swing Plan 044C

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Barbell Lifts

If performing barbell lifts, replace the kettlebell-focused A Block (A1 and A2) with the selected barbell lifts. Ensure an adequate warm up by multiple low intensity warm up sets. Rest periods should be between 03:00-05:00min.

Bench Press

Deadlift

Military Press

Back Squat