6 Common Misconceptions About 9mm Sig Sauer Pistols

Performing a perfect pistol is a skill. It's the essence of Hardstyle...by combining strength, mobility, and internal focus the master of the pistol creates a movement that looks effortless and crisp. Like kettlebell drills, the pistol is athletic and powerful. It's a must have for anyone who wish to be ultimately capable, resilient, and also have strength that is matched by mobility. Pistols are a perfect blend of balance, raw strength, Sig p238 and discipline. With in spite of this, they must be earned.

The same as more advanced kettlebell drills, such as bent presses and windmills, pistols that can be simply done to "see if I can do it" are dangerous and sloppy at best. As Pavel put so eloquently, most American's bodies, including athletes, are pretty "jacked up" to start with. There isn't any question that the person that can perform a perfect, smooth pistol without needing a counter-weight has a sophisticated group of physical and mental skills. This is exactly the main reason why we take the time to master this movement.

After talking to Pavel at RKC II, I realized that my preparation for the Beast Tamer Challenge lead me to a unique and simple protocol to learn the mechanics necessary to knock off a clean body weight pistol, particularly the eccentric portion of the lift. Basically, a "naked" pistol is becoming so easy and my joints feel so strong that pistols feel more effortless than pushups. Weighted pistols are even easier until the specific point. Perfecting the subtle difficulties of the pistol by being patient and having discipline leads to an uncommon combination of assets that directly translate into highly functional movement. Let me explain.

To start with, the most obvious stuff. Don't even attempt a pistol if you don't routinely practice goblet/front squats. Without standard corrections for example creating space and length within the spine and hips at the bottom of your squat, stepping up to the pistol too soon will most likely lead to back and knee injuries. You'll need to feel comfortable, very strong, and confident you could get your butt to your calves and keep an engaged lumbar spine with a wide stance and 2 legs before even considering trying a to squat down on one leg without the luxury of a wide knee to hip angle. Disciplined breath and cadence also play a massive role. Spend a lot of time perfecting front squats. I cannot emphasize this enough.

Next, switch over to body-weight, narrow stance front squats to work on the bottom position as well as the concentric portion of the pistol. Begin with your feet touching and descend with straight arms until your butt touches your calves. Hold for a full second, and then come back up without rocking forward. This exercise enables you to know in the event you are anywhere near ready to be safe within the bottom position of the pistol.

If you're not able to keep your balance at the bottom, spend a couple weeks using a wedge under your feet and hold a light kettlebell or med ball while descending as far as it can be. The wedge and counter-weight might help you feel comfortable and engaged within the bottom position. Hold downward dog position (yoga pose) or perhaps a supine hamstring stretch with a straight spine for 10 breaths/30 seconds before your next set. Never let your lower/mid back disengage to get down lower. If you have rock forward to get out of the hole, you went too low. You will get there with practice and patience. Developing the mobility needed in the position might take months, but these improvements will translate beautifully to injury prevention and athletic movements.

When you feel good as well as secure with this exercise, alternate kicking one leg straight at the bottom of each rep without jumping. Work up to practicing a couple one leg concentric reps, but save the descent for the next phase.

Lastly, work on the eccentric portion of the pistol (the descent). The largest mistake a trainee could make when attempting the full pistol is recklessly dropping to the bottom position, destroying the knee in the process. Believe me; your knees will rebel in the event that you don't take the time to gain control and strength.