My very first toes to bar took quite a while, and the video gave me a few tips and helped me to realize what I have done wrong,
1. I didn’t have the strength.
Not quite a mistake, but thinking I could do ttb without the proper strength to do kipping was a mistake. I didn’t have the shoulder strength, no lat strength, no core strength. I still have no core strength, but a little bit better now. To solve this, I think to practice kipping, and then if that’s easy, practice kipping knee raises. I’m lucky enough that my gym’s WODs consist of a lot of knee raises, so I can practice my upper strength.
2. Start with hollow hold but vertical.
I always struggled with starting the kipping momentum, by the time I got that smooth rhythm I’m already tired. This hollow hold position at the start saves me so much energy.
3. I don’t need to keep my legs straight
There’s a method called ‘tuck and flick’ which are explained in the video as well. It helps with people with no core strength like me.
4. Push the bar during kipping
During the hollow hold position during the kipping swing, push the bar to lift yourself up, that way the chest and knee get a little bit closer to the bar, and you can ‘flick’ your toes to the bar.
5. I needed longer shoes
Cheating or not, I don’t care. I changed to Nike Metcon, which the shoes are a bit longer, and I touched my ‘toes’ to the bar. Rep.
Now the next step is how to get back into the next rep and do at least 5 ttbs consecutively. Here is the video.