Hi team kettlebell.

I've got a funny one that has me scratching my head a wee bit. It feels like there are different parts inter-woven into it, so bear with me. Appreciative of all thoughts/feedback, and can get a video online in next 24 hours if required. Questions at the bottom.

Basically, I achieved timed Simple in November 22 after a year of running S&S and since then had been able to do 32kg TGUs on both sides with no problems. However as of past 2 weeks, I now can't do a 32kg TGU with my left side. Right side seems perfectly OK.

Bit of history: In 2023, after achieving timed simple and wanting a different programme, I started out with Rite of Passage, and over the course of the past 7 months worked my way up from 20kg presses and snatches to 24kg presses and snatches - learning technique (mostly, more on this) along the way. I would keep some 32kg TGUs in as part of variety days, and kept doing them. I also bought a 40kg and learnt to swing it, both double and single hand. Rite of passage swing sets were with the 32kg rather than 24kg. Snatches with the 24kg. I felt like it was a lot of volume, but managed it by structuring it into medium day, variety day, rest day, heavy day, light day. Results seem to be good - I feel look pretty strong and fit.

I do note that after starting to clean and press, I developed bumps on my forearms. Initially these were painful. I put it down to a need to condition and learn technique. As I learnt and researched technique, plus built grip strength, pain faded away, but the bumps persisted - and the bells would still make contact, especially if I slacked on technique, which could happen when in a rush or if I didn't rest enough between sets of ladders.

A couple of weeks ago, on a whim, I tried a 40kg TGU and was surprised that I could do some of it with my right side, so persisted, and as of last week, after a week of attempts, I managed a 40kg TGU on my right side.
However, for my left side? De nada, can't even roll to elbow.

The worrying bit is that my left side even struggles with the 32kg now, whereas up to a month or so ago it was perfectly OK to do them, after 100x24kg snatches across both arms.

Symptoms: I do note that my left arm is not happy in terms of pain, which could explain why I just can't do much 32kg when I prevously could. The 40kg and 32kg, when in my left hand, are pressing onto the forearm bump and that seems to engage the whole arm in terms of pain/activity - with the elbow feeling weaker, and during the roll to elbow I just can't engage my right side. 24kg TGUs are manageable.

Even now, typing this - after again attempting some TGUs on left and right side, left hand arm feels more "present"/"enervated" across the forearm.

How this makes me feel: I guess I'm a bit scared of losing progress, especially so fast. Couple that with a stubborn attitude and I seem to want to prove to myself that I can get back to that 32kg TGU on left hand side. Which means I try and do them, but keep failing. Probably not helpful.

Questions:

• Has anyone had similar experiences?
• Forearm bumps - I did search a bit but there isn't much info on both the strongfirst forums and here. Anyone have these? Are they normal or am I doing something wrong? Do they go away with time?
• Pain from said forearm bumps/heavy KBs - anyone had this? I do think the left hand forearm bump has something to do with this - it's more prominent and painful than right hand forearm bump. I'm thinking a nerve could be getting too much pressure on it, which could also be scrambling my ability to TGU on the left side? When the weight comes off that arm it also feels relatively tingly, and makes sense given the right side is perfectly OK?
• If turning to a professional, is this one for a physio?
• How to counter whilst keeping up exercise (important for work, helps me set up for the day)? I was thinking of avoiding clean and press snatch for a while, and resting the arm, hopefully forearm bumps diminish. Potentially moving back to S&S but then the TGUs aren't as possible. Just lots of double hand swings and some other exercises? Bodyweight?
• Is this a rest/recovery issue? I have not had a proper rest/recovery period (usually coincides with 2 week holiday away from my KBs, but work has not permitted this) since the start of the year, and RoP seems to be built on infinite peak mode. I could put in a couple of weeks of easier workouts and focussing on stretching mobility?

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