Escalating Density + Russian Ladders a Beautiful Combination

Variations on the tradition Russian Press Ladders are a common occurrence in my kettlebell classes. However building up to 5 ladders of 5 rungs with a heavy kettlebell can be very time consuming and easily eat up the majority of a 1 hour class. Since I want my students to see results AND work on more than just presses, my solution has been to combine the RKC style Russian press ladder with Charles Staley's Escalating Density Training protocol.

Let's say the class is working on press ladders as a group, but everyone is using different weights, different numbers of rungs (sets) and ladders (sets). In the tradition of EDT students have a set amount of time complete their goal of X ladders and Y rungs. In my classes I limit EDT press ladders to a maximum of 15 minutes. If a client completes the workout in under 15 minutes he is done with that segment of  the training for the day and will advance to the next step in the progression at the next training session. If the client cannot complete the prescribed goal of X ladders and Y rungs in 15 minutes the client will repeat the workout on another day and try to complete more reps each workout until X & Y can be accomplished in under 15 minutes. At that point the client may try complete the same reps in less time or a new goal of A ladders and B rungs is prescribed with the either the same size or a heavier kettlebell. Each client's progress is recorded daily so students are always competing against their past performances. Training days cycle between light, medium and all out effort. Clients are asked to set a new personal best each week.

Today's workout featured a 3 rung ladder of presses followed by five front squats. Beginners use a single kettlebell and advanced use doubles.  Rungs of [1,2,3] ,  [1,2,3,4] or [1,2,3,4,5] or [2,3,5] presses are followed immediately by five goblet squats in the case of a single kettlebell or front squats in the case of two kettlebells. Reverse ladders are allowed only during the last five minutes.

Using this method makes progress easy to track. Numbers don't lie and improved fitness is obvious to both the client and the instructor. Motivation is high because students are regularly achieving new personal bests.
Back off weeks are encouraged every 4-8 weeks and a new variation upon the press ladder template may be used.