need a little dips n pull up help ...

[flipper]

i'm doing a bastardized probably-not-as-effective-as-i'd-like-it-to-be version of the beginner program using kettlebells only (since i don't/can't belong to a gym and my girlfriend doesn't exactly relish the idea of a squat rack in our living room, the only actual place for such a thing in our wee little pad).
i'm 53, skinny as a rail, weak as hell, and am panting around with a 26lb bell and a 35lb bell (which actually look like object de art in our living room...). my so-called program essentially looks like this:

• squats w/ both bells, 5x5 ...


• clean & press with light bell, 5x5, left and right arms (building up to heavier bell) ...


• row or swings 5x5 with the heavier bell (depending on the day) ...


• and chin ups, 3xf.

My first very basic question is, given my constraints and available equipment, how's that schedule seem?
2nd question: i'd like to occasionally do dips in place of the chin ups ... but i can't do a single dip if i'm between, say, my kitchen countertop and the chopping-block stand. not a one. i can, however, do about 7-5-5 (failure) when backing up to the coffee table and putting my arms behind and going that way. but that doesn't exactly seem to be the dip you're talking about in the beginner program. is there another way i can or should build up to that dip?
3rd question: at the end of my workout, when i get to chin ups, i can do 5-4-4 (failure) but even on non-workout days i can only manage 1 pull up. is that a little weird, the imbalance between the two? for some reason it strikes me as odd. and, to get better, i'm thinking of doing the grease-the-groove thing, just doing a pullup when i pass under the bar, every so often during the day. sound like a reasonable plan?
okay, that's it for now. thanks for any thoughts you might offer!

[Mehdi]

The problem with using kettlebells on squats is the same as using dumbbells: gripping the kettlebell becomes limiting factor once you get stronger. Also progressive loading gets in the way. In your case, you have 2 kettlebells, so you're not adding weight every workout, which is key to getting stronger, and thus building muscle/losing fat. First time you lift those weights, body is stressed, gets out of comfort zone, adapts by building strength/muscle/etc. But unless you keep adding weight, body becomes lazy (in the long term you can actually lose strength by not adding weight).
So it's better than nothing, but it's not that good. I recommend you try an actualy kettlebell routine if you don't have/can't get access to a squat rack. Check out crossfit, you'll find ideas there.
Dips are assistance. Two chairs side to side work best. Worst case drop them.
Chin-ups are easier than pull-ups. I'm also stronger on chin-ups than pull-ups. You can do grease the groove if you want.

[Young Athlete]

Maybe a workout like this would work better:
Push ups 3XF
Pull ups 3XF
DipsXF
Chin ups 3XF
Calf raise 2XF
Squats 5XF
All body weight would always being pushing your self to your max until you situation gets better this could work well.

[flipper]

thanks, guys.  Y.A.: what if i go essentially as i'm going, using the kettlebells where appropriate, only to failure, doing three sets instead of 5?  in other words, it'd be bodyweight plus kettlebells, to up the ante as best i can given the situation.
also: the way that kettlebell guy mike mahler gets around the static weight situation is by upping the sets, with the long term goal in most cases being 10x5.  here's a link to one of his routines: http://www.kettlebellinc.com/kettlebell ... hler  .  i wonder if you might take a look at it, see what you think.
 
thanks!