KETTLEBELL 101
If you have never heard of kettlebells, you aren't alone. Although this piece of strength training equipment has been around for decades, only recently has it caught the attention of mainstream America.
The kettlebell is a traditional Russian cast iron weight that looks like a cannonball with a handle. They range from two pounds to over a hundred pounds.
Kettlebell use focuses on muscle integration rather than isolation. Nearly every drill recruits multiple muscle groups to work in unison.
Whether your goal is to have the fat melt off your body, to improve your general fitness, or to excel further in the sport of your choice, you will find that the kettlebell is the ultimate tool for extreme all-around fitness.
Scientists credit the startling level of calories burned to the fact that the kettlebell workout is a total body movement that is done very quickly, due to the interval training format.
Training with kettlebells can be both grueling and at the same time extremely fun. Kettlebell training is addictive and it is an addiction that will bring about great results.
WHAT IS RKC?
RKC (Russian Kettlebell Challenge) is the highest standard for kettlebell instructor certification. RKC was created by Pavel Tsatsouline, the man responsible for bringing the popularity and amazing kettlebell training concepts to the United States. The extensive knowledge of the kettlebell movements, safety, and teaching cues are an absolute must to pass. There is a 30% to 35% failure rate at these certifications due to the high expectations of its students. The advantage to this is when you work with an RKC instructor you should expect to get the most professional, and highest quality of instruction available.
"I was looking for a strength building routine rather than a mat Pilates or on a reformer. My instructor suggested the kettlebells for strength training, core, overall coordination and body toning. I had been doing personal training for about a year and a half at this point. I will say that form is everything and that you should (must) make sure any instructor you work with knows what they're doing. At first, I thought that I'd tweak my knees or back; however with encouragement and fine adjustments to form (from my trainer Bill Duvall) that wasn't and isn't the case. I've had a serious knee injury in the past and the kettlebells haven't bothered my knee. Again, we really work and focus on form. The overall results are better than the reformer Pilates I've done in the past. I've been doing Kettlebells for more than four months now and highly recommend it to the over 50 crowd. My coordination is really improving along with strength. Plus, you're always working the core with correct breathing and form. I highly recommend a certified and experienced trainer like Bill for kettlebells".
Lori Carpenter - South Reno Athletic Club, Reno, Nevada
'I have been working out with Bill for almost two years. I started with personal training and then moved on to his bootcamp . The last 3 months I have been taking his kettlebell class, which is by far my favorite. Bill has an amazing way of making every class fun and challenging and he is very creative in designing the workouts so they are always different. Since starting with Bill I have lost weight and inches, but the most exciting change I've noticed is my increased strength. Bill is always motivating me to push myself and in doing so has improved my quality of life immensely. Bill truly cares about each and every client and I highly recommend him to anyone who wants to improve their level of fitness'.
Debbie Blanchard - Reno, NV
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