Why A Certified Kettlebell Instructor Is Your Best Bet

If you are new to kettlebell training,then please keep this this in mind...If you want to learn correct kettlebell technique and you want to practice kettlebell strength and condition, then you ought to hire a professional. Why you ask?

Consider this. April is tax time. Can I do my own taxes? Not anymore. I own a small business and I feel it's just too risky. I probably could pull it off but the risk/reward is a bit out of my favor. Let's say I did decide to do them. That's cool but how comfortable would you feel following my advice on how do yours? What if I had a website and even posted some instructional video on YouTube? Since I'm not a CPA, I'd say it would be a losing proposition for you. Wouldn't make much sense.

Let's take this a bit further. Let's say I was an attorney and my speciality was small business consulting. Still probably not the best idea to ask me for tax advice. If I was a resposible person, then I'd have a relationship with a CPA I could and would refer you to.

I'm at wits end on this subject. In the last week, we've seen Jillian Michaels attempt to demonstrate kettlebell exercises (a full on travesty)and more and more "instructional" videos posted to places like Youtube by personal trainers. Folks, the fitness pie is huge and we do a huge disservice not sharing it. I wouldn't consider teaching someone how to use a TRX and a personal trainer shouldn't be trying to teach kettlebells. Can I use a TRX? Sure can but I shouldn't teach others. If I do a kettlebell consultation and the potential client and I decide that kettlebells aren't going to work well for them, then guess what? I smile, shake hands and send them to a certified Personal Trainer. Someone I know and can refer them to. The pie is too big for me to try to eat it all and I want everyone to get fit. Kettlebell or not.

Why are most personal trainers afraid to send potential business out the door? I think that they mostly come from a place of want instead of plenty. That's why and it's a shame. Oh, they think, "if I don't teach this person kettlebells then they won't be a client." Perhaps. But are you more important then they are? It reminds me of the ReMax commercial on TV when a real estate agent doesn't listen to what the client wants and trys to get them to look at houses that are the antithesis of what the client stated they would be interested in.

If you want to be a kettlebell instructor why not get certified? If you aren't going to do that, then why not just stick with your knowledge base?

If you aren't a personal trainer but you are interested in learning how to use the kettlebell, then you NEED to find a certified instructor in your area. DVDs offer you no feedback and when I work with someone who is self taught from DVDs, their form is ordinarily wildly different than what they've been watching. Wildly. But they don't realize it. They wonder why their lumbar hurts etc. Well because your form stinks. Sometimes it's really hard to fix a movement pattern that has been grooved. DVDs are great if you know what you're doing. Otherwise, reconsider.

The real challenge is that the Russian Kettlebell has become the hot fitness tool. There are knock off kettlebells and knock offs of knock offs. I play golf. I stink. I still bought quality clubs. They aren't custom made but I didn't buy them at Sears. I bought them from a golf pro. Did he earn a commission? Yes he did. Are the clubs the right ones for me? Yes they are. Get the right tool and get the right teacher. You'll be so glad.

If I can help with any of your questions, then please feel free to comment here and I'll answer.

Sandy Sommer, RKC

Why Quality Kettlebells?

Using a quality tool is important to getting any job done correctly. I have used so many different kettlebells it would make your head spin. Why? Well I was looking for quality at a low price and I couldn't locate it. But I kept trying. Ader, K2, Perform Better and Power Systems. Each one had limitations and my opinion is that they weren't for me. The kettlebells they carry at Target couldn't even be called a kettlebell accurately.

Many people say that kettlebells aren't cheap. First, compared to what? Nothing will give you as much bang for your buck and good ones don't break. I have used only two kettlebells that I would willingly use again. First, the Dragon Door Kettlebells are what I train with daily. They are the best KB your money can buy. They feel great and in your hand but they do feel different than all other kettlebells. I can assure you that if you show up at the RKC a Dragon Door virgin you will wish you had made the investment before the certification.

Also, as far as I know they are also the only company that will sell you a bell and if you don't like it, give you a full refund up to 12 months later.

Another kettlebell worth a shot and a bit more economical, is the Lifeline Kettlebell. They feel pretty good. I would use them comfortably in a pinch. Are a bit cheaper but not such a guarantee.

Here's the number though. Assuming that you can get 1000 uses from a bell (and that is conservative) then a Dragon Door Bell cost around .12 cents per use. The Lifeline would run about .09 cents. I think Dragon Door is worth it!