Proper Kettlebell Instruction

Jillian Michaels of The Biggest Loser recently got trashed by a journalist for the LA Times about her horrible kettlebell instruction DVD and her credentials as a fitness expert. The LA Times article quoted 2 Russian Kettlebell Challenge instructors and got their opinion on the DVD. Please read the article to follow along with the rest of this post.

Here is my opinion on the article

“Jillian is doing nothing good for the fitness community by putting out a DVD on Kettlebell Training when she has no experience with kettlebells. I have people come to my Boca Raton studio all the time who have learned poor technique and actually have gotten injured by trying to learn kettlebells from unqualified fitness trainers.”

A Kettlebell, or a cannonball with a handle, has become a popular weightlifting tool from Russia and has been around for over 300 years. It started to become popular in the United States about 9 years ago when Pavel Tsatsouline teamed up with Dragon Door publication to offer the Russian Kettlebell Challenge instructor certification program. Russian Kettlebell training has exploded and become very popular with celebrities and athletes.

Kettlebell instruction requires an extensive background and training to be truly safe and effective. RKC kettlebell instructors have undergone the world’s most rigorous of kettlebell instructor certification courses and are fully qualified to instruct and train people in proper kettlebell technique.

View all of my RKC Kettlebell Instruction Reviews here

A lady who came to one of my Kettlebell Basics Workshop talked about a kettlebell class at a local gym with ZERO instruction and a high intensity workout where the uncertified and unqualified instructors were forcing people to use very heavy kettlebells and people were getting injured in every class.  She told me of her friend who has serious back issues as a result of the poor and unprofessional kettlebell class.

The solution

“I hold a 3 hour monthly Kettlebell Basics Workshop at my studio each month to teach people the fundamentals of kettlebell lifting and how to properly perform 3 exercises: the swing, Turkish Get Up, and the Goblet Squat. That’s 3 hours for 3 exercises.  Can you imagine the attention to detail that goes into this type of class? How can you learn effective and proper kettlebell technique from a DVD taught by an unqualified celebrity trainer such as Jillian Michaels?”

For more information on my monthly Kettlebell Basics Workshop, check out my Meetup group the South Florida Kettlebell Club.  On this page you will find out what people are saying about the group, view pictures and videos, and RSVP for the next workshop.

Here is a video clip from the recent Kettlebell Basics Workshop

Testimonials from the workshop

“I thought it was a great workshop. I feel that everyone should attend this workshop, whether you are a first time kettlebeller or have used them before. Dale provides detailed and easy to understand instruction, which I believe is key in helping to prevent injuries! Dale really emphasizes the importance of learning the “movement’ first, before you start throwing around heavy weight. I highly recommend this workshop to everyone!”

Regina – Boca Raton, FL

“Dale is a great instructor, very clear and helpful. I’d recommend anyone with an interest in kettlebells to take his workshop”

Carolyn – Boca Raton, FL

“Totally awesome. Gave me a totally new perspective about kettlebell workouts. I really enjoy the martial arts aspect; the concentration…the “working in”. Fantastic! Looking forward to more!”

Heidi – Boca Raton, FL

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