What does it take to be an RKC?

With the popularity of the new TRX Kettlebell DVD, I have been getting a lot of inquires from local trainers and group exercise instructors wanting to learn kettlebells.  They are interested in attending my Kettlebell Basics Workshop thinking they will have the tools to teach in their boot camps, classes, or private sessions.   Little do they know, it takes a lot of hard work and instruction to understand Russian Kettlebell Training and to be able to teach it.

As the demand for kettlebells and kettlebell training grows, many unqualified trainers have begun to advertise their services as kettlebell instructors.  RKC (Russian Kettlebell Challenge) Instructor is the top of the industry, leading the way for all fitness professionals who want to add cutting edge training methods for their clients.  Go here to find out more.

But beware, kettlebell instruction requires an extensive background and training to be truly safe and effective. Don’t risk injury or waste time with subpar instruction when you can take advantage of Pavel and Dragon Door’s growing, worldwide network of highly qualified RKC certified kettlebell instructors.

RKC kettlebell instructors have undergone the world’s most rigorous of kettlebell instructor certification courses and are fully qualified to help you meet and surpass your goals, be they fat loss, strength and power development or athletic success.

The RKC Instructor has demonstrated a high proficiency in the most essential kettlebell drills and shown an ability to effectively teach kettlebell use to others. The course is not cheap, but I always say you get what you pay for.  Spend less money on another kettlebell certification and you will not get the equivalent, I know because I also have other kettlebell certs from other organizations.

Here are the stats: 35-40% of the people attending the RKC Instructor Certification DO NOT PASS! That means that in my class of 50 people, 18 did not pass the course. They went home without a certification (they have 3 months to send in a video with corrections or meet with a Senior or Master RKC).  So be prepared when going to the RKC and take it VERY seriously. That’s a lot of money to spend without passing the course.

YES, I did pass!

Anybody who is a fitness professional and is interested in being RKC certified should take to following steps:

1. Give yourself a minimum of 1 year to prepare, 18 months is better.
2. Sign up for an HKC course
3. Find an coach – an RKC in your area and get evaluated on your skills
4. Practice for 3-6 months what your RKC coach has laid out for you to pass the HKC- likely swings, get ups, and squats.
5. Take the HKC course and PASS!
6. Sign up for an RKC course  6-12 months months down the road.
   
7. Purchase, read, and learn from the book and DVD Enter the Kettlebell!
8. Complete the “Right of Passage” from ETK book
9. 16 weeks away from RKC – Practice the basics: swings, get ups, squat, clean, press, and snatch and follow this program from Master RKC Brett Jones- RKC Pass prep guidelines (pdf file)
10. Be sure to practice your pull up for men and flex arm hang for women. Men have to do 5 and women hand for 15 sec.
    
11. Practice snatch test every Friday morning and do 100 reps no matter what. Trim down the time each week by conditioning yourself with the prep workouts on Sat, Sunday, and maybe light workout Tuesday and Wed if needed.
12. Work on learning the skills of the basics: swings, get ups, squat, clean, press, and snatch.
13. Take 12-16 weeks to get your snatch test of 100 reps under 4:15 – this way you can be assured that you will easily make the required 5:00 mark for your weight class.
14. The final 8 weeks of RKC prep should be dedicated to the 6 basic kettlebell exercises  and pull up or flex arm hang- I suggest that you do not rely on other forms of conditioning for final 8 weeks, just use the kettlebells and follow the outline.  I have seen people who do other types workouts in prep for RKC and they have not done as well as people who have relied on kettlebells only.  That’s just my observation and opinion.
15. Go to the RKC, be ready to learn, and pass – there are no egos and show offs at the RKC – remember you are there to “learn”!

In case you are wondering…YES I did pass the RKC in April 2010. Below is a picture of my group of 50 students and the 14 instructors from the course in St Paul on April 23-25, 2010.  I am standing up in the center in the red shirt.

Please leave your comments and feedback below and if this post helped you in any way.