Couldn't keep this to myself. I just got home from the RKC certification in St. Paul, MN.

I am now an RKC, or in other words, certified to teach Kettlebell techniques by Pavel Tsatsouline.

Great workshop, awesome people, and I am totally pumped!

http://www.myspace.com/rivercityphysicalculture

Congrats!

Love my bells!

Congratulations Jason!

thanks guys

There's only so many places I can go and brag about something like this. I spent 2K+ to get there and back, plus a year or two of hard work, and not even my bosses at my gym know what it means or why I am so qualified...

what benefits do kettlebells offer? has it helped you with your judo game?

is it like that stone weight stuff that shaolin and various other forms of martial arts use?

dynamic tension type stuff, or repetition?

great questions robert

benefits: too numerous to mention

judo: not really. I am always the best conditioned guy and I still always finish pretty low on the totem pole

shaolin padlocks etc: yes, a little

dynamic/repeition: the RKC system, or 'hard-style' of KB lifting tries to balance both.

The 'grinds' (russian military press, front squat, windmill) focus on maximal tension, slow performance and the development of high levels of relative or absolute strength.
The explosive moves (snatch, clean and jerk, swing) focus on maximal power development and the rhythmic creation of tension followed by quick or optimal relaxation.

you will find that most athletic endeavors, and especially grappling, rely greatly on strong, fast and flexible hips, a great grip and anaerobic endurance til the cows come home. The kettlebell addresses these nicely in one convenient package.

Is power better with big weights on a barbell (OWL)?
Is absolute strength training and periodization easier with a barbell and lots of incremental weights?
Is sprinting great for anaero endurance?
Is specific grip training better for various types of sport specific grip strength?

A: YES TO ALL.

But if a kettlebell (retail value $45-190) can deliver a nine out of ten on all these variables, why not just take it and call it a day. Make it easy for yourself.

speakin of...

anyone here from Richmond, VA?

I lived in Richmond for a year when I was 8 years old.

There was a blind guy who ran the snack counter at the courthouse. I was never able to short-change him.

i know what you mean