Sound Nutrition and Sound Kettlebell Lifting: Train with the Best!

This past weekend, Rogue Kettlebell Fitness hosted a Nutrition and Kettlebell Seminar.  Mary Perry from Dynamic Nutrition talked about optimal nutrition for athletes, and I showed people how to properly use kettlebells in a full-body workout.  It is awesome to see the meeting-of-the-minds about how proper nutrition coupled with the proper exercise program can reap huge benefits for clients.

Mary Perry delivering the DL on nutrition and fitness, using peer-interaction and technology to enhance the message.

I love teaching people kettlebells, especially how to lift them properly.  I had several people who had used them in the past at different gyms, but they didn’t realize you could use them in so many other ways.  One person even looked at me funny when I said you could use double kettlebells.  It just goes to show that you need to know what you are talking about as a trainer, and how to use the tools you preach and practice.

I’m lucky to have trained with some of the best in my opinion, who have taught me the best of both kettlebell sport lifting, hardstyle, and program design:

--Steve Cotter and Ken Blackburn of the International Kettlebell Fitness Foundation.

--Jim Milkowski and Mike Stehle of the Training Room in Avan, NJ, who teach the best of Hard Style Kettlebell and Functional Fitness.

--Jon Hinds of the Monkey Bar Gym, who teaches break-through fitness and exercise with yoga, body weight exercises, and kettlebells.

--Rob Shaul of Military Athlete and Mountain Athlete, whose program design and coaching course is second-to-none when it comes designing for Olympians, military personnel, and athletes.

--Mike Mahler of Aggressive Strength, who is the Jedi Master of everything involving kettlebell lifting and program design.

I've garnered a wealth of information from others, too.  But eventually you have to put it into your own system of practice and see what works for you as a trainer.  Some of the key points to kettlebell lifting that I drive home are as follows:

1. Always use proper form.
2. Focus on different breathing techniques.
3. Make sure that your core is tight and engaged.
4. Move the weight with your whole body.
5. Do full-body exercises and balance the workout to hit all the angles of the body.

If you stick to the basics and follow them, you will create a healthy workout program.  There is no magic bullet, just dedication and training in a sound workout and nutrition program.  That’s it!!!

Check out videos with instruction from the KB training.

Teaching the Clean and Press

Teaching the Sumo Deadlift Highpull

Teaching the Goblet Squat