HKC

HKC. A year ago I participated in a couple one day seminars on incorporating basic stabilization exercises with kettlebells for shoulder patients. From those initial courses and working with Thomas Knox DPT RKC CSCS in the clinic daily I became more interested in pursuing a better foundation in basic kettlebell exercise technique.
The HardStyle of kettlebell exercise made sense in that the emphasis is on developing strength and power by adhering to the rule of quality over quantity and correct movement matters. In April of 2010 I completed the HKC course in Chicago, IL under the instruction of expert instructors: Jon Engum, Mark Cheng, and a dozen other RKC instructors. It was during this certification course that I knew I had found the training method that fit my beliefs and experiences that matched my rehabilitation background and education. This is what I have been looking for over the past 10 years when I refer a patient to personal training after completing rehab; smart personal training. And this is when I began offering personal training to my former patients that were unable to find it in any of the centers and gyms that are still focused on fixed joint exercises (machines) , and group (spin, yoga, step) defination of fitness.

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Measuring fitness

One of the key indicators of progress in a fitness program or training regime is attainment of a goal.
In the health and fitness world there are dozens of tests and measures ( fitness evaluations and assessments) used by coaches and fitness trainers: height, body weight, BMI, HR, BP, vertical, sprint speed, 12 minute run, push up test, sit up test....................on and on and on and on. We even a peer-reviewed journal ( Joural of Strength and Conditioning Research )that is dedicated to these type of tests and measures. But what do all these pre-tests really tell us about the individual athlete in front of us and how do these numbers and values add to the development of a quality program to improve their athletic performance?
My question is: WHY do you do the things you do prior to designing and implementing a training program?
And I expect a better answer than because I want to know how it improved after the program is completed, or because the coach wants to know their 40 time.
Defend your methods, ...if you can.


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RKC- Russian Kettlbell Certification training

I have been in the process of preparing for the RKC (Russian Kettlebell Certification). The decision developed over the past year as I again began to train individuals (post rehab) and teams. I cautiously learned all I could before jumping in but knew that the "way we always do things" was coming up very short of the goal. Most team training programs revolved around 60-90 sessions 2-3 x week for 6-8 weeks; of which in a group larger than 10 usually fell apart and the "most improved something" result is "ok" as long as you can show the coach his stud athlete decreased the 40 yd time. Individual training revolved around either fixed joint machines or Olympic lifting techniques because that is what the client thinks they want in a fitness program. No Thanks not for me, Speed and Agility drills"Speed in a Box", and Plyometrics are a component of a program not a program, Olympic lifting is a sport not a general fitness program. I want to prepare individuals for participation in sport by improving their foundation, a strong foundation upon which sport specific coaches can then place technical movements on and athletes can go on to develop skill needed to excel in their chosen sport. I can't take credit for this concept (Athletic Body in Balance) but it does make sense.


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