I have been training with kettlebells for over five years. I attended the very first Russian Kettlebell Instructor Certification in September, 2001. Wanting more pain, I returned to St. Paul once again in September of 2002 for a repeat of the course. In 2004 I was an assistant intructor at the October RKC. In early 2007 I was asked to become an RKC Team Leader. For two years I taught Kettlebell Conditioning classes at the Heritage YMCA Group in Naperville, Illinois. Currently, I just do individual instruction.
Questions, comments or more information, contact Dave Kallas.
Customer reviews of:
Dave Kallas
Average Rating: 9.9 in 9 reviews
Dave's Dungeon
Rated 10 out of 10
I have the privilege of training with RKC Team Leader Dave Kallas, and after a while I've come to realize several things, some good, some not so good. First, the "pros."
-There is NOTHING like having someone teach you how to do the exercises. You can watch a DVD a million times but actually seeing it in person makes a world of difference. "Oh, so THAT'S how you do a get up! No wonder..." or "Wow, doing swings that way makes it so now I'm sore in places I can't even pronounce!"
-Having someone who knows what they're doing watch you and correct your form is priceless and saves a LOT of time and aggravation. Example: The snatch. Dave saw my feeble attempt ( which in my mind was picture perfect, even better than Pavel on his best day...NOT!) and made some simple suggestions which made me go "Uh, oh yeah. That makes sense." And then I'd do what he said, and whoa. That's what I like, simple and effective.
-The chance to try out different sized KBs. Of course we are all men here. Not girly men. Real men. And real men lift heavy stuff. 16kg? 36lbs? Haw. That's nothing! Lay on the floor and stand up with it? And then lay back down? What are you, crazy? Having access to several weights made it a heck of a lot easier to try out some of the more difficult exercises (for me anyway) like the windmill, get ups, crush curls, bottoms up cleans and presses, DOUBLE KB drills, sheesh, even ladders and snatches. Of course when I get home I brag that I did it all with a 36lb, maybe even the 44. But we all know the truth...
-The chance to pick the mind of an RKC with crazy questions. "What's training with Pavel like?" "Can you do a pistol?" "What the heck is power breathing?" "What's wrong with my clean?" "How do you do a janda sit-up?" "Why are all women crazy?" (Actually, I didn't ask him that. But seriously, or is it just me?) (By crazy, I mean that in a good way.) And not just KBs, but answers to questions re: Super Joints, stretching, etc. Dave's a virtual walking pressing encyclopedia!
And now, the "cons":
-Dave trains in his basement aka the dungeon, and after a killer workout, you have to WALK UP the stairs to get out. Ouch, as if your legs aren't already shaking. WAH! Can you say weak sissy?
-Driving home afterwards. I drive a bit to get to Dave, and he makes sure that I feel it after my ride back home. Getting out of my car is an adventure/comedy complete with cuss words and facial expressions.
-You WILL become in much better shape, and then you'll want to know more, and lift more, and do more. Perhaps even love more. You'll have so much friggin' energy you'll annoy all the lazy people in your life and amaze everyone else. How any of these are cons I have no idea but if you're a couch potato with a soft tummy then yes, this could be all construed as cons.
-Did I mention pain? Oh yeah, you'll be hurting. But in a good way.
So okay. Now you know. If you're anywhere in the Chicagoland area, check out Dave Kallas. He is extremely professional, generous and understanding. A great motivator and dealer of pain. Worth the drive. Tip: take some Advil with you.
Alan G. - Mt. Prospect, IL
Excellent teacher
Rated 10 out of 10
My friend John had found Dave on this site and found out he lived a few minutes from me in Aurora. So he persuaded me to join him for a private introduction session. I was very impressed with his calm demeanor and expertise. Prior to meeting Dave, I went online to check out some kettlebell exercises and emulate them with a dumbbell. So, when Dave started showing us some of the exercises I thought I had them down. I was wrong. There's just no replacement for having a qualified RKC instructor guiding you. I was hooked and planned on another session. When we trained he built upon our previous knowledge and provided a lot of great insights that again, I probably would not have picked up through just watching videos or reading a book. So please if you have a chance to train with Dave do so. It'll be a worthy investment.
Rich Tiangco - Aurora, Illinois USA
Real Strength and Real Results
Rated 10 out of 10
I met Dave several years ago when we were trying to find an instructor for classes at our YMCA.We were lucky enough to find Dave through the Dragon Door web site. Dave's workshop and classes were very well received, and all the participants reported terrific gains in strength and flexibility.
I continue to send him clients without hesitation.I have been training with kettlebells for years, and it was Dave who provided the professional instruction that I continue to benefit from today.
Bill Bredeck - Aurora, Illinois
Money and Time well spent
Rated 9 out of 10
I had a private session with Dave several years ago when I was visiting family. Dave cleaned up my form an all of the exercises considerably, and spent some time showing me new exercises as well. Highly recommended.
Fitzy - Providence, RI
Great Guy, Great Job...Great Team Leader!
Rated 10 out of 10
I was lucky enough to be invited to assist at the June 2009 RKC Certification, and luckier yet to be an Assistant Instructor under Dave Kallas, Team Leader. He was a total professional, with great cues and and eye for detail. Laid back and confident, yet ready to bring the pain at any moment, Dave is generous with his time and I would highly recommend him for any level, from beginner to advanced... Do yourself a favor and look him up if you're in the Chicago area!!!
Andrea U-Shi Chang RKC, CK-FMS, Z-Health - http://kettlebility.com - Seattle, Wa
LISTEN UP !!!
Rated 10 out of 10
He speaks softly but the information is dead on. Dave is very quick to see the slightest errors and correct them. His experience is obvious and his wit makes training with him a pleasure...as much pleasure as one can have with a kettlebell..that is. He has a lot of compassion for the first timers and delivers training in a method that is appropriate to each person. I had a great time training with him.
Michael Rendle RKC-II (nekettlebells.com) - Minneapolis, MN.
Dedicated to an RKC's Success
Rated 10 out of 10
Dave was my Team Leader at the June '09 RKC. I feel very lucky to have been placed on his team. He displays professionalism and is dedicated to the success of RKC candidates becoming instructors. He reinforces the need to continue to work on form and the ability to execute technique properly.
Dave lead a great team of instructors and us as students. I learned so much from the weekend. I thank Dave and Team Kallas (Andrea Chang, Angela Olquin, Michael Rendle) for all their help, support, expertise and drive to make me an RKC.
Michelle Barbera - Margate City, NJ 08402
Talk softly...
Rated 10 out of 10
...well,you know the rest;) Dave was my team leader at the June '09 RKC, and it couldn't have turned out better. I was having health issues going into the RKC (yay Flu!) and when I brought it up, there was no "suck it up!!!" talk. He (and his excellent assistants) kept tabs on how I was doing, making sure I didn't blip out or hurt myself. His combination of experience (he attended the first RKC!) and compassion make him an excellent Team Leader and Instructor. No details get by him, and his laid back style takes the pressure off, resulting in quicker corrections and better performance. Look him up...you won't regret it. Thanks Dave!
Mike Provost, RKC - Reno, NV
Train Hard - Dave is harder...
Rated 10 out of 10
Dave was my team leader in the June 09 RKC cert.. He was very informative when working with me and my limitations.. I highly recommend Dave to anyone who is looking to learn the basics fundamentals of kettlebell lifting or taking their training to the next level..With Dave's help and knowledge I was able to press the "beast" 106lb kettlebell for the first time.. I look forward to working with Dave again in the near soon furture.. Thanks Dave!!
Thayne Shatah RKC- HITKBFIT.COM - Tampa, FL
