Reviews

I had the opportunity to work with Alan at my RKC certification in Vienna Virginia. Overall, it was a real pleasure to work with Alan. He is a professional and exceptional teacher who really wants to help his students succeed. Alan’s attention to detail and excellent coaching abilities really helped make RKC a learning experience. As we worked through each drill Alan was there giving different cues and feedback to help correct my technique. Not only is Alan extremely technically competent, he is also encouraging and engaging, never making you feel foolish for making a mistake. Alan embodies the RKC philosophy and is committed to holding every one of his students accountable to RKC standards.

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into the RKC weekend but by the end of it I was truly humbled, inspired and honored to be a part of it all. Thanks for all of your hard work and commitment Alan! I am looking forward to RKC II.

Hi Alan,
I am an ACE certified Peer Fitness Trainer, Level 1 CrossFit Instructor, and general fitness enthusiast. I thought the class you instructed was excellent and provide information that was directly applicable to both on and off the job health and fitness. As you well know, we as firefighters, are highly susceptible to back injuries due to the inherent risks associated with nature of our jobs. The content provided really helped to drive home the importance of using proper lifting techniques to include pre-lift core tensioning, an aspect of lifting that is almost always overlooked, yet so important. It is my belief that this course content should be delivered to the recruit firefighter during their basic training, and to the tenured firefighter to decrease the amount of back related injuries, and subsequently decrease the amount of time and money lost.
Further, employing these techniques outside of the firehouse is sure to increase functional fitness and promote general “back health” as well. I have shared many of the techniques we covered in our class both with my clients and personally [during my work out of the day].
A strong, healthy back contributes to a long safe career, and in the end, and enjoyable retirement!
Thank you again for sharing this vital information with us. I hope to see you again.

Lieutenant Justin J. Lefever
Prince William County
Department of Fire and Rescue
UFRO

PS: I’ve been practicing the KB swing technique. I’m feeling more efficient in my WOD’s already! Thanks for spending that extra time with me.

I did my RKC certification this past weekend and had the pleasure to work with Alan. He put forth a significant amount of time and effort to make sure that I performed my drills as precise as possible. He was constantly providing feedback regarding the drills and trouble shooting. Even with the RKC completed, Alan is still giving me feedback and help on how to improve my swings and snatches.

If there was an issue with any of the movement skills, Alan would provide different cues and see which ones would work. There is always more than one way to skin a cat. In the end, I wasn't just able to see myself performing a drill, but I could feel if I was doing it correctly or not. I was able to be more kinestically aware of myself after the workshop.

I was only expecting to go to a 3-day workshop and learn a couple more things about the kettlebell. And obviously my expectations were off. It wasn't just a workshop, it was an experience. Being around other like-minded individual, such as Alan, was an honor and I wish it was something I got to do more often.

I still have some work to do (need to past the snatch test and Beast Tamer), but I'm looking forward to doing RKC II

My Russian Kettlebell Certification this past weekend, was a truly life changing experience. My love for kettlebells greatly intensified after three long grueling days of technique and mental toughness. I’m very fortunate to have learned under the guidance of Alan.

Alan’s teaching philosophy is exceptional. Besides being very knowledgeable in body mechanics and kettlebell technique, his patience and teaching skills are perfect for all skill levels. As a student and now RKC, I highly recommend Alan for kettlebell instruction. If you believe in him and be patient, I am confident that you will have the same learning experience as I did at the Russian Kettlebell Certification.

I run an CrossFit gym and I had Alan in to train my coaches in the basics of Kettlebells. He was very professional. His attention to detail was outstanding. All of my instructors had positive feedback.Thanks Alan!

I have been a personal trainer for several years and I can honestly say I love what I do...thanks to Alan. My style of working out included free weights, balance training, and a few other basic exercises. That all changed the day Alan approached me, and introduced me to kettlebells. I met Alan a few years back at the gym. I watched him work out with kettlebells and grew curious about the benefits and the technique in which he performed his exercises. I started meeting with Alan a few days a week, going through basic movement patterns and corrective techniques. Once I was functional enough to swing, I knew I had found my nitche in fitness. Alan trained me on proper techniques for the swing, turkish get up, and goblet squat. After I became became functionally strong enough to perform each of those exercises, Alan suggested I go after for the Hardstyle Kettlebell Certification (HKC). So i did! Now I am HKC certified. I am stronger and more functional then I have ever been and I owe it all to Alan. Alan has many great qualities, but one in particular stands out to me, he leads by example. Whether he is training or working out, he puts 100% of his focus at the task at hand. I am very fortunate to have Alan as an instructor. Alan still pushes and motivates me to get better in all levels of fitness every time I see him. RKC here I come!

I have been a PFT for my department for just over a year now. The only experience with kettlebells I had was the standard kettlebell swings from Crossfit. Al was able to alter my horrific form and give me the tools to help others do likewise. His experience and down to earth instruction (simple language for us firefighter types), made a pleasent learning atmosphere. I had never really thought much about a workout focused around kettlebells. Yesterday that was all I used for my workout and it felt great, well sort of anyway.

I have been a Peer Fitness Trainer and Crossfit Level 1 Instructor for my fire department for over a year now.

The kettlebell class Alan taught was one of the best classes I have taken. Alan gave excellent instruction, provided good verbal cues, and demonstrated perfect form and technique. After completing the class, my kettlebell swings improved leaps and bounds!

I definitely recommend Alan to anyone who wants to master the kettlebell swing.

I had the pleasure of attending one of Alan's Kettlebell and Functional Movement Screen courses. I am currently an ACE Peer Fitness Trainer and Crossfit L-1 Certified. My background includes a B.S. in Biology studying the medical sciences. With my work as a firefighter and Wellness/Fitness Coordinator, I have had the opportunity to attend many quality fitness courses including the Sports Performance Institute and have completed 5 of the Crossfit courses to include, Mobility, Strength and Barbell, Nutrition, Olympic lifting, and Kettlebell. Being exposed to many quality coaches and trainers, I was pleasantly surprised that Alan fit right in amongst them. He is an energetic instructor who was respectful of all clients' previous fitness backgrounds and adapted the class to maximize their potential and experience without compromising a thorough understanding of the basics and progression. During his FMS screening he was comprehensive and strict with a keen eye for slight irregularities that only come from an experienced coach. Thank you Alan.

I am a 42 year old firefighter with a BS in Exercise Science. I've been around long enough to see workout fads come and go. I have had back injuries and was losing interest in my typical workouts and decided to give kettlebells a try. I am very fortunate to have met Alan and have him as an instructor because he is a GREAT ONE. As someone who has trained people in the past, I believe I know what it takes to get results. Alan will listen to your history and has the knowledge to apply a training regimen specifically for you. While exercising, his trained eye can spot deficiencies in your form. Alan then offers corrections, and before you know it you are "swinging" KB's without a problem. His patient teaching demeanor and high level of motivation are perfect for learning a new KB exercise or routine. If you are curious about a great workout that builds strength and endurance, (even if you have had an injury) give Alan a call. You won't be sorry.

I am a professional Fire Lieutenant and Peer Fitness Trainer with 28 years in the fire service. I have been the Wellness Coordinator at my department for over ten years, and have also been active in CrossFit community since the late nineties. I have been a Crossfit instructor for 6 years with a Level I certification, as well as a Crossfit KettleBell instructor certification and a Crossfit Barbell Certification.

I have attended numerous fitness workshops in the past, but the personal attention and detailed instruction I received at Alan Hedding's Hardstyle Kettlebell and Functional Movement Screen class was one of the best. He and the other RKC, Kristine Gill, had a deep bag of tools to help teach the class members the body mechanics of Russian style KettleBell training. I developed a renewed appreciation for the versatility of this awesome strength training tool and the details of the techniques that can be applied to all things in strength and conditioning work, as well as back safety, and day-to-day functional living.
Rarely have I had the opportunity to train with an instructor with such depth of knowledge, along with the patience to effectively communicate it to all students. Alan’s passion for teaching and motivating each individual trainer sparked enthusiasm for my work as a Peer Fitness Trainer.

There is no better or safer way to learn KettleBells than from a highly skilled Kettlebell instructor. Alan takes KettleBell instruction to the next level with his approach. This experience has given me some valuable skills to add to my tool box that I will use personally and professionally.

The RKC community and the Seattle Fire Department can be proud to have Alan as a representative.

The first thing that struck me about Al is his unyielding dedication and passion in assuring that his student’s improve their fitness level. He truly takes ownership in his student’s progress and has what appears as an endless wealth of knowledge in the area of achieving strength, flexibility and conditioning with KB. Al’s technical knowledge of KB coupled with his exceptional ability to communicate correct body mechanics makes for almost immediate success.

I have been a professional firefighter for the past 20 years and a competitive athlete in a variety of sports for most of my life. I have been exposed to numerous training programs and workout philosophies. Without a doubt, Al’s comprehensive experience in functional strength using KB exceeded all my expectations. I am forever grateful for Al’s ability to rejuvenate my activity level and educate me on how to create the necessary foundation for many more years of firefighting as well as ensuring an active retirement.

Al is the one to take you to the next leel!

I work at the Seattle Fire department and I had the opportunity to experience KBs during a workout session on shift taught by Allan...AMAZING! he took so much time with the crew and myself, fine tuning us and making sure we totally understood not only the movements by why the movements worked! I have been a D1 soccer player, coach, trainer, national level figure competitor, firefighter and mother of 4 and I must say it kicked my...! I was not prepared for that! I began to train with Al bi weekly fine tuning my technique and working on getting LEAN fast for my upcoming figure comp. He also took the time to create a workout plan that would compliment my training for figure and my job. He is extremely passionate about his training and loves to see success for his clients! I would recommend him to anyone!!
Thanks!!
Tori Schneider(Stroud)

I recently had the pleasure of receiving instruction on RKC style. I am an ACE Peer Fitness Trainer for a local fire department and also a coach for a local CrossFit Affiliate and hold a number of certifications. With that being said, I have had many experiences with talented instructors and not-so-talented.

This was not my first introduction to kettlebells but yet I was still able to learn quite a bit, much of that had to do with the instruction from Alan. Alan was able to effectively address my form and technique. Since the class, I have been more in tune with not only my kettlebell training but also other aspects like my Olympic lifting. Many points made by Alan were/are applicable to the various aspects of fitness training.

Although the prior training I received on kettlebells was a different style then RKC, Alan never made me feel like one was wrong and the other right. The environment he created was positive and the outcome was a better informed trainer. I have been able to incorporate the skills learned at that class into my own coaching on top of my personal training regimen.

It was very obvious that Alan is dedicated to and passionate about kettlebells and also the instruction/training of the subject. He has a vast knowledge and can effectively share that knowledge. That combination is not easy to find. I highly recommend learning from and training with Alan Heddings.

Al co-taught a recent FMS and KB seminar for our Fire Department. He has a great knack for clear communication and the ability to demonstrate flawlessly. His ability as an instructor is top notch.

His teaching is grounded in sound understanding and excellent technical ability. He presents an interconnected system of elements. Al clearly communicates how the body's muscles work together systematically. Together with this basis, he conveys a practical step- by-step progression for movement. This approach builds from basics to the more complex. Throughout the class a consistent demand for fundamental correctness is developed by drills and practice.

Al's excellent technical ability translates directly into his acute recognition of trainees faults. He has a unique way of remedying errors in both a positive and professional manner that is always supportive. As a result, the class continually moves forward. His style and ability create a sense of accomplishment. Brick by brick - Al builds as the day goes on.

His enthusiasm and hard work are probably his greatest asset. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Al and believe his class was one of the best I have had so far.

I was fortunate enough to receive some kettlebell training from Alan recently through my work as a firefighter and ACE certified peer fitness trainer. As such, I help train the firefighters I work with on their fitness. I am not new to kettlebells as I have received some professional training in the past and am a kettlebell instructor myself. However Alan presented me a whole new level of expertise with his vast knowledge on kettlebell training. And I thought I knew how to properly swing a kettlebell! I am also a two time ironman finisher and am starting to train for my third. Kettlebells will certainly be supplementing my training. I look forward to a new pr! Thank you Alan.

Alan has an incredible depth of knowledge and the accompanying enthusiasm for KB that make him an exceptional instructor.

I highly recommend Alan. His knowledge and understanding of not only the KB movements, but how the body responds to said movements, is absolutely astonishing. When I first started training with Alan I went to see my chiropractor. He couldn't believe how well my body was doing. He barely had to make any corrections and when I went back to see him a month later he didn't have to do any corrections! At that point he asked for my trainers name and number. He was interested in trying out KB with Alan as well! Don't let injury stop you. If you want to be in the best shape of your life, go see Alan!

I'm a 38 year old firefighter with a history of back and knee injuries. These conditions have made weight training about as appealing to me as root canal work. When Alan asked me if I would like to try kettlebells, I looked at him like he was crazy. Swinging an "iron purse" around looked like a sure-fire way to blow out my back and end up riding a desk instead of a fire truck. The crazy guy wasn't Alan, though; it was me for not getting hooked up with this program sooner. I now have a whole new outlook on strength training. Alan's EXPERT instruction has kept me injury-free and stronger than I've been in 10 years. Many thanks.

I met Alan at a class I was teaching on rowing. As a three time Olympian and avid Crossfitter, I take my training very seriously. I had only tried kettlebells a few times and even then only with swings. I decided to take a certification class to better coach and train with the kettlebell. Alan was the obvious choice as to who I should train with to get me ready for the certification and test (Not only due to his passion for the sport but his vast knowledge of the lifts and workouts.) I met with Alan multiple times over two months as I prepared. Not only did my fitness improve but Alan helped me learn all the moves required for the test. Thanks to Alan, I passed with flying colors. I only hope that I can pass on the love and benefits of kettlebells to all my clients like Alan did for me. Thanks Alan!

I recently had the good fortune to connect with Alan for an introductory course in KBs. Having lifted weights as a young and middle aged man I thought I had a good idea about what constitutes effective and safe conditioning. Well, Al has helped realign my thinking on these matters and placed me solidly in the KB camp. His deep background fitness knowledge coupled with his personal involvement with various physical disciplines provides an excellent context for KB training and its potential applications in real world endeavors. His dedication to correct form and attention to safety allowed a steady, progressive course of improvement. On top of it all Al is a patient, intelligent and affable gentleman. I wholeheartedly recommend Al for men or woman interested in the art of the KB, introductory or advanced. I certainly look forward to receiving ongoing instruction and guidance from Alan.

I just read Enter the Kettlebell and was anxious to get started on the program. Even though I watched the video, as well as Russian Kettlebell Challenge, it was important that I work with someone one-on-one who could critique my technique, form, and efficiency. I looked up RKCs in my area and found Alan. I set up a 2 hour introductory session with him and really benefited from his expertise. Alan answered ALL of my questions and helped me get right to work fixing my swing technique and also taught me the proper way to do a Turkish Get-up. He showed me correct clean and press form. Because of Alan's great instruction, I was able to go to my HKC instructor certification with great confidence. Thanks, Alan!

I was lucky enough to have Al as my "partner" during my HKC workshop in Seattle, Washington. Since I was the odd man out in my group, Al worked with me as my partner and gave me very good advice during all of the various sections of the class. Not everyone was lucky enough to have their own RKC as a partner.

I'm sure Al's patience helped me considerably during the day. I found out I was missing some basic components in my TGU and swing. He was able to help point them out and give very useful pointers on fixing these problems. If he was unable to do so, then he would go find help (escalate the issue) in order to solve the problem.

I highly recommend Al to any potential clients up in the Seattle area. He's a great asset to the RKC corp.

Thanks again, Mike