Using Kettlebells in Professional Hockey

by Sean Skahan, M.Ed., RKC, CSCS

Dec 04, 2011 09:00 PM

I have been using kettlebells within my team’s training program in some capacity during the past 2 years. During that time, we have incorporated the Swing and the Get Up. We have also used a kettlebell as a substitute for a dumbbell during other exercises such as 1-Arm/1-Leg Modified Straight Leg Deadlifts and Slideboard Split Squats. I really felt comfortable using kettlebells in my program after reading and watching some really good instructional books and DVD’s on proper kettlebell...

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Lifting Big, Staying Small

by Melissa Klundby, RKC

Dec 02, 2011 10:35 PM

In November of 2009 I watched 94 pounder, Jessica Okimra, from Hawaii, deadlift three times her bodyweight at the World Association of Bench Pressers and Deadlifters (WABDL) Championship in Reno Nevada. Watching her and the other lifters that day inspired me to pursue the competition deadlift as an outward expression of strength. Since 2010 I have competed in several WABDL deadlift events, and several American Powerlifting Association (APA) full power events. Why do I compete?

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The birth of the Functional Movement Screen—and how and why it is the perfect complement to the RKC School of Strength

By Adrienne Harvey, RKC II

Dragon Door Interviews Gray Cook

Nov 30, 2011 04:00 PM

Dragon Door: How did you get started with CK-FMS? Gray Cook: In undergraduate school, I had a major and two minors—studying sports medicine as my degree along with exercise physiology, athletic training, and psychology. I always had the intention of becoming a physician or physical therapist. But the more I studied, physical therapy seemed to be a lot more in line with what I wanted to do. I wasn’t really interested in the chemical/pharmaceutical approach, I wanted to learn how to...

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45 Seconds, 1 Kettlebell Exercise and a 37% Boost in Power—Senior RKC Secrets from the Frozen Tundra

By Adrienne Harvey, RKC II

Dragon Door Interviews Senior RKC, Jon Engum

Nov 19, 2011 12:00 AM

Jon Engum: I discovered kettlebells through flexibility training. I’ve been a martial artist since age 8, and opened my own gym in 1991. I got my first black belt at the age of 12. It’s all I do, it’s all I’ve been doing, it’s all I know. Dragon Door: What style of martial arts? Jon Engum: Tae Kwon Do, Korean style martial arts... I study three different ones. Early in my career I was a competitor and I liken it to being a rodeo cowboy. You train really hard all week long, then travel...

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How a 44-Year Old Chiro Beats the Butts Off 22-Year Olds in Semi-Pro Football—And Other Tales of Kettlebell Power and Glory…

By Adrienne Harvey, RKC II

Dragon Door interviews Senior RKC, Dr. Michael Hartle

Nov 10, 2011 04:00 PM

Dragon Door: How did you discover kettlebells? Dr. Michael Hartle: Through a colleague in the strength and conditioning world. We talked about it and he had mentioned Dragon Door, so I looked into it around 2002-2003. I bought a 16kg and a 24kg, then they sat in my gym. I have my own facility for physical therapy and rehab with our patients; it also doubles as our training center. The kettlebells sat in the corner gathering dust...

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Getting Stronger

by Shaun Cairns, Senior RKC, original beast tamer

Nov 07, 2011 12:00 AM

This program was designed and implemented by myself when I prepared for the very first official beast tamer challenge, which was held at the October 2005 RKC in St Paul. Please note that this is a very intense program that can only be followed for a short period of time otherwise burn out will set in. An additional note is that prior to the actual Beast Tamer challenge I had not trained for a week as I was traveling to the US and arrived a couple of days prior to the RKC. I had 3 challenges...​

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5 Weeks to the Beast

by Jake Altomare, RKC

Nov 06, 2011 11:00 PM

When I first signed up for the Russian Kettlebell Challenge, I knew it was going to be a difficult task. After watching countless Youtube videos on the RKC, one particular video caught my eye. It was called “Beast Tamer Challenge”. With a title like that I was curious to see how it related to Russian kettlebells. I started watching the video with expectations of a safari backdrop with wild animals. Instead, I saw an amazing feat of strength with a 48 kilogram kettlebell! Not only did the RKC...

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Demystifying the Iron Maiden

by Valerie Hedlund, RKC

Nov 06, 2011 10:00 PM

Since successfully completing the Iron Maiden Challenge at the August 2011, San Diego RKC, I keep getting the same question: “How did you train for it…?”That’s a bit of a trick question and everyone wants the easy answer… If you do (fill in desired program name) for (fill in requisite time duration) of time then viola, in no time you will be Iron Maiden #(fill in number)!!! It feels good and pretty darn cool to be the 3rd woman ever to complete this challenge successfully, especially at 5’3” and​

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How a self-styled “corporate thug” restored his wrecked body with kettlebells —and became a force for change in worlds as disparate as Camp Pendleton and the hallowed halls of Western medicine…

By Adrienne Harvey, RKC II

Dragon Door interviews Senior RKC, Mark Toomey

Oct 07, 2011 10:00 PM

Dragon Door: Mark Toomey, Sr. RKC – how did you find the RKC? Mark Toomey: I found the RKC through Qigong with John Du Cane. In the latter part of my 40’s I had a corporate gig: internal security and executive protection. But had a completely dysfunctional body. I had been a typical gym rat, wore the wrist wrap gloves for bicep day - which was every other day. I was hurting, in constant pain. Someone suggested I learn Qigong, I did a search and found Dragon Door. That's when I saw these...

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How a Leading Krav Maga Instructor used RKC and Kettlebells to Excel as a Fighter

By Adrienne Harvey, RKC II

Dragon Door interviews RKC Team Leader, Tommy Blom

Sep 27, 2011 12:00 AM

“I've never seen such big changes in physical development as I have got with kettlebells.”

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