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TracyReifkind article

Mastering the Hardstyle Swing: "The Workouts"

by Tracy Reifkind, RKC

Dec 19, 2011 05:02 PM

In 2006 after successfully losing 120lbs the previous year, I earned my RKC at the age of 42. It was training the Hardstyle Kettlebell Swing that helped me lose the weight and develop the conditioning to endure the RKC’s three days of intense physical training. Although both of those accomplishments are impressive, even more miraculous was how training the Hardstyle Swing brought out my inner athlete, transforming my body and helped erase the signs of former obesity...

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MarkReifkind Article learntoswingRKC

Learn to Swing: the RKC Way

by Mark Reifkind, Master RKC

Dec 19, 2011 03:00 PM

The working title of “Mastering the Hardstyle Kettlebell Swing” was “Learn to Swing”, because that was the intent when we made the video. After we produced Tracy’s “Programming the Kettlebell Swing” DVD to show her unique methodology for doing hundreds if not thousands of kettlebell swing variations, we were struck by just how many people really didn’t understand how to do a proper kettlebell swing. At least well enough to handle serious high volume swing training...

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FawnFriday article swingwithintent

Swing with Intent

by Fawn Friday RKCII

Dec 19, 2011 02:00 PM

Imagine your exercise plan for the day includes five sets of 10 two-hand swings with a medium weight. You’ve done these sets many times before and will have no trouble getting through another five sets without much effort. You can put in your reps, and punch the clock. There is nothing wrong with this approach if your goal is merely to complete the sets. If you want to get better at swinging, though, you should take a different approach. When I do barbell squats, I have a setup ritual...

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DanJohn artcle fitnessindustry

If I Could Do One Thing For The Fitness Industry

by Dan John, Senior RKC

Dec 04, 2011 11:00 PM

If I could do one thing for the fitness industry, it would be to give some clarity to what people want. Because of fitness magazines at the checkout counter at the grocery store and a myriad of devices to try and buy from television commercials that promise “abs” in a few weeks, (you do KNOW that you already have them…right?), I have been besieged by people in the last year who are convinced that there is always greener grass in the other training hall’s pasture. For most people, they don’

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SeanSkahan article

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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ShaunCairns article1

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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JakeAltomare article1

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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ValerieHedlund article1

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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DW handstrength

HAND STRENGTH: What Is It and Why Do YOU Need It?

by Dave Whitley, Master RKC

Aug 25, 2011 01:00 PM

Why are strong hands important? Because your hands are the portal to your strength, the thing that connects you to your kettlebell, barbell, golf club, tennis racket, opponent or bag of groceries. Without your hands you cannot express your strength in the majority of sports. Even in a sport like soccer, which is hands-off, the athlete must have a connection to a barbell or similar implement to develop strength. So what does it mean to have a strong grip?

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GusPetersen ARTICLE

Phat Boys, Traveling Vikings, and Devil’s Triplets: Hard-Core Cross-Training for Hard-Style Junkies

Gus Petersen, RKC

Aug 24, 2011 12:00 AM

So you’re a self-proclaimed hard-style junkie. You live for your next intense kettlebell workout. You’ve read Enter the Kettlebell at least three times. You walk like a Russian. You quote Pavel at parties. You may well have a kettlebell tattooed on your calf. In a pinch, you’ve probably even tried pickle juice as a pre-workout tonic. You’re training hard and heavy most days, and your workouts are packed with intensity...

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