Met with an RFC trainer today
rrsuthy
Posts: 236 Member
I've always done KB workouts via Dvds. I strained my back in January and decided I should see a trainer, certified, to see what I might be doing wrong. So, I forked over a chunk of money for a 90 minute session.
It was well worth it. He said my form was darn good, especially considering I'd learned from DVDs. However, he was able to tweak a few things to make it much better. He's a "movement and alignment" specialist as well and he and his partner were able to figure out why my back was sore (because I have no cartilage in my right knee, I over compensate with my left leg and hip). He had me use a lacrosse ball to roll out my left glute (dang it hurt) and he showed me a few things to help with it.
He also said my KB, at home, was way to light! He said I should be using a 35lb, not 15lb and that's what he had me using today. I questioned that, saying that using 15 with the DVDs was sometimes challenging. He told me that for now, I should use the heavier bell and focus on swings and squats. He said this would give me a cardio challenge as well as work most muscles in my body.
He gave me some "homework" and I'll go back in a month to get assessed and to learn more moves, the correct way.
I can't join his gym because it's a 40 minute drive from my house. I'm a single mom who works full-time and that's just too far to go. My daughter plays soccer, does Karate, just started tennis (at her request) and has bi-weekly piano and girl scouts. I don't have time to drive 40 minutes one way for an hour workout.
Thanks to this forum, I found this guy on dragondoor (sp?).
It was well worth it. He said my form was darn good, especially considering I'd learned from DVDs. However, he was able to tweak a few things to make it much better. He's a "movement and alignment" specialist as well and he and his partner were able to figure out why my back was sore (because I have no cartilage in my right knee, I over compensate with my left leg and hip). He had me use a lacrosse ball to roll out my left glute (dang it hurt) and he showed me a few things to help with it.
He also said my KB, at home, was way to light! He said I should be using a 35lb, not 15lb and that's what he had me using today. I questioned that, saying that using 15 with the DVDs was sometimes challenging. He told me that for now, I should use the heavier bell and focus on swings and squats. He said this would give me a cardio challenge as well as work most muscles in my body.
He gave me some "homework" and I'll go back in a month to get assessed and to learn more moves, the correct way.
I can't join his gym because it's a 40 minute drive from my house. I'm a single mom who works full-time and that's just too far to go. My daughter plays soccer, does Karate, just started tennis (at her request) and has bi-weekly piano and girl scouts. I don't have time to drive 40 minutes one way for an hour workout.
Thanks to this forum, I found this guy on dragondoor (sp?).
0
Replies
-
I'm guessing you meant to type RKC, not RFC.
This all sounds great--
Working with a bell that is far too light is a really common occurrence, but definitely something that needs correcting. I'm glad he's put you on to the correct size. The 16kg bell will probably be challenging for those swings and squats initially, but you'll adjust more quickly than you think. Since swings and squats use the lower body, it makes much more sense to use a heavy bell, and you'll see great benefits from doing so, both in your strength and endurance.
I think it's great that you found this trainer via Dragondoor and went to see him. It's really helpful to have someone who knows what they're doing give you a bit of instruction. Visiting him monthly sounds good, too.
:drinker:0 -
I really wish I could find an RKC or StrongFirst trainer in my area. There is only one, according to Dragon Door, and I have visited her website, and she does not appear to specialize in kettlebell training at all. She has a lot of aerobics videos, and that's pretty much it. I really think I should just do the certification myself. I don't currently have any interest in training people, but I know the certification is really challenging and the instruction is outstanding, so I think it would be worth the time and money.0
-
I really wish I could find an RKC or StrongFirst trainer in my area. There is only one, according to Dragon Door, and I have visited her website, and she does not appear to specialize in kettlebell training at all. She has a lot of aerobics videos, and that's pretty much it. I really think I should just do the certification myself. I don't currently have any interest in training people, but I know the certification is really challenging and the instruction is outstanding, so I think it would be worth the time and money.
Definitely--you should do it, Jq! You've worked so hard--it would be a nice "capstone" to all your KB training at this point. It sounds like Pavel has made the SFG certification a good bit more difficult than the RKC certification was (is), but I think either certification is really useful. If you don't want to train people, then don't. But I can imagine you'd enjoy the whole process.
:drinker: 0 -
I really wish I could find an RKC or StrongFirst trainer in my area. There is only one, according to Dragon Door, and I have visited her website, and she does not appear to specialize in kettlebell training at all. She has a lot of aerobics videos, and that's pretty much it. I really think I should just do the certification myself. I don't currently have any interest in training people, but I know the certification is really challenging and the instruction is outstanding, so I think it would be worth the time and money.
There are a pretty good bunch of trainers who arent on the DD site anymore, and arent yet on the SF site either. Some of the one day courses are awesome quality instruction, without being so taxing as a full on RKC or SFG. I attended a small one day seminar last year put on by Dr Mark Cheng. I learned more at that then I did at the HKC. Mike Mahler also does seminars around the world. Very good instruction, although what he teaches is a little different than "hard style". His teaching instantly improved my clean technique though. Just some ideas.0 -
I really wish I could find an RKC or StrongFirst trainer in my area. There is only one, according to Dragon Door, and I have visited her website, and she does not appear to specialize in kettlebell training at all. She has a lot of aerobics videos, and that's pretty much it. I really think I should just do the certification myself. I don't currently have any interest in training people, but I know the certification is really challenging and the instruction is outstanding, so I think it would be worth the time and money.
There are a pretty good bunch of trainers who arent on the DD site anymore, and arent yet on the SF site either. Some of the one day courses are awesome quality instruction, without being so taxing as a full on RKC or SFG. I attended a small one day seminar last year put on by Dr Mark Cheng. I learned more at that then I did at the HKC. Mike Mahler also does seminars around the world. Very good instruction, although what he teaches is a little different than "hard style". His teaching instantly improved my clean technique though. Just some ideas.
KBJimAZ--have you had a class with Steve Cotter, by chance? He seems like a great teacher, particularly for those interested in GS, and is always traveling about.0 -
I have never done anything with him, but that kind of "loose" style is what Mike Mahler teaches. I struggled with it a little at first, but it came around. Mike also teaches a double KB swing, but you use a more narrow stance and swing outside of your legs. It really took some getting used to, but its a good workout once you get the hang of it.0
-
Mahler sounds great--really interesting to hear about his narrow-stance double KB swing! I'll be on the lookout for him over here in the UK. Thanks!0
-
Yes - will have to look up Mahler - sounds intriguing.0
-
RKC instructors are well worth the money.
Mine also told me I was using too light a kettlebell (35 pounds - he suggested a 52 pound). Ironically, using a heavier kettlebell actually corrected my forum as I was not able to "muscle" it around.
My Turkish Get Up forum was atrocious, and he was able to help correct it by using a tennis ball of all things! Pretty cool guy, and when I get to the point of doing snatches, I'll be paying him a visit again.0 -
Nice! After over a year of videos, I'll be seeing a trainer for the first time tomorrow morning. RKC. I live in Minnesota - where Dragon Door is based out of, so there's tons of them around.0
-
Lucky you! I'm a bit envious! And you can also pick up cheap(er) kettlebells. Don't have to pay the high shipping the rest of us do.0
-
Lucky you! I'm a bit envious! And you can also pick up cheap(er) kettlebells. Don't have to pay the high shipping the rest of us do.
Park Road Fitness in Burlingame is a Dragon Door dealer. Buy from them and don't pay shipping.0
