All Articles

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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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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How to Get Stronger and Stronger and Stronger—By Building a Safer, More Scientific Foundation for Effective Movement

By Adrienne Harvey, RKC II

Dragon Door Interviews Master RKC, Brett Jones

Dec 14, 2011 11:00 PM

Dragon Door: How did you first get involved with fitness and movement? Brett Jones: I have a Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine from Highpoint University, and was a graduate assistant athletic trainer (and an ATC certified athletic trainer through the NATA) at Clarion University in Pennsylvania. I completed my graduate degree in 1995 and took my first job as an athletic trainer at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia. That’s Gray Cook's hometown. He had just moved home and...

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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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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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