Last Saturday we hosted our first ever Hardstyle Kettlebell Certification with Master RKC Brett Jones at Jungles’s Gym and I have to admit that it truly exceeded my expectations. There were 27 candidates from all types of backgrounds there to learn and potentially earn their certification to become a kettlebell instructor. The HKC is a new entry level certification for those looking to learn how to perform and teach 3 of the 6 core RKC exercises; the Turkish Get Up, the Goblet Squat and the Swing.

I knew when I contacted Brett about teaming up for this certification I was going to have the opportunity to learn once again from one of the top instructors and movement specialist in the fitness industry. His teaching style and knowledge of human movement made the 8 hour certification a tremendous learning experience. I had the chance to assist with Brett at the RKC in Phiadelphia last year and like this past weekend , I’ve come away a much sharper instructor.

I would like to thank everyone that participated and made last Saturday possible. Also, I want to congratulate two of our teen athletes, Julia Carney and Will Andrews for passing a certification that had a 33% failure rate. They really worked hard over the last couple of months in preparation for their big day and it showed. Good job!

Here’s a short clip of the HKC Certification:

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After our HKC certification Brett and I met up with Marty Gallagher, Dr.Chris Hardy, Mike Davis RKC, Sandy Sommer RKC, Donald Berry RKC and Shawn Reed HKC and Tom. We went to a very popular upscale Chinese restaurant in Falls Church, Va. Now, I haven’t eaten Chinese food in years, but after Marty recommended the Peking Gourmet Inn, I knew that we would be eating something special. The place was absolutely packed and the food was incredible! Where else could you get grass-fed duck?? Just kidding! But, if you enjoy Chinese food, you have to check this place out. Nothing like good food and good conversation with GREAT people!

Our weekend continued with the first ever Turkish Get Up workshop with Brett. Although, we only had about two weeks to put together this workshop it ended up being sold out. The workshop was based on the 2 DVD Kettlebells from the Ground Up by Brett, Dr. Mark Cheng and Gray Cook. On the Dragon Door forum a couple of days before this workshop, someone posed the question “Was a 4 hour Turkish Get Up workshop overkill?” Now, I don’t want to say that this was a dumb question, BUT this was a dumb question! The Kalos Sthenos Turkish Get Up with all of its progressions and its use as a corrective exercise is something all fitness professionals should and could use with all of their clients. Improving movement is an afterthought for most people seeking to use exercise as a way to get into shape. This is a huge mistake. One of Gray Cook’s favorite sayings is “you don’t want to place function on top of dysfunction.” This is why the KS Turkish Get Up is such a valuable tool for trainers and coaches.

In my opinion this workshop is going to become very popular. Just remember you heard it from me. I’m already looking for a date on my calender for when we can host this event again. But if you can’t wait make sure to go to Dragon Door and grab the video right away!

Monday, we hosted an Intro to Kettlebells workshop for about 35 potential new kettlebell victims. This was really fun, because just about all of the people in attendance had no previous kettlebell experience. With the help of Christina Smith, Co-owner and RKC, Brian Wright RKC,  and Tana Lambert RKC, we put this group through a workshop that will leave an everlasting positive experience with kettlebells. It’s amazing what kind of workout you can have with one kettlebell with a big group in such a short amount of time.

Video of the Week- Brettzel Stretch

During the Turkish Get Up workshop I asked Brett could he demonstrate the Brettzel, the awesome corrective exercise/stretch created by Gray Cook with Brett’s namesake. We recently began placing this stretch into our warmups at Dynamic Solutions and everyone seems to love its affect on their overall mobility.

Click on The “Brettzel” Story to read all about this wonderful full body stretch and how its name came about.

Kettlebells with Jillian Michaels. Check out this video of Jillian Micahels teaching the Kettlebell swing. I found this video on the Dragon Door forum. I wish you could see the comments made about this video. Make sure to pay attention to her new “Pull Thru” swing at the end of the video. Remember, just because you see someone on T.V. does not automatically make them an expert!

Here’s Brian Wright RKC demonstrating a proper kettlebell swing at a recent workshop:

If you or your trainers kettlebell swing doesn’t look like this, run, don’t walk, to the nearest RKC instructor to learn how to use the kettlebell properly. You’ll thank me later!

A Question About MCT’S, Cocunut Oil and the “Lipid of Choice”

The benefits of coconut oil are not well know. Not only does is it a great oil to cook with and use raw, but it tastes great and is also good for your health. Fats are classified according to their degree of saturation and molecular length. Coconut oil is a medium chain fatty acid along with butterfat and other tropical oils.  Known for its strong antifungal properties, coconut oil can help support the immune system and can help protect us against viruses, yeasts, parasites and other pathogens.  Check out the interview between Dr. Christopher Hardy and Marty Gallagher regarding coconut oil.  Mark Your Calender’s, because Dr. Hardy will be in Dynamic Solutions Studio on April 3rd for a free workshop on food!!  I promise you will not want to miss this workshop!  Finally, I am including a great curry recipe that includes coconut oil from Sally Fallon’s Nourishing Traditions. Bon appetite!

Curry Sauce

2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 cup onion finely chopped, 1 cup yellow pepper finely chopped, 1 tablespoon red or green hot chile pepper, minced 3-4 tablespoons curry powder or curry paste, 1 cup fish/chicken/or beef stock, 1 1/2 cups coconut milk or creamed coconut, 1/4 cup lime juice, pinch of sea salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

Use fish stock if your sauce is for fish, chicken stock for chicken and beef stock for red meat. Saute vegetables in butter and oil until tender. Add curry powder or paste and blend in. Add stock, bring to a boil and whisk smooth. Add coconut milk. Let mixture boil gently until reduced to about half. Remove from heat, stir in lime juice and season to taste. Strain sauce and serve with steamed fish, or with chicken or beef left from making stock.

Note:

Canned Whoe Coconut milk- Look for a brand that contains no additves and be sure to buy whole not lite.

Creamed Coconut: Found in the refrigerator section of Asian and Indian markets and in some health food stores, creamed coconut is made of finely ground fresh coconut meat with all of its valuable oil. The hard white blocks melt when added to broth, soups, sauces and curries.

-Christina Smith, Co-owner Dynamic Solutions, RKC, C.H.E.K HLC2, MTA2

Stay Strong… Kettlebell Strong!!