My name is Sandy Sommer and I love to help people achieve their fitness goals using Russian Kettlebells.
I have using Russian Kettlebells in my training practice for almost 2 years now and have transformed myself and others.
There is NO BETTER training implement and the our classes at Charm City Kettlebells are both fun and effective.
If you are looking for results then please look no further.
I work with former couch potatoes, stay at home moms, fitness geeks, athletes and anyone in between. My requirement is that you work to your capacity and have fun!
There is no crying with kettlebells!
Sandy Sommer: Images
Customer reviews of:
Sandy Sommer
Average Rating: 10.0 in 24 reviews
Amazing Transformation for Me
Rated 10 out of 10
I have been working out with kettlebells since January of 2008. I am much stronger and leaner now. I started using a 8 kg bell for all the exercises and now use a 12kg kettlebell. I eat sensibly, but don't deny any cravings either or eat any less than I did before. The great thing about working out with kettlebells is that your metabolism also improves.
Friends, co-workers, and neighbors have all noticed a difference in my appearance and I am proud to say that this summer is the first time that I have worn a bikini for 5 years, since before I got pregnant with my son.
Jennifer Cook - Towson MD
Classes Have Helped Me Be More Flexible
Rated 10 out of 10
I recommend Charm City Kettlebell classes to anyone looking for a challenging and rewarding workout unlike any other they've had. The classes have helped me with my flexibility, strength and endurance... I always leave looking forward to the next workout!
Cyndi Shipps - Baltimore, MD USA
Christen Fullwood Testimonial
Rated 10 out of 10
I have participated in three kettlebell classes instructed by Sandor (Sandy) Sommer. At first I was a little hesitant on taking the class and wasn't sure that I was quite cut-out for this type of exercise program. Kettlebells training is for everyone, no matter what level of fitness that you are. Although you do work hard and you will break quite a sweat, Sandy is there to guide you and help you attain the maximum benefit that your body will allow, without overdoing it! I'm not going to lie, you will be sore and you will learn that you have muscles in places that you didn't know existed, but it's definitely a "good hurt" and you WILL walk a little bit taller and feeling a little bit stronger after every class!
Christen Fullwood (Kettlebell Beginner)
Christen Fullwood - Baltimore MD, USA
The Workout Does the Trick
Rated 10 out of 10
Sandy’s workouts do the trick. Whether you’re just starting an exercise program or you’ve been working out, Sandy designs workouts that can easily be adapted to all levels, and he provides individual guidance throughout as the class moves from exercise to exercise. I particularly enjoy the kettlebell workouts—they’re basic, intense, and, most of all, they give results.
Pattie Sassano - Baltimore MD USA
Kettlebells Have Helped Us
Rated 10 out of 10
My husband and I have been taking Sandy’s new kettlebells class in Fell’s Point. We have both worked out on and off for most of our lives, and we find this to be a great workout. I have muscle soreness in new places a day after each class and I feel energetic all day after an early morning class. I think that no matter what form of exercise one currently does, adding kettlebells will improve your body and mind. Sandy is a great teacher as he is knowledgeable, friendly, encouraging and has a good sense of humor! I’m also pleased that he starts and ends the class on time. I plan to continue working out with kettlebells.
Jannette Barth - Baltimore MD, USA
Kettlebells are changing my life
Rated 10 out of 10
As someone who has been struggling with weight issues over the past few years I have tried the whole gamut of gimmicks quite unsuccessfully. I even spent thousands of dollars on a personal trainer who didn't motivate me to want to work out and didn't help me to achieve any of my weightloss goals. Since finding Charm City Kettlebells a few weeks ago I feel like a new person. Not only have I lost inches on my body but Sandy has been supportive and motivational in helping me to achieve my goals every step of the way. I was always someone who preferred cardio and shyed away from weights out of a fear of bulking up, but I love the way that kettlebells are transforming my body. I am getting stronger and leaner at the same time and I enjoy the classes so much that I even get up to work out in the morning! Coming from a non-morning person, that is a huge deal! I have recommended the classes to all of my friends and will definitely continue to do so in the future. I can't wait to see how much my body will change with a sensible diet and the continuation of the RKC classes over the next few months!
Nicole Callender - Canton, MD
Motivating
Rated 10 out of 10
Sandy has been great. I have been working out with KB's longer than he has, but fell off the wagon. Granted I am the only guy in most of the classes, but that is the beauty of KB's, I just use a bigger bell and get my rear kicked in the same. I would not be able to motivate myself to do the workout sandy has us do so I am grateful for the classes. I plan on going for a very long time, 2 times a week to get my self back in shape.
Jeff - Federal Hill, Baltimore MD
The real deal.
Rated 10 out of 10
I've been taking Sandy's classes for about a month now and I'm ALREADY begining to notice the benifits of KB's! More energy, increased strength, decreased body fat... Everything I was hoping for! The more I put into the workouts, the more I seem to get out of them. And Sandy is definitely a great motivator. Each class I strive to do better than the last and I never leave discouraged.
Spencer - Baltimore MD
Great new workout
Rated 10 out of 10
I heard about KB workouts from someone at my gym, but they do not offer classes. I googled it, and found out about Charm City Kettle Bells and thought I would give it a try. I plan on continuing with the weekly classes as much as my schedule permits. I just took the intro class this past Saturday. To be honest, I stay pretty active, so I was surprised that I was sore today. (good sore!) :) I am feeling muscles that I didnt know were there.
Pam - Abingdon, MD
Awesome Workshop!
Rated 10 out of 10
Sandy held an awesome, informative workshop over the weekend! I have wanted to try kettlebells for awhile but was unsure due to the technical nature. Sandys workshop gave me the knowledge and the confidence to begin using kettlebells in my workout routine.
If you are in the Baltimore area and want to workout with kettlebells, Sandy is the guy to see. Thanks Sandy!
My trainer encouraged me to attend a kettlebell class; I met Sandy through a friend, one of Sandy's students. I gained a lot of confidence with the kettlebell in Sandy's class (he's very patient). His workout was great. I wanted to add more diversity to my workouts, different cardio and toning exercises. I'm so happy with the results and the muscles that are still sore! Working with a kettlebell is such an efficient and effective way to tone. I look forward to attending more of Sandy's classes.
Becky - Woodbine, MD
Kettle Bell training is a game changer
Rated 10 out of 10
As a conditioned athlete who is accustomed to the rigors of various exercise regimes, I found Sandy's instruction and amazing enthusiam to be tremendously valuable.
The Kettle Bell movements were the perfect exercice for me as they focus on the proper rangle of motion while engaging my core muscles and increasing my flexibility, all critical componenets for a tournament racquetball player.
I would highly recommend Sandy as he is knowledgable, passionate and a great teacher.
Michael - Annapolis,MD
A good eye and a good communicator
Rated 10 out of 10
Sandy is incredible! He has an eye for detecting the little mechanical piece your missing and a real gift for communicating it so you can make the correction. As a martial arts instructor I know how difficult it can be to get a technique into a students grey matter. Sandy has the gift!
Donald Berry - Frederick, MD
A unique and rewarding workout.
Rated 10 out of 10
Sandy is a highly effective personal trainer. His guidance was tailored to my physique and to my long-term goals of kettlebell training. Importantly, he was also open-minded to feedback about how my body was responding and consequently, tweaked my form to help maximize the benefits of my workouts.
Results have become evident just by performing the most basic exercises. I have better endurance, increased energy, and decreased body fat. Also, I've managed to become stronger while losing weight at the same time.
Overall, I'm extremely happy with my experience with Sandy and strongly recommend him to those who want to safely and effectively train with kettlebells.
Dominic Cheng - Baltimore, MD
A Real Asset to the RKC Community
Rated 10 out of 10
Today I met with RKC Sandy Sommer, of Charm City Kettlebells --- the first RKC I've ever worked with, after several months of plodding my way and trying to figure out how to use the kettlebell on my own, and I really regret not having worked with him sooner because I think I could have been that much further along than I am now had I done so.
Sandy was just finishing up with another client when I arrived. I was a little nervous because I was new to kettlebells and in asking to meet with a trainer, and especially an RKC trainer, I really felt out of my element. I was just imagining him taking one look at me, calling up Pavel, and saying, "Hey Pavel, this guy from Virginia came up to see me, thinking he was good enough to work with kettlebells. Ha Ha! He should stick with Jillian Michaels DVDs or something."
In fact, something totally the opposite happened.
First, I discovered that Sandy has two characteristics that make a great personal trainer --- he is professional, with a great depth of knowledge, but he is also a really nice person, and his warmth and concern for helping you to achieve your fitness goals really show through. I felt confident in his advice and comments, and was amazed at the effort he took to show me correct technique, analyze my own technique, explain the theory behind the different kettlebell moves, and help me make the needed adjustments to improve my performance.
Second, we worked through four kettlebell exercises --- the swing, the Turkish Getup, the clean and press, and the snatch. In every single one he offered multiple, solid corrections to my home-grown kettlebell technique. He guided me on how to make the changes, and I could instantly feel the improvement. It was so weird. In my home-grown technique, I thought I had tried every little tweak I could think of to get the move to feel right, but today just made it evident that you really do need to have a professional, an RKC, help you out. Why spend months of time trying to work things out on your own, with the potential of hurting yourself or getting frustrated and quitting, when in the course of just one session you can learn major improvements to your technique? Just go see an RKC.
Third, he customized a workout program for me to follow in the coming weeks specific to my fitness needs and goals. Previously, I had been making stuff up as I went along, but now I have a fitness program optimized to my needs and goals. And what are you getting from your gym membership?
I know that it will take some time for me to incorporate the corrections I received today, to really internalize the new movement patterns. In fact, that's another problem of working in isolation for so long --- you will then have to break down your old habits and re-learn the new ones, whereas you could have just started off on the right foot from the beginning. But from this one session I received solid changes to improve my technique that I could feel and use right away. And so I'll continue working with Sandy as I progress along this awesome RKC kettlebell fitness system.
Thanks again Sandy, you are a real asset to the RKC community.
Best,
Kendall Giles
Kendall Giles - Richmond, Virginia
If you want the BEST, Sandy Sommer is the guy...
Rated 10 out of 10
First let me preface my comments with the fact that I've always been active as far as exercise goes. I go to the gym several times each week and do various other activities to stay in shape. For the last couple of years I've been on a "quest" of sorts to get really fit. The one thing I've been skeptical about has been kettlebells and their 'real' benefit/advantage.
Then I was fortunate enough to meet Sandy.
We "met' first online and then eventually he invited me to come and work out with him. I took him up on his invitation, met him a few weeks later on a high school football field near his house and all the skepticism I had about kettlebell training dissappeared after about 30 minutes.
Sandy Sommer is the real deal.
I've trained with him now a few times and plan on continuing through the rest of this year. The way Sandy teaches is awesome. Not only does he offer an amazing amount of knowledge and insight about kettlebell training, but he also really cares about his clients (me) and helping them get to where they want to be. It's obvious from the first time Sandy starts to work with you and it's clear he does this because he enjoys working with people.
If you're looking for top-notch RKC kettlebell instruction with someone I'd refer to as "one of the good guys", no matter if your a "noobie" like myself or a seasoned athlete looking for a terrific coach, Sandy Sommer is the guy you want to contact.
You won't regret it.
Fred Cook - Silver Spring, MD
Highly recommended
Rated 10 out of 10
I just attended a class with Sandy that included about 8 other people. They were all shapes and sizes and abilities, from an award-winning personal trainer to a couple of people who were completely new to kettlebells. Sandy gave each of us personal attention and instruction as he showed us how to do the swing and Turkish getup. I've been working "casually" with kettlebells for about a year, but Sandy's thorough instruction and advice really helped me to improve my technique on both exercises. Sandy is also very accessible online, with helpful up-to-date articles on his blog and videos on YouTube, and available almost daily on Twitter to answer questions. I'm now motivated to really get back into kettlebell training!
Sue Bryant - Ellicott City MD
All-Around Asset!
Rated 10 out of 10
Sandy Sommer is one of the RKC community's shooting stars. Not only one to take an aggressive role in seeking out and assimilating knowledge to optimize his skills in kettlebell training, Sandy also devotes himself to the betterment and expansion of the RKC community itself.
His colleagues, his instructors, his clientele, and his community are very much the better for having this remarkable asset in our midst!
Seek Sandy out, train with him, learn the pearls of wisdom he has gone out of his way to study, and reap the benefits! I look forward to continuing to work with him and know that you will too!
Dr. Mark Cheng, RKC Team Leader - Los Angeles, CA USA - www.kettlebellslosangeles.com
A Talented Teacher
Rated 10 out of 10
I had my initial session with Sandy recently and found it to be a fun and informative session. I found Sandy to be very informative in a casual and non-intimidating manner. He returned calls and email quickly. He obviously "practices what he preaches" and has no issue in sharing what he knows. I would highly recommend him in the Baltimore & Southern Pennsylvania area as a great resource in kettlebell training.
John Y - Southern York County, Pa.
Great background for this and total passion for kettlebells
Rated 10 out of 10
Sandy is a great partner in learning kettlebells. He has a calm demeanor and is a natural teacher. He even accommodates my early AM schedule. He's very knowledgeable and can apply KB techniques into an overall fitness strategy. I'm glad I found him to help me master the iron!
Edwin Miller - Maryland
Recharged my workouts!
Rated 10 out of 10
Sandy is helping to RECHARGE my workouts! I compete in triathlons and I am always in the gym, but lately I have been in a rut! I was looking for a way to bust out of it and KETTLEBELLS is just what I need! Sandy is a great instructor and it didnt take long for me to catch on and become addicted thanks to his knowledge and passion! I look forward to working out with Sandy and I am certain that kettelbells will take my fitness to the next level!!
Becky - Towson, Md
A true professional
Rated 10 out of 10
After a single one-on-one session with Sandy, I could tell that he is a true professional trainer. Having witnessed for years (dare I say decades) the abysmal quality of most personal trainers, I am naturally conditioned to expect mediocrity in the fitness community. Sandy stands in startling contrast to the norm. He not only has the knowledge and physical skill to demonstrate proper techniques, but he also has great communication skills and focus. A session with Sandy has no filler, no wasted time, nothing but clear minded dedication to the task at hand. He was able to quickly target my personal needs, and spend our time together efficiently, providing me with invaluable corrections and tips. I will surely work with him again in the future, and I would wholehearteadly recommend him as an instructor.
Diego - Baltimore, MD
Clear concise instruction
Rated 10 out of 10
I am in the military and am very familiar with physical fitness instruction, Sandy is definitely top of his field for RKC. He not only talks the talk, but walks the walk. Whenever I recieve instruction I feel as if the instructer should practice what they preach. Sandy actively trains hard and his routines can be followed on his website. If you want to know how to train with kettlebells, then Sandy is your man!
Chris Sarangoulis - Towson
A master of his trade!
Rated 10 out of 10
I met with Sandy to improve my technique with kettlebells and to get help in setting up a program to prepare for the RKC. I've been a fitness trainer/ strength and conditioning coach for 16 years so I must admit it was a bit odd for me to "hire" a trainer to get exercise advice. Several people referred me to Sandy...said he was the best. They were right! He respected my knowledge of exercise and my level of strength and based on this taught me the correct mechanics involved to help me get to the next level of kettlebelling. I learned more in a hour with Sandy than I have from hours of watching videos and reading books. He could tell what I did know and didn't know. What I did know, he made it better. A true professional and I look forward to working more with him in the future.
George Petrides, Jr., CSCS - Timonium, MD
