The "beast" tamer! So far the first and only member of the "Beast Challenge Hall of Fame" and looking forward to welcoming others to this exclusive club.
Customer reviews of:
Shaun Cairns
Average Rating: 10.0 in 16 reviews
The original Beast Tamer for good reason
Rated 10 out of 10
How do I best describe training with Shaun? Let me put it this way .... If you just want to do some training, go to gym. If you'd rather be superhuman - then Shaun is your man. He has systematically destroyed each one of the limits I imposed upon myself and helped me to exceed every goal I've set myself so far. I'm fitter and stronger and in better shape now than I was at 20! He gets maximum results out of you because he puts the maximum effort into every workout, and has a wealth of knowledge which he gladly shares.
Trent - Johannesburg, South Africa
The Beast Tamer is the Best!
Rated 10 out of 10
I have now had three sessions with Shaun Cairns. From the moment you arrive at Shaun's studio, you feel motivated to give of your best. The studio is well equipped and comfortable. Shaun is frendly and relaxed in demeanour and yet is able to keep students focused while patiently demonstrating, explaining, guiding and correcting. Shaun is an astute observer of body mechanics and is able to assess and correct flaws in technique quickly and successfully. He creates a safe environment to make mistakes and learn from them, and, as beginners, we feel we can stop at any time and ask questions. His depth in knowledge is evident and he shares his insights and ideas succinctly and clearly, as well as with some characteristic touches of humour. Shaun is a stickler for safety and is insistent on correct form. He succeeds in making everyone feel that they are getting personal attention, and offers genuine praise as well as honest criticism. Shaun is in immensely good shape physically and is able to do all he demands of his students and more. He is always willing to invest more time and effort in his students to ensure that they learn the techniques properly and come away feeling as though they have made tangible progress. He breaks techniques down into manageable steps, and has a clear curriculum which he follows, but is able to adapt his teaching to the specific needs of his students. His notes are clear, professionally presented, and well written, offering clear directions that students can follow on their own. Shaun lives what he teaches, and, therefore, sets an example which his students want to emulate.
Byron Sherman - Johannesburg, South Africa
A top level Instructor leading the way from the bottom of the earth
Rated 10 out of 10
Shaun Cairns will alarm you with his build, relax you with his ease, and then learn you of many lifts locked deep within a kettlebell. He is a genuine strong man who Tamed the Beast premier and then led his students to glory and physical grit as well.
Cheers
Will Williams RKC 2005 - United States
Awesome Awesome Awesome
Rated 10 out of 10
I heard of kettlebells through a friend of mine in the UK and I thought I'd like to check it out. I was very painfully, pleasantly surprised!!! It's absolutely fantastic and with Shaun showing me how, it's even better.
I attended the beginner's workshop and, as a gym enthusiast, I have to say I will probably never pick up a barbell or dumbbell ever again!!!
Shaun, thanks a million...I call this my own personal fountain of youth. If you're thinking about trying kettlebells...DO IT!!!
DuToit Potgieter - Johannesburg, South Africa
What I thought I knew about Kettlebells
Rated 10 out of 10
After an advanced session with Shaun I left nodding my head to myself as I finally understood the "science" behind swinging bells. Very shortly into the class I identified small things that had not clicked after all this time of training with bells, the tiny things that make all the difference. Shaun is not only strong but understands the bigger picture when demonstrating excersises, he will not tolerate any way except the right way and makes it clear that getting the bell above your head is only the end of many smaller, definate movements. The elimination of injury and maximisation of strength are all firmly dealt with in his class.
Knuckles forward.
Tony Ernst - JHB, South Africa
Technique expert
Rated 10 out of 10
You have to be stong and use perfect technique to tame the beast. This makes Shaun a great instructor. For the best advice on technique and body mechanics, he is the guy.
Lance Kabot - South Africa
Masterful Trainer
Rated 10 out of 10
Had the pleasure of doing an advanced kettlebell workshop with Shaun which Totally rocked!!!
I can say that I really worked with Shaun. He made me sweat and I definitely ate my words that fateful Saturday afternoon!lol I was impressed by Shaun's knowledge on the body and its mechanics, the way he conducted the workshop and the attention he paid to the slightest detail.
The knowledge he shared and overall patience he had will help any Martial Arts enthusiast!
This makes him a Masterful RKC!!
Thanks again Shaun
Dimitri Mitropapas - Pretoria, South Africa
Incredible
Rated 10 out of 10
Having arrived at a 'group session', and finding myself as the only member of the group, Sean and Marlise lead me through the basics of kettlebells. I immediately felt at ease in their studio and couldn't help but be impressed by their clear command of kettlebells. I learnt an incredible amount that morning.
Sean and Marlise are people people. They work incredibly well as a team and though they are experts in their field, they were able to teach the basics incredibly well. They make it look easy to convey the incredible knowledge and experience they have in an understandable way.
The results? 5 days of total body stiffness and an excitement to do it all again!
Nico Gevers - Cape Town, South Africa
Awesome
Rated 10 out of 10
Shaun is a genuine nice guy who can walk the walk, talk the talk AND teach. I found him an excellent teacher who could watch me do the technique and then tell me exactly what I was doing wrong and how to correct the error / s in my technique, then coach me step by step. I left the session with a clear understanding of how much I needed to improve my technique and what to do to get there.
Thanks Boet - I'll be back.
Jaun Nortier - Cape Town
Excellent
Rated 10 out of 10
Shaun is obviously passionate about kettlebells. At every training session he is well prepared and gives a 120%. His will always guide you on how to do things better in order to get the optimal results. I love the fact that the exercise is always varied and that one can see that a lot of effort is put into preparation so that you can really benefit from every session.I can really recommend the training and trainer.
Wallindi Schirnig - Somerset West
Even though Shaun is such an obvious athlete, and I'm still learning the ropes and obviously out of shape, Shaun has never once let me feel uncomfortable. He's been helluva understanding, supportive and built an excercise programme for me that doesn;t further stress a knee injury I arrived with.
What's more, instead of just leading us through a range of excercies, Shaun also explains what muscles are being worked, what the mechanics are behind the action. Great learning, coupled to an interesting excercise routine.
Michael Schirnig - Somerset West SOuth Africa
KB's are for sissies!
Rated 10 out of 10
Don't get me wrong! all I am saying is that if you want to move from sissy to finely tuned athlete, this is surely the way to do it. Shaun guided our workshop team from barely able to squat to really getting down.
He was able to give each and every person the confidence to push further due to his attention to detail with technique and excellent coaching skills. Honestly the best fun fun I have had in ages, KBs are for sure part of my training for life from here out!
Tracy - Durban, South Africa
I'm hooked!
Rated 10 out of 10
Shaun's ability to demonstrate any specific exercise or movement and break it down so that it's executed correctly is beyond impressive! I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and the hours flew by. He does everything so effortlessly (the term "The Beast" definitely applies!!)and his professionalism and personal attention is rarely found. What a wonderful experience it was and I cannot wait to learn more at the next workshop! His non-judgemental approach is motivational, and his unbridled enthusiasm to get me hooked definitely worked! I'm using the techniques with my clients and they're loving it!
Tracey Faught - Durban, South Africa
Insightful knowledge of overload progressions
Rated 10 out of 10
I do not know if I am eligible to review an instructor as I have never even met Shaun Cairns. However, after listening to his interview with Geoff Neupert in the Kettlebell Secrets series, I have to say I learned a lot of useful information on how to get stronger and more fit with limited equipment (number and size of KBs) and to make progress without having to spend a bundle of money.
My upcoming training sessions will benefit from his insight. Thanks!
Gino - Montreal, QC, Canada
Strength & Knowledge...
Rated 10 out of 10
I had the chance to be under the instruction of Shaun Cairns at HKC St. Paul, and I thank God that Mr. Cairns was my Team Leader. Not only to mention that Shaun is an extremely strong person and the very first Instructor to Tame the Beast. But Shaun does have the patience to train others and so much knowledge, and the proper technique on how to perform every single movement. If you are doing and exercise in a wrong manner he will correct you in the simplest way possible that you cannot get confused, and I guarantee, you will understand right away. And even when you might think that he is not paying attention, he is. He is very watchful for his students, he notices every movement that you perform, and he will assure that you turn from a student into an instructor. I really recommend him as a trainer, and I would like to tame the beast some day as he has. Thanks Mr. Cairns
Tyrone - Barstow, CA USA
HKC and beyond
Rated 10 out of 10
My first introduction to Kettlebells was at a Workshop held in Durban. It was here that I fell in love with this cannon ball made of steel and decided to pursue my development.
About 6 months later, I was proud to be one of the group to attend the first HKC to be held in South Africa... and what a day it was!
The HKC course is imperative for any fitness instructor who wants to step up their game. Not only are their personal benefits to be gained, but clients will love the time saving benefits and fresh approach to their new routines.
Shaun and Kenneth went through the core exercises in fine detail, ensuring that we recruited every muscle and every brain cell (or punishment ensued in the form of swings... and more swings) All worth it for the cause, as we all left with those details embedded in our muscles and minds ensuring that we impart what we had learnt with the same detail to our clients.
Excellent course!!! thanks so much
P.S. The workshops are a great introduction to kettlebells and to any person who wishes to learn the basics. I would highly recommend a workshop as pre-requisite to attending any certification course.
Tracy - Durban - South Africa
