Men's 35lb Kettlebell Quick-Start Kit with Book & DVD

A little over a year ago I purchased this kit. I cannot recommend it highly enough. I have a busy job, family, and many demands on my time and the kettlebell fits in perfectly with my lifestyle. Before I started with ETK, I went to Globo Gym on the weekend and worked out pretty hard and made some gains but always wondered if isolation moves and silly schemes (legs/chest/ arms 3 sets by 12 reps on Saturday and back/shoulders 3 sets by 12 reps on Sunday for example) were really the best layout for gains. A few weeks after just practicing with my 1 pood kettlebell, as recommended in ETK, I quit the gym and started doing the Program Minimum. Over the winter, I completed the Rite of Passage workout with the 1 pood and have since purchased a 20 kg and 24 kg bell and am preparing to do the Rite of Passage workout with the 20kg this winter after doing the Program Minimum with the 20 kg earlier this year.

My conditioning has shot the roof following just the Program Minimum. I do a lot of bicycling and the intensity of the kettlebell swing manmaker workouts, while only lasting 10-15 minutes, has made the relatively steady state portions of my biking a lot easier. Things like hauling furniture up stairs, doing yard work, dragging a round screaming toddlers, hauling 30 lb sacks of dog food, all seem so easy now.

My body has seen an interesting transformation. In January 2009 I resolved to lose some pounds, watched my diet, and readily lost 20 lbs over 3-4 months. My weight loss stagnated after that but I was not really overweight to begin with, about 180 lbs at 5'9" after losing 20 lbs, so started around 200 lbs. Over the past few months something has happened that I've never really witnessed before, I actually gained about 5 lbs over 3 months but my pants have gotten looser in the waist, surely because I'm swapping some muscle for fat. At the same time, I'm trying to eat healthy but not really counting calories. My blood pressure, pulse, and blood measurements are all excellent. I also feel stronger than I've ever been before through less than 3 hours a week of workouts.

As far as the specific items of the kit, the kettlebell itself is fine although I do not have much else to compare it with as I do not have any non-Dragondoor 16kg bells. The DVD shows how to do five exercises with a great deal of detail and goes over several warmup drills and safety points. The book, in my opinion, is the best part of the kit. It explains in detail how to do the same five moves. However, it also has two exercise programs, the Program Minimum and the Rite of Passage. Here is where the kit really shines. There is a lot of thought that went into these two programs and many interesting concepts: varying the load of your workout from workout to workout, getting in variety, gradually increasing your load, introducing varying time limits into your workout by rolling dice to determine its length, etc.

The one drawback for me of the kit is that the DVD and book have bonus features that are not as easy to access as they should be. I buy books and DVDs to have all the content in one convenient place but having these "bonus" features outside of the book and DVD defeats this purpose.
All in all though I would highly recommend this kit to anyone interested in kettlebells.

Paval's instructional workout videos are about much more than novel workout apparatus and routines.

My name is Bret Dealey. I recently spent close to a grand at Dragon Door on Pavel's instructional videos, books and kettlebells. At first I was just looking for a way to add some interest to my weightlifting routines. In addition to workout variety I also received a very pleasant and needed suprise.

I'm 46 and have lifted weights most of my life. Recently I reinjured my left shoulder (pinched bursa, tendon inflamation) doing weighted paralell bar dips. Literally withing two weeks of using kettlebells (get-ups in particular) my shoulder was completely free of any pain or restriction of motion.

The kettlebell exercises strengthened the stablizing rotator cuff muscles. In addition, after reading Pavel's material, I realized I had spent a lifetime developing disproportiont strength. I adjusted my workouts to included more pulling movements and less bench pressing and I now have complete stablization in my shoulder.

I would highly recommend any of Dragon Door's materials. Please pass this review onto Pavel. I'd like him to know the positive contribution he is making to the health and healing in other peoples lives.

One-Thousand Smiles,

Bret Dealey

I received the start up kit and immediately read the book, watched the video and started working out with the 35lb. KB. I found Pavel's teaching style interesting and to the point. I found handling the 35 lb. KB was fairly easy and probably should have ordered the 44lb. version but I find I still get a tremendous cardio workout with the kit I received and have become totally hooked on this type of training. I am hungry to learn more about kettlebell training as I continue my progress.

First, pay attention to Pavel's warnings to respect the kettlebell - its easy to see how it can hurt you if you get sloppy with it. Second, if I was younger I could easily have started with a heavier kettlebell, but with the wear and tear of my 53 years, I'm happy to have the 35 pounder, esp. for rehabbing my shoulders which began immediately. My plan is to work through the Rite of Passage test before moving up to a heavier kettlebell - slowly but surely. I just love the whole body involvement that this cast iron cannonball engenders. I also have Pavel's Martial Power DVD series which is loaded with useful treatises on power breathing, muscle tension,etc. that are immediately applicable to ANY training, including the kettlebell. Like everyone else, I wish I'd had the benefit of this training my whole life. Better late than never. Thanks, Pavel

I was skeptical of some of the claims being made regarding RK so I decided to invest in a 35lber and the DVD and bk.
Was I in for a surprise, I had read other reviews advising newbies to watch the DVD before starting any exercise. Here is my take on that.WATCH THE DVD before you attempt any exercise, mainly to maintain correct form and for safety. Already I have noticed an increase in my shoulder strength. My only question is how do I work legs?
I am getting ready to order the next weight up from the 35lb RK. This equipment works!!!

At first I was skeptical about the claims made by the makers of this product, but after thorough research I thought I'd give it a try. I was (and still am) amazed at the workout this little cannonball with a handle dishes out. I showed it to a friend that has been a trainer for 30 years, and he also couldn't believe what you could do with this small piece of equipment. After showing it to another friend, he went out and bought a cheaper version that came with a DVD at a local sporting goods store. The DVD was nowhere near the level of Pavels, with little or no explanation of how to do the exercises correctly, and he hurt himself on the second day. I showed him Pavels DVD and different excerpt from the book to get him on the right path and explained to him "it's your fault" that he got hurt and with the proper technique, that will be avoided in the future. In closing, I would recommend this product to anyone looking for a workout routine that will test your whole body, cardio and endurance. I will be a Girevik for life. Thanks Pavel, you are the man.

I have loved lifting since a teen. I have a BowFlex, a set of SelectTech dumbbells, an AirDyne, and a treadmill. These are all solid home fitness tools. However, the Enter The Kettlebell program and the kettlebell are producing increases in strength and overall fitness at a faster, more consistent pace than I have experienced with the other tools I have used. The kettlebell and the support on the forum at DragonDoor.com have exceeded my expectations.

Thanks Pavel and DragonDoor.com.

Happy ETK Customer in Atlanta

This kit will provide you with two mainstays: the highest quality kettlebell on the market and a very complete introduction to the major movements and exercises with the kettlebell. Don't expect anything sexy or entertaining in the DVD... just the basics needed to build your foundation of kettlebell knowledge and fitness.

I have been working out with weights off and on for a long time. I am not a body builder or any thing just like to work out. Between my shoulders and knees I have had to back off a little I am fifty seven years old so my endurance isn't as when I was thirty. I have been working out with the KB for about a month now and can feel a difference already in my legs and my glutes, and my back, and my shoulders and knees are not hurting. I am not doing the full work out yet getting use to the KB and all but it is a very good work out.

Thank you!

I 55 years old and a busy senior Naval Officer. Finding time to workout is difficult. I heard about Kettlebells and searched the internet and found Pavel and Dragon Door. I love the KB, book and DVD. After following Pavel's simple routines, that I can perform anywhere, for 6 short weeks, I've lost 2 inches around my belly and feel better than I have in years. I see definition in my arms and shoulders that I've never seen before. I am energized after each workout. I have gained functional strength that has enhanced my quality of life. The KB itself is a raw beauty compelling you to workout. The book I read and reread picking up more tips each time. You need the DVD just to hear Pavel say, "Keep your glutes, TIGHT," His words ring in your ears as you practice. This has improved every aspect of my health and quality of life. My bride of 30 years loves the results. Trust me boys. This system is not just for gym rats.