More than two weeks ago my wife and I visited San Francisco to run the hosted U.S. Half Marathon. I have scheduled myself to run four half marathons in six weeks period (a personal goal/reason to train hard). The San Francisco Half Marathon was race number two. I can proudly say that I finished 211th place out of 2415 runners. I love running, but it currently has one down side, as a naturally slender guy the pounds melt off quicker than I can replace them. I also have recently felt a lack of strength/power. As a police officer a lack of strength/power can get you hurt. So I decided to give Marty a call to schedule some kettlebell training during our stay in San Franciasco. My wife and I had attended a kettlebell intro workshop in the past and weren't really mesmerized, but we figured we would give it another try. We were sure glad we did. We initially asked for a real focus on the basics. Marty delivered and then some. Marty is a real kettlebell technician. Marty's attention to detail made everything come together. Actually we left the first session wanting more. It all made sense after Marty's expalnation of the basics. I was so impressed, I scheduled another unplanned training session the day after the race (post race soreness screaming inside but I didn't want to miss this wonderful opportunity to learn something from a real expert). I wanted to get as much training time with Marty as I could. Marty made it easy, she came to me, we trained in the fitness room in my Hotel three hours before I had to be at the airport on the way back to Atlanta. Marty even followed up with e-mail resource material on the execises covered during our training sessions. Marty is a real PRO. I don't plan to visit San Francisco again without scheduling some kettlebell training time with Marty... Thanks for everything Marty....

I am so glad I had the opportunity to take Marty's Kettlebell seminar for a second time. Marty is an amazing, inspirational and very knowledgeable instructor who doesn't just talk the talk, but definitely walks the walk! As a personal trainer, I bear the responsibility of seeking out the best training possible to use for myself as well as coach my clients. There are gazillions of trainers out there, but sadly, really good trainers are hard to come by. Unfortunately, there are many trainers out there who lack the experience and education needed to help people build a healthy, strong body without injuring them in the process. Marty is not one of those people. When it comes to safety, proper technique, and perfect execution of every movement to ensure the best results-Marty is number one. She has the skills, the strength, and the motivating qualities that makes for a perfect trainer. I can honestly say that her workshop was the best one I've ever taken. So good in fact, that I just had to take it twice! I feel that I gained so much from those workshops and I feel very confident in training my clients with Kettlebells. Now I'm hungry for more!

Marty's kettlebell training was fantastic! I learned effective pre-workout stretches, philosophies behind the different kettlebell techniques, and how to perfect my form during the exercises.
Marty was able to give one-on-one training to people in our class, and she used the students as teachers to help us find imperfections in form. She was specific in her training and clearly was knowledgeable about how the body and muscles work. In only a few hours, I had learned the basics of kettlebell strength training and felt confident that with practice, I could also apply the techniques to own my workout routine!

I am a personal trainer and a student at the National Personal Training Institute and from the scale 1 to 10 I gave Marty's kettlebell seminar and teaching skills 10 plus. Fun, interesting, innovative and interacting class with simple and useful information. Not to mention the focus on safety and detailed one on one attention given to each student. Marty covers a lot of info in a short amount of time. Power breathing techniques, how to get a client to squat deep harmleesly and more.The concept of "linkage versus leakage' for maximum strength and power is key to teach a client how to bench press and press heavy weights over head safely and strongly without stressing the shoulder joint. I loved the workout as well. Time went very fast and I wanted to continue learning more and more. Thank you Marty for all your innovative info and for your great work.

I have been training with Marty for over a year. Before I selected Marty I tried out several kettlebell instructors. In comparison, Marty is by far the most detailed and the most strict about doing all of the exercises correctly. Marty is fanatical about teaching proper form, through a series of small steps with corrective exercises along the way. In addition to building strength, Marty's program includes flexibility and stability training. These factors are very important to me because I have had injuries in the past and I wanted to ensure that I am not risking any future injuries by improper form.

If you want a very professional, knowledgeable, and strict trainer who will teach you how to do the program the right way, safely and avoid injury, then you will have a good experience with Marty.

Marty Covault is an excellent trainer. I lost 7lbs in three weeks working with Marty three days a week and still losing more. Our sessions are not only a great full body workout they are also learning sessions about the body. With the information Marty gives me as we train, I understand what we are doing and I feel equipped to continue working out on my own. I prefer to work directly with Marty on a frequent basis to keep my form in check and have the extra motivation to push my body farther. One of Marty's greatest assets is the ability to create the proper progressive training program tailored to my goals. I have trained with several trainers with out the results or education. Marty is always studying and learning about new breakthroughs in the field and passes this knowledge on to me, making the sessions interesting, fun and effective. Marty's method is efficient and time saving. An hour workout three times a week has afforded me faster and longer lasting results than any other workout regiment I have tried. Marty also gives me great workouts to do on my own time when I cannot meet. I highly recommend Marty....

I recently completed 20 sessions of training with Marty and want to share an email I sent: "Marty, I want to express my appreciation for all your work with me these past 20 sessions, it really has been the best workout I have ever learned. I'm glad my husband and I ended up choosing kettle bell training over any other workout. During our training sessions you pushed me and showed me that it was safe to go beyond my comfort zone and learned that this made my body respond better to the workout. I am now able to go beyond that threshold without fear and maximize my workout.
I am glad we found you and it has been specially nice that you are Hispanic and we shared the same language, I felt more comfortable, confident and had a better connection. Muchas Gracias!!

After reading previous reviews here on Dragondoor, my wife and I decided to invest our time and money with Marty. Wow!! what a payoff!! In a short period of time, we have both experienced weight loss, increased tonality and cardiovascular stamina. We are now enthusiasts of kettlebell training and of Marty's program. She has really been a game changer in our lives. Two thumbs up!!!

My life is pretty busy and often fairly stressful. I had wanted to get some regular exercise for a while, both in terms of basic fitness and in order to lose some weight, and I finally realized that I had to take action and take charge of my own health and well-being. However I have a distinct aversion to the gym scene and mentality, and I wanted something that I could do in my own home, but that was truly effective. After talking with a friend who was already training with Kettlebells, and was really happy with the results, I felt inspired to pursue this form of "working out".

I did a Google search on Kettlebells in San Francisco, and found information on Marty Covault on the Dragondoor website (http://www.dragondoor.com). I was impressed by what I saw about Marty, and decided to send an email and arrange a meeting at my house. I was immediately put at ease by Marty, who talked with me about my general health, my goals and my needs. We started training that week, and I cannot begin to say how much I am enjoying this process - and I am NOT someone who takes easily to physical exercise! I actually really look forward to our KB sessions.

Marty's training method is simple, clear and concise, focusing on good form, increasing strength and consistent progress. Marty never introduces a new movement into a session without fully explaining the benefits in a way that makes perfect sense, and never introduces a new movement until the technique is mastered safely. Also, our sessions are not limited to only kettlebells, and are varied enough to stay really interesting. Sometimes we train outside and mix kettlebells with body weight exercises, hill sprinting and body weight drills.

Marty also consistently, and correctly, points out that kettlebells alone are not the key to getting strong, lean, and mean, and that the greatest key is mental toughness - the way one trains, eats, and sleeps are the keys to healthy fitness, with kettlebells or without kettlebells.

In conjunction with the above, Marty gave me an eating plan that has amazed me - it is flavorful and filling, because it is basically just good wholesome food eaten on a correct schedule and in the correct proportions. This simple eating plan has not only expedited my goals but has been remarkably easy to integrate into my busy life style. I feel stronger, healthier and sharper in all aspects of my life through this steady regimen of good food and exercise - wow, who knew!!!!

If you are someone, at any level of fitness, looking for an expert trainer who works in a completely healthful way, has a generous spirit, a physique that proves that this training really works, and a great sense of humor - but who will definitely kick your butt when you need it kicking - call Marty! I am SO happy that I made that first, rather nervous, contact with Marty and I am truly reaping the benefits.

I trained with Marty back in the days before Marty began training with kettlebells. After going through a loss of a love one ( my partner ) I got very depressed and as a result, I lost a lot of muscle weight. After a while, it so happen I ran into Marty at the gym. Because I loved Marty's quality work, I decided to get back to training with Marty again.
I must say that training with Marty is very non-traditional. I had a trainer in the past who trained me with split body parts and I only saw descent results; but with Marty is like being on roids x 10. We train the whole body as a single unit, we use all-round tension for maximum force, power breathing techniques etc...with a pair of kettlebells, a pull up bar, a rope, and a pair of akrowheels that it! Very simple, intense but definitely effective. My physical changes increased my confidence, and WOW the compliments and the attention became never ending.

No doubt, every bucket of sweat was worth my investment, and best of all my de-sissyfication.

Thank you Marty for making me a manly man.

I am for ever indebeted!

Pablo Parra