Back to Upcoming Level II Russian Kettlebell Challenge Certification Workshop

Back to Upcoming Russian Kettlebell Challenge Certification Workshop

June 2007 RKC Level II Certification Workshop — Participant Praise

Prentiss Rhodes, Trainer/Chiropractor part time, Chicago, IL.

Athletic Achievements, training background or specialty:

Collegiate taekwondo silver medalist sparring 1994,
State of Illinois multi medalist in sparring Taekwondo
2nd degree Black belt Taekwondo; 5th degree black belt USMA Karate
American Board of Chiropractic Sports Physicians: Certified Sports Practitioner; NSCA CSCS

The RKC II instructor training is a powerful tool because it has again bridged the gap between the science and the perfect practice of the kettlebell. It is evident that the knowledge every instructor teacher is not theoretical. It is clearly practical and can be reproduced in all of the attendees.

I believe that in some organizations the tendency is to recycle information and teach it with bad attitude. RKC instruction is at the head of the field.

Mark Cheng, Doctor (Chinese Orthopedic Medicine); Contributing Editor (Black Belt Magazine); Martial arts kettlebell rehab research, Los Angeles, CA

Athletic Achievements, training background or specialty:

Certified instructor "Sifu" Los Angeles branch holder - Gee Yung Sil Lum Fut Ga Kung-Fu Association / Certified Black Belt Los Angeles representative - American Combat Shuai-Chiao Association / Co-author of Hwa Rang Do: Defend, Takedown, Submit / Kettlebell instructor - Inosanto Academy of Martial Arts / Licensed Acupuncturist (CA) / Ph.D. - Acupuncture Oriental Medicine / Faculty member (Tui-Na: Chinese orthopedic manual therapeutics instructor) - Yosan University of TCM

Priceless info for any trainer, athletics professional, or pain/orthopedics medicine practitioner! No instructor of any movement science or bodywork therapy should lack this level of education.

Stewart Carroll, Strength Coach / Acupuncturist, New York, NY

Athletic Achievements, training background or specialty:

NSCA-CSCS; RKC; USAW-Sports Performance Coach
NYS Licensed Acupuncturist; NCAA College Basketball Player
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu; Muay Thai; Western Boxing

Pavel and the crew definitely took it to the next level. They offered a wide range of invaluable information that I can put to use immediately.

As advertised — this weekend really did take me to the next level as an RKC. I don't know anywhere else that I could have found so much valuable information and had such a great, practical strength training experience — and I have looked.

Glenn E. Cruz, Niceville, FL

Athletic Achievements, training background or specialty:

Retired Air Force Veteran of 23 years

Above reproach! Instructors were always going above and beyond in ensuring attendees fully grasped the attention to details. Outstanding communicative skills. We are now leaving with more tools, experience and knowledge. Better, more prepared and better role models.

RKC Level II training sets the standard of training. Great balance and focus, it has provided an immediate, positive impact! I believe you all continue to mold and shape this program through previous experiences. Great balance of training. Academics, demonstrations, performance and team building.

J Wilford Boyce, Student, Strength Coach, Bartlesville, OK

Athletic Achievements, training background or specialty:

Competitive football track at the high school collegiate levels; Physical Fitness Specialist certified through the Cooper Aerobics Institute in Dallas, TX

If the RKC I was an ocean of wisdom, knowledge, and expert information, then the RKC II cert was a tidal wave! The sheer volume and quality of info that was presented was overwhelming. I'll be chewing on this stuff for a year — easy!

Andy Alexander, IT and personal training, Parker, CO

Athletic Achievements, training background or specialty:

I have trained for over 30 years as a martial artist, competing very successfully in the 1980s. 10 years in the Army. Personal trainer, teaching martial arts, and conditioning for martial arts, kettlebells.

The training was excellent. We went into a lot more detail in many areas than I expected. And I am glad the course was more "cerebral" as it more signifies a Level II course.

Susan J. Finley, Gym Manager, Personal Trainer, Columbia, SC

Athletic Achievements, training background or specialty:

Small powerlifting meets

This has been an incredibly informative certification where everything correlated and led to a heightened understanding, not only in the practice and function of kettlebell training, but also I the reality of bringing these skills back to all of my clients — athletes to de-conditioned housewives.

Heads and tails above any other certification. The depth of knowledge of the presenters was enough to make it far more worthwhile than other courses. The hands on work and the personal exercise work is what really puts it over the top.

Shaun Cairns, Businessman, Johannesburg, South Africa

Athletic Achievements, training background or specialty:

100m and 200m Breast stroke swimmer (schools, and provincial schools), School and Club Rugby (flank, eighth man, lock); RKC; The first Beast Tamer; SSST score of 240; UST score of 140

More in depth information on why kettlebells work so well that will enhance my ability to teach it. Great fun. 2007 quality has outstripped all previous years! Always practical! Wish I lived in the US for only one reason, so that I could attend more RKCs. You guys would be begging me to stay away!

Dietrich Dejean, Reno, NV

This experience was the best possible education that I have received in fitness training. It helped to improve my knowledge and teaching ability towards victims.

On a scale of 1 to 10, it's a 12 in my book. Plenty of practical and technical information to utilize. Superb workshop and presentation.

Kevin Jodrey, Kettlebell Instructor, Miranda, CA

I had hoped for exactly what was delivered, concepts and skills above the RKC I level. Pavel and his staff put on a tremendous certification and I would highly recommend it to all RKCs.

Will Williams, Strength Trainer, Malvern, PA

Athletic Achievements, training background or specialty:

USMC 1998-2002; RKC 2005; RKC/CAS 2005; RKC Assistant Instructor 2006; RKC Team Leader 2007; NSCA Certified Personal Trainer
Owner/operator Main Line Kettlebells, Inc.

My expectations were met and then surpassed as the "simplexity" of the RKC system was introduced in new forma sand new methods.

Unfortunately all other schools of thought are second to the training I receive here.

Kerry Timko, Personal Trainer/Strength Coach, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

Athletic Achievements, training background or specialty:

CSCS, HBPE, RKC, - 6TH. place 1999 Navy Seal Super Fitness Challenge. Former NFL assistant Strength Coach.Trainer of numerous Olympic and Professional athletes.

This is my 2nd Level II Course I have taken. Learning is never ending. I get more and more out of each course the more times I attend.

Great hands on and theoretical info. The intensity and focus on the improvement of each individual is a main priority among the Senior RKC Instructors.

I will continue to educate myself with at least once a year attending the RKC programs.

Cole Summers, Strength Coach, Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada

Comprehensive. Superb instructors who complement each other perfectly. The instructor's great enthusiasm to share their knowledge and provide all encompassing help was obvious to improving the lives of many.

RKC Level II Training picks up where Level I left off. The Level I basics are repeatedly stressed, while more advanced physical techniques were added. The cutting edge of state of the art training material was presented. All of the information presented was immediately accessible and practical. Ready for use now. I've taken many high level clinics/seminars. None compare with ÔUnlock', RKC I, and RKC II.

Samantha Young, Student, Shoreline, WA

Athletic Achievements, training background or specialty:

Karate, RKC1, Combat Training

Even with the time restraint, I noticed and was impressed with the amount of patience coming from the instructors and attendees in order to find perfection or at least progression in each person. This was an incredible learning experience.

Kettlebell training in general has always been the most practical fitness program I have done. Coming to this certification simply broadened my scope of this great tool in (as always) a high quality manner.

I really enjoy the crowd here and rarely get to hang out with a group this diverse in their knowledge base. Always come out of them so motivated.

Tim Anderson, Firefighter, Fuquay-Varina, NC

Athletic Achievements, training background or specialty:

Firefighter, Lifetime fitness enthusiast, ACE Certified Personal Trainer

It's not about kettlebells; it's about movement. RKC is to movement what Harvard is to Law School.

Again, there is no comparison. RKC II raises the bar on everything. Best people, best community, best material. Completely useful.

Marty Larson, Trainer, Lake Elmo, MN

I really enjoyed the learning and applicability aspect of Level II. Even though we did have workouts, they were appropriate to what was being taught, and not there just to kill us.

Karen Hamilton, Software Engineer, Forest Lake, MN

My expectations were high based on my experience with RKC I and it exceeded those! My head is spinning with all the useful and amazing things I learned. I'm more excited than ever to continue pursuing my goal of becoming a great trainer — this has given me more confidence in my abilities.

Jim Talo, Letter Carrier, Vancouver, B.C., Canada

Look forward to attending an RKC event each year to further gleam skills that I may share with friends and clients. DD and Pavel always exceed my expectations with the content of these events.

To date one of the best trainings I've taken. Best RKC II to date.

Paul Daniels, Personal Trainer, Foothill Ranch CA

Athletic Achievements, training background or specialty:

(30+yrs) 2nd degree Black Belt
8yrs U.S Marine Corp
Personal Trainer

Definitely worth doing a second time.

No other training in practical exercise scope and use has come even close. You don't just feel empowered but obligated to share this information with your clients. To be better at what you do and to reflect the quality of this instruction.

Ricardo Nieves, Physician, Carlsbad, NM

Athletic Achievements, training background or specialty:

3rd dan black belt Judo, (Judo, Jujitsu, Sambo practitioner)
Previous member of the Puerto Rico Judo National Team.
US Judo Team Physician, USA Sambo National Champion 1993

Extremely useful program to be able to train not only athletes but also people with injuries or dysfunctions.

Mark Toomey, Bottle Washer, Reno, NV

More cerebral than physical, but just as practical as a Level I RKC.

There was so much material in this cert, there has hardly been enough time to get through it all.

Andrea U-Shi Chang, personal trainer/real estate agent, Seattle, WA

Athletic Achievements, training background or specialty:

State Select Team Highschool Soccer, Varsity Soccer team, UT@Austin
some taichi and qigong. Associate Broker's Real Estate license

Amazing. I've been training for just about a year now and I know I have so many more tools in my tool kit to help my students. Also, the emphasis on screening and corrective strategies was perfect for what I want to do with my movement training.

Steve Freides, Computer Consultant, Musican, Trainer, Ridgewood, NJ

Athletic Achievements, training background or specialty:

Multi-time AAU Raw Deadlifting World Champion and World Record Holder, M45-49 and M50-54, 67.5 kg category; NSCA-CPT, YMCA Lifeguard Instructor

The instruction was interesting, the presentations well-researched, the balance between listening and doing was just right.

Theresa Nesbitt, Physician, St Charles, IL

Athletic Achievements, training background or specialty:

RKC Level One Certification, Z Health R-Phase Certification

There was a lot of very detailed information given in a very short time. It is going to take a while to absorb and integrate it. I came to RKC II knowing that KBs work. I now understand better HOW and WHY.

Vladimir Dubal, Technical Account Manager, San Francisco, CA

Athletic Achievements, training background or specialty:

Former Machine Gunner, Swiss Army
- Used to rock climb
- Various sports

The course took a holistic approach by focusing on movement and posture in addition to strength. Techniques on how to release tension were also applied within that context. While Pilates and yoga have its uses it will be kettlebells that will dominate the next decade by giving "core" a whole new meaning.

Doug Nepodal, Trainer, Medina OH

Once again Dragon Door has provided great info in a painful and constructive way.

Marvin King, Engineer, Bowie, Maryland

Athletic Achievements, training background or specialty:

Mechanical Engineer; 3 Time Marathon Finisher; Black Belt Shaolin Hung Fut Kung Fu; Black Belt Shuai Chiao Kung Fu; Black Belt Northern Shaolin Kung Fu; RKC; NCSF / NARS Certified Personal Trainer

The lectures were outstanding. Learned most from the lectures and will be able to give more to my clients.

RKC II is better put together than I. Which is very hard to do. More knowledge then anything I've experienced. Excellent work.

Steve Gould, Fitness Club Owner, Morton IL

Athletic Achievements, training background or specialty:

High School Head Varsity Basketball Track Coach
Full Instructor Escrima\ Kali, Thai Boxing, JKD; Brazilian Jujitsu Blue belt
M.S., CSCS, RKC

Level II RKC delves deeper into the underlying principles of kettlebell training and fitness. It provides a greatly knowledge basis for training and teaching.

Material presented can be incorporated into training oneself and others immediately. Material was highly informative and clearly presented.

Lynda Angelis, artist, karate and kettlebell instructor, Minneapolis MN

This training has offered a veritable gold mine of tips, training and information brilliantly presented by extraordinarily knowledgeable and caring instructors.

This training and the RKC I training offer so much more valuable and useful information from undisputed leaders in kettlebell training. It doesn't get better than that.

Steve Rakes, Vinton VA

Athletic Achievements, training background or specialty:

The first RKC!!! I have worked as a personal trainer certified through NEDITA (long ago)

I had a great time, and the amount of information covered was amazing.

I have taken the NEDITA and ACSN certifications, there is just no comparison!

Courtney Mizuhara-Cheng, Los Angeles, CA

The broad scope of material focused on rehabilitation was more than I had ever anticipated. Each of the corrective drills can be easily applied to all types of clients.

Laura McCabe, personal trainer, Mpls, MN

Better! Often times I learn an assessment protocol, but "then what" is what always comes to mind. We were given more tools and exercises to enable tight muscles and joints.

This was a dramatically different experience than my RKC I cert. The senior RKC were all very down to earth and helpful.

Sam Robards, Actor, New York, NY

Athletic Achievements, training background or specialty:

RKC (08/06)

It advanced my understanding of not just kettlebells training but also of client/trainer relations. Joint mobility/stability and physiological elements in the body.

Not as grueling as the RKC, obviously, but it has pushed me up against the edge of my strength, and knowledge.

Thank you all!! As usual, this has far exceeded any training I've had in the past.

Jessica Brock, Middle School Teacher, Roseboro, NC

Athletic Achievements, training background or specialty:

RKC, CHA certified Trainer

I really enjoyed this level of training. It was great to have such a wide variety of qualified participants. The instruction was, as always, above par! A great next step for the Sr. RKC.

Danielle Cook, Sales manager, Chatham, VA

Level I was a great experience for me because there was a lot more activity involved, however the education in Level II has been excellent, and gives people a lot to take home with them for their money.

Expectations are clear, very well organized, nice range of education, and lost of material to bring with you to go back and reference.

I think your have a top notch organization, and staff, and do a terrific job of giving people a variety of information that keeps them hungry for more. Keep up the Great Job!!!

Mike Ottaway, Student, pre-chiropractic, Bloomington, ID

Athletic Achievements, training background or specialty:

Former Air Force Tactical Response Force, EMT, ACE certified personal trainer

Humbling and expanding in strength, understanding, and business relationships.

Surpasses most any single certification seminar in scope and depth and understanding.

Michael Rendle, Registered Nurse-Medical Intensive Care Unit, Minneapolis, MN

Athletic Achievements, training background or specialty:

AAU/Golden Gloves Boxing; United States Marine Corp-Boxing/Power lifting; Shotokan Karate

Top shelf! The level of information and its immediate uses is very impressive.

RKC takes you out of your comfort zone re-tools you, corrects you, then delivers you back to your clients at 150%.

Bring on the bad guys!! I keep losing size and gaining strength. I can buy my shirt on the rack and press the rack at the same time. RKC redefines strength!! Power the right way.

Donna Hughes, RN, Critical Care, Seattle, WA

Athletic Achievements, training background or specialty:

Track-high school, State meet, runner for 20 yrs., 10K races,
xcountry skier for 20+yrs.,snowboarder for past 8yrs.
Scuba sport diver, in-line skater marathon, weight lifter for 20+yrs.
Road and mountain biking, canoeing, swimming, horseback riding and jumping(English), RN, BSN, CCRN, published author in Neurological Nursing, Therapeutic Touch Practitioner, Shamanic Healing Practitioner
RKC in 2005,Kettlebell Trainer, Combat Application Specialist in 2005, Unlock Seminar in 2006

It was beyond my expectations. I only hope that I can truly live up to the II standards as I will certainly aspire toward.

No comparison, its principle is so sound — many "sacred cows" have been falling by the wayside. If the bulk of the populace knew they'd all collectively scream.

I was "humbled" and thrilled by the info presented.

I really felt like I was a part of this alive, inquisitive, and proactive group. I really like that; it feels good to be an RKC (level not included)

Carolyn Brumfield, Fitness Instructor, Encinitas, CA

Athletic Achievements, training background or specialty:

NASM Certified Personal Trainer; Muscle Balance and Function Development Practitioner

I enjoyed all of the presented material and learned more than I was expecting too. I feel confident in the techniques that were presented. I now have great information and tools that I know will make a difference with my clients.

As with level I, it is more than I have ever paid for a cert further than I have ever traveled and worth every penny.

Carol Young, Shoreline, WA

I felt the material that was presented was very functional and applicable. I'm leaving feeling like a much more informed coach, and I will be able to pass this information on to my customers/clients.

I felt the RKC I and combat training was a lot more physical and that this course offered a background to help our clients with different assessments.

Robert Budd, Personal Trainer/ Gym owner, Reno, NV

Athletic Achievements, training background or specialty:

ISSA certified CPT, SPN; RKC; powerlifter, competitive swimmer
Special Olympics Powerlifting Coach

I was made aware of weaknesses and muscle imbalance that I did not know I had. Then taught how to strengthen and fix the problem areas for myself and others that I teach.

After going to the RKC Level I and then going to another workshop — there is no comparison. Once again, I came here with the thought that I am prepared but shown otherwise. I attended another workshop for a comparison but realize now not to waste any time or money.

Spencer Bradford, personal trainer, Minneapolis, MN

Athletic Achievements, training background or specialty:

muay thai, JKD, boxing

The highest level of exercise performance that I've yet to come across.

This level II was much better organized and expectation were more clearly defined than the previous advanced KB courses.

Chris Hall, personal trainer/nutritionist, New York, NY

Athletic Achievements, training background or specialty:

Blue belt BJJ - Renzo Gracie Academy, NY

I came away with both what I expected (to work hard) and what I found very helpful (training aids/cues and a scientific support for the exercises).

Kettlebells and their application are awesome. Even though I do use other modalities in my training, the concepts I have learned are applicable. The scope of application is much greater than anything else (cert) I have taken.

Marlise Cairns, Kettlebells Instructor, Johannesburg, South Africa

Athletic Achievements, training background or specialty:

I am a qualified junior school teacher, business analyst and now kettlebell trainer. I have always been interested in sport. Now my focus is kettlebells. Shaun and myself run a Kettlebell studio in Johannesburg.

Once again Dragon Door has provided a very professional workshop. The instructors were always available if we needed extra help or answers.

I have enjoyed every aspect of the course because it has direct relevance to my situation. I feel that I can apply what I have learnt immediately with my clients.