I went from 308lbs to 225lbs in 8 months all because of Mike! When I first joined his class I was so out of shape I got winded just from bending over to tie my shoes. I must admit, I was a little intimidated while I was driving to my first class, partly because I am so uncoordinated I was afraid of flinging a bell across the room and knocking someone out, but mostly because I felt embarrassed by the way I looked and that everyone was going to think that I don’t belong there. After 5 minutes of being there and meeting a few people all my worries were gone. Everyone who attends Mikes' class is so nice and generous and they are more than willing to help, guide, and give advice. Nobody does any judging no matter what you look like or how you perform. This is more of a community then it is a fitness class and they are always happy to see new comers. At first I was amazed at the coincidence that all these nice people just happen to be at the same class and how lucky I was that I found this place; but then I realized that it was not a coincidence, it was because Mike creates that type of environment. He creates an atmosphere which makes the class feel more like a special club in which you were specifically invited to join and right away you realize everyone there wants to see you succeed like they have a personal gain from it, only they don’t.

Mike somehow creates a fitness regiment for the whole class yet makes it feel like it is tailored made just for you. He somehow knows what size kettelbell each person should use depending on the activities for that day, and he does this without writing anything down. He learns and gets to know each one of his students like they were his first and only one. If Mike sees that you need some extra help or training, he will stand there and give you a personal lesson as class is going on. He makes you feel that he is there to teach only you, yet inconspicuous enough for no one to notice and all while keeping class moving for everyone else. Mike is the most dedicated trainer I have ever come across. All he really truly cares about is you meeting your personal fitness goals and to see you succeed whether your goal is weight loss, toning your muscles, gaining more of an athletic body etc…which by the way, will all happen at the same time while attending his class.

I know all of this because I have been attending Mikes' class since April 2012. I make almost every class, not only because I want to be in better shape, but because Mike makes every class different which keeps it fresh and exciting. You never know what challenge he is going to present to you. This not only keeps your mind from getting bored by the same old routine, which is the number one reason why people quit exercising, but it also keeps your body from getting bored, which is the key to maximum calorie burn and muscle growth.

So far I lost a total of 83lbs and I seriously could not have done that without Mike. Before attending Mikes class I really thought that I would just be heavy the rest of my life. I gave up the hope that I would be able to lose weight and get healthy. My cholesterol was 176, my blood pressure was borderline hypertension, my body fat percentage was in the 40% range, and my doctor told me I was high risk for type 2 diabetes and headed for an early grave. I did try for a little while working out at a gym, did the Wii fit, and even got a puppy thinking that will motivate me to go jogging with her. But none of these were able to keep me interested long enough to see any results; and so instead of trying to improve my health I decided to just treat it with the meds the doctor put me on. I accepted that I was a big guy, especially since that was what everyone called me anyway. I donated all the clothes I grew out of since I lost hope to ever fit in them again, and I came to the realization that I will never be able to ride a roller coaster , fit comfortably on a plane seat, shop for clothes at a regular store, or enjoy anything I used to enjoy before I got too fat to be able to enjoy them.

Then for one last attempt, my wife bought me six weeks to Mikes' class as a birthday present. I have never met Mike before this point but my wife took some of his classes a year prior and she loved it. I wasn’t thrilled about the idea of going because I already gave up and I didn’t want to be disappointed again when I failed once more at losing weight. I thought for sure Mike would take one look at me and think I was a lost cause. But the exact opposite happened. He made me feel comfortable, welcomed, and invited, taking his time to teach me the proper movements. When he saw me struggling he would encourage me, yet let me make my own decision when I needed to rest.

Literally after two weeks, only eight classes, I started to notice a difference in the way my body moved, the energy I started to feel. I noticed I wasn’t getting winded going up the steps, I started taking my dog for longer walks, and I started eating better. The more I went to class, the more I continued to improve my habits at home, the more results I saw, the more the fire in me burned. I was getting more excited each day because I actually saw the results that I gave up hoping for so long ago. That is what keeps me going back week after week. Mike helped me take back control of my life and there is no thank you big enough to show my appreciation for what he has done for me, I consider him a great friend. Thanks Mike!!!!

Today I put on a pair of pants that I wore last October and I couldn’t wear them today in public because they were FALLING OFF! I have been attending Mike’s class since November 2011 and it’s the first program that in my 50 years I have made a 100% effort to attend every class. Mike’s enthusiasm is contagious and he is confident that we can become healthier and stronger. I said attending the class but I’m for the first time “training.” I look forward to each class and I feel so different than I did six months ago. Even my golf game has improved, hell I can do push-ups that I couldn’t do in high school. Great instructors, great people and now outside at a great location. Thanks Mike!

Worth the Drive!

I’m so happy I found Michael Barbato on Dragon Door’s website of RKC
certified instructors (there are none in my immediate area). I can truly
say Michael’s instruction and classes are worth the hour drive! They’re
the highlight of my week. Michael is patient, professional and precise.
The atmosphere in class is fun and motivational. Everyone supports each
other’s efforts to get stronger and reach their fitness goals.

A family history of bad knees, bad backs and arthritis was catching up to me at age 55, and I was having trouble moving without pain. Going to the gym for years and had done a little to help me feel better, but it was boring and I was not motivated to push myself harder. I was not looking to be a body builder, I just wanted to be able to walk upright in 10 years! I knew about kettlebells and had one in my basement for a year, but the workout looked scary on the DVD that was included and I decided that I needed a trainer to teach me how to do it properly.

I ran across the Precision Kettlebell information booth at the Malvern Festival and I decided to sign up for the 8 week introductory course. It was a little intimidating at my age, I was skeptical that I was up to the challenge, but Mike assured me that I could do it. After the very first class I was hooked. It was the hardest workout I have ever done, but it was fun too! Mike spends time teaching correct technique so we do not injure ourselves and carefully monitors what everyone is doing. Mike has this very positive, calm faith in his students. He constantly encourages everyone to push ourselves farther than we think we can go and does it in such a nice way that you want to do it and actually can do it. His classes are always challenging and fun, and no two classes are the same.
In less than 2 months I have seen many changes in my body, and the constant pain is almost entirely gone. I continue to feel better and stronger each week and I have noticed several unexpected side benefits of kettlebell training, one of which is that my musical ability has improved! I have played the clarinet for 45 years and I recently noticed that my breath control has improved markedly. I can sustain difficult notes for far longer than I ever have in my life!
I am delighted with Mike Barbato and kettlebells, and I am looking forward to continuing classes with him.

After being a “gym rat” for a few years and exercising regularly I felt as though I needed something to take me to the next level. I had heard about Kettlebells, but didn’t know much about it and was a bit intimidated. I finally decided to sign up for the classes and was looking forward to training outside and not stuck in the gym scene again. I am so happy with my decision and love the different physical strength the class has provided. Mike is a motivated and strict instructor, but doesn’t have the attitude that goes along with it. He genuinely wants to help each person learn and become a stronger and healthier person through kettlebells. His patience speaks volumes, as you can join in a class where there have been people training with him for years, and he will give you the personalized attention you need not to get discouraged. Only after 2 months, I feel my body starting to transform. I feel stronger and have much more energy then in the past. Each class I can’t wait to see how Mike is going to challenge me and I challenge myself in return.

A few years ago, I decided that exercise needed to be a priority in my life. I hit the gym at least 5 days a week, only to notice small changes in the way I felt and looked. I was very discouraged. I had no idea what I was doing, so I hired a personal trainer to teach me how to workout. I paid him lots of money over several months and saw no results at all. I love to workout and I was looking for a real challenge.

I stumbled upon Precision Kettlebells and figured I’d give it a try. I made an appointment for an intro lesson with Mike Barbato. I was a little nervous and figured I’d be meeting some muscle-head with an inflated ego. This is so far from the truth. Mike is one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met. After simply teaching me the basics of kettlebells, my nervousness quickly disappeared. He’s great at explaining how to execute each exercise. He’s not a crazy trainer who screams in your face to get you moving. He has a way of motivating his students without really saying much. He walks around class and offers guidance and encouragement when needed. His classes are challenging and lots of fun. I really look forward to each class. I’ve only been training with Mike for about 6 weeks. I’m down a dress size and I’m amazed at how great I feel. It only took 2 classes for me to fall in love with kettlebells. I can’t get enough!!! Mike is a great guy and an awesome instructor. I look forward to training with him for years to come.

After training for Mike for a few months I decided its time to tell everyone out there what this guy has done for my mental and physical state. By no means am I in even decent shape, however, Mike is changing that class by class. Every time I arrive at the park I am ready to be challenged and worked. Every time I arrive at the park Mike is there with a challenge and encouragement that makes we want to keep coming back for more.

What makes Mike such a great instructor is that he genuinely cares that you receive quality instruction that is safe and done to maximize impact on your fitness. Many instructors have a routine they follow and don't deviate from it. However Mike has days where we get to choose what we do in class and he goes with the flow. That attitude of giving us what we need serves him well because we respond to the opportunity to control our own work out.

Now after spending an early Saturday morning with the whole Precision Kettlebell crew doing the LiveStrong walk I can tell you that I have never been more proud to be part of a workout group. The feeling of power and pride I felt walking the last 60 yards with my new found family was the best feeling I have had in a long time.

If you want a place to work out where you run in do 30 minutes of "exercise" and run home don't come to work out with Mike. If you want to get in the best shape of your life, feel better about your body than ever before and do a workout where you feel like you're with friends come to Valley Creek Park and swing some bells with Mike and company. It’s a trip you will not regret.

I wanted to wait until I had trained with Mike for several month before I wrote a review. I wanted a really good feel for him before I wrote something.

Naturally Mike has excellent form and is knowledgeable like you would expect from an RKC II; but the thing that really strikes me about him is that he has the heart of a teacher. That teacher in high school or grade school that inspired you and showed you that you are capable of more than you ever imagined? Mike is that teacher. He is a natural with people from every sort of background and experience. He deftly picks up on peoples personalities and quirks and immediately turns over that information into better ways to communicate with them, thus better training, and thus better and faster results.

Mike does this all while being a truly genuine, humble, and affable. Mike is a great RKC but the real truth is that his gift for teaching is almost wasted on corporate drones like myself; he should be coaching at a university.

I just recently started training with Mike and find his instruction to be superb! I was reluctant to try Kettlebells, due to my age, but after my first lesson with Mike, I felt confident that I might be able to continue. He is very patient and his passion for training is evident. He encourages you to push further, while at the same time mindful of your condition. I have tried several different gyms/workouts over the years, and this has been the most challenging and rewarding. I look forward to my workouts with Mike. Thank you, Mike.

I highly recommend Mike to anyone looking to become stronger, more conditioned and simply feel and look their best. I am a mother of 3 which will not reveil her age but will say I am in the best shape of my life and I attribute it all to kettlebell training. Taking Mike's classes are always fun yet very challenging. Mike constant support

I started back in September of 2010 when a friend gave me a gift certificate...I always loved to be physically fit but after years of pretty much "doing nothing" except paying for a gym membership which I never used, I decided it was time to stop being an excuse maker for not working out and try something new. Well, I have to tell you that Mike has made me a "kettlebell junkie." He is so patient when you first start, showing you all the moves over and over and not making you feel embarrassed because you are the new person when there are so many experienced people in the class.
His dedication to his class is bar none and way above any expectation I ever had. He always asks if you have any "questions, comments or concerns". He is truly an amazing instructor.
My whole attitude has changed, I feel so much better inside and out. I actually look forward to all the classes, and on those days everything else is second..
Thank you, Mike, for being a great instructor...keep pushing us to our limits...you know we can do it better than we know ourselves...AND THAT IS SUCCESS.....

I have been attending Mike's Kettlebell classes for about 8 months. I had no previous experience with Kettlebells. Mike has proven himself to be an excellent instructor by taking the time with everyone in the class to ensure that we understand and can execute the various swings and techniques. Mike always personally demonstrates each exercise which I find very helpful given my limited experience with Kettlebells. He is also very good at monitoring his students to make sure they are continually using proper techniques so that they may realize the desired benefits. I have belonged to a gym and have tried to keep a regular workout schedule for many years. However, I never achieved the fitness level I was looking for as I wasn't able to maintain enough motivation. I have no problem with motivation for Mike's Kettlebells as I look forward to the workouts because I actually enjoy them. Mike is constantly "mixing" things up which keeps it interesting, challenging, and even fun. I'm 57 and my goal is to be in better shape than I was at 37 and, thanks to Mike, I'm making real progress!

Mike changed my life. I had been doing other types of exercise with no results, it was getting depressing. Last fall I started training with Mike at Precision Kettlebells. Mike told me that I could not skip any classes that I had to make a commitment to this program. So I started learning how to do Kettlebells, it wasn't hard it was fun! Mike was always on me on my technique," if you don't follow the right form it wont give you maximum benefit of the exercise and you might hurt yourself." he would tell me. So the summer came around and it was pool time. I went to the pool I usually go to every summer I got some strange looks from people I see every summer. One woman said to me," Sharon? Is that you? What happened to you? You lost weight and you look so firm everywhere." I said "I've been doing kettlebells with Mike Barbato as my trainer." She replied," Well whatever you did keep it up you look great!" Mike has an investment in each and everyone of his students and their success is his success too. THANK YOU MIKE!!

Mike came to me in 2005 shortly after i was certified as an RKC. He appeared as though he would be just another pumped up gym rat who'd fall out after his first set of swings and then go fix his hair, but i'll be a monkey's uncle! The kid had amazing form and was not a bloated beefcake like i had been at his age.

After his love for kettlebells and passion for fitness and self improvement manifested outside the walls of the gym in the form of a 2008 RKC Certification, 'Bato' took it upon himself to add another 20 hours to his already busy week and begin training clients.

I have seen him mature with and without a kettlebell in his hand, on and off the field, with and without command of a class. As he gets better, he gives you more. Do you want more?!!!??!

I have been competing in triathlons for 10 years. Over this past winter (2009/2010)I began kettlebell training with Mike Barbato. My first tri of 2010 was a half lite in the beginning of May. This is a very early triathlon for that length (50 miles total). I completed this difficult endurance test with relative ease thanks to Mike and his training! My strength was better, my swimming was strong, my breathing was easy and steady. Swimming I need strong legs, arms and shoulders...biking I need strong legs and back...running I need my core legs and breathing to be strong. Kettlebells worked my entire bosy kept me strong! Thank you Mike for your dedication and excellent training!

Before I started taking classes with Mike at Precision, I thought I knew how to move with a kettlebell from the DVDs I purchased. No way - not even close... but then I love to learn something new. Now I've had four or five kettlebell classes with Mike and these have literally been the best workouts of my life for strength and cardio - and they're a lot of fun. Even after 15 years of martial arts training, a workout at Precision with Mike was far superior. In the time frame of a few weeks, I've put on more muscle, increased my overall strength, and improved my mental alertness - all due to the way Mike ramps up and sustains the workout rythmns in his kettlebell classes. I am so very impressed. I gotta say, at 49, I look in the mirror at my 30-something body and say Wow! Thanks Mike!
Precision is my form. Girya for life!
Cheers.

As an assistant for Team Williams, Mike made my experience at the Philly RKC incredible. As the progression of the three grueling days wore on, Mike never did. He continued to help us through the basic skills as a kind, patient,competent instructor from the first hour to the last minute. His insights were always dead on.
It is an honor to say that I trained under Mike!

I just completed the RKC instructor certification course in Philadelphia. Mike was one of the assistant instructors on my team. Mike is an excellent KB trainer. He is very knowledgable and can help you fix little problems with just a few simple instructions. He provides constructive criticism as needed and motivates the student to be their best! I was honored to have him watch over me!

Mike has been a great trainer. I would not have continued with the kettlebells if it had not been for Mike. He's been encouraging and motivating and always designs my workout exactly according to what I need. I'm older (age 62) and have not been working out at all so I do not have the strength and endurance of a younger, more fit person. But that did not matter to Mike. Because of his training and the special attention he gave to my condition I have experienced a vast improvement in my daily activities--no more pain in my knees, or hips, or shoulders. Thank you, Mike that's worth everything. Thank you for sharing your great knowledge of strength training with me and for your patience in leading me on at just the right pace with just the right exercises. Anyone who wants to learn to work out with kettlebells needs a trainer like Mike--you'll never do it by just watching the videos or reading a book.

I thought I was doing the moves right imitating the DVDs and all I needed was a little tweaking and I'll be perfect. I made a private appointment with Mike and found out I'm doing it all wrong. Mike corrected my form and now I have to re-train to break my bad habits.

Mike was patient and very helpful. I'm going to go to his workouts when I can.

I have had the pleasure to train with Mike (and will continue to train with him)since he started Precision Kettlebells. He is dedicated to strength training and is always encouraging and accepting of each individual's level of strength. I like that the classes are challenging yet he allows the client to decide their level of ability for any given class without judgement.

An instructor who truly shows the highest commitment to Kettlebell training and quality instruction. Mike's desire to strength conditioning is evident by his creative and challenging workouts. He keeps the classes fresh and is well aware of his client's 'make-up', thus knowing how to build strength safely and progressively, as well as knowing when to 'push the envelope' for a true gut-wrenching workout!