For Whom The Bell Toils: Words to Lift By

Welcome to the KBC Blog! We invite all KBC-trained instructors, KB enthusaists, and those who are simply curious to find a home here. Right now, it's quite bare-bones. Initially we plan on using it as a place to keep albums of past trainings. (We get lots of requests for photos!)

Moving forward, we hope to make this an active community where people can discuss KB routines, trade tips & techniques, new exercises, and so on. Look for articles and postings from KBC-trained instructors, videos, and much more in the near future! We encourage you to get the ball rolling.

Unlike other forums that have gotten completely out of control, please be aware that KBC reserves the right to edit all postings on this blog.

Level 2 Live KBC USTREAM on Thursday, March 17 at 7pm

Why: Interested in learning more about KBC's Level 2 Instructor Training: Kettlebells for Metabolic and Neurological Adaptation?

We've had a ton of questions about it. How is it different? What were the thoughts around it? Why the heck should I take it? How is this different from Level 1 KBC? Is it REALLY that much more advanced. (Yup.)

When: Thursday, March 17th

Where: Any Internet connection. Go here: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/kettlebellconcepts

See you on the air on Thursday at 7pm!

New Instructor Training Posted, Jefferson Valley, NY. Still room in Ohio!

Image via Wikipedia

New instructor training just posted. Club Fit in Jefferson Valley, NY. Jan 8-9, 2011. Click here to learn more and to register.

There's still room for some more attendees at our Rocky Valley, Ohio training as well on Nov. 13-14, 2010. Click here for more info and to register.

At a loss for what to cook? Someone passed on http://www.myrecipes.com. Have to say that even for people that don't cook all that much (raising hand!) these look great. Healthy, too! The site is really well done, easy to navigate, and most of them come from Cooking Light and Health magazines. Definitely check it out!

 

In the hopper. . .

Image via Wikipedia

This is a continuation of our newsletter that went out on Oct 29th. If you missed it, click here.

To say that there's been a lot going on with KBC is putting it mildly. Here's some of what's cookin':

• The launch of the new website (Technically still in beta.)
• The launch of level 2 by KBC Senior Instructor, Vince Metzo. (Watch for press release.) To host a KBC Instructor Training (of any level) click here now. KBC is currently booking for Jan-April, 2011 and weekends are getting very limited.
• Solidified partnership with 20+ year old company, SIL FITNESS as our product provider and exclusive distributor. They have over 5,000 products in stock in their warehouse in Brick, NJ. And yes, you can go to the warehouse to save on shipping. This means superior customer service from KBC/SIL not only on the education side, but now the product side as well.
• Galvanized 2011 in NYC. 
• KBC, after 8 years, is increasing our prices. (More below.)
• Major push for expansion/recruiting. KBC will be hiring Master Trainers for all territories beginning Q1 2011 for our Group Ex classes and Level 1 classes.
• Watch for a "careers" section on the site soon, along with a separate announcement. Get your resume's ready! However, if you're really ready to go now--before seeing the career page--please submit your resume to careers@kettlebellconcepts.com. (Please note that our requirements for Master Instructors are rather extensive and positions are extremely limited. If you think you have what it takes, we'd love to hear from you. (Note: A Master Instructor is not a full time position.)
• The publication of a KBC digital magazine geared specifically for fitness professionals. Will include video content as well. Would you be interested in reaching an audience of over 35,000 currently practicing and highly credentialed fitness professionals? We're putting out a call for submissions shortly.
• And to answer some vendors whom we've "leaked" this too, advertising will be accepted on an extremely limited basis. 

KBC Pricing for Instructor Training Courses:  After 8 years of holding steady at our extremely reasonable, industry standard price points for our Level 1, Level 2, and Group Ex classes, KBC will be increasing our prices beginning in 2011. Current clubs who are currently customers of KBC will be grandfathered in for a limited time.

If you've even considered hosting an instructor training, it's strongly suggested you book before Dec 31 to take advantage of the current price points. We will reveal the new prices shortly but the rather minimal jump will not be at all out of line with current industry pricing.

What's in it for me? 2011 is going to be a huge year for KBC as well as our past (and future!) instructors. The value we're working so hard to continually bring you as a member of the KBC family of instructors will include--among some other things: 

• The complete elaunching our instructor locator that will be loaded with features.
• The official launch of the SIL FITNESS/KBC Preferred Club Member Pricing Program. Save big $$$ off ANY product at SIL FITNESS!
• We're adding a HUGE social networking function to our main site. There will be open "communities" for fitness enthusiasts (general customers) and a protected, members only community for KBC Instructors to share teaching tips, advice, etc.
• Launch of a new apparel line for KBC Instructors.
• We're adding a private "customer center" where all manuals, CEC's, and digtal products will be stored (and delivered.) This also includes the forthcoming KBC digital magazine.
• A complete redesign of the Level 1 manual. (All past KBC Instructors will get this update for free digitally within their new ustomer center!)
• . . and much more!

Thank you for being a part of KBC (or becoming a part of KBC!) and have a happy and safe Halloween!

 

Save 25% on KBC-brand Kettlebells from SIL FITNESS

This is a ridiculously good deal from our friends at SIL FITNESS! Call them at 800-824-9692 ASAP! Their email is info@silfitness.com but a phone call is suggested.

As expected, they've been slammed for the past few days. And YES! If you can get to Brick, NJ you can pick up the bells at their warehouse. They're open 9-5pm EST.

A Little Bit of Press . . . . .

As the CEO of KBC, I am very content to sit behind the scenes and give the KBC faculty their well-deserved spotlight. We're incredibly lucky to have people like Myrna Brady, Adam Cronin, Vince Metzo, Matt Baatz, Earnest Hudson, Dave Morgan, Keli Roberts, Angie Miller, Paul Katami, Alex and Randy Gruezo, Ted Recitas (and many others!) on our faculty.

Any good leader knows that the smartest thing she or he can (and should!) do sooner rather than later is to surround himself with people who have different skill sets. And so, everytime I listen to any of our faculty speak, I always learn something new. It's wonderful! 

However, it's always nice when someone peaks behind the curtain a bit and wants to know, "Hey! Who is this Dave guy and has KBC REALLY been around since 2002?" That's basically what the editor of www.wellandgoodnyc.com came to me with. The story appeared today on their home page. It was a nice little boost for me (and lets face it, we all need that from time to time--especially as an entrepreneur) but more importantly, continues to help out the KBC instructor base of over 4,000 globally. The more press around the modality, the better for everyone.

And outside of the whole "bringing it to the nation" thing, she got most of it right. I'm not sure any one person can (or should) take responsibility for that given that they've been around forever.

As for NYC? Well--oookay. I'll take the compliment because I was stubborn. . . REALLY stubborn!

So thanks for sticking with KBC and allowing me my little indulgence here. 2011 is going to be a great year! Our new site (still technically in beta) is always a nice start. Check it out when you can.

-Dave Ganulin

CEO

Vote now to bring KB's to Top of Citysearch!

Help! Richard Lehman is THIS CLOSE to winning best workout in NY by Citysearch. I'm reaching out to help him. This is a win-win! More awareness for KB's in NYC. . .more marketing juice for all KBC-trained instructors! If you're a fan of KB's and KBC, vote for Rich. (Plus, he's a really good guy!)

From Rich, "It's time to do all we can to help bring the kettlebell to the top. It is hard for me with seven kettlebell classes a week to compete with a Bootcamp which operates 6 days a week and teaches 6 classes a day. In brief...I am C.S.C.S. Certified and a Massage Therapist, I have completed Level I, Level II, and Body Blast. Vincent Metzo, Paul Katami, and Adam Khai-Cronin are inspirational to me. I have been using kettlebells with my clients going on 4 years, have been teaching classes for one year. In this year my classes have grown from 3 classes at SHOCKra Studios (a space I rent) to seven classes total (SHOCKra Studios, Nimble Fitness, and the McBurney Y.M.C.A.). Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. I REALLY want to build the Kettlebell Concept name and build kettlebell awareness in NYC!!"

http://newyork.citysearch.com/bestof/nominees/2010/workout

Free Happy Hour This Friday!

Please join me this Friday evening, May 28th as we kick off the summer season, and enjoy a free happy hour at Public House Bar from 7-8pm. I'm helping host a fundraiser for my very close friend Roger Blank, who is running for Congress.

Where:
Public House
140 East 41st Street, between Lexington and 3rd Avenues
New York, New York 10017

Time: 7:00 - 8:00pm. Of course everyone is welcome to stay later and socialize as we kick off the summer.

Suggested Campaign donation: $20 at the door.  Any amount is greatly appreciated.  

Roger Blank is a lifelong New Yorker, He understands the unique challenges we face living in this great city.  We deserve more from our representatives in Washington and I know he can do better.  He is a former Assistant District Attorney in the Bronx and prosecutor with the New York City Police Department, he has the record and experience to take on the tough cases, fight for what’s right and win. As an active attorney in private practice, he understands the concerns of the people and businesses of New York – and he is committed to doing whatever is necessary to lower taxes, maintain critical services, create jobs and secure federal funding to fight terrorism and protect public safety.

As your Congressman, I know he will be a vocal and passionate advocate for all New Yorkers in the 14th District – but to get there, he needs all of our help!

Roger Blank is:

·      A former Assistant District Attorney & NYPD Prosecutor who has fought crime and corruption in our government and won.

·      Committed to lowering taxes, maintaining services & creating high-paying jobs.

·      Will work to keep New York safe from terrorism & capture and prosecute would-be terrorists before they strike.

·      Strong advocate for term limits for members of Congress – Washington should be guided by public service, not run by career politicians.

·      A champion of personal individual liberties – not a friend to selfish special interests. 

This fall, make sure your vote makes a difference! Please come out and show your support. Vote for Roger Blank for Congress.
 

KBC Galvanized Convention and Tradeshow Press Release

So much going on! Check out our press release here! Hope you can join us in July in NYC! More info on the convention homepage here.

What Is KBCMNS?

One should always train smart, not just hard. Kettlebells can be a part of nearly any comprehensive and sophisticated program of exercise but they are not magic. They are governed by the rules of physics and laws of nature like anything else. So, how can we use kettlebells in the most effective way for developing max-strength, power, circuits, sports specific transitions, and sports specific programs?

• Does one size fit all?
• Is one circuit as good as another?
• When should we use and what are countdowns, ladders, and circuits for?
• When clients don't move well, what is the problem? Do we just chalk it up to being clumsy or not athletic or is there a developmental stage that they skipped?
• How can we use kettlebells to develop body schema, tonic muscle control, foundation movement skills, laterality, directionality, crossing the mid-line, functional movement skills, and help clients move better?
• Back in the early 80s the NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) arranged a number of trips to Russia so strength and conditioning professionals could share information. How were the Soviets using Kettlebells?

KettleBells for Metabolic and Neurological Adaptation. April 10-11, 2009 NYSC-Grand Central Location, NYC For more info and to register, click here.

-by Vince Metzo

KettleBells for Metabolic and Neurological Adaptation video

This CEC-approved course was written and developed by KBC Senior Instructor, Vincent Metzo. Vince serves as the Director of the Exercise Science program at the renowned Swedish Institute in NYC. The first advanced course took place in NYC at the New York Sports Club-Wall Street in January, 2010.

As expected, it sold out. We even had people come from as far away as Israel to take the training. These are some of the highlights. FAR more than just teaching "the moves" KettleBell Concepts prides itself on being the industry leader in kettlebell education for highly credentialed, currently practicing fitness professionals.