KFIT USA Philosophy
(By Vanessa Schneider)

The KFITUSA Kettlebell technique is known as a safer, accessible and fluid kettlebell style.

Kettlebell training is traditionally hardcore and known as a tough but extremely beneficial method of training. It is widely known to challenge fighters, supreme athletes and military troops in their ruthless training. Because of the hardcore almost “threatening” reputation of this way of training, a lot of “regular” people turn away for fear of hurting themselves even before they have tried it.

The objective of KFIT USA is not only to cater for the supreme athletic people out there but to also assure the more sedentary or “regular” person off the street, that this is a very beneficial way of training for functional movement, strength, mobility, toning as well as weight loss. The creators of KFIT are both Professional Dancers and Pilates Instructors so they have a very keen understanding of anatomy, body alignment, correct posture and the importance of injury prevention and management.

In many “traditional” kettlebell circuits the KFIT method is very controversial as we choose to do a couple of things slightly different because it is safer and almost eliminates the possibility of back, hip, knee and shoulder injuries. We also work with post rehab clients, therefore find the need for a safe method for management and rehabilitation of certain types of injuries. The KFIT method can also be adapted for sports specific training as well as many other special populations.

The danger of the original “traditional” Kettlebell swing is that it potentially puts a lot of strain on the spine. For anyone who is fit and has strong back muscles and flexible hamstrings, this might not be an issue.
Let’s face it for a vast majority of people this is a challenge, and when the hamstrings are inflexible it is impossible to keep a flat posture with the lumbar spine, therefore a very high risk as far as injuring the lower back.

Once the KFIT USA “squat swing” has been mastered, only then is it safer to attempt a kettlebell swing that requires the body to hinge mostly at the hips. The KFIT USA “squat swing” is a very effective Kettlebell swing that utilizes the posterior chain of muscles while protecting the mid and lower back and knees.

We also emphasize the posture of the thorasic and cervical spine in order to avoid and prevent the kyphosis look in the upper back. By effectively opening the chest and retracting the scapula, the tall and open upper back is very attractive and protects once again against back, shoulder and neck injury.

KFIT puts a lot of importance on core strength.

We effectively teach how to utilize the transverse abdominals in conjunction with the rectus abdominus and obliques. This is very important to avoid strain on the spine and the knees. Most importantly it prevents over-extension of the lumbar spine as most of the kettlebell movements are ballistic. If the core is not engaged properly and the hips are thrusted forward without control, the upper body has potential to “collapse” backwards which puts tremendous strain on the lumbar region. This is the culprit for progressively increasing lower back pain that eventually can lead to chronic pain or injury.

KFIT USA’s first priority is the safety and alignment of the body so that the kettlebell technique can be executed safely and effectively first and foremost. Once these very important principals have been drilled into the body, the body will be much more resilient against injury when attempting any difficulty of Kettlebell exercise.

The KFIT USA Kettlebell method is the method for everyone and anyone. Whether you are a supreme athlete, fighter or sportsman, a dancer, gymnast or acrobat, or whether you are a couch potato that wants to get fit and find a fun way to work out… this method is safe and effective for everyone from any walk of life.

Keep an eye on our website as we are always scheduling trainings for new kettlebell instructors. If you want to add major revenue to your business and have a fun, safe and exciting tool to add to your “training toolbox” then KFIT USA is for you. To find out more about our certification and our workshops – please visit: www.KFITUSA.com

Kind Regards,

Vanessa Schneider

These 5 things separate professionals from amateurs…

When it comes to dealing out sessions, I am a high volume guy.  My chops are razor sharp and I deal precision content every time I am “in Character”.    I love it; I live for the action and the time to apply my theories all the while searching for the missing element in my game.

So for those of you who are out with your friends running errands and don’t have any sessions to do until a few hours from now….These 5 things will help you ramp up.

If you are dealing heavy volume,  these are 5 crucial things you must do in every session to deal the best experience.    Don’t lose sight and get lost in the quiver of bodes you are running through…..

I promise that if you follow these 5 things, and burn them in your subconscious mind.  You will deliver maximum value, command referrals and a deserve higher session rate.

Remember this is a checklist you need to thread into your subconscious.  It needs to be flipped to the “on position” when you are living in that split second before show time……You know that second of transition in your mind  from who you were 2 min before, to the entertainer and motivator you need to be to earn…

Dial these in:

1)      Maximum Enthusiasm – I do not care what is happening in your personal Life.  Neither do clients.  Leave your B.S. at the door and be fully into the show you are putting on.

2)      Precision Programming – If you are just making up in session content without a flow or consideration of impact, then get your head out of you’re a**!  Program with some focus and ditch the flash and deliver some value.

3)      Laser Focus – You should be consumed by session you are in.  Attentive to every detail as if the world around you does not exist.  Command high rates and referrals by how determined you look during a session.  Determined to deliver maximum value.

4)      A Firm Body Posture – Stand up as if you have strength running through your body.  Become “spring like” in how you are ready to react to a person.  You are a student of the physical culture; show it by holding yourself up with confidence.  Exude energy and display you are not tired or fatigued.

5)      Steel Your Gaze – Have your eyes glaze over as if you are staring into the abyss of life.  When you are in, “training character”, this is time to show that you are not a person but a conduit from which organized information flows.  The pressure behind your eyes should look the same as that of a professional athlete in “game mode”, the eyes will tell all.

_______________________

I dial up this check list for my 1st or my 15th session of the day.  If you display these traits in session, you will exude the confidence you need to take your game to the next level.   These 5 traits have rocketed me up to the top of the session price point category, and get me a ton of referrals.

If you are not good at these then, “fake it until you make it”.  Getting into character is a skill that is perfected and improved upon over time.  Strengthened through practice and reps.

I also use a few different phrases that will instantly call these 5 things to mind and help me switch gears.   Some are quite comical…  The latest one I use is “Purple Hand Prints” ..  Believe it or not, it actually works to disrupt my mind and get me into that zone.  Hope you find yours.

By the way KFIT USA is always looking for individuals who want to up their game.  If you have some interest in taking your career and skills to the next level get into a Level 1 Certification and Start your path to becoming a KFIT Master Trainer.

Dedicated to your Success,
Michael Libercci
kfitusa.com
201-688-0488

Why are Kettlebells different from traditional weight training? The questions are often asked such as “Why can’t I just use a dumbbell to do the kettlebell exercises such as swings, cleans and snatches?” or “What is the difference between working with a kettlebell and a dumbbell?” As a trainer, you will often hear these questions.   We have found that specifically bodybuilders and athletes are very skeptical about the advantages of kettlebell training.

Of course, every training tool has its advantages and so does the kettlebell. But there is a substantial difference between training with kettlebells and dumbbells. Kettlebell training has some very specific advantages especially when it comes to efficiency, functionality, and “defying gravity”.

Most of the confusion between kettlebells and dumbbells comes from a lack of correct instruction on how to utilize kettlebells properly. As a direct result, people make the mistake of thinking they can use dumbbells as if they were kettlebells.

Traditional Weight Training

When lifting a traditional weight, the body is usually in a fixed position while moving weight in a linear manner through a direct line of applied force.  The body attempts not to use any momentum and targets an isolated muscle or muscle group. That is why traditional weight lifting is called a “single-plane static” form of exercise.

Traditional weight lifting builds muscles differently. The goal of bodybuilding is muscle hypertrophy, meaning an increase in muscle mass. Most people unfortunately equate size with strength. Size does not necessarily mean strength. The vast majority of kettlebell exercises engage literally hundreds of muscles at once. This creates profound functional strength without bulky size.  The reason for this is that the very nature of kettlebell training stimulates greater myofibril density, which causes myofibrillar hypertrophy.  Myofibrils are contractile organisms within the muscle that are directly related to strength.  What the majority of people may not know is that 50 percent to 70 percent of hypertrophy size in bodybuilding is from sarcoplasmic hypertrophy. This type of hypertrophy contributes to very little direct strength and muscular force production.

Kettlebells are also different from traditional weight lifting in that you can use all three planes of motion simultaneously. The transverse plane is largely targeted and this is where 70 percent of all injuries happen.  Kettlebell training is based upon generating momentum, perpetuating it, and then redirecting and decelerating that momentum.  So training in the transverse plane can actually prevent injuries.

Kettlebell training

Research has proven that a kettlebell lifter can do whatever a traditional weight lifter can do, but not very many traditional weight lifters can do what a kettlebell lifter can do. The kettlebell lifter has “real world strength” that applies to real world situations, everyday tasks and obstacles.

In Summary

-  Kettlebells and dumbbells are distinctively different in shape. Dumbbells have equally distributed weight in the center of mass and Kettlebells have a unique extension from the center of mass.

-  The unique “U” shaped handle creates an additional lever arm that increases or decreases the weight and force depending on how it is held.

-  The swinging action that is used in kettlebell technique in combination with the unique shape results in rotational inertia, which in turn requires greater core stability to control the movement – i.e. very functional and effective core strengthening power.

-  Kettlebells require greater strength and demand a refined coordination of the muscular and nervous systems for control. Both acceleration and deceleration are important components that utilize these systems.

-  Kettlebells translate much better into functional everyday activities. There are very few objects in the “real world” that are evenly shaped with a center of mass like a dumbbell.   Kettlebells teach “real world strength”.

-  Kettlebells produce muscles that are incredibly dense and functionally strong without bulky size.

-  Traditional weight training technique utilizes mostly isolated movement.   The kettlebell technique requires full body engagement involving multiple muscle groups.

-  Traditional weight training relies on mostly linear and two dimensional movement whereas kettlebell technique involves movement on all planes in three dimensional movements.

Kettlebell training is a great addition to any workout regimen and it can stand alone as one of the most effective ways to increase functional strength, mobility and incredible power!