Kettlebell Trainer Certification

I must get this question at least once a month via email and from at least 3 people at every single certification program, so I figured I would write about.

Our Motivation and Training is Not that Different
Two RKC's who love Kettlebell Training
We are both RKC graduates and we both completed our certification within a year of each other.  Both of us discovered the power of kettlebell training long before this heat wave happened and the competition between our certification programs has played a significant role in the growth and popularity of the kettlebell training in Canada.

We both feel that more people should be using the kettlebell and I am sure we have a similar passion for teaching.

But Our Programs are Not that Similar
Certification vs. Boot Camp
To work safely with something like the kettlebell you must have a solid understanding of things like anatomy, kinetics, injury assessment etc.  There is no question that the practice of repetitions is crucial to developing skill, but if your primary purpose of taking the course is to be able to work with others, you'll find the KBTA certification offers a better balance of instruction to practice and that the practice repetitions offer more meaning and purpose than to just have you prove you are tough enough to pass a boot camp. 

A Scientific System of Training
Only the KBTA program covers topics like client assessment, periodization, planes of movement and program design.  These elements are crucial to making you effective as a KBell trainer and are unique to our program.  I have said for years, teaching kettlebells to athlete's is not a skill.  You are an athlete because you pick up sports naturally and quickly.  If you are athletic you will develop the skill of doing fairly quickly. 

But the majority of your clients won't we as athletically gifted as you.  At KBTA there are some specific sequences and skills that are specifically designed to make it possible to teach Kettlebell training to those less physically gifted than you.  If you do train elite athletes, you lose nothing, you'll know what steps to skip.  But if you run boot camps, train in a studio or have executives and Mom's as clients, you'll appreciate our approach...and so will you clients.

The Quality of Participants
The KBTA certification is the first and only program in Canada to focus on the needs of trainers and coaches.  That is our specialty and we are quite proud of that.  For those wishing to participate but are not qualified in the health sciences we reserve 5 spots in each course for "Challenger".  Challenger participate fully, complete all the assignment and tests and receive a letter of completion.  But certification status is reserved for coaches and trainer who meet the course course pre-requiste.  

There is an art and science to training people and most trainers invest a lot of time and money to make themselves the best they can be.  As a trainer you will appreciate our commitment to maintaining the highest standard in the industry and the opportunity to network with top trainers and doctors from across the country. Agatsu does not maintain that standard and I think that is potentially damaging to our industry (to be fair his is not the only Kettlebell Certification like this). 

Presenter and Teaching Experience
Only KBTA is consistently invited to present a fitness an education conference, that alone should give you an idea of who's program is most recognized in the industry.

I am CSCS, a yoga instructor and an accomplished multi-sport athlete.  I also have an MBA and an extensive research and presentation background.  These experiences all contribute to my presentations and give me a wide range of ideas to pull from.  My experience combined with passion are the reason why my presentations get such fantastic reviews.

Who's #1
Some years ago I started billing myself as Canada's #1 Kettlebell Trainer.  I proudly stand behind that statement because I have yet to see or hear of another person who can give a workshop or presentation about Kettlebell Training to as many different audiences as well as I can.  The statement has become the manifestation of a personal goal. 

For the Record
Agatsu is the first Kettlebell Workshop in Canada (that's okay with me, Beta came out before VHS)
KBTA is the first Certification to offer CEC's to participants and is still the only certification to teach the material specifically for coaches and trainer.

Full Respect Given
I want to be clear that there is not a bone of contention between Agatsu, Shawn Mozen and myself.  We are both excellent Kettlebell athlete's with a lot to give.  One thing my competitive experience has taught me is to never disrespect or underestimate your competition.  It's a lot of work to travel and teach kettlebell programs 3-5 times a week and we both have crazy schedules.

The truth is I love that Shawn and Agatsu exsits.  I love Agatsu like the Lakers love the Cetics, like the Yankees love the Red Sox, like the Leafs love the Canadiens, like Arsenal loves Manchester United.

What is sport without a heartfelt rivalry.  Competition brings out the best us, reveals your heart to the world and makes you stronger.  So hat's off to your sir, congratulations on your success and watch your butt...cause I'm on it...with love of course.

Love and Power to you All