The Effectiveness of the RKC System

I recently achieved one of my goals of doing a one arm press with over 1/2 my bodyweight. I currently weigh in at 174lbs, so the kettlebell nearest to 1/2 my bodyweight is the 88lb kettlebell. The problem is, I don't have an 88lb kettlebell. I decided to try to press two kettlebells in the same hand. I hadn't tried this before and I wasn't sure how difficult it would be to hold two kbs in one hand. I started off with baby kettlebells totalling 35, then 53 then 70 lbs (two 35lb kbs). Despite the increased challenge to my grip each attempt seemed relatively easy. Finally I attempted to press the 24kg + the 16kg = 88lbs in one hand and ... up it went.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to brag. I realize that in the grand scheme of things there are many RKCs and folks from all walks of life that are stronger than I am. My point in relaying this story is to praise the RKC school of strength. You see, the RKC system is more than a Kettlebell instructor certification it is a system that delivers reproducible results. I have subjected myself willingly to the system and the results keep coming. Here are a few of things I've achieved since I started following the RKC methods in October 2007:

• I've steadily advanced in pressing power by following the "Rite of Passage" and have successly completed 5 ladders of 5 rungs (75 presses) with each arm using the 35lb, 44lb, 53lb, 62lb and 70lb kettlebells.
• I've performed double getups with 2 24kg kettlebells.
• I've upside down pressed the 28kg kettlebell.
• By following the R.O.P. I've successfully prepared for and passed the gruelling 3-day RKC certification.
• By following the Master RKC Kenneth Jay's VO2 max protocol I've achieved 225 reps in ten minutes snatching the 53lb kettlebell.
• I've achieved a resting heart rate in the high 40s.
• I've completed 40minutes of snatching the 35lb kettlebell at 8 reps every 15 seconds.
• I've built up to 25 minutes of snatching the 53lb kettlebell 6 reps every 15 seconds.
• I've dropped from 20% bodyfat to under 10%.
• I've increased my bodyweight from 154 - 174lbs.
• I've successfully one arm pressed over 1/2 my bodyweight.

My students/victims have also acheived some remarkable results:

• 64 old Grandma, Pat L. has improved her bone density and cardio vascular health. She has advanced from doing partial getups with a 5lb kettlebell to full getups with a 20lb kettlebell. She has achieved the recommended work capacity of a 35 yr old female by achieving a score of 11 METs during 10 minutes of snatches.
• 35 yr old Mother, Sridevi has lost weight and gone down three dress sizes.
• 60 yr old Grandfather Jan B., has completed the RKC snatch test in class with a 53lb kettlebell (100 reps in under 5 minutes)
• 37 yr old Harton W. has done away with running and replaced his cardio with kettlebll ballistics. He has finally acheived symmetry on both sides of physique and increase his personal bests in the bench.
• 44 yr old mother Kelly has lost over 30lbs, something she was unable to do despite attending regular yoga, Body Pump and Martial Arts classes.
• 16 yr old Jonathan S. has improved his bench, setting personal bests nearly every week for over a month and finally started putting on muscles mass.

If you want results, try the RKC method of hard-style Kettlebell. If you don't know how, I'll show you. If you don't want to... I'll make you. ;)