Curious about kettlebells but were afraid to ask?
Come meet Florida's highest rated RKC Certified Kettlebell Instructor, Faizal Enu, and find out his secrets of effective kettlebell training.
Kettlebells help you:
* Blast Unsightly Fat
* Build He-Man Strength (even if you are a woman)
* Increase Mobility and Athleticism
* Increase Core Strength (if 100 crunches are your idea of a core workout, than think again)
* Look More Impressive
During this workshop, he will be teaching basic and safe techniques for getting the most out of your kettlebell training.
Some of the topics will include:
* Why everyone should be training with kettlebells.
* How to use high-tension techniques to improve strength.
* How to use kettlebell ballistics to give you a jack-hammer heart.
* How to engage your core with one simple yet brutally effective exercise.
* How NOT to hurt your back or rip your hands during kettlebell training.
* How kettlebell training can increase your sports performance.
Before the end of the workshop, you will be put though one of Faizal Enu's best workouts, dripping with sweat but asking for more! Some don't make it all the way through the workout, and I am OK with that. You learn by doing, and sometimes you have to go to far before knowing that you have gone far enough.
Open to all fitness levels and abilities. Bring a notebook, a towel, and water!
Registration will be closed 24 hours before date of workshop.
Space is limited to first 10 people.
Workshop fee: $45 with advanced on-line registration, $55 at the door
Register Here: http://www.xtremeathletix.com, then click on the "Workshops & Events" tab to register for the workshop.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
Workout this week..
I don't even everything I did this week, but here is my best recollection:
Monday:
LC: 2 32kg 4 x x 2,4,6,8
Tuesday:
DDR and Swings: 2 32kg x 10 x 15
Wednesday:
Morning: LC test with 32kg: 2 32kg x 2 x 11
Evening: LC EDT with 24kg: 2 24kg x 103 reps in 15:00min
Thursday:
Pullups: BW x 2 x 5,7,9,10
Friday:
morning: TGU: 32kg x 10:00, and some DDR
evening: RTK Grind Block: 2 24kg x 5 x 2,4,6,8 + squats at end of last rung.
Ready for the grind block. Was a little sick at the beginning of the block, so not really where I want to be. Lost a lot of weight in the last two weeks, about 5 lbs. A little to fast for me.
Monday:
LC: 2 32kg 4 x x 2,4,6,8
Tuesday:
DDR and Swings: 2 32kg x 10 x 15
Wednesday:
Morning: LC test with 32kg: 2 32kg x 2 x 11
Evening: LC EDT with 24kg: 2 24kg x 103 reps in 15:00min
Thursday:
Pullups: BW x 2 x 5,7,9,10
Friday:
morning: TGU: 32kg x 10:00, and some DDR
evening: RTK Grind Block: 2 24kg x 5 x 2,4,6,8 + squats at end of last rung.
Ready for the grind block. Was a little sick at the beginning of the block, so not really where I want to be. Lost a lot of weight in the last two weeks, about 5 lbs. A little to fast for me.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Great compliment today....
I got a great compliment on the Dragon Door Forum today, from jtsaint:
"Faizalenu, I always enjoy your responses. You have a great blend of whit and tough love."
"Faizalenu, I always enjoy your responses. You have a great blend of whit and tough love."
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Intro Kettlebell Workshop, Saturday June 5th
Kettlebell Excellence Series: Introductory Kettlebell Workshop (Level I) with RKC Instructor Faizal S. Enu
Date: Sat 6/5/2010
Time: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: XtremeAthletix - 1505 W. Cypress St., Tampa, FL 33606
Curious about kettlebells but were afraid to ask?
Come meet Florida's highest rated RKC Certified Kettlebell Instructor, Faizal Enu, and find out his secrets of effective kettlebell training.
Kettlebells help you:
* Build He-Man Strength (even if you are a woman)
* Blast Unsightly Fat
* Increase Mobility and Athleticism
* Increase Core Strength
* Improve Posture
During this workshop, he will be teaching techniques for getting the most out of your kettlebell training.
Some of the topics will include:
* Why absolutely everyone should be training with kettlebells.
* How to use high-tension techniques to improve strength.
* How to use kettlebell ballistics to give you a jack-hammer heart.
* How to engage your core with one simple yet brutally effective exercise.
* How NOT to hurt your back or rip your hands during kettlebell training.
* How kettlebell training can increase your sports performance.
Before the end of the workshop, you will be put though one of Faizal Enu's best workouts, dripping with sweat but asking for more!
Open to all fitness levels and abilities.
Registration will be closed 24 hours before date of workshop.
Space is limited to first 10 people.
Workshop fee: $45 with advanced on-line registration, $55 at the door:
https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/asp/home.asp?studioid=8925
Date: Sat 6/5/2010
Time: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: XtremeAthletix - 1505 W. Cypress St., Tampa, FL 33606
Curious about kettlebells but were afraid to ask?
Come meet Florida's highest rated RKC Certified Kettlebell Instructor, Faizal Enu, and find out his secrets of effective kettlebell training.
Kettlebells help you:
* Build He-Man Strength (even if you are a woman)
* Blast Unsightly Fat
* Increase Mobility and Athleticism
* Increase Core Strength
* Improve Posture
During this workshop, he will be teaching techniques for getting the most out of your kettlebell training.
Some of the topics will include:
* Why absolutely everyone should be training with kettlebells.
* How to use high-tension techniques to improve strength.
* How to use kettlebell ballistics to give you a jack-hammer heart.
* How to engage your core with one simple yet brutally effective exercise.
* How NOT to hurt your back or rip your hands during kettlebell training.
* How kettlebell training can increase your sports performance.
Before the end of the workshop, you will be put though one of Faizal Enu's best workouts, dripping with sweat but asking for more!
Open to all fitness levels and abilities.
Registration will be closed 24 hours before date of workshop.
Space is limited to first 10 people.
Workshop fee: $45 with advanced on-line registration, $55 at the door:
https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/asp/home.asp?studioid=8925
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Another Great Review
I got another review on the DragonDoor website. While I appreciate every positive review that I get, I really appreciate the ones that describe what is happening on a personal level.
__________________________________
I have been training with Faizal for about 2 months now and I am already seeing great results. He has a very knowledgeable approach to teaching and always takes the time to explain why we do specific things. This attention to detail and willingness to educate instead of just trying to force you through makes for a much more enjoyable workout.
==> Translation: Any numbnut can put you through a workout. Results are from being intelligent.
What makes Fiazal an amazing instructor is how he stresses that he is right there with you and is gonna help push you through when you come to a wall. An example of this, a couple weeks into learning Kettlebell I had to do 400 swings as part of my workout for the day and it was the end of the workout. I was pretty much dead when I got to 350 and was lagging behind everyone else. I was about ready to quit when Faizal picked up a 70 pound bell and told me that he was gonna snatch it until I finished my last 50 swings, and that we were there to support eachother reach our goals. I immediately picked up the bell I was working with and pushed out those last 50 swings.
==>Now I know someone will say that 400 swings is too much for a workout, and in many cases that is correct. I had been working with James for a while and I know what he was capable of. Also, while it is easy to goad someone into doing work, I am appalled at some of the trainers out there who are NO SHOW AND NO GO. I am also puzzled by people who push people through bad technique. I also get very discouraged with trainers who teach kettlebells with absolutely no ability to use them.
Some of the people teaching KBs could never pass a snatch test. If you haven't been there, how are you going to tell someone how to get there. Just saying.... Anyone who works with me knows that I have been there and done that with KBs, strength training, and weight loss. I know for a fact it is way easier to teach someone KBs if they have never worked with anyone than if they are taught by one of the trainers out there.
James Meerbott - Tampa, Fl
__________________________________
I have been training with Faizal for about 2 months now and I am already seeing great results. He has a very knowledgeable approach to teaching and always takes the time to explain why we do specific things. This attention to detail and willingness to educate instead of just trying to force you through makes for a much more enjoyable workout.
==> Translation: Any numbnut can put you through a workout. Results are from being intelligent.
What makes Fiazal an amazing instructor is how he stresses that he is right there with you and is gonna help push you through when you come to a wall. An example of this, a couple weeks into learning Kettlebell I had to do 400 swings as part of my workout for the day and it was the end of the workout. I was pretty much dead when I got to 350 and was lagging behind everyone else. I was about ready to quit when Faizal picked up a 70 pound bell and told me that he was gonna snatch it until I finished my last 50 swings, and that we were there to support eachother reach our goals. I immediately picked up the bell I was working with and pushed out those last 50 swings.
==>Now I know someone will say that 400 swings is too much for a workout, and in many cases that is correct. I had been working with James for a while and I know what he was capable of. Also, while it is easy to goad someone into doing work, I am appalled at some of the trainers out there who are NO SHOW AND NO GO. I am also puzzled by people who push people through bad technique. I also get very discouraged with trainers who teach kettlebells with absolutely no ability to use them.
Some of the people teaching KBs could never pass a snatch test. If you haven't been there, how are you going to tell someone how to get there. Just saying.... Anyone who works with me knows that I have been there and done that with KBs, strength training, and weight loss. I know for a fact it is way easier to teach someone KBs if they have never worked with anyone than if they are taught by one of the trainers out there.
James Meerbott - Tampa, Fl
Friday, May 28, 2010
US Kettlebell Club pistol PRs.
I have just started to do some pistol teaching in my class. A number of people have set pistol records.
MM -- two 16kg in rack position
RS -- 16kg L/24kg R
FSE -- 16kg L/16kg R
PB and JW have gotten their pistols as well.
Peter Baker gave me a good tip: Every time you stand up, do it pistol-style.
That's it...
MM -- two 16kg in rack position
RS -- 16kg L/24kg R
FSE -- 16kg L/16kg R
PB and JW have gotten their pistols as well.
Peter Baker gave me a good tip: Every time you stand up, do it pistol-style.
That's it...
Book Writing about Fat Loss
I have a brief story for all of you regarding my weight loss. Since getting my first set of kettlebells, my weight is down 35lbs and my bodyfat is under 10%. I generally find these stories really boring so I will keep it short and too the point. The only reason that I am even bringing it up is because over the last week I have had three people say that I should write a book or report about weight loss. It is an interesting thought, but then I realized two facts:
* I don't like to write!
* When I do, it is not very good!
I know a lot of people who write a lot better than I do, I may meet them over beers, tell my story, then have them write it. I do a number of consultations regarding health, and most of them want to lose fat. From these consultations, I have learned that the biggest reason that people are not successful in weight loss is the emotional attachment to food. Now I am not qualified to diagnose or treat this dysfunctional attachment, but I know it is there. During my consultations the first thing that I do ask "What are your twenty favorite foods?" There is a reason for this, I have worked with 2 separate companies that have a "Fitness Questionnaire", and I noticed that if you ask someone "What they eat?", it is a very direct question and peoples' guards are up and they will blatantly lie to you. If you ask them what their favorite foods are, they will tell you. Now, you can infer that they is what they are eating, but it is a less threatening questions. I have learned in this industry, that word choice and how you ask something are very important. When recommending a diet, I like to do is recommend foods that the person actually eats. I also like to recommend substitutions, but really not more than one or two at a time.
Now back to the emotional attachment. I have had people ready to fight me about certain recommendations. "Why can't I have chocolate at night?" "But I can't eat in the morning?" My only question is this, when you ask this question, who are you negotiating with? Me or Yourself? If you are struggling with your weight, do what bowlers do when they are not bowling well -- CHANGE SOMETHING! If you don't know what to change, ask someone. When I am bowling bad, and I am "completely lost" and have no idea what to do, I asked a teammate (that is much better and more experienced bowler) what I should do - AND I DO IT. There are a couple reasons that this generally works. The first is that someone on the outside sees things that you don't. The second is that you always have a hard time judging yourself. The lesson here is that if you suffer from dysfunctional eating, find an outside source to help you out. Also, if you have gained more than 10lbs in the last year, you suffer from dysfunctional eating.
What I have just described in the paragraph above is the "Energy In" portion weight loss. The second is the "Energy Out" portion. This is very hard to measure from a analytically because there are multiple sources of "Energy Out":
* Basal Metabolism (hard to measure)
* Physical activity (hard to measure)
* Thermogenic effect of food (hard to measure)
==> Since this can't be measured directly, you are better off managing this by:
1) Keeping an accurate track of you food and physical activity
2) Seeing if the scale/BF% is going in the right direction
3) Replan if it is not
==> Just like finding a bowling shot, the best you are doing is guessing. You just gotta keep making tweaks and never give up.
When people FAIL on a diet, it is because they give up. I have lost about 26lbs in the past year. Did I lose weight every week. No. The key is I never gave up. Everything works if you stick to it. Nothing works if you don't.
1) P90X works if you stick with it -- you will just be sore as hell and it takes a lot of time
2) Body For Life works if you stick to it -- it is boring
3) Westside Barbell -- works if you stick with it -- it doesn't fit into a lot of peoples schedules
4) Enter The Kettlebell works if you stick with it -- too many people try to tweak it for more fat loss (usually people who have no business doing so)
5) Return of the Kettlebell works if you stick with it -- but if you haven't done ETK/RoP you have no business doing it
6) MaxVO2 works if you stick with it -- most people don't read the book and/or don't have enough snatch proficiency to do it.
7) A 2/1/2/2 Muscle and Fiction program will work if you do it -- most people don't have the sack to stay with it.
The people I have seen get results get them because they stick with a program, not because they pick the perfect program.
Lesson Learned: You will succeed if you don't quit. If you quit it is your own fault.
So maybe I will write a pamphlet instead of a book. It is simple. Not easy, but simple.
* I don't like to write!
* When I do, it is not very good!
I know a lot of people who write a lot better than I do, I may meet them over beers, tell my story, then have them write it. I do a number of consultations regarding health, and most of them want to lose fat. From these consultations, I have learned that the biggest reason that people are not successful in weight loss is the emotional attachment to food. Now I am not qualified to diagnose or treat this dysfunctional attachment, but I know it is there. During my consultations the first thing that I do ask "What are your twenty favorite foods?" There is a reason for this, I have worked with 2 separate companies that have a "Fitness Questionnaire", and I noticed that if you ask someone "What they eat?", it is a very direct question and peoples' guards are up and they will blatantly lie to you. If you ask them what their favorite foods are, they will tell you. Now, you can infer that they is what they are eating, but it is a less threatening questions. I have learned in this industry, that word choice and how you ask something are very important. When recommending a diet, I like to do is recommend foods that the person actually eats. I also like to recommend substitutions, but really not more than one or two at a time.
Now back to the emotional attachment. I have had people ready to fight me about certain recommendations. "Why can't I have chocolate at night?" "But I can't eat in the morning?" My only question is this, when you ask this question, who are you negotiating with? Me or Yourself? If you are struggling with your weight, do what bowlers do when they are not bowling well -- CHANGE SOMETHING! If you don't know what to change, ask someone. When I am bowling bad, and I am "completely lost" and have no idea what to do, I asked a teammate (that is much better and more experienced bowler) what I should do - AND I DO IT. There are a couple reasons that this generally works. The first is that someone on the outside sees things that you don't. The second is that you always have a hard time judging yourself. The lesson here is that if you suffer from dysfunctional eating, find an outside source to help you out. Also, if you have gained more than 10lbs in the last year, you suffer from dysfunctional eating.
What I have just described in the paragraph above is the "Energy In" portion weight loss. The second is the "Energy Out" portion. This is very hard to measure from a analytically because there are multiple sources of "Energy Out":
* Basal Metabolism (hard to measure)
* Physical activity (hard to measure)
* Thermogenic effect of food (hard to measure)
==> Since this can't be measured directly, you are better off managing this by:
1) Keeping an accurate track of you food and physical activity
2) Seeing if the scale/BF% is going in the right direction
3) Replan if it is not
==> Just like finding a bowling shot, the best you are doing is guessing. You just gotta keep making tweaks and never give up.
When people FAIL on a diet, it is because they give up. I have lost about 26lbs in the past year. Did I lose weight every week. No. The key is I never gave up. Everything works if you stick to it. Nothing works if you don't.
1) P90X works if you stick with it -- you will just be sore as hell and it takes a lot of time
2) Body For Life works if you stick to it -- it is boring
3) Westside Barbell -- works if you stick with it -- it doesn't fit into a lot of peoples schedules
4) Enter The Kettlebell works if you stick with it -- too many people try to tweak it for more fat loss (usually people who have no business doing so)
5) Return of the Kettlebell works if you stick with it -- but if you haven't done ETK/RoP you have no business doing it
6) MaxVO2 works if you stick with it -- most people don't read the book and/or don't have enough snatch proficiency to do it.
7) A 2/1/2/2 Muscle and Fiction program will work if you do it -- most people don't have the sack to stay with it.
The people I have seen get results get them because they stick with a program, not because they pick the perfect program.
Lesson Learned: You will succeed if you don't quit. If you quit it is your own fault.
So maybe I will write a pamphlet instead of a book. It is simple. Not easy, but simple.
US World Cup Roster
Goalkeepers: Probable Starter: Tim Howard (Everton)
Subs: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
==> Pretty much as expected. These three are all playing in England. Tim Howard really is the man here. As Tony Meola ('94) and Brad Friedel ('02) have shown, a great goalie can be ridden into the group stage.
Defenders:
Probable Starters: Carlos Bocanegra (Stade Rennais), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan), Jay Demerit (Watford), Jonathan Spector (West Ham)
Subs: Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (IK Start)
==> Bocanegra and Oguchi are nicked up, so I expect the subs to see some time. Also, if the US gets behind, all three subs are good at getting forward and/or good on set pieces. A little more depth in the center of the D would have helped. I have a feeling that is why they tested out Edu there in the Czech friendly. I also have a feeling that if they are protecting a lead, they will take off a forward and add another holding midfielder (4-5-1).
Midfielders: Michael Bradley (Borussia Monchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus) Stuart Holden (Bolton), Jose Torres (Pachuca), DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers)
==> This is where things get interesting, because both Clint and Landon are listed as middies. I have a feeling, looking at the forwards selected, that one of them (most like Dempsey) will be used at forward. I think that the key to the offense is the play of Michael Bradley, and the key to the defense is Ricardo Clark.
Forwards: Edson Buddle (LA Galaxy), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Herculez Gomez (Pachuca), Jozy Altidore (Villarreal)
==> With the exception of Altidore, this is a really inexperienced group. I don't think two players from this group will be starting. The great thing about Altidore is that he can create his own shot, because I think he is going to have to.
Subs: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
==> Pretty much as expected. These three are all playing in England. Tim Howard really is the man here. As Tony Meola ('94) and Brad Friedel ('02) have shown, a great goalie can be ridden into the group stage.
Defenders:
Probable Starters: Carlos Bocanegra (Stade Rennais), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan), Jay Demerit (Watford), Jonathan Spector (West Ham)
Subs: Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (IK Start)
==> Bocanegra and Oguchi are nicked up, so I expect the subs to see some time. Also, if the US gets behind, all three subs are good at getting forward and/or good on set pieces. A little more depth in the center of the D would have helped. I have a feeling that is why they tested out Edu there in the Czech friendly. I also have a feeling that if they are protecting a lead, they will take off a forward and add another holding midfielder (4-5-1).
Midfielders: Michael Bradley (Borussia Monchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus) Stuart Holden (Bolton), Jose Torres (Pachuca), DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers)
==> This is where things get interesting, because both Clint and Landon are listed as middies. I have a feeling, looking at the forwards selected, that one of them (most like Dempsey) will be used at forward. I think that the key to the offense is the play of Michael Bradley, and the key to the defense is Ricardo Clark.
Forwards: Edson Buddle (LA Galaxy), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Herculez Gomez (Pachuca), Jozy Altidore (Villarreal)
==> With the exception of Altidore, this is a really inexperienced group. I don't think two players from this group will be starting. The great thing about Altidore is that he can create his own shot, because I think he is going to have to.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
If anyone is even thinking about getting certified....
If anybody out there is thinking about the RKC or HKC certification, if you register through my affiliate link, I will give you a FREE workshop where:
* I work with you on the fundamentals,
* Tell you what you need to work on,
* Give you a plan to fix what you need to pass.
For HKCs, this would be a 2 hour workshop. For RKCs, this would be a 3 hour workshop. Unless you like giving money away, you would be foolish not to do this.
The RKC has a fail rate of about 30-40% (yeah, and unlike all the others there are physical requirements). If you can gaurantee your $2000+ investment for free, why would you not do?
My affiliate link is in the left sidebar.
* I work with you on the fundamentals,
* Tell you what you need to work on,
* Give you a plan to fix what you need to pass.
For HKCs, this would be a 2 hour workshop. For RKCs, this would be a 3 hour workshop. Unless you like giving money away, you would be foolish not to do this.
The RKC has a fail rate of about 30-40% (yeah, and unlike all the others there are physical requirements). If you can gaurantee your $2000+ investment for free, why would you not do?
My affiliate link is in the left sidebar.
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