Part II: World Kettlebell Club Fitness Protocol, a new Milestone in the Fitness Industry

Part II “WKC Fitness Protocol

This past weekend the World Kettlebell Club revealed its Fitness Level Protocol through its very first WKC Fitness Certification here in New York City.  Up until now, only a few select AKC coaches were privileged to the knowledge and actually used it on themselves.  If you’ve read my last blog, then you know that the Fitness Level as it pertains to the AKC, is the most basic level of practice followed by “Strength and Conditioning” level followed by “Competition Level”.  Now “Basic” here does not imply “Easy”.  The Fitness protocol consist of 20 levels, Beginner and Advance and a handful of Kettlebell exercises categorized in their respective difficulty level in terms of skill.  The best part I love about this program is its consistency within the realm of what AKC methodology is all about; Timed Sets.  Its not a “mish-mash” of exercises or programs like so many other fitness systems out there.  When you implement the Fitness protocol, you’re set on a path, you possess the necessary guidelines that can lead to “Strength and Conditioning” level with a few minor adjustments.  And if you have seed of competitive spirit, you can take it up a notch and train for competition.  In other words, there is a well thought out, logical continuity throughout all of the levels.  The techniques learned stays the same no matter what level you choose to pursue.  Head Coach Valery Fedorenko outlined a well thought out protocol based on his personal experience, identifying key development steps for us to take as far as we want to go.  In essence, he made the AKC methodology accessible to ANYONE and EVERYONE who wishes to take their fitness level up a notch as far as they wish.  This in my opinion is a Milestone in the Fitness industry.  There really isn’t anything out there like it. 

Now the best part I love about this program, even before I attended this certification is its holistic approach to fitness which brings me to the next topic of “Wellness”.  The AKC way or methodology with timed sets has a built in safety component.  It encourages a natural steady progression with emphasis on developing efficient technique through repetition.  Head Coach Valery Fedorenko takes it one step further by inviting Coach Scott Sonnon and his Global Wellness programs into the mix.  When I first saw this announcement (one week after I signed up for the AKC Coach Certification), I immediately signed up for this Workshop.  Coach Scott Sonnon has, in my personal opinion, developed and refined one of the best Wellness programs on this planet which he named “Circular Strength Training” or CST.  Coach Sonnon put together a joint mobility program (based on his World class IntuFlow program) specifically for Kettlebell lifters and a compensatory program based on his Prasara Yoga to help balance out the Kettlebell lifting program.  I personally love all of his work and have joined his online Global Wellness program “Scott Sonnon Core Cadre”.  His group of coaches and instructors are all amazing in their knowledge and willing to help.  This is a shamless plug to join this online program if you haven’t already.  Your hard earned dollars will not be wasted and you will have access to one of the best Wellness Think Tanks on the Internet.  Having practiced Yoga alongside all of my other athletic endeavors, I totally appreciate what it can do in terms of keeping my body and mind in excellent shape and avoiding any serious injuries.  However, it was after reading Coach Sonnon’s literature that I distinguished the difference between Yoga and Joint mobility programs.  This was a small milestone in my personal development.  His work with developing “Prasara Yoga” is also another great milestone that I believe will positively impact the “Yoga industry”. 

Going back to the Fitness Program, Coach Sonnon couldn’t make it in person but had one of his certified CST Coaches, Coach Bao Tran present the material in his place.  The joint mobility exercises and the Prasara yoga exercises compliment the Kettlebell lifting perfectly and Coach Tran presented the “RESET” breathing techniques that will help in heart rate recovery during the workout.  This information was GOLD!!!!!  The program wrapped up with AKC Coach Lauri Rudach a.k.a. “Kettlebell Girl” (now known as Kettlebell Clubbell Girl”, I think I’ll call here KC GIRL!) presented a sample class with the new WKC Fitness protocol.  I participated in the class and all I can say is “WOW”. 

 

I’m very Excited about the future of the AKC and I’m proud to be amongst some of the most talented coaches  and kettlebell lifters out there.  If you want to learn more about the Fitness program, WKC will be coming out with a book with the details so keep your eye out for that.  If you can’t wait, contact me and I’ll be happy to set up a training session to share and get you started on an exciting Fitness Journey.