The Ten Commandments of SFG Level I Kettlebell Cert Prep

Back in a weird and wild world known as 2001, a man known affectionately by his growing list of die-hard followers as “The Evil Russian” had a novel idea: Why not put together a fitness certification that actually required you to prove that you were…you know…fit? Tests of strength, stamina, and real-world physical abilities took […]

Hardstyle Kettlebell Snatch vs. Barbell Snatch

Introduction One of the very first principles learned in the school of hardstyle kettlebell training is that “power comes from the hips.” In the kettlebell ballistics (swing, clean, and snatch), the hips are largely what drives the lifter’s ability to move a weight from back between the legs to the end point of the movement. […]

Never Quit

I am a SFG Level I candidate scheduled to attend the certification in Las Vegas in February 2021. In truth, my goal is to reach the StrongFirst Elite status which means instructor status in all three modalities that StrongFirst teaches: kettlebell, barbell, and body weight. The SFG Level I is the important first step in […]

Hand Care 101

If you're swinging or snatching a kettlebell on the regular, the condition of your hands (and their inevitable callouses) can't be ignored. Here are the tried and true tactics for keeping them in great shape.

How I Achieved a 3 x Bodyweight Deadlift (and You Can Increase Your Deadlift, Too)

A few years ago, my deadlift was at a crossroads. I decided to use StrongFirst principles to guide a simplified training approach. Here's what I did and how you, too, can increase your deadlift.

The Snatch: The Tsar of Kettlebell Lifts

How to perform the kettlebell snatch: start with a kettlebell on the ground in front of you, swing it back between your legs, and bring it into an overhead lockout position in one uninterrupted motion. My Introduction to Snatching Most people are introduced to kettlebells through swings and get-ups, and rightfully so. I, however, was […]

Pick Your Perfect Program in 2023

“Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink.”— Samuel Taylor Coleridge from The Rime of the Ancient Mariner The quote above from the classic poem describes the availability of programs for the trainee. Programs, programs everywhere, nor a one to follow… It can be classic “paralysis by analysis” and the search for the “right” program […]

Grounded in Strength

Three years ago, at the age of 50, I decided to find out how strong I was. It wasn’t an easy time in my life, and this new path started with a stumble and fall before I embarked on a tough climb. I had just left my 24 years marriage which had left me anxious […]

How I Trained for and Achieved My Sinister Goal

Using Pavel's teachings, plus my own modifications from listening to my body, I successfully trained for and achieved the Sinister goal. Here's exactly what I did.

The StrongFirst “Tools of Titans” Video Companion

To make life easier (regarding searching for info, not practicing), I created a Tools of Titans video companion to cover all the exercises featured in Pavel’s chapter of Tim Ferriss's new book.