I got a BARRAGE of emails along with all my local folks last week when Jillian broke out a 10lb kettlebell on the Biggest loser. I must admit, I have never watched the show, but I did find this clip and see what all the fuss is about.
Jillian has no idea how to use kettlebells. Now, she may be great at other stuff, but she ain't got it when it comes to kettlebells.
This is just one of the many clips of its kind from personal trainers who mistakenly assume that they can use the tool.
Like my buddy Josh Hillis, RKCII said: My issue then is making this mistake on national TV in front of an audience of millions who think you are showing correct form.
In fact, I like what Josh had to say SO much, I'm just gonna restate it here:
I will Teach You To Do The Kettlebell Swing Correctly
Celebrity/TV trainers of the world: I know you are trying... You just need to get some instruction on how to do it. I just want to you to demonstrate correct form.
I recommend all celebrity trainers get five sessions with an RKC Certified Instructor.
I'm going to make an offer to any trainer who is on TV: If you fly out to Nashville, I'll teach you how. For free. If your producer wants you do a kettlebell segment I'll be your technical advisor.
Please: Allow your audience to see kettlebell movements performed with correct (safe and effective) form.
What Not To Do
I'm going to ask that all trainers, not just celebrity trainers, but ALL trainers not teach kettlebell movements if they don't know to do them correctly.
I'll put it as gently as possible: DO NOT TEACH ANYTHING YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO TEACH.
The reality is, knowing how to do a kettlebell swing correctly is only the first step. There is a HUGE gap between knowing how to DO something, and knowing how to TEACH something.
It doesn't matter if you are a celebrity trainer - if you haven't gotten some instruction from an RKC Certified Instructor, you don't know how to do a kettlebell swing. And if you aren't RKC Certified, you don't know how to teach it.
I agree with Jillian about a few things: Kettlebells are a superior way to burn fat, lose weight, get strong and to have more fun working out.
So I am with Josh: Hopefully celebrity trainers will get some more information about how to do kettlebell swings correctly, and then the next time you see kettlebells on The Biggest Loser, or Fit TV or some other show, then millions of people will see how to do kettlebell swings with powerful, safe, effective form.
I'm hoping they all take us up on the offer. Or if not Josh or me, then another RKC.
Seeing kettlebells on TV at all is an HUGE step forward for the fitness of America.
Seeing them done correctly would be the next level.
9 comments:
I sent 'her people' an e-mail last week with the same offer. And, I'm local.
No response yet.
Dave, no worries. Jilian also has a fitness game for the Nintendo Wii. It's only a matter of time before they make a wireless kettlebell controller so we can all do cute kettlebells to a hot techno beat. The future is here!
I'm always stoked to get quoted on the world famous Iron Tamer blog!
It's just funny, people picking up kettlebells and doing nonsense. I mean, I wouldn't think to go on TV and demonstrate Pilates!
It'll be interesting to see the progression of kettlebells in mainstream fitness.
Besides celebrity trainers, I'm more than a little concerned about crap kettlebell certifications diluting public perspective.
We've already seen CardioBells and that lame kettlebell dance class...
I saw a DUDE at the big box gym the other day doing kettlebell swings with an 10lb kettlebell!
kettlebell training is spreading like a fire every where but not lot of the so called trainers take the time to learn how to train correct.
In sweden we have a ton of that problem we even have a company who has instructor training with out any background ;)
Dave, as the of two Les Paul and 10 guitars, I wanted to be the first to congratulate you on your fine taste. You need to write some sort of kettlebell anthem we can all sing at the RKC weekends.
ok so I know of 3 of us that have that offer extended. Anymore RKCs reading this want to do the same?
Eric Moss RKC
I was looking for information on the Biggest Loser (mostly to see success rates and such) and stumbled across this blog post. It's great that you are pointing out that she did it wrong... but then you just bash her. Wouldn't it have been helpful to mention HOW you are supposed to do them instead of turning up your nose and saying she's doing them wrong?
What DVD do you recommend for beginners?
She needs to do more than be shown, she needs to get her ass certified!
Shane Nicoletti RKC
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