HKC and Why it may be good for you!

With in the past week, a student of mine attended and passed the first HKC Certification hosted by the Dragon Door.
Ernesto came to me early this year in hope to learn the specific technique of the kettlebell. His plans were, to attend the RKC in 2010, as time went by and as he sharpened his skills the Dragon Door announced their first HKC certification. This would be the perfect Stepping Stone for his goal the be an RKC. Here is what he had to say about his weekend:

HKC In St. Paul!
By Ernesto Weiss: HKC, NSCA CPT

My name is Ernesto Weiss and I have just completed the Gateway to the RKC.. THE HKC (HardSTYLE Kettlebell Certification)!
I just came back this past weekend from the first ever HKC in St. Paul, Minnesota. I had the pleasure of meeting several senior RKC’s, all four master RKC’s, and the master chief himself, Pavel. Better yet I spent the entire day being trained by them! Not only was it a first rate experience because I got to meet these amazing athletes, I was able to really focus on refining my technique on the most basic. Specifically most important kettlebell exercises the goblet squat, Turkish get up, and the swing. As standalone exercises they can take you to the next level in your training. Without having perfect technique with these exercises which are the foundation of kettlebell movements one cannot safely improve or even think about more advanced kettlebell exercises to their repertoire. So if you want to work on having solid technique while working with kettlebells in the future I would highly recommend attending an HKC workshop.
Another aspect about the HKC that makes it great for everyone is, the focus is completely on technique and your ability to teach technique to others so it's not too physically demanding. The workshop is a good choice for anyone who may feel intimidated by the passing requirements of the RKC, yet perfect for anyone looking to become an RKC . This certification gives you an idea of what you will have to expect. One gentleman who attended was 70 years old, the HKC is definitely an option for almost anyone interested.
If you are interested in attending a future HKC event I would recommend a training session or two with a certified HKC or RKC , to show you proper technique so you are somewhat prepared and don’t fail because you made a small mistake during the technique testing. You must also be prepared to confidently teach these exercises to prove your ability as an instructor. At the workshop you will find out why kettlebells are definitely the most versatile of strength and conditioning tools. They give you a full body workout and train your body the way it is supposed to operate, as one functional machine, not just a collection of body parts. So if you want to take your clients and yourself to the next level I highly recommend this certification. In my case it just left me wanting more and I’ll definitely be back for the RKC in 2010. Power to you!