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• Jul 26, 09

• Boxing Session for 120 people!!

  

  120 people boxing for charity

  SAVVY SURVIVOR- 2009

  Training a large group can often be  a challenge. Recently the Performance Training Institute were asked to host a session for the Savvy Survivor which is a week long challenge raising money for charity.

  Using the same principles which we teach in our X-Training seminar, myself and Peter Burke were able to handle the 120 participants in a confined space. Using your space effectively is essential if you want to handle large numbers within a class.

  Well done to Angela, her savvy fitness team and all who have been apart of the charity event. Twice a year the guys from Savvy raise money for local charities.

  For more information about the survivor series visit www.savvyfitness.com.au

  • Posted on the 26.07.2009, Permanent Link
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• Jul 9, 09

• Interview with BJ Rule – Kettlebell Expert

  With the recent popularity of our Kettlebell Training we thought it would be a good time to introduce one of the people behind the development of the EKI (Kettlebell Instructor) System, BJ Rule.
  BJ and his business partner Tommy Matthews have developed the three level EKI training and are the leaders in Kettlebell Training and Education throughout Europe.
  These Kettlebell courses are now available in Australia and New Zealand through the Performance Training Institute with the first level being Kettlebell Training & Conditioning.

  I have personally known BJ for 13 years. We met at Wollongong University when we were doing our undergraduate degrees. Back then I think we spent more time in the squat rack than we did in the lecture hall!
  Those days were a lot of fun and thankfully we both passed!
  Below is an excerpt of a recent interview with BJ Rule he gives us some insight into his journey in the fitness industry, most common mistakes using Kettlebell’s, favorite Kettlebell workout and what it takes to be successful!

  Corey Bocking: How long have you been in the fitness industry and how did you get your first job?

  BJ: I first entered the Fitness industry in 1995 after completing a Fitness Leader Certificate through the Gold Coast Personal Trainers’. I had worked part-time as a Lifeguard at a local pool and teaching swimming during high school and my first job in the fitness industry was teaching aquarobics!. My first job as a gym instructor was at the KGV near the Rocks in Sydney (it’s a small world, Grant Jacobs was at KGV Grant is now Assistant Executive Director at Wollongong University).

  CB: Your company Optimal Life Fitness are leaders in Kettlebell training and education throughout Europe, what makes your courses different to other Kettlebell courses on the market?

  BJ: I don’t know too much about what the other courses offer but I do know what is put into ours. My business partner Tommy Matthews and myself are continually learning and developing our courses- I like to think of them as evolving. I’ve spent time training under a circus strongman who juggled 32kg bells and performed other feats of strength, I did the RKC back in 2005, have spent time with Steve Cotter and have been to Greece on Kettlebell Sport Training camps twice to learn under Pandelis Filikidi and Valery Fedorenko arguably the best coach and lifter respectively. As well as learning under these esteemed Kettlebell experts we have also applied biomechanical, anatomical and physiological concepts to getting the body to perform better using Kettlebells. Our team all train to compete in Kettlebell Sport, not many if any other companies in the UK do this.

  CB: You have traveled the world to work and learnt from many expert coaches, what have been a few of the highlights?

  BJ: Travelling to Greece has been a great experience. For 5 days all I did was train with world champion Kettlebell lifters, eat and sleep. The RKC in the United States was also a great experience as you were put through hell and shared it with lot’s of like minded individuals- it also introduced me to presenting to strength coaches which helped me understand how I wanted to present and deliver the way I do. Training with a circus strongman in a big tent was also a great, if not, bizarre experience. Going on courses is vital for anybody who wants to progress in either strength or fitness fields. Not only do you learn theory and technical information you pick up a whole lot more on people, life and the universe; )

  CB: What benefits do Kettlebell training have over other types of strength training?

  BJ: When it comes to training for strength, endurance and power-endurance a Kettlebell is unrivalled. They don’t replace but they definitely have their place alongside barbells and dumbbells as an equal in strength training (barbells for strength, dumbbell’s for unilateral work & stability, Kettlebells for strength/power endurance).

  CB: You grew up in Marrickville (Sydney) how did you end up opening a studio in London?

  BJ: I grew up in Marrickville, spent a year playing footy in Queensland, went to Uni in Wollongong and then have been in London for the last 8.5 years. I guess I have a wandering spirit. It was never intentional to be overseas for more than 6 months. I started working as a freelance PT over here (London) and then developed a business. I now have the PT Studio (One PT) and Optimal Life Fitness a trainer education company and find it difficult to leave. I also have a partner who is also my business partner at the studio and it’s hard to convince her to move to Australia but I’m working on it!

  CB: BJ you obviously wear the pants in that relationship…lets just say you won’t be home anytime soon!?

  BJ: No comment!

  CB: What is the biggest mistake you see most trainers make when using Kettlebell’s?

  BJ: The biggest mistakes are that people just use them in the same way that they would use a Barbell or Dumbbell. This is fine but not using them to swing, snatch, clean and jerk means that you are missing the benefits and specific qualities that training with a KB can give you. Tied in with this is that most people squat when performing the swing or snatch, these exercises are hip dominant and the movement of the hips and torso should be horizontal not vertical.

  CB: What is the key to developing strength through Kettlebell training?

  BJ: The key to developing strength through training with kettlebells is the ability to apply sound training principles. These include understanding how to use the body to mechanical advantage (horizontal action as above), about applying biomechanical principles such as line of gravity, and teaching the body to eccentrically decelerate. Due to their design, Kettlebells can be used for longer periods of ,as such they are also extremely important in developing ligament and tendon strength.

  CB: What is your favorite Kettlebell workout?

  BJ: I like to combine Olympic Lifting with KBs. However I’m currently training for a couple of Kettlebell Sport comps and these workouts generally look like this:

  Jerks: 6-10mins at 8-10reps per minute with 2 x 24kgs
  OA Jerks: 8-10 each hand with 48kg
  OA Jerks: 2 x 2mins each hand with 32 or 40kg bell
  Kettlebell Snatches: 6-8minutes 1 hand switch with 24kg
  Kettlebell Swings: 2mins each hand with 32s

  CB: What is your training philosophy?

  BJ: Training myself I like to stick to big and basic. A combination of Olympic Lifting, Kettlebell’s and other Barbell work is the way to go. From strength other physical attributes follow, I believe most people could do with being stronger. Promoting strength, a full range of movement and getting people to move properly are what we should all be trying to achieve.

  CB: Lastly what are your top five success tips for trainers?

  BJ:
  1. Train and look like you train (practice what you preach)
  2. Learn all you can and continue to learn and develop
  3. Develop your communication and business skills
  4. Develop your own identity, methods and beliefs. Learn from others but choose your own path.
  5. Be professional at all times- punctuality, following up, delivering more than your competition and staying integral to your beliefs.

  Thanks to BJ for your time.
  In the coming weeks we will post more information about Kettlebells, training programs and some useful information on training and conditioning.
  To find out the next Kettlebell Training & Conditioning course date CLICK HERE

  • Posted on the 09.07.2009, Permanent Link
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