My Journey
I first got to know the Kettlebell as a Training-Tool in 2016 when I took my first „Functional Trainer Certification“. In the following years I used it as „just another tool“s“ during various Workout Circuits along with Sandbags, Battleropes and other typical FT Equipment. By never really focussing on it, I now know that I missed out on the vast potential that the Kettlebell has to offer.
With the lockdown during the Pandemic 2020 and the closing of all Gyms, I lost my access to my Gyms „Functional Training Box“ and with it, the access to Kettlebells.
Since can not be without regular training, I started adding my own Home-Gym; at first with a focus on equipment for my Martial Arts Training (Mats, Heavy Bag, Grappling Dummy, Wooden Dummy …). Then I expanded my equipment for bodyweight exercises (Pull-Up-Bars, Dip Station, Sling-Trainer, Weighted Vest…). In 2022 started adding my first Set of Kettlebells and Re-Started implementing them into my regular training.
They quickly became my new focus in fitness-training and I wanted to expand my knowledge on how to optimize my technique and broaden my skills and knowledge. I started by reading just about every book I could get my Hands on and watched hours and hours of Instructional Videos and YouTube. In August of 2022 I began to focus my Training around the Simple & Sinister Program by Pavel Tsatsouline / Strong first, starting with only 12 kg.
At some point at the end of 2022, during my S&S Training, I felt like I needed some more structure and also feedback from a coach and started looking at various courses that would provided structured curriculary teaching as well as individual coaching.
I took the Grips and Master The Kettlebell Grips Courses from IKU/Cavemantraining and was impressed by the broad spectrum of variations and the depth that these courses brought so such a seemingly „simple“ aspect of Kettlebell training.
Since I didn´t want to commit or restrict myself to any one school or organization, I next looked at the Kettlebell-Certification offered by Kettlebell-Kings, who had at the time partnered with Marcus Martinez from Living.fit and I achieved the „Kettlebell Fundamentals Specialist“ Certification on January 16, 2023. I reached „Timed Simple“ on April 3rd, 2023. On May 9th, 2023 I achieved my first 1/2 Bodyweight Turkish Getup (=40 kg) and started working on the „Timeless Solid“ goal. Unfortunately I suffered a major setback due to a broken foot that summer and didn’t find the motivation to re-start my consistent training and programming.
In october 2023 I came across a facebook post by Taco Fleur from IKU/Cavemantraining anouncing a „Swing-Camp“ that would take place in November. It was offered at an extremely low price and you could even book the IKU Swing-Certification with a huge discount. I decided to use this as a chance to commit to re-starting my training and since the Swing is part of S&S, I figured it would help me get back on track and to my previous level. What I did not expect – even though the experience from the Grip Courses should have given me some idea – was the vast amount of knowledge and the spectrum of Variety that this camp and certification offered. The support and coaching was phenomenal, the atmosphere between camp-participants and the motivation that came with it was phenomenal and the camp opened a whole new perspective into the World of Kettlebell for me. Compared to the minimalist approach of most of the Hardstyle School (and especially S&S Program), the IKU/Cavemantraining approach is basically the exact opposite. Instead of focussing on on way of doing things, the teachings cover a very broad spectrum of methods that cover every aspect from Hard-Style to Soft-Style and everything in between.
I completed my first „IKU Instructor Certification (Swing L3)“ on January 20, 2024.
After the great Learning experience in the Camp and the following Certification process I continued doing the Camps and Certifications. December 2023 was dedicated to „Motivation and continuity“ over the Holidays – so there was no specific topic and I kept working and reviewing the Swing Materials. The January-Camp was then dedicated to Fundamentals in General and my personal favourite exercise: the Turkish Getup.
At the start of the camp, Taco Fleur created the „Passage to Asgard“ Turkish-Getup Challenge. I was the first to complete the first set of Loki (100 Reps of Turkish Getups with 16 kg in 90 min or less) on January 7th. I finished the set in under 50 minutes (the timing required for the Ragnarok). On January 29th I also became the first (and so far only) person to finish the Loki-Passage on the Passage to Asgard with the final set of 100 Reps @24 kg and maintaining the Ragnarok Timing for all 6 sets from Loki. I continued with the challenge and completed the Thor-Passage with the final set of 100 Reps @28 kg on February 24th; still keeping the Ragnarok timing.
I completed the Fundamentals Certification L3 on February 16, 2024. The February Camp was dedicated to the Clean (completed Certification on March 22nd, 2024) and was followed by a Flow-Camp (April) and a special Strength Camp in May.
June was dedicated to the Press and the Squat. Due to Summervacation, there was no Camp for me in July but I continued working on my Press Certification, completing the final Exam for the Press L3 on August 8, 2024, receiving my certification on August 11th, 2024 – now starting with the work on L4.
At the time of this writing (August 2024), I am currently participating in the „Snatch-Camp“, which takes place all of August 2024 as a preparation for my L3 Snatch Certification as well as working towards my goal of reaching a Sports-Ranking in the Snatch.
Learning and progressive Training never stops.
n August 2024 and is, at this time, my personal Network of independent, like-minded people who strive to gain and share knowledge and skills in the broad field of Kettlebell-Training as well as anything Fitness and Health related.
Its about sharing ideas, knowledge, successes and failures just as much as it is about motivating and supporting each other to reach new goals.
The WolfpacKettlebell Club is:
- International
- Non-Political
- Open for anyone
- Online & offline connected
International
The Pack currently has members from:
- Germany
- Sweden
- Scotland
- USA
Non-Political
The Pack is not affiliated with or representing any one group or association in the Kettlebell-World. I strive to learn from every quality source available – so individuals could follow trainings, programs and teaching from all kinds of groups, organizations, schools and teachers.
Open for anyone
The Pack consists of a broad variety of people – you can be young(er), old(er), female, male, skilled and experienced, a total beginner or anything in between – as long as you have the right attitude, you can become part of the Pack.
There is currently no formal „membership“.
If I LEARN from you, train or share ideas WITH you or maybe even TEACH you, you are automatically part of my Pack. Simple as that.
(Therefore, some people are actually members of the Pack without even beeing aware of it …)
Online & offline connected
Members of the Pack are people I personally connect with throughout the Kettlebell-World (YouTube connections etc. don’t count). Some of them I meet or met in person while some others I have not (yet) had that great fortune to and only connected with through some digital means.