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Here’s how a SWAT Trainer spends some free time. as you all know, we are committed to high-quality training with outstanding trainers who are always willing to learn and improve, keeping us the best. Here’s some video footage of our last SWAT Trainer Continuing Education Workshop:
Matt came to SWAT looking to lose weight, tone up and increase his fitness level, and his commitment to training has taken his fitness to a whole new level. I was lucky enough to take over his training about 4 months ago and the strides he has made over those months are incomparable. He is down 13 inches overall while increasing his lean massalmost 20%, more striking is his overall fitness level. He is now able to do just about any exercise or workout I throw at him, he increased his max rep push-ups from 15 to 37 and his max rep sit ups from 25 to 64! He has learned and mastered all the major Kettlebell movements (and most minor movements), barbell clean and jerk, power clean, barbell power snatch, front squats, overhead squats, deadlift, and even kipping pull ups! For all you CrossFitters out there, he has completed many CrossFit workouts including ”Hansen,” ”the Bear Complex,” ”Cindy,” a few CrossFit Football workouts and even completed the entire “Filthy 50.”
Unfortunately Matt is on loan to us from our friends “accross the pond” and will be returning home to the UK at the end of next week. Matt embodies what SWAT Fitness is all about and we are proud to have him carrying the flag for us. Matt, be proud of what you have achieved and know that you will always have a place here at SWAT. You have become a part of the SWAT family and from all of us here we wish you the best and hope to see you again sooner rather than later!
Chris Falkner Deadlifted 375lbs and set the STATE record for his weight class for the Dead lift. He also had combined lifts of his Bench Press, Deadlift and Squat of 835lb……..Another state Record! Congrats my Chris we all now how hard you have been training.
SWAT Northwest and SWAT East have just completed the first week of our new and exciting workout program for Tucson’s “Curvy Women.”
Twenty ladies at each location split into two groups with 10 working out in the morning, and 10 in the evening. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday the ladies pressed through tough workouts using KETTLEBELLS and complimented their efforts with cardiovascular training on Tuesday and Thursday.
After receiving vital nutrition information two weeks ago, many of the ladies are already seeing a difference in their bodies. Not only are these women FEELING better, RESTING better, and SUSTAINING HIGHER ENERGY LEVELS throuhgout the day, a majority have reported significant weight loss just in the two week period. I could not be more impressed with a group of gals, their committment and drive to better themselves has made my job a lot easier 
.
Lets keep this ball rolling ladies and week 2 is just around the corner, LET’S GO!
Kettlebells are tools that are low tech and high functionality. The basic motion of the swing allows the body to flow and allow the hip flexors to stretch because the glutes (butt) are contracting. Why is this important?Well because most people sit all day long which forces the hip flexors to become very shortened which leads to bent over posture and forward head position that most of us want to avoid as we age.
Training with the kettlebells will strengthen the posterior chain(backside) of the body which will allow for healthy posture as well as relief of back pain.
In all my years of training, education, and certifications obtained, I have never been more fascinated with a method of training. The ability to train strength, endurance, flexibility, and cardiovascular all in one sitting is Awesome.
The only thing to take note with is to make sure you learn from a certified kettlebell trainer that actually uses kettlebells themselves. Not someone that just dabbles in kettlebells on the side.
Lately I have run into several people that are hesitant to start weight training or kettlebell training because they have a fear of “putting on too much bulk.” This is a common misconception and certain fitness enthusiasts or sporting purists feel that training outside of their sport will adversely affect their level of performance in said sport. I am here to tell you that your fear is unfounded. Many elite triathletes and cyclists are turning to resistance training to increase their metabolic capacity and endurance under stress. Lance Armstrong is known for a strong work ethic, not wasting time and doing what works. If he is using kettlebells, why aren’t you? SWAT offers many different Kettlebell classes at many different times, all taught by certified Kettlebell instructors (RKC, IKFF) at all of our locations. If you want to learn more, sign up for a kettlebell intro and see for yourself why tons of athletes are raving about their benefits! I am sure there is at least one class time that you can squeeze into your busy schedule.
Many people believe that in order to lose fat and weight they must do extensive amounts of cardiovascular training for long periods of time. This is seen in most gym settings by people who hog a machine to themselves and play an entire movie sound track. If this type of training was all that was needed for weight loss most everyone at the gym would be fit. The real key to cardiovascular training is Interval training. What is interval training? To keep it short, short bursts of high intesnsity cardio followed by a rest period. A good starting point would be 30 seconds of high intensity cardio followed by 90 seconds of
Hello from Los Angeles, everyone! Our group of trainers are working very hard, and learning so much at this world renowned Russian Kettlebell training, RKC. We have completed the first 2 days, and the worst is over, I think. Tomorrow is the shortest training day, at only 7 hours
Friday morning we got right to work. One of our first tasks was to attempt to pass our snatch challenge. Requirements are based on the individual’s sex, weight class, and sometimes age (at least for the Master… Mr. Ron Holland). A master he certainly is, passing his test on the first attempt!
Many of us passed on our first attempts, including myself. Those who did not, had a chance to do so today, and will have another attempt tomorrow.
The course has been very in depth. We have focused on only 3 movements per day, covering every little detail of each move. We have now covered all 6 fundamental movements taught here. Each move has been broken down into 1 or 2 techniques at a time, giving us a chance to focus on learning and teaching just a few cues at once. Each move is taught, practiced, and critiqued over and over, one technique at a time, until every part of the move is covered.
Tomorrow we will be required to train volunteers of varying fitness levels and conditions. Our completion of the course certification depends on our competency in this, and completing the Grad Workout. During the Grad workout we will alternate 20 seconds of walking see-saw presses with two kettlebells, 10 seconds of rest, 20 seconds of swings with 1 kettlebell, 10 seconds of rest/setting up for see-saw presses again, etc., for the length of a football field. The required weight of the kettlebells for each individual will depend on their weight class. I am glad to say I was lucky enough to get into the lower weight class, YAY! As some of you know I was right on the border of two weight classes, hoping to make it in the lower class. This means I can do the Grad Workout with an 8kg (18 lb.) kettlebell, instead of the 12kg (26 pounder.)
We can’t wait to get back to all of you and make use of all these phenomenal teaching skills we are learning!
Thank you all for the wonderful support you have shown us in this crazy endeavor! We appreciate you all so much.
It has been a grueling weekend, but we’ve had some fun, and learned so much!
We’ve had a great month at SWAT. Our trainers really are the best. There’s a great energy in the studio, and we’re all learning and using new skills to keep workouts fresh, and keep the results coming! Boot camp starts week 2 next week and the trainers are saying they love this group of campers. We’ve started a new Kombat Kettlebells class at SWAT East on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 am. Join us for some challenging (but fun) training at SWAT!
Morgan did a contest between her small group training classes, and the results were incredible. Congrats to all participants, and enjoy those one on one sessions with Morgan that you won as a reward. You deserve them!
With Darrell back from an Olympic lifting workshop, and several trainers on their way to RKC, we’re excited to share the new skills with our clients, who will benefit by learning new moves and making the most of their training.
Keep coming back to hear what our trainers have to say, and feel free to post a comment! Have a great July, and let us know how we can help you reach your health and fitness goals.
Jana
What or who do you think of when you think of an “elite body”? Olympians? Martial Artists? Olympic lifters? Fire fighters? An elite body should encompass many attributes…. Cardiorespiratory endurance, Stamina, Strength, Flexibility, Power, Speed, Coordination, Accuracy, Agility, and Balance.
We often think of two or three of these attributes when we decide what our goals will be for our fitness programs. Sometimes we think of none. So often a client comes to us wanting to “lose weight” or “get in shape.” What does that mean to you? And how will we measure the result?
I suggest that we take a closer look at our bodies, beyond the mirror. Is “losing weight” going to help you get stronger, more agile, more flexible? Maybe, but maybe not.
So what if we first look at improving these 10 components of fitness? Most likely you’ll see if you train at a functional level (ie: representative of normal daily movements/activities) not only will you gain stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, accuracy, agility, balance, and cardio. endurance… you’ll CHANGE YOUR BODY COMPOSITION… whether that be to lose fat, gain muscle, or both. You could also argue that this type of training can greatly improve resting heart rate, blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose levels, and on and on.
So how do we combine all these goals into one program?…..CROSSFIT!
CrossFit is a program that encompasses all of these aspects of fitness, to “Forge Elite Fitness.” Whether you are an olympic athlete, stay-at-home mom, or entrepreneur you can benefit from all 10 of these components to fitness. You can do CrossFit!
And you are in luck. S.W.A.T. is now the Tucson CrossFit affiliate. We will be opening up a new gym specifically for CrossFit and Kettlebell training. Take some time to check out what this new gym has to offer at http://www.crossfittucson.com/