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AKM is a bi-monthly magazine. For only 24.99 USD you will have access to six issues a year packed with instructional information from Kettlebell instructors and experts of various fields. The current issue is 25 pages packed with articles, instructional video clips, works and more.

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Just finished up an incredible weekend with some of the top Agatsu Kettlebell instructors from Canada and the US. Two days of new bodyweight, Kettlebell and joint mobility training along with some killer workouts.

The course was two days and took place at Valley Crossfit, Runyon Canyon, and the Santa Monica beach. The physical challenge on day two included running three large hills over 4.5 miles with 36lbs Kettlebells in backpacks. We stopped to workout on top and at the bottom of the hills and that was just the beginning of the day.

I can’t say enough about the high quality of trainers that I had the pleasure to work with this weekend. The picture to the left doesn’t even begin to tell the story of the dedication, determination and grit these trainers have. It was an honor to train with them and I am humbled by what each and every one of them accomplished. They raised the already high bar for an Agatsu Level 2 diploma and I couldn’t be more proud of each and every one of them.

If you are thinking about taking your level two or are wondering what you missed, check out some footage from this weekends course. See you soon!

Hi everyone. I thought I would start sharing some Kettlebell workout suggestions. Here is a fun workout that will get your heart rate up and keep it up. Short, sweet, and packed full of fun. When you are pressed for time Kettlebells can give you the perfect short and effective workout. Enjoy!

Warm up with some joint mobility and then move on to:

1 min jump rope

2 mins (two 36lbs kettlebell) 30 seconds double swings-30 seconds racked squats-30 seconds double snatch-30 seconds sea saw press

1 min jump rope

2 mins (two 36lbs kettlebells) 30 seconds double swings-30 seconds racked squats-30 seconds double snatch-30 seconds sea saw press

1 min jump rope

2 mins (two 36lbs kettlebells) 30 seconds double statch- 30 seconds squat-30 seconds alternating cleans-30 seconds double swings

1 min jump rope

2 mins (two 36lbs kettlebells) 30 seconds double statch- 30 seconds squat-30 seconds alternating cleans-30 seconds double swings

1 min jump rope

2 mins (two 36lbs Kettlebells) 30 seconds double swings-30 seconds racked squats-30 seconds double snatch-30 seconds sea saw press

Consult a doctor before trying this or any workout routine. Train with a qualified Kettlebell instructor and go at your own pace.

Last weekend I had the pleasure of training another outstanding group at the Ottawa level 1 Agatsu Kettlebell instructor certification. The group worked hard on Kettlebell, joint mobility and body weight basics while pushing and redefining their understanding of strength, endurance, mobility and flexibility. It was great meeting new trainers and seeing some old familiar faces who came by to help out and practice with all of us.

Over the last three weeks I have been in three countries spreading the word about Kettlebells and sharing the Agatsu program. From San Diego to Ottawa and now over in Ireland. Agatsu Kettlebell training is literally taking off everywhere. With close to four hundred instructors in over five countries our group is having a global impact on people’s perception of what it means to be fit. As I get ready to give a course this weekend just outside of Dublin I thought I would share this video clip filmed last weekend.

The following video clip was shot last Sunday during a course break. Enjoy!

I just got back from another killer Level 1 Agatsu Kettlebell Instructor Course. I want to thank Tania Vrga the owner of Crossfit Winnipeg. Tania was a great host and I was blown away by the trainers at her club and the other participants at the course. Everyone worked incredibly hard and it was an honor to meet and train with each and every one of them.

On Sunday we took some time to show participants various circuit ideas that they could use with their clients. We played with a wide variety of tools and were treated to a little head to head competition between Tania and Brendan Sonnichsen. Brendan is one of the coaches at Crossfit Winnipeg and did an outstanding job at the Agatsu Kettlebell Instructor Course. Below is a clip of their workout. Enjoy!

Looking forward to Level 2 in Winnipeg and more Level 1 Kettlebells Instructor Course there.

Here is a short clip of a Quad Hop demo I gave during the Agatsu Kettlebell Instructor Certification in Fort Saskatchewan. After taking everyone through some variations and the different options for the Quad Hop I gave a demo on how to put some of the moves together. The Quad Hop is an excellent exercise that has the benefits of a plyometric pushup along with the added challenge of moving in multiple directions. Enjoy!

I want to give Tyler Touchette a big thank you for hosting a great Agatsu Level 1 Kettlebell Course at his gym in Cornwall. A big thank you also to Angelina Armstrong-Mann (Agatsu Level 2 instructor) for coming by to help out. Crossfit Cornwall is a first class training facility loaded with every useful toy a person could want to train with. This course ended a very busy couple of months of non stop teaching for me and it was fitting that I end this run at Tyler’s gym. Tyler was one of the first trainers to take the Agatsu Kettlebell Instructor Certification. Since then we have both been very busy and I have been blown away by how he has improved his conditioning/training and what he offers his clients. Several of Tylers clients participated in the course and as I expected they were all in great shape and very well prepared. I couldn’t imagine things any other way. Anyone in the area should check out Crossfit Cornwall, you will be blown away.

Yesterday was a great first day at the Agatsu Kettlebell Instructor Certification (Level 1) in Fort Saskatchewan Alberta. We have a fantastic group that spent a long hard day working on perfecting their form and teaching technique. Day two will start in a couple hours and I wanted to share a small clip from the training yesterday. 

During the warmup on day 1 we took some time to talk about “fitness” and the standards that we have all been exposed to. We often set the bar or standard too low for ourselves. At every Agatsu course participants are asked to question their definition of fitness and to move the “bar” higher for themselves and their clients.

Killer course this weekend at Valley Crossfit A big thank you to Mike Latch and everyone from Valley Crossfit for hosting the course. We had an incredible group with participants from the US and our first Agatsu Kettlebell Instructor from Iceland! This was one of the most experienced groups I have had the pleasure of working with. Many of the trainers had experience and certifications from other organizations and their feedback on the course was incredible. We had two jam packed days of hard core training. Short breaks and lots of learning and sharing. It was amazing watching the teaching portions of this course as these trainers all had unique and very effective ways of sharing their knowledge. I am excited to get back to California in November for the San Diego Agatsu Kettlebell Instructor Certification. 

This weekend I will be out in Alberta Canada for another Level 1 Kettlebell instructor certification. Looking forward to another amazing group.

Congratulations to everyone at the St.Louis Missouri Kettlebell Certification. Everyone did an outstanding job and worked really hard. We had one of our youngest instructors at 18 and our oldest at 63 years young! I am looking forward to seeing everyone for Level 2 and also for the next Level 1 in the area. Thanks again to Mike Diamond at St.Louis Self Defense. Without Mike this certification wouldn’t have happened. You were a great host and great coach. You prepared your people perfectly for the seminar and they all owe you a big thanks. 

On to California this weekend for another course in the San Fernando Valley. Valley Crossfit is hosting the Agatsu Kettlebell Level 1 course and its going to be a killer. We have a really interesting group of trainers coming out to this one and I can’t wait to meet and train with all of them. 

Keep your eyes on this new blog for more course info and some new instructional clips that I will try to get up later this week.

Shawn