Customer Reviews

Enter the Kettlebell! Strength Secret of the Soviet Supermen

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this DVD when I first started using kettlebells. His "Enter the Kettlebell" book provided details, but the DVD showed proper application. Pavel personally shows how to do fundamental KB exercises: swing, clean, press, and snatch. While he hams up the evil Russian persona a bit, this is the best DVD for learning how to use kettlebells as well as proper warmups. If you are about to start doing kettlebells, buy this DVD.

This is an instructional DVD that thoroughly illustrates proper form for a handful of basic kettlebell moves. If you are looking for a kettlebell work-out DVD to do at home this is not the one for you. If you are looking for a single DVD that shows how to perform a lot of kettlebell exercises then this is also not the one for you. What it provides is clear instructions on how to perform basic kettlebell exercises such as the swing, snatch, get-up and press. The exercises that are presented are well done, with good instruction and examples of how to do them properly. I gave this three stars because it covered so few exercises - if there had been more exercises included I would have given it five stars.

The kettlebell is everything Pavel Tsatsouline advertises it to be. It is an excellent piece of exercise equipment. The Enter the Kettlebell DVD is shorter than I expected, but not disappointingly so. Pavel concisely delivers all of the information required to perform a complete exercise regimen.

The moves involved in the kettlebell exercises appear simple, but are complex in that they require exact form. Pavel does well explaining and demonstrating the differences in proper and improper form. He even provides examples of poor form. The DVD includes information on how to work your way to proper form if you are not yet in good enough shape, or not flexible enough to perform the exercise.

Enter the Kettlebell is an excellent resource for those interested in the kettlebell for exercise.

Pavel shows the basic lifts: swing, clean, press, and snatch with attention to details on how to perform them. Instructions such as staying tight in abdominal region, generating power from hips and glutes, keeping shoulder planted firmly in socket, and keeping arm loose during pull to transfer energy generated from legs. That's just a sampling of his instruction. I will watch the video again at a later date for review and to hammer home the fundamentals. Time and money well spent.

I'm writing this review mainly to address the number of people that complain there aren't enough drills or routines on the DVD.

What you must understand is that the BOOK goes into extreme detail for each drill & sets the reader up on the Program Minimum routine and Rite of Passage routine.

Eveything you need to know is in the book. The DVD is only a companion to the book to show you how the drills are done.

I enjoy this DVD as it really helps to visualize some of the finer techniques Pavel discusses in the book. It shows you exactly how you should be performing the mechanics of the swing, the getup, the clean, clean & press and finally the snatch.

Buy them both in order to get the full benefit of kettlebell lifting.

Even though I had read the book by the same name, there is nothing like seeing the exercises in a DVD to more clearly understand the material. Pavel is well-known for creating interest in the use of the Kettlebell. Even though I am way past my prime and old age is upon me; nevertheless, I found that I could perform most of the movements in the DVD. The only one I could not perform because of my physical limitations, was the "Get-up" exercise. The DVD follows the information given in the text book and I think getting both of these products is a good idea.

In conclusion, if you are seeking expert instruction on how to properly use the Kettlebell, you should get this DVD.

Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Monadnock Defensive Tactics (MDTS) System).

I've been following the "program minimum" from the book for a little under two months now, and its changed the way I work out. I'm in far better condition than I was two months ago, and I work out in about 1/4 of the time I used too. Very descriptive, it tells you exactly what to do, and how to do it, and there's plenty of dry humor thrown in as well. This would be a good buy at twice the price!

After shelling out some pretty good coin on a set of DragonDoor Kettlebells, the last thing I wanted to do was waste money on a DVD that just showed me how to handle a kettlebell and wasn't even a workout. I then found myself over at a friends house and he had this DVD so I watched it. I now realize that this is a DVD that is worth more than the price of the kettlebells. This is what I mean...

I had intended to watch youtube kettlebell workouts to learn form and technique, but after seeing the DVD, I think that'd be very unwise. Although you can do this, the DVD gets into some real specifics on form. He covers a lot of things that you're not going to be able to visually see on a youtube workout video. Things like, tightening your glutes, driving your heels into the ground, popping your hips (well, you can sort of see this), pushing your body away from the kettlebell vs pushing it up (big difference), and so on and so on... I have yet to see a free video out there that gets into the detail that he does on form.

I now have a MUCH greater appreciation for how technical the movements need to be to get maximum benefit from the workouts and also to decrease the potential for some serious injury. That's where I mean that the DVD is worth more than the price of the kettlebell. Kettlebells are dang heavy and awkward when you're new to them; it's SO easy to do an exercise wrong and not know it! Before I bought my kettlebells I went to the gym to test them out after watching some videos. It seemed like I got a decent workout, but I now realize my form was a total mess and I'm amazed that I didn't injure myself. I'm very grateful that my friend had this video. If you're new to kettlebell training, I believe this to be an absolutely essential purchase.

The only reason I marked this down 1 star is because he's a bit extreme on laying on the Russian persona. Although the instruction is excellent, the "I'm a hard-core Russian bit" gets old very quick. Also, there are some words that get that obscured because he's trying to do a thick Russian accent. It would be a much better video if he just acted normal.

This is a good DVD to learn basic good form and safety, two things that I have seen far too many people ignore in their workouts. It is not a workout DVD but it will teach you good basic moves to get started with the kettlebell.

Don't get me wrong -- Pavel's kettlebell instruction deserves five stars. It's informational, motivational, and designed with your safety in mind. Kettlebell safety is the only way to results.

However, I highly recommend reading his book by the same title Enter The Kettlebell! Strength Secret of The Soviet Supermen. This DVD is more of a companion to the book; it gives the visual demonstration of what is explained in the book. However, the book is more thorough and descriptive. The book is a quick read, and a lot of fun. So do yourself a favor and read the book first (maybe twice), then watch the DVD to observe the body mechanics you may have missed in print.

If you fall in love with the kettlebell as I have, you'll enjoy checking out Jeff Martone's advanced kettlebell materials, such as H2H Kettlebell Drills.