"I would recommend kettlebell training to everyone!" Says Tkadlcik after StrongFirst seminar

Those of you who are into functional fitness know very well the iron balls from Russia - the kettlebell. They have become very popular in preparation for fights or competitions, whether in MMA, Crossfit, Strongman, etc. At the end of last year I thought I would get to know the kettlebell in a bit more depth, so I paid for a course at StrongFirst - Simple & Sinister.

However, it was very interesting and diversifying for me to meet our best Czech strongman u105 Jiri Tkadlcik at the seminar. At that moment I realized that the seminar will probably be really good if such a personality as Jiri will attend it. And since my job is journalism, it was clear to me that I had to interview Jiri after the seminar, so let's take a look at it together.

1. Hi Jirka. I would like to start by asking you how long have you been training with kettlebells?

I've known kettlebells as such for a long time, but they've always kind of passed me by as I mainly train with a big barbell. However, I decided that I could enrich my repertoire and expanded my training to include kettlebell exercises and found them to be very functional and great. So, I didn't hesitate to reach out to Pavel Mack and he suggested that I could come to his place in KB5 for a workout and we recorded a podcast.

2. Why did you come to the "Kettlebell 101: Simple & Sinister™" seminar?

I found myself at the seminar "by accident." I had been working out with Paul for a while and he invited me to join him for a seminar on just Kettlebell 101: Simple & Sinister™.

3. What contribution does kettlebell training make to your sport and life?

The contribution it has made is definitely huge whether it be to everyday life for recreational athletes or for us professional athletes. Whether interms of motor skills, posture, functionality, etc.

4. What exercises do you include?

Some of the exercises I incorporate into my training are: goblet squats, halo squats, swings, markets, relocations, clean presses, and some of my favorite exercises are bent presses.

5. Do you think kettlebell exercises will stay in your training for a long time?

Kettlebell exercises will definitely stay in my training forever as they are very rewarding in different aspects of my training.

6. Who would you recommend to train with kettlebell?

I would recommend it to everyone in a healthy way. Anyway, I think it's really great for MMA and Brazilian jiu jitsu. Training with a kettlebell can help both beginners and advanced practitioners.

7. Do you think that if you had included some kettlebell exercises regularly earlier, you would have avoided some injuries?

I'm sure there would have been more prevention, but this is a tough question.

8. How do you feel about Pavel Mack and StrongFirst in general?

Pavel constantly surprises me in a positive way. I've even reached out to him with my training to give me his opinion, and I really don't do that very often. StrongFirst is an awesome concept and I definitely want to continue it and maybe even get some certifications over time.

9. Will you continue to educate yourself in kettlebell training?

I'm always trying to educate myself and push myself and that just includes the kettlebell. My pro career is slowly coming to retirement, but I still want to be an all-around athlete and that includes just kettlebell training.

What's Simple & Sinister? Let's take a look:

• Simple & Sinister will prepare you for almost anything life throws at you: from carrying a piano up the stairs to handling a street fight.
• Simple & Sinister forges the warrior character - because form must follow function.
• Simple & Sinister will give you the strength, endurance and flexibility you need for any recreational sport.
• If you're serious about sport, Simple & Sinister will give you the perfect foundation for your next sport-specific workout.
• If you're serious about weightlifting, Simple & Sinister will help you build strength without interfering with it in any negative way.

With Simple & Sinister, you'll achieve all of the above, leaving you plenty of time and energy for your responsibilities, work, sports training and most importantly, life.

May the power of the Russian kettlebell accompany you!

Kettlebell, it's like weightlifting times ten... If I had met Pavel back in the early 80's, I could have won two gold medals.

Dennis Koslowski, D.C., Olympic silver medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling