In this interview, Kristen Gagne, Group Fitness Manager at Equinox-Woodbury (NY) discusses how excited her personal trainers are about having the potential to break in to the "group fitness world" using kettlebells.

Kristen is a 17 year veteran in the field and has a Master's degree Health and Wellness & Physical Education. As Kristen is fond of saying, "Classes don't cancel on you!"

Learn. . .

• How KB's are perfectly positioned to help trainers slowly break in to the group exercise classroom.
• Why being a personal trainer means nothing when it comes to running a group exercise class.
• Why there is such a wide divide between group exercise and personal trainers?
  (Especially in NY and CA.)
• How to "bridge the gap" for yourself as a professional and earn more money!
• Solid tips and advice from a 17 year veteran.
• Why group fitness isn't just for women and how it got that reputation to begin with!

KBC couldn't be prouder of Lorna Kleidman, KBC Level 1 Instructor and the first woman in the United States to ever secure the ranking of Master of Sports--International Division! She is the FIRST American to achieve the HIGHEST title awarded in kettlebell sport- Master of Sport International Level! (MSIL.) Lorna qualified for, and completed in the 15th International Girevoy Sport Championship held in San Diego December 1st and 2nd, 2007. This event was hosted by United States Girevoy Sport Federation (USGSF), of which Lorna is also a certified instructor. In the under 60kg weight category, Lorna achieved 193 snatches with the women's required 16kg / 35lb kettlebell. She also earned a Gold medal in her age category, and Silver in weight category. (That's right folks! 193 snatches in 10 minutes. Not a typo!) Lorna is 42 years old and is a licensed massage therapist. She teaches out of New York City and you can email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for information on her classes. For information on Girevoy Sport, scroll down and listen to our interview with Dmitri Sataev, President of the USGSF for a comprehensive introduction to GS. Lorna studied extensively with KBC Senior Partners, Adam Cronin and Michelle Khai for 2-3 years straight and never missed a training session! She also worked extensively with Dmitri as well.

With over 60,000 hours of one-on-one personal coaching, host of FitNation on Discovery channels Fit TV, Gina Lombardi is one of the most sought after personal trainers and fitness coaches for the entertainment business. A long time fitness veteran, this interview is great for fitness professionals and consumers alike!

She discusses her thoughts on kettlebell training, the current state of the fitness industry, how to find a good personal trainer, what the veteran professional can do to stay motivated, and much more!

Amanda Topaz is the owner of Aerial Fitness and Rockit Aerials. She has an extensive background as an aerialist and trains people on static trapeze, silks, and ropes, in her Murray Hill Studio. She's also a KBC-trained instructor and finds that the two modalities complement each other very well.

In this interview, Amanda talks about how she got involved with this unusual art, her training methodologies, how trapeze/aerial training is fantastic for your entire body, what kind of results her clients (of all ages!) have seen, and much more! (It's also very, very safe with the aid of a trained, experienced instructor like Amanda.)

Travis Gordon and Mike Demora of the NCEP in Redondo Beach, CA are big fans of KB's.

Travis is a Level 1 KBC Instructor and has trained and accompanied K-1 fighters to Japan! This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. him for more information about the NCEP.

"Coach" Israel (Izzy) Sanchez was responsible for leading the charge in getting kettlebells into Peak Performance in NYC. He is a very active KBC instructor and huge fan of kettlebells as well as Olympic lifting.

If it were not for him, KB's wouldn't be as commonplace as they are in Peak. He's a fantastic coach and trainer. If you're looking to improve performance in any sport or just lose weight and get fit, Izzy is a fantastic guy to work with!

Chris Hall has an extensive career in the personal training field. He's held various managerial positions and has appeared in Esquire magazine in a full kettlebell pictorial.

Click below to listen to Chis Hall's 25 minute interview.

Check out his site here.

Click below to listen to an interview with the senior staff at Powerhouse Pilates. Kris McFerrin, PT is a Master Instructor for KBC and is responsible for introducing KBC and KB's to the entire staff at Powerhouse Pilates. Learn how KB's have contributed significantly to their bottom line through a small group, semi-private model.

Michelle Adams is world famous IFBB Figure Pro. She was the 2006 IFBB Montreal Pro Classic Figure Champion and has competed in 8 fitness and 15 figure championships. Her experience with kettlebells comes from a very unique perspective!

Listen to Michelle discuss how KB's fit into her training routine as a top figure/fitness competitor, how she uses them with her clients, and why she feels that KB training is appropriate for everyone from elite athletes to people just trying to get and stay in shape. KBC is very proud to call Michelle a KBC Instructor and wishes her continued success!

Check out her website

Esther Blum, MS, RD, CDN, CNS is the author of Eat, Drink and Be Gorgeous. In a break from other types of interviews KBC has done, we're pleased to introduce this very well rounded book to our women customers. Esther has, "helped show countless women how to put the fun back in eating, be a tigress in bed, eat and drink like a food fashionista, choose the right vitamins, feel up instead of feeling down, and realize that life is too short to be on a diet the whole time!" Unlike other books that focus on a "diet" rather than a more holistic approach, her approach entails a philosophy and lifestyle that treats the whole person, rather than one specific health problem.

Esther has 15 years' experience counseling thousands of clients, and takes into consideration the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of a person so that great healing can take place.

Keli Roberts is a world renowned fitness educator, trainer and the award recipient of the 2003 IDEA International Instructor of the Year. Keli is a Senior Instructor in the KBC group fitness program. In this interview she discusses:

• Why some group exercise instructors are hesitant to use the KB and what can be done about it?
  (The answer may surprise you!) (Forward to the 11 minute 40 second mark for the quick answer!)
• Why women will NOT look like Arnold if they pick up heavier weights.
• How the industry has changed from "Slimnastics," to 5lb dumbbells, to the present.
• Trends of the group ex market and why the KB is perfectly positioned right now.
• Why it is absolutely imperative that instructors who want to teach this modality to clients/customers learn in a hands on environment.

With 36 years as a high school and middle school physical education teacher to his credit (football, track and field, wrestling, track and cross country) David Morgan is one of our most active instructors. He is working with everyone from competitive athletes to Kettlebell Families!

He's working with a 9, 14, 19, and 52 year old. Be sure to check Dave's site out since he posts all the workouts he does with his clients. Dave's women, all ages 50 and above, are all using over 20lb KB's and above. (Audio starts at 20 second mark.)

In one of the most extensive interviews KBC has ever conducted, we are pleased to announce our partnership Dimitri Sataev and the United States Girevoy Sport Federation. Most Americans are unaware that kettlebell training is considered a "national sport" in the former USSR. Learn about "Girevoy Sport" history, rules, evolution, and how it's making a very strong comeback.

This sport is appropriate for both men and women. Dimitri also touches on the unique art of "kettlebell juggling" as well. He has direct relationships with some of the top coaches in Russia and his knowledge and experience with GS (Girevoy Sport) is unparalled. KBC and the USGSF will be working together in the future. Stay tuned!

Frank DiMeo is KBC's #1 affiliate! He's also the developer of Strength for the Streets progam and runs Cross Fit Gulf Coast.

Click below to listen to Frank's 20 minute interview.

If you have any questions, email him by clicking here.

Click below to listen to Julio's interview. If you have any questions, email him by clicking here Check out his website as well! (Julio owns the largest martial art school in the south Florida area.)

Steven Oberfest, Owner of Underdog Fitness is a very active kettlebell instructor who currently runs classes on the upper east side in New York City.

He has had fantastic success implementing kettlebells into his clients programs and offers solid, practical advice on how best to slowly bring KB training into a client's program.