KBC Blog
For Whom The Bell Toils: Words to Lift By. A blog for all KBC-trained instructors, their clients, and kettlebell/fitness enthusiasts everywhere.
Free Webinar With Best Selling Author & Nutritionist Heather Bauer, RD
The Quick 'n Dirty
Live webinar with Heather Bauer, RD.
Jan 24th, 2013 at 8pm EST.
Register here: http://www.anymeeting.com/PIID=E952DC82844639
Heather is going to discuss her taken on carbs, volume control for great physiques, and more! Plenty of time for questions as well.
KBC is very careful about what product we put our names on and whom we associate with. The majority of KBC customers are fitness professionals and have a finely tuned radar when it comes to what’s good and what’s not. That’s why, when we do find something we believe in, we get very excited about it and are happy to bring it to you so you can take it to your clients.
Heather Bauer, RD is a is a nationally recognized nutrition expert, author, and entrepreneur. In 2012, she founded Bestowed -- a subscription service that offers consumers a personalized way to discover, sample, shop and learn about the best nutrition and lifestyle products on the market--and that’s the product we are very excited to talk with you about. We think it’s something that trainers can absolutely bring to their clients and, at the same time, continue to look themselves in the mirror and feel good about it!
We met Heather personally and were incredibly pleased with her well rounded approach to nutrition. She doesn’t skew toward being vegan, raw, paleo, vegetarian, or one particular ideology. She’s an advocate of weight training and other modalities and has experience working with fitness folks and athletes as well. Heather is a Registered Dietitian (RD) and a New York State Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist (CDN). She graduated from The University of Wisconsin and is a member of the American Dietetic Association (ADA) and the New York State Dietetic Association (NYSDA).
A Call for Mindfulness - By Kristine Daly
Sometimes I feel like I am losing it. I have a list of things I need to do in my ever faithful notebook and another list of things to do stored somewhere in my brain. I may even have another list on my ipad or phone. Yes, I have things to do. Even with my lists sometimes I just cannot seem to get started. This is a perfect scenario of multi-tasking burnout.
I went online and did some reading. I focused. I tried not to stray back into my email, Facebook, YouTube or my relentless search for the best pair of workout pants. If you Google multi-tasking you have quite a lot of reading ahead. It all pretty much says the same thing. We cannot "multi-task." We cannot give 100% to more than one thing. (Duh! That's why it is called 100% right?!)
What we are actually doing is "switch tasking." We switch between multiple tasks. We think we are being more productive and more efficient. However, research has shown that we might be reducing our productivity by ~ 40%! In addition, we have a tendency to make more errors. It takes time for our brain to turn off the one task and tune into the next. If we have several tasks we are attempting to do at the same time our brain can become bottle necked. The area in our frontal lobe that is responsible for managing these tasks just gets back up. That is why we get those mental blocks. Too much going on to focus. When this occurs the best thing to do is to turn it off. Turn off the television, close your browser and step away. Go for a walk, meditate for 5 minutes (almost impossible for me by the way) or just lie down for a few. Dr. Gary Small discusses this in his book, "iBrain, Surviving the Technological Alteration of the Modern Mind."
Dr. Small talks about incorporating regular daily mindfulness (as little as 5 minutes a day.) These exercises will keep our brains healthier and decrease the stressors that our current society has created with the always "on" and always “in touch" mentality. I was not always a "multi-tasker." Technology has fostered this in me. It is not necessarily a bad thing. It is about finding balance within it.
There are plenty of positive things happening to our brains with the advances in digital technology. The younger generation (dubbed digital natives - those born into the computer age) is able to switch tasks much more efficiently than their counter parts the digital immigrants (those that have had to learn computers as adults.) Their reaction to visual stimuli is stronger, ability to filter massive amounts of material is increased, peripheral vision has improved and IQ's are going up in this generation. However, the sacrifice is in human interactions. A Stanford University study found that for every hour we spend at a computer we lose 30 minutes of good ol' traditional one on one face time. This decreased face time leads to decreased interpersonal skills. Such things as one on one communication, empathy for others and reading subtle body language can be challenging for digital natives.
I think it is time for all of us to stop the instant gratification that these advances have allotted us. Just because we can text or email someone 24x7 does not mean we should. We also need to filter why we email/text. What happened to the days of waiting until you saw the person again to ask that question? Or waiting to share a story face to face. I have been working on this over the last week. It is hard. My reflex is to pick up my phone or iPad and make contact. Choosing to connect digitally via face to face, exactly what the Stanford study said happens.
I know I am challenging myself to take a step back. As I utilize this exercise of self-control and mindfulness I expect that my to do list will become smaller and my mind blocks might even disappear. I encourage you to find something once a day and focus on it for 20 minutes without any other distractions. (Make a note how many times you reach for your phone during that time just to “check.") Just try it, it is tougher then you might think.
– Kristine Daly, MSPT, KBC Senior Instructor
Kris lives with her husband and son in Palm Desert, Ca where she is Co-Owner of Quantum Fitness. Quantum Fitness provides private, semi-private and small group instruction in the GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® methodologies, Pilates, Kettlebells, TRX® & The Booty Barre®.
Kris holds her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Texas A&M University (86’) and her Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Columbia University’s College of Physicians & Surgeons (93’). She enjoys training competitive & recreational athletes as well as those just wanting to increase their quality of life. Kris has served on the scientific advisory board of Kettlebell Concepts since 2004 and has been a Senior Instructor teaching Level 1 trainings since 2005.
Please visit www.quantumfitness.net or you can find them on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Quantum-Fitness/173367922706678
Best Example of Why You Must Empower Your Employees!
In 10 years of dealing with everyone from Independent Trainers, Group Exercise Managers, Club Owners, Managers as well as having served a turn in high end retail, a server, and bartender myself while in college and grad school, I can say absolutely and without fail, "The customer is not always right."
Most customers, when treated fairly and with respect, will give you the same in return. (I'm a glass is half full kind of guy.) Still, there are absolutely those smaller number of customers who will, no matter what happens and what you offer, act unreasonably, try to take advantage of the vendor, and really push the proverbial envelope. So. . companies have put policies put in place to minimize this sort of behavior. Totally understandable. . .but only up to a point. The story presented here is absolutely unbelievable on every level. Read the entire thing. You'll be hooked. Seriously. And the very last sentence? Once you find out how much it's all over, is even more sad.
https://bbp.infusionsoft.com/app/hostedEmail/24825004/aa0de587d0e97e70
The moral of the story? Give your employees the power to (within certain constraints of course) make some decisions for Pete's sake! I'm no HR expert, but the papers I've read about these types of things do validate this sort of approach.
Enjoy.
PS: If you're interested in (another) great article on why the customer is not always right, this gentleman says it much better than I ever could. http://positivesharing.com/2006/07/why-the-customer-is-always-right-results-in-bad-customer-service/ So again. . .empower your employees! Let them know the parameters of the decisions they're allowed to make, but at least (for the sake of your company and the sake of your employees) allow them to do something!
Beyond Organic and the Four Mistakes
Just got this fantastic email from Phil Kaplan. As always, he's straight ahead and upfront. I appreciate this post about his thoughts regarding Beyond Organic and I wanted to share it. Hope to see you on the call!
Dave
I’m eating hot dogs and loving it! Who’d have ever thought it would happen? Me . . . and hot dogs . . . reunited without compromising health!
Over the past week I was concerned. I’d been excited about Jordan Rubin’s new project, Beyond Organic, and I was sharing my excitement with others. Then . . . I hit a sticking point. I hadn’t tasted any of the products, and while I believe in Jordan and his undertakings, I felt I couldn’t say another word until my taste buds connected with the product. Saturday it arrived. The first thing I tried was the Milk & Honey Amasai. Wow! Honestly! It’s great. I already knew the health value, but had to be sure it tasted OK. It not only passed the taste test, it exceeded my expectations and then I tried the Raspberry which was even better! I brought some hot dogs, cheese, ground beef, and chocolate to a few of my neighbors, and every one of them was wowed.
So, now we go the next step. This is a viable business, a great product, and I’m all on board. I’m doing a webinar next Tuesday that will address many of the health concerns that face our population, and will also give you an opportunity to better understand the value of the Beyond Organic line. I assure you, it will not be a pitch. Here’s the registration link:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/858690416
Here’s the summary:
Tuesday evening, November 22, 7 PM
Phil Kaplan with Dr. Daniel Pompa – The Four HUGE Nutritional Mistakes Fitness People Don’t Know They’re Making!
Dr. Pompa gets on almost as many planes as I used to. He’s on a mission to change the medical field, to help medical professionals both in conventional medicine and chiropractic, to recognize the chemicals, toxins, and inflammatory agents in our foods, our medicines, and our environment. He’s referred to as a great healer as he’s studied the science of detox, not at a surface level, but at a cellular level. Dr. Pompa has become a good friend and we’ve committed to align our missions to help grow the important message . . . . we can make ourselves “better.” We, as a population, just need to learn how. A part of learning how has to involve understanding our food supply. It’s not the same as it was decades ago. I recently wrote an article outlining why my Grandfather ate steak and eggs every morning and NEVER got fat, NEVER missed a day to illness, and ALWAYS had vibrant energy. Dr. Pompa will help explain . . . humans haven’t changed . . . our food has changed!
Dr. Pompa and I teamed with Jordan Rubin (the New York Times best-selling author of the Maker’s Diet) to help Jordan promote his Beyond Organic company. We’ll share some of what we’ve learned about the organic health food industry and will also share why this mission is so important right now. The call will feature a detailed revelation of the Four Biggest Mistakes Fitness People Make in Their “Healthy” Nutrition, and why, for clients, following suit may lead to acute and chronic oxidative stress. You need to know this information if you’re going to really understand what it means in the 21st century to make healthful choices. There isn’t any charge for this event, as it’s by invitation only. I’m inviting you.
Click Here to Register:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/858690416
I look forward to speaking with you Tuesday!
Phil
Kettlebells and You. . .
A video by KBC's Director of Education, Vincent Metzo. Hilarious. And mighty tongue and cheek. But the info is solid! Hope you enjoy it!
KettleBells for Metabolic and Neurological Adaptation Replay
KettleBells for Metabolic and Neurological Adaptation Replay
Vince Metzo did another fantastic teleseminar. He discussed his upcoming course in April at the NYSC-Grand Central location. If you missed it on March 25, 2010 you can listen to it again (and see the powerpoint slides!) here
KettleBells for Metabolic and Neurological Adaptation Video
KettleBells for Metabolic and Neurological Adaptation Video
This CEC-approved course was written and developed by KBC Senior Instructor, Vincent Metzo. Vince serves as the Director of the Exercise Science program at the renowned Swedish Institute in NYC. The first advanced course took place in NYC at the New York Sports Club-Wall Street in January, 2010
What Is KBCMNS?
What Is KBCMNS?
One should always train smart, not just hard. Kettlebells can be a part of nearly any comprehensive and sophisticated program of exercise but they are not magic. They are governed by the rules of physics and laws of nature like anything else. So, how can we use kettlebells in the most effective way for developing max-strength, power, circuits, sports specific transitions, and sports specific programs?
Free Happy Hour This Friday!
Free Happy Hour This Friday!
Vote now to bring KB's to Top of Citysearch!
Vote now to bring KB's to Top of Citysearch!
Help! Richard Lehman is THIS CLOSE to winning best workout in NY by Citysearch. I'm reaching out to help him. This is a win-win! More awareness for KB's in NYC. . .more marketing juice for all KBC-trained instructors! If you're a fan of KB's and KBC, vote for Rich. (Plus, he's a really good guy!)
Save 25% on KBC-brand Kettlebells from SIL FITNESS
Save 25% on KBC-brand Kettlebells from SIL FITNESS
This is a ridiculously good deal from our friends at SIL FITNESS!
In the hopper. . .
This is a continuation of our newsletter that went out on Oct 29th. If you missed it, click here.


