In this issue:
Video of the week: progressing to the snatch - part 1
This week, Anthony kicks off a 4 part series to perfect your snatch technique and/or make the move to a larger KB size.
Anthony looks at working with extremely heavy weights in order to "trick" your body into using proper form on a target KB size.
New Audio Series: Free
Sample
We have completed the first in a series of work-along audio workouts. The MP3 version of AOS: Providence will allow you to
strap on your iPod or other MP3 player, grab your favorite hunk of iron, and workout ANYWHERE-ANYTIME with Anthony Diluglio at your side.
Through February 28, 2006, we are offering the AOS: Providence MP3's at no cost to new subscribers of
"The Minute of Strength" newsletter. Feel free to download both the "with music" and "without music" versions.
In the next issue of MoS, we'll share an easy and inexpensive way to merge in favorite tunes from your own music collection!
- download "with music" here (32 MB)
- download "without music" here (16 MB)
The audio workout mirrors the video version and should make sense to owners of the DVD or experienced
kettlebellers already familier with the lingo. If you don't fall into either of those categories, consider purchasing the DVD... or visit an
RKC instructor in your area for some 1-on-1 instruction. In the coming months, we'll be updating a list of worldwide gyms and instructors who
have earned The Art of Strength: Seal of Approval. In the meantime, here are some folks who we know can help you:
New DVD Release: Newport
We're proud to announce the 2nd DVD in our groundbreaking work-along kettlebell fitness series, "The Art of Strength: Newport".
Newport is a great compliment to Providence and the two can very effectively be mixed on a weekly basis. Anthony will be offering some great
tips along those lines in future issues of MoS.
Click here to purchase or watch the video trailer!
Newport is a tad more advanced in that some of the compound exercises are more complex and there is more of
a focus on endurance (ie, the rounds are longer than 2 minutes). Also, every round concludes with a 1 minute focused ab routine to thoroughly
pound your core.
We set out to build in so much variety, production value, change of focus, and near perfect programming in
these videos that they will never leave your DVD player. Most fitness DVD's get about a dozen viewings by the average consumer (that's a
totally anectdotal number coming from our totally un-scientific poll of as many people as we could find here in Rhode Island). When a
consumer spends $30 for one of those, we see that as a real waste of money. Price per use on our work is intended to eclipse anything else on
the market.
Jeff & Maureen Martone: the MOS
Interview
Jeff Martone is one of the founding fathers of the modern US kettlebell movement. He and his wife, Maureen, speak candidly
here with MOS (Minute of Strength) about their roots in the kettlebell world, fitness philosophies, and future directions.
MOS: Do you recall seeing a KB for the 1st time and could you tell us about
that?
Jeff: It was back in December of 2000. I had invited Pavel Tsatsouline to the law enforcement academy in
Santa Fe, NM to teach an instructor level course on PTP, stretching, and mobility. After the course, Pavel handed me his author’s copy
of the Russian Kettlebell Challenge VHS. After reviewing the tape, I remembered seeing pictures of kettlebells in an old Joe Bonomo
weightlifting book we had in our house as kids.
Maureen: After Jeff heard about kettlebells from Pavel, he started welding handles onto steel balls, bowling
balls, and other objects. We started out with a crude, but very workable, strange looking collection of “kettlebells”.
MOS: How did you get started with KB training?
Jeff: I started training in Pavel's "KB style" with dumbbells right away. Within a couple weeks, I
headed into my blacksmith shop and actually forged up a few kettlebells. At that time, there were no KB manufacturers in the USA. I trained
with my homemade, crude kettlebells for about a year. Since I was a blacksmith, Pavel asked me if I knew of any reputable foundries in the
US. I suggested a couple good options for DD (Dragon Door)-- but they ultimately found a foundry in their local area, where they are produced
to this day. When the DD kettlebells were produced, I immediately purchased a set for our home gym.
Maureen: After Jeff taught me the 3 basic kettlebell lifts (swing, clean, and snatch), I began creating
interval training programs for myself. As my strength and endurance progressed, I started putting together non-stop, free-flowing, high
repetition kettlebell routines to music. Having an aerobics training background, I began creating new routines for almost every workout. I
added slow strength KB exercises gradually into my training program, which was primarily based on PTP.
MOS: What are the biggest advantages you see in KB training over other forms of
fitness?
Jeff: KB training is functional and efficient. It’s the ultimate free-weight that simultaneously
develops strength and flexibility. Also, the high repetition exercises are a fantastic form of “cardio” and build
strength/endurance in the all important “go muscles” (i.e. posterior chain). KB's are portable, versatile, and fun to throw
around.
Maureen: Functional fitness is developed rapidly and has huge carryover effects for other sports and the
daily demands of life. KB's are extremely versatile and transport conveniently in our vehicle – so we never miss a day of training when
we are on the road. As Steve Baccari says, “It’s like holding an entire gym in your hand.”
MOS: Who's a bigger KB fan-- you or your wife, Maureen?
Jeff: It’s a toss up. It took Maureen a little longer to convert from her “aerobics”
background-- but once converted, she never looked back!
Maureen: That’s a tough question to answer. We are both zealots!!
MOS: You travel extensively teaching folks about KB's in your custom seminars. What's the most
convenient way to transport KB's?
Jeff: Our business has grown to the point that we now use a trailer to haul our kettlebells. For the average
person, I recommend wedging them behind the front seats, handle towards the front of the vehicle... or you can seatbelt them in place in the
back seats. If the kettlebells are loose and you get into a collision at 30-60mph, you’ll have a KB traveling 30-60mph in your
vehicle… not a good thing. Tie them down, keep them low. We try not to put them in the trunk (in case of being rear-ended)-- but when
we do, placing them inside milk crates keeps them from rattling.
MOS: You are known as the king of H2H (hand-to-hand) and KB juggling. How did you discover this
form of KB lifting?
Jeff: I created the H2H drills when I was leading daily PT at the academy. Tuesdays and Thursdays were our
KB days, where we would do “Man Maker” drills consisting of plenty of swings, cleans, and snatches. I needed to find a way to
stay ahead of the recruits without doing the same swings, cleans, snatches, on my off time. The term "kettlebell juggling" caught
my eye in Pavel’s book The Russian Kettlebell Challenge. It mentioned a few feats of strength of some old-time Russian strongmen,
including “kettlebell juggling”. I called Pavel and asked him to elaborate. He said that it was something he never really tried
or had interest in. He explained that these men would swing the KB, let the handle rotate, and catch it with the other hand. That was it!
Armed with that knowledge and the daily prayer of “Lord please keep me from doing something really stupid or dangerous”, I
started playing around with various ways to flip and catch kettlebells. Right away I noticed an increased demand on my grip, core, and
cardiovascular output.
MOS: Who should attempt H2H?
Jeff: Great question. Anyone who has mastery of the swing and knows how to properly pressurize the abs
(especially when folded at the hips) can attempt H2H. I think everyone who owns a KB and wants to increase there athleticism, hand-to-eye
coordination, core and grip strength, or just wants to have more fun with their kettlebell should attempt H2H drills.
MOS: Many people know you from your H2H work, but there is another fitness side to Jeff
Martone. What is TAPS all about?
Jeff: The TAPS (Tactical Athlete Pull-up System) was first inspired by watching Steve Maxwell and his son Zach demonstrate
various deck squats and pull-up combinations on a pull-up bar hanging from chains at his gym. I had already implemented weighted pull-ups to
develop upper body strength at the academy. However, having the ability to literally “raise the bar” and work in deck squats and
squat thrusts in combination with pull-ups was just awesome for total body conditioning. With a little practice and prayer for wisdom and
creativity, the TAPS was created.
Maureen: Jeff's recruits came in all sizes. Jeff envisioned an adjustable pull-up bar that the entire team
could use - something transportable, versatile, and quickly adjustable for recruits of varied heights. Since there was nothing on the market
that met the team’s needs, Jeff decided to design it himself. The TAPS II DVD (coming in 2006) will illustrate how versatile the TAPS
unit really is.
MOS: You were one of the most influential forces behind the US KB movement, serving as a Senior
RKC since 2001. You recently resigned that position for a variety of reasons. What led to that decision?
Jeff: That was a painful decision. Here’s the short of it. I sell DD kettlebells on my website. However, there are two
KB distributors where I live in Knoxville, TN. I chose to sell one of these brands to my local customers and workshop participants because it
saves them significant shipping costs and offers a better value. The bottom line: Pavel saw this as the ultimate act of disloyalty and gave
me an ultimatum. I chose to resign. Even though our business relationship has come to an abrupt halt, I still consider Pavel and the
wonderful staff at DD my friends.
MOS: Your new website, www.tacticalathlete.com is the home of Jeff & Maureen Martone, H2H, and
TAPS. What upcoming projects are you most excited about?
Jeff: Maureen has two awesome work-along videos for the ladies (men can try them, too-- they’re real
smokers). I’m coming out with a really fun and challenging S.H.O.T.TM DVD. You’ll also see a TAPS II DVD - which will
dramatically expand the versatility of your TAPS unit and workouts. We have a few other products up our sleeves, but don’t want to let
the “cat out of the bag” just yet.
Maureen: I am still not completely healed from multiple injuries sustained in a car accident, but I am thrilled to be well
enough to have filmed the first two DVD's for the “Busy Women’s Workout Series”. Like most moms, I am extremely busy.
However, I am not willing to give up my workouts. Neither should any other women. I want to encourage women of all ages to carve out a half
an hour each day to take care of their bodies. I want to live an abundant life, not merely exist. The kind of training I do makes me feel
strong, vibrant, and young. What woman doesn’t want that for herself? I am also working on new products and education in the area of
nutrition and alternative medicine. I plan to share some of the many things I’ve learned over the years in a hope to inspire, motivate,
and educate others in the area of wellness.
MOS: Thanks for sharing with us! You are truly an inspiration out here on the cutting edge of
fitness and kettlebell training. We appreciate your time and your passion.
Jeff & Maureen: Our pleasure... we're also extremely impressed with what you've created in "The Art of
Strength" and look forward to seeing you again on our next trip to Providence!
About Jeff & Maureen Martone:
Jeff Martone is a full-time firearms, tactics, self-defense and physical fitness instructor for the U.S. Department of Energy. He is
certified in numerous programs and schools, which collectively make him one of the most well-rounded, and sought after instructors in the
industry. Maureen Martone is a home school teacher to their two children. She is a certified instructor of Russian Kettlebells, Warrior Diet
Nutrition, and Controlled Fatigue Training. Together, they own Tactical Athlete Training Systems, Inc and tour the country teaching
kettlebells and other “Tactical Athlete” courses.
To learn more about Jeff, Maureen, and TATS, Inc visit:
www.tacticalathlete.com
Or contact them directly at:
jeff@tacticalathlete.com
maureen@tacticalalthlete.com