PAVEL TSATSOULINE
"that awesome Russian strength trainer"
APPRECIATION PAGE ( KETTLEBELL and CLUBBELL info site)
I finally found where to find the web page about that "awesome Russian strength trainer" , the link is right here:
My favorite general & martial arts related kettlebell information is right here: Essential Kettlebell Articles
Pavel's BOOKS and VIDEOS can be found right HERE
CLUBBELLS are also a useful strength building tool for MARTIAL artists, stick fighters, ARNIS, ESCRIMA, BO staff and KATANA sword fighters. A MODERNIZED descendent of INDIAN CLUBS. Click the CLUBBELL or Circular Strength logo to open a new CLUBBELL page:
My favorite KETTLEBELL Articles -- essential reading for the girevik :
(Clicked article links will appear in a new browser page.)
INTRO: WashingtonPost.com Article - February 2003 "New Wine, Old Bottles"
A Case for Becoming a Girevik (Kettlebell Lifter)
K-Bell for Boxers ( & other martial arts )
Roadwork The Kettlebell Way (Get in Fighting Shape)
My Search for Pavel's books & Why his books ( and Kettlebells ) changed my life & my strength:
At the gym, I had often heard of some "Russian Special Forces strength trainer" who had an incredible set of books on abdominal strength development. No one could remember or spell the name of that Russian weight trainer "Tsatsouline".
My workouts at the gym got to a point of no strength improvement & the muscles would quickly lose shape in 2 days.
THEN I had my crippling back injury -- due to long hours of a desk job, home fixit tasks -- and not doing my weight training correctly. I was helpless & my bad back crippled me with spasms of pain for several weeks & I longed for simple tasks.
The physical therapist told me to strengthen my "very weak abs", & stretch my "tight hip flexors" - or face this back pain repeatedly for life. I was also told I had weak stabilizing muscles -- which contributed to my back injury.
After months of physical therapy on my bad back, I was allowed to go back to the gym. But my non Janda sit-ups tightened my hip-flexors. And again I kept hearing about that Russian Spetznaz guy at the gym.... and finally I found his books, videos & equipment on the web !!
Pavel Tsatsouline's POWER TO THE PEOPLE book showed me why I wasn't making any progress in strength my previous workouts. He showed why my use of weight machines didn't prepare me for real-world lifting in my home fixit repairs -- weak stabilizing muscles ! It was suddenly making sense.
Take a look at Pavel's build on the cover of this book. He is not overly bulked-out but very, very strong. Believe me!!
In his "Power" book, he uncovered the mystery of my bulk disappearing quickly after my workouts & the difference between bulk & real strength.
He showed me how to really increase my strength. My increase in 6 months was 300 to 500 percent , depending on the muscle group. I did not get majorly bulked up, instead I had real strength, not the puffed up muscle that deflates after a few days.
I even now get a laugh at the gym when some bulked up guy with a smirk on his face tries to lift a weight I was just using. Expecting he could move the weight that this "small guy" was lifting, he tries & it doesn't budge!
Pavel's BULLET PROOF ABS book showed the Janda situp & how it didn't work the hip flexors. (This is the 2nd edition of Beyond Crunches.) The Janda sit-up isolates the tension in the abs & the gluteus maximus.
Pavel also has a video with the same title of the original book edition called "Beyond Crunches".He also invented the "Pavelizer" a piece of equipment that helps you in doing Janda situps without a partner.
All of his books utilize free weights that would be just $100 to $150 to buy & you could save the gym fees. Videos & DVD's are available to accompany his books.
Pavel revived KETTLEBELL training which is taking over everywhere
My SHORT Kettlebell Video REVIEWS & RECOMENDATIONS:
And now I'm working out with Kettlebells (incorrectly called kettleballs by the uninformed) . Kettlebells give you a combination of strength building and aerobics in your workout. Sort of like going to an aerobics class that lifts heavy weights -- but your sessions are shorter due to the heavy weights.
The first English speaking video that Pavel produced was the The Russian Kettlebell Challenge. It shows the fundamentals. The next KB video he produced was From Russia with Tough Love. While made for women, it has a few more exercises and is the one I recommend. Viewing this it is obvious that the women demonstrating on this video are very strong and have low bodyfat. I prefer the DVD over the tapes, as the DVD has an on-screen chapter summary with miniature moving images of each exercise.
The picture below shows Jiu Jitsu champion Stephen Maxwell demonstrating kettlebells. His video Stephen Maxwell's Cruel and Unusual Kettlebell Exercises for Real Men is available on Pavels' web page. Highly recommended for the martial artist, wrestler, or strength trainer.
Another video for the advanced girevik is: Hand-to-Hand Kettlebell DrillsXplosive Strength & Stamina for the Combat Athlete With Jeff Martone. This man tosses kettlebells like an advanced juggler ! This tape is intertaining and inpirational to watch -- as well being a concise instructional tape for these skillful maneuvers. Try his impressive stuff after you learn the basics.
To Read introductory and essential articles on the kettlebells Click here: Essential Kettlebell Articles
To get availability and pricing Click on the big kettlebell on the right to get more information on all kettlebell books, videos and DVD's:
The Kettlebell VIDEOS:
Pavel's BOOKS:
For BOOKS the best price is at AMAZON.
Pavel's VIDEOS:
For VIDEOS the best price is at AMAZON. For all DVD's the only place available is at PAVEL'S PAGE
MY CURRENT CONDITION & GOALS:
Now, I have no hint of back problems, feel & look stronger. My stronger abs give me core body strength that makes any physical task easier. I mow the lawn to warm up & do the macho "Home Depot" jobs around the house with ease.
Even while wearing loose baggy clothes, my friends who haven't seen me for a while said somehow I look much much stronger. One person who told me this is a 6th degree Black Belt instructor. He said I walked & carried myself about in a stronger manner.
My wife says that I'm not the man she married -- and she is glad for it !
My next book of his will be to absorb Pavel's RELAX INTO STRETCH book; stretching is something I really need to do more often.
All his books are really eye-opening. I only wish I had known about his books many years ago.
Martial Power - Increase your martial arts power for any style of martial art:
Order on VHS or DVD:
Power Stretching - Master the Secrets of Super-Flexibility:
OTHER Pavel related instructional & workout aids can be found at his website, such as his videos, the Russian Kettlebells & other equipment.
DISCLAIMER: Do not do any physical activity without a doctor's approval. There are many kinds of back injuries & my particular injury could be different from yours.