Canadian Kettlebell Coach Profile - Sebastien Gignac

Sebastien Gignac was one of the first people to attend the Agatsu Canadian Kettlebell Certification. Throughout the course of the weekend Sebastien had jaws hanging as he demonstrated not only his Kettlebell skills but also his incredible raw power. A tremendously conditioned athlete and gifted coach, Sebastien shares his thoughts on training and coaching in this month's CKM Coach Profile.

Tell me a little something about your background and how you came to be
interested in personal training

As far as I can remember, I've always been training. From climbing
trees, playing ninja and running around the table, to training for the army,
competing and using kettlebells. I've tried it all. Nutrition and body
weight training were my main preoccupations. What I was always looking for
was an effective way of training anywhere and anytime. Finding kettlebells
was another important step in my personal training development, but I
didn't know that I had found an all new world of training possibilities. The
most complete training system I had ever experienced!
Personal training for me is sharing a passion that I know will work for
others. Earning my life by coaching others is really what I'm striving for.


How long have you been training people and what types of certifications
do you hold?
I have been training with others and giving them advice from knowledge and
experience, building training and nutrition plans, for seven years. As a personal kettlebell trainer,only since my certification in August 2005. I've been in the Canadian Forces as a Combat Engineer for six years.
I've trained five years full time on a biathlon team, which is where I
got most of my training experience. I followed a fitness, health and
nutrition course in college and earned a Naturopath
diploma and the right to practice. Finally a got CKC certification, as well as all
of the first aid courses that can be useful to any coach.


Who are your typical clients? What are they looking for?
Since I live near a military base and believe that kettlebell is the
ideal training for soldiers, I'm definitely after them. I would also like to
get more police officers and some fire fighters.
These three kinds of people have one important common point, training is
directly connected to their job and the vast majority of them are looking for
a true functional body.


What is your approach to fitness? How do you define a fit person?
I see fitness as a MUST, everyone needs to be fit in order to survive
this world. The definition of someone fit is different for everyone, but for me
someone is fit if he can stand out from others in a given activity. Fit
enough is something that you will never reach but always be working towards!


What drew you to Kettlebell training, both for your own training and as
a coach?
Without hesitation, I would say it was the world of possibilities that a single
piece of equipment could provide me. The philosophy and history that comes
with kettlebells drew me to them as well. As a coach, it's sharing a training
mentality that I believe in and that had worked for me.


What impact have Kettlebells had on helping you reach your fitness goals
and the goals of your clients?
Everybody reaches their goals faster with kettlebells. Kettlebells are fun because they
have this way of making you want to overcome all the different challenges
that are pretty much endless.

What do you think is the most essential quality a person
must have if they are to attain their goals.
PERSISTENCE! If someone can be persistent in whatever he is undertaking
I'm telling you he is going to achieve it.


What qualities do you think a great personal trainer should possess?
In my point of view a good trainer must be professional. He must show
good preparation and not pretend he knows everything in training. His
technique has to be impeccable, that's why he must train harder than his
clients!