What is an Agatsu Kettlebell
Coach?
Shawn Mozen
The
Canadian
Kettlebell Certification was recently renamed the Agatsu
Kettlebell Certification. I have made this change due the ever
evolving nature of this program. The course is being attended
by Canadians and Americans and it seemed as though the name
didn’t quite capture the essence of the program.
I am asked on a daily basis to explain the nature of the Agatsu
Kettlebell Certification and how it differs from other fitness
certifications. What follows is a general overview of the characteristics
of this course. This certification like its participants is
continually evolving, changing and improving. As more people
go through it, each and everyone contributes something to shaping
and improving what is taught and what is shared. Despite its
evolving nature certain areas of concentration remain ever present
and act as the foundation upon which I have built my approach
to training and teaching. These key fundamentals are as follows:
1) Teaching how to learn and how to teach: Over the years I
have coached everything from soccer, football, karate, grappling,
self defense, weight lifting and Kettlebells, not to mention
a host of other non physical activities. I began assisting Karate
classes at a very young age and during that time learned invaluable
lessons from my instructor. Beyond teaching me Karate, he taught
me how to learn and how to teach. I remember him demonstrating
in front of the class and as he did so people started to copy
him. “No!” he would tell them, “you don’t
watch with your feet, you watch with your eyes. Stop moving
and start looking and listening.” Rather than listening
to his explanation, students were trying to copy what he was
doing as he went through it. He taught me how to listen, how
to break down what I was being shown and then to attempt to
apply the principles that were demonstrated. Part of the Agatsu
Kettlebell program is my attempt to share this philosophy and
this knowledge with other coaches. What I am teaching is how
to learn and how to teach, regardless of the subject matter.
Kettlebells are the tool that we use; however the real power
of the program is in learning how to learn and how to share
what you learn.
2) Kettlebell Fundamentals: Kettlebells are becoming more
and more popular and many personal trainers are starting to
incorporate them when training their clients. This is great,
if and only if, the personal trainer actually knows how to use
them. I have seen incredible things passed off as Kettlebell
techniques; poor basics like these will not get you the results
you want, but may also cause injuries. Kettlebells are an excellent
conditioning tool and if used properly they can, and do live
up to the hype surrounding them, however they require skill
and practice and coaching from someone who actually knows how
to use them. The Agatsu Kettlebell Level 1 Certification teaches
Kettlebell fundamentals. You will learn how to safely train
and teach others how to get the most out of their training in
a safe and effective manner. I teach everyone from physiotherapy
patients to pro athletes and each individual must be trained
as such. We all have various strengths and weaknesses, some
of us have injuries we must work around. To properly train someone
you need to know how to work with each individual’s strengths
and weaknesses and how to teach them in a manner that will encourage
them and help them build their bodies not tear them down.
3) Joint mobility Drills: As a martial artist since the age
of seven I have been exposed to a host of conditioning methods
and drills. One of the most valuable forms of conditioning and
body maintenance I have encountered has been Joint Mobility
training. Joint mobility work increases the range of motion
in your joints, improves mobility and overall health. It is
largely overlooked and under trained and is a key component
of the certification program. In addition to its health benefits
it is an essential part of the training I do with my clients
since it helps to focus their minds prior to Kettlebell training.
Joint Mobility drills require you to concentrate on your body,
and help to develop kinesthetic awareness, two things required
for Kettlebell training. By using them as a kind of warm-up
we loosen the joints and ready the mind for the serious work
of Kettlbell practice.
4) Bodyweight Exercises: As part of an overall theme of learning
to control your body, improve your mobility, endurance and strength,
the Agatsu Kettlebell Certification explores how bodyweight
training can improve athletic performance and overall health.
Bodyweight exercises require you to be flexible, stable, strong,
and have a high degree of kinesthetic awareness. These kinds
of drills make an excellent compliment to Kettlebell training
as demonstrated on the Agatsu Second Wind DVD.
Throughout
the course of a certification weekend the four directions of
training are explored in great detail. Each participant should
walk away with a deeper understanding of their own personal
training and how to train others. After the certification, new
coaches are part of a growing family, sharing questions, observations,
concerns and knowledge on the Agatsu forum, magazine and at
future workshops. As a family of coaches each brings unique
skills to the group and helps shape and direct its future. The
first year’s participants have set the bar high for those
that will follow.
If you would like more information on brining the Agatsu Kettlebell
Program to your fitness center contact us at info @ agtsu.com
Along with our current certification seminars being held in
Montreal we are also conducting workshops across the country.
Contact us today for information about hosting a certification
seminar at your location.
Shawn
Mozen is the owner of Agatsu Inc. and editor of Canadian Kettlebell
Magazine. As a full time coach Shawn offers training in a wide
variety of areas of self-improvement, including strength &
conditioning, self defense training and martial arts. Shawn
can be contacted through this site or www.agatsu.com
