So, I was in the market for some new kettlebells and I decided to do some market research to find the best deals online. What I [...]]]> You’d be crazy to buy Russian kettlebells after you’ve seen how much the prices are marked up. See up-to-date prices from several of the leading kettlebell manufacturers below.

Russian Kettlebells

So, I was in the market for some new kettlebells and I decided to do some market research to find the best deals online. What I found was part liberating and part infuriating. After a little bit of shopping around, numbers crunching, and adding all the data to a spreadsheet, the results were downright shocking. I quickly discovered that one of the leading retailers for Russian kettlebells have their products consistently marked up over 200% from its competitors. Now, I can understand a marginal markup, but when you have the ability to offer your products at 50% off and STILL be more expensive than the competitors, something is wrong. Even shipping is more expensive than some of the competition.

One leading retailer for Russian kettlebells (I won’t mention names… yet) sells a 16kg Kettlebell for $125.95. That price is for a single kettlebell shipped anywhere in the lower 48 states of the continental USA. Another leading retailer for Russian kettlebells charges $54.95 for the same type of kettlebell – and that also includes shipping.

Now, I’m no math whiz, but that’s a big price difference and a LOT of money to be saved from a comparable product. Here’s the math…

$125.95 (16 kg Standard Russian Kettlebell)
-$54.95 (16 kg Standard Russian Kettlebell)
————–
= $71.00 saved!

Just by choosing a different retailer, you could save $71 on ONE kettlebell! With the extra money, you could buy and ship a separate 24 kg kettlebell, and still have some cash left over.

Oh, and it gets better…

You Get What You Pay For… That’s Not Always True When You Buy Kettlebells

Surely everyone knows that there are kettlebells of different levels of quality. Some kettlebells are simply manufactured to a higher level of quality than others, but did you know that there are kettlebells of different grades, too? You see, certain types of kettlebells are not allowed in professional kettlebell sport (aka Girevoy Sport) because they don’t meet the specifications outlined in the official rules. In kettlebell sport, the rules dictate that only the highest quality kettlebells can be used during competitions. This is to ensure consistency in the performance testing among the athletes. They only use the best kettlebells.

Without a doubt, those kettlebells that are manufactured to the level of “professional grade” are the highest quality kettlebells you can buy.

What if I told you that you could purchase professional grade kettlebells – the highest quality kettlebells you can buy – for even less money than most standard grade, Russian kettlebells? I’m assuming you’d be about as ecstatic as I was. Let me give you some perspective.

One leading retailer for standard Russian kettlebells sells a 16kg Kettlebell for $125.95 (cost of kettlebell + shipping). Another leading retailer for Professional Grade Kettlebells charges $66.95 – also shipped.

$125.95 (16 kg Standard Grade Russian Kettlebell)
-$66.95 (16 kg Professional Grade Kettlebell)
————–
= $59.00 saved!

Not only would you be saving $59, you’d also be purchasing the absolute highest quality kettlebells money can buy – the very same kettlebells that are used in elite kettlebell competitions. You can almost buy two for the price of one!

Now, I understand that shopping for kettlebells shouldn’t be done on price alone, and it would be irresponsible of me to only post the above information without also giving you more details about how I came to these conclusions. There are certainly many factors that must be considered before you make any good investment, and especially with buying kettlebells. Some people may have a very good reason for dishing out over twice as much cash for an authentic Russian kettlebell (that are manufactured and distributed here in the USA, I might add).
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Most of us would like to get the highest quality products at the lowest price possible, and that’s why I created…
*Right Click Image and Select “Save Link As” to Download the PDF Special Report (400 kb)

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DESCRIPTION: This is an exhaustive guide in PDF special report format that will answer all of your kettlebell buying questions. Also included is a chart of all the price points from several of the leading kettlebell distributors. I show the price of each kettlebell and the price of shipping, along with the total price – all in an easy-to-read spreadsheet. This is from personal research I did when trying to find the best deals on kettlebells for sale.

Compare kettlebell prices from several of the leading manufacturers with the Kettlebell Price Comparison Chart.

By the time you’re done reading through this kettlebell PDF special report, you’ll be the most educated buyer and ready to make the wisest investment with your money. You’ll also know exactly where you can buy the highest quality, yet least expensive kettlebells online. If you do some snooping, you can even find out who marks up their products the highest, too!

This PDF report is free because I want everyone to know where to find the best deals on kettlebells for sale. I’d also like to get it into as many people’s hands as possible because I receive a small commission on any purchases that are made through my links in the PDF. Rest assured that I only recommend products that I’ve tested and used myself. I’ve been using various types of kettlebells since 2004 and am also a certified Kettlebell Specialist through RMAX International.

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The Bottom Line

Next time you see an ad for Russian kettlebells for sale, don’t jump at the opportunity to buy right away. Do some market research of your own before you make your decision. It can save you a lot of money. You can get a big headstart by downloading and reading my kettlebell buyers guide (100% free).

Download The Definitive Guide For Buying Kettlebells

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Circular Strength Training Instructor
CST Kettlebell Specialist
Fitness Professional

P.S. If you know someone who’s looking to buy Russian kettlebells, please share this page with them before they make their purchase.

This speech is taken from a scene out of the latest Rocky movie in which Rocky is giving some advice to his son. Everyone would benefit to internalize the mindset presented here.

I hear [...]]]> Now if you know what you’re worth, then go out and get what you’re worth. -Rocky (played by Sylvester Stallone in Rocky VI)

This speech is taken from a scene out of the latest Rocky movie in which Rocky is giving some advice to his son. Everyone would benefit to internalize the mindset presented here.

I hear desperation and urgency. It’s as if he’s saying: it really is this simple kid – if you would just get it!

After watching this, I can’t help but think of how often people wait until they hit rock bottom before deciding to make a necessary (or even desired) change in their lifestyle. Sometimes, we need to hit rock bottom in order to “wake up” and start pursuing our dreams, but the truth is that we don’t really need to.

I’m starting to believe that more than anything else, success is a choice – first. We choose to be successful, or we choose not to. We choose to pursue and achieve our goals, or we choose to be lazy, dissatisfied, or complacent. Everything else is secondary – your circumstances, your social status, your talents and skills – everything. This may sound elementary, but think of the implications!

The bottom line is that success comes to those who don’t make excuses, and keep moving forward towards their goals – no matter what. It really is that simple. If we would just get it…

How would you live differently if you internalized the realization that free will is the only thing standing between you and your goals?

Some updates about what’s going on [...]]]> OK, technically I’m supposed to get a blogpost published by midnight every Thursday. I’ve made a deal with an accountability partner of mine that I would commit to one blogpost per week… or else (more on that next week). This update has been in my queue to publish for awhile.

Some updates about what’s going on in the world of Physical Living…

1) There was a LONG interim between my last two newsletters. I wanted to apologize in case you didn’t get the last email message. My schedule has been the busiest it ever has, and I couldn’t justify sending out a newsletter if I’ve barely published any blogposts recently. To make up for the delay, I’ve been compiling a special report for the past couple weeks that I’ll be sending all my subscribers in next weeks newsletter. If you’re not a newsletter subscriber yet, you can signup using the form in the right sidebar, or here.

2) My contact form was not working for a couple months. Apparently, it was either not receiving emails at all, or it was directing them to my spam folder. Again, sorry – I’ve been so busy I had hardly realized it wasn’t working properly. The problem is fixed now. If you ever send me a message and I don’t reply within 48 hours, please leave a comment indicating so. WordPress plugins are finicky and don’t always work.

3) On your right, you’ll notice a new Flattr button. If you’re not familiar with Flattr, then check out this video that explains the concept:

I have been Flattring for a few months now. I love the idea and I hope it takes off (seems as though it’s more popular in Europe than elsewhere). And of course, if you feel compelled, feel free to offer a small donation via Flattr.

4) There are now two ways to get daily updates on PhysicalLiving.com. Please see the Physical Living Facebook Page and my Twitter Profile if you’d like to receive updates for blogposts and other things that I think you may find interesting.

5) You can also subscribe to my YouTube Channel here.

6) Last, but not least… my wife and I are expecting our first child sometime soon, and whenever that happens, I’m going to disappear for at least two weeks. So, in case I don’t post between now and then, have a great couple of weeks!

CST, CST-KS, NSCA-CPT
Fitness Professional

On a long run with my dog through Clough State Park (about 2 hours, distance unknown), I experienced something remarkable about functional human capacities. It was a warm day, and I was running barefoot on a trail loop that is comprised of asphalt, sand, gravel, [...]]]>

Our dog, Ronin (aka fluff-head, muffin-top, puppy, and the "woochy-wooch").

On a long run with my dog through Clough State Park (about 2 hours, distance unknown), I experienced something remarkable about functional human capacities. It was a warm day, and I was running barefoot on a trail loop that is comprised of asphalt, sand, gravel, stone, and packed dirt. Ronin was off-leash running at his own pace and I was maintaining what felt like a 10 minute mile pace – slow and easy.

When we go for an off-leash run, Ronin likes to take the lead until he finds something interesting to smell. So, he often charges ahead, trots for a bit, and then stops to investigate anything and everything. It’s a beautiful display of the balance between working hard and resting just enough to keep going. Ronin knows when we’re going to be out for awhile, so he paces himself accordingly for a longer run.

Here’s where it gets interesting. After about 90 minutes into the run, I noticed that Ronin was no longer charging ahead of me. Rather, he was staying closer to me and maintaining a trot for much longer than before. Eventually, he fell behind and the distance between Ronin and I began steadily increasing. He simply couldn’t keep up with my pace anymore – even though I was maintaining speed and not running fast by anyone’s standards (a 10 minute mile, c’mon!). Granted, Ronin is an akita, which were bred for two purposes, 1) hunting bears, and 2) guarding a home or property. Sure, he’s a northern breed, with some of the most ancient lines of heritage of any type of canine, but he’s not a sled dog, if you know what I mean. He wasn’t bred to have exceptional physical endurance levels like a Siberian husky or any type of herding dog. In all the dog breed books, akitas are described as athletic with moderate physical activity needs.

But still, this is an animal, a strong and athletic animal in his prime (still has all that puppy energy). And here I was outrunning him into significant fatigue. Had we continued for another hour or two, he would have been run to utter exhaustion just trying to keep up with his pack.

This got me thinking about human capacities, especially when it comes to running. Last year and for the first time in my life, I had conditioned myself to the point where running was almost effortless (do note that I’ve never run for more than 3 hours straight). More specifically, I was running with absolutely no pain or discomfort, and my level of exertion was very low. My breathing wasn’t elevated when I ran, and when I stopped I didn’t have to slow my breathing or catch my breath. Of course, an increase in speed would change that altogether! However, running didn’t feel like work at all, and sometimes it was just as comfortable as walking. More often than not, I would finish a run refreshed, revitalized, and with seemingly more energy than when I started. Today, I’m finally able to relax while I run – something that would shock the doctors who told me I would never be able to run again.

It dawned on me that “this must be how it feels for those ultra-marathoners,” or at least for some of them during the early stages of each race. As humans, we have it completely within our capacity to run effortlessly, and a variety of factors will influence how long we’re able to maintain an effortless pace. Although, it’s obvious that we aren’t the strongest species, or the fastest either.

Usain Bolt is the fastest human in history, and a squirrel can outrun Usain Bolt – Christopher McDougall

Maybe we’re don’t even have the best endurance either, but nobody can argue the fact that we do have exceptional endurance when compared to other species. It’s clear that we have an affinity for covering long distances on land efficiently. A major reason for this is because we regulate our body heat almost entirely through our skin, not just through respiration like many animals do. When we get hot, we sweat to cool down. Whereas, a dog must lower it’s body temperature mostly through panting (or other obvious solutions like finding a shady, cool place to rest, drinking cold water, or going for a dip).

This video has been circulating several communities online. This is a persistence hunt of a male kudu, by tribesman of the San on the Kalahari Desert in Africa. This will give you a good idea of what kind of human endurance is possible. Enjoy!

Persistence Hunting in the Kalahari Desert

How to Run Effortlessly

I’m able to enjoy effortless running for several reasons. As is often the case, there isn’t a single miracle-solution that will help you to run effortlessly, but rather, it’s the integration of many different variables that contribute to better long distance running efficiency. It’s also a skill that must be developed incrementally. It’s not simply a matter of adjusting your technique or eating certain foods for better energy allocation. There is no quick-fix because it’s a skill that requires diligent practice.

First off, feel free to read this quick guide on how to immediately improve your running hobby – you can consider this a beginners guide to cover some of the basics: 5 Tips For The Perfect Run.

After that, take on these advanced strategies for running effortlessly:

1) Change your perception of running – Running doesn’t need to be an exhausting, painful, injury-producing activity. Running can and should be a joyful experience, and you need to believe that in order to make it a reality in your life. If you think that running is going to cause you pain or injury, then it probably will. However, if you change your mindset, you’ll enable your body to follow suit if you give it the time it needs to adjust.

2) Slow down – The easiest way to decrease your running effort is to slow down. It’s brain-dead obvious, but it bears attention. For me, this required that I forget my ego and go running for different reasons than to prove to myself or others what I can achieve. When I first started decreasing my running speed, I remember thinking…

“man, I’m going really slow. I might as well be walking, since this isn’t much faster. I hope nobody sees me running this slowly! … OLD MAN!!!”

Once I got over any preconceived notions about what my speed should be, it allowed me to focus on my movement in the moment. So much of our running problems stem from distractions, and any runner knows that it almost always starts in the mind. When you’re thinking about other things, it’s impossible to be mindful of your movement. This is when pain and injury come into the picture. It’s also why running, being quite a simple activity (that we’ve made complex) is an excellent vehicle to experience Flowstate performance – where all you are focused on is your movement.

3) Let your feet be your guide – Your body is incredibly smart and running barefoot gives you an opportunity to focus more strongly on the experience, instead of blocking out some sensory information from wearing a shoe. Most importantly, going barefoot requires that you pay attention not just to your environment, but to how your body feels. It should go without saying that going barefoot should be an extremely gradual process if you’re accustomed to running in shoes. The bottom line is that if you listen to what your feet are telling you, eventually you’ll be able to run effortlessly. If it hurts, then do something about it. Those blisters, shin splits, and DOMS are a sign that something is wrong. Use and trust your intuition.

4) Strive to improve the quality of your runs, not the quantity of your performance improvements – I think one of the best things I did was to throw running performance improvements out the window, which was followed by an impromptu dance session (No, I won’t film a video!). I know that there’s a time and place for measurements. Certainly if you have standards to meet, then you can’t completely ignore your personal numbers. However, for those who aren’t preparing for a track meet or physical fitness test, focusing on the quality of your runs is one of the best things you could do. So, instead of worrying about doing 1 mile more, or running the same distance in less time, just go out and run. If you’re being mindful of your movement, you’ll be constantly evaluating how you feel as you go. You’ll know if you can run faster or longer intuitively.

The only way to have a perfect run is to free yourself from any expectations. Each day is different, and so is each run. If you are mindful of this before and during each run, you’ll know exactly how hard to push yourself.

I think one of the best things you can do is to go running at a time when your schedule isn’t packed – when you have plenty of time to devote to it, and you’re not worried about your schedule (remember the mind distractions?). If you start with the attitude of “I’m just going to run until I don’t feel like it anymore,” then you’ll have a much more enjoyable and possibly even effortless run. If this means you can only run on Sunday mornings, then do it anyways!

5) Rest when you need it – Part of throwing performance out the window may also involve totally top-sizing your expectations. Sometimes, the only way to ensure an effortless run is to rest frequently – either slowing your pace considerably or even walking. Today, my runs with Ronin are often quite varied (the off-leash runs anyways). We’ll usually keep a steady pace throughout the entire run, but on occasion we will race each other in a full sprint or spend some time walking as silently as possible. Unless there is something beautiful to see or someone to talk to, we are always moving and pushing our limits within comfort. At a moment’s notice, we can come back to that effortless default “persistence trot.”

If you apply these five strategies, you’ll be well on your way to running effortlessly. Although, there’s certainly more to it than I’ve outlined above, and I’d like to know your experience with low effort or no effort running.

To your health and success,

CST, CST-KS, NSCA-CPT

Fitness Professional

P.S. One of the reasons why I’m able to enjoy effortless running is because I’ve spent years performing a daily personal practice to free my body of restrictions that would limit my range of motion and develop residual muscular tension. I use the Intu-Flow joint mobility program and Prasara BodyFlow Yoga to “clean the slate” in my body each day, and recommend that anyone who wants to be “free to move” should, too.