Rating: 
Summary: I must recant!!!!
Review: First, yes, I am the same Storm Fox as in the other review. I said some pretty nasty stuff, that I thought was true, having given the kettlebells I made a fraction of a chance, and being upset about the cost of all the KB merchandise (KB's themselves, aswell as the Book and Video). Sorry, all, my other review was unfairly negative. For the new lifter starting out, KB's are not a bad idea, and everyone who has tried Pavel's KB's is impressed and would gladly make the purchase again. I made some Kettlebell handles from other exercise equipment, gave some of the exercises a little more respect, and went at it. Boy, I am sorry for that review! What a great workout! KB's are great for lifting at home, even in small spaces. Trust me, I know my way around dumbbells (I won't post my lifts, as you might think I was bragging, and bragging is obnoxious), and Kb's are still hard! Count me a convert, but not a fanatic. Barbells and dumbbells are very important. The KB's are great, the exercises are simple to learn(as simple as my favorite dumbbell lifts, much simpler than some of the best barbell lifts), and, although I still have some problems with the usefullness of some of the pictures (a few of them seemed extraneous, and a better view of the wrist flick would have really helped), the editing, and the money involved, Kettlebells are worth a shot. Hey, they made me a believer!
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Program But Be Careful
Review: Go figure, swinging a hunk of iron around will strengthen your muscles and give you an aerobic workout you couldn't have imagined. In a few weeks after starting kettlebells I gained 5 pounds without adding any fat and my legs feel 10 years younger.You can get hurt if you don't use the correct form so be careful and do what Pavel says. Also consider getting the video so you can see the motions better which will help you get the form down and minimize the risk of injury. Fear of injury only keeps you from living, not getting hurt.
Rating:
Summary: Best program for getting in shape and getting stronger.
Review: I bought this book on a recommendation from a fellow martial artist who was claiming terrific strength and endurance gains. I ahve been trying the exercises using dumbells in the gym and the results are fantastic. The ballistic swings give an intense cardio AND strength workout and I am dropping bodyfat fast. The book is deceptively short, but the material is very very good. I hear that the real kettlebells make a big difference, but you can try out the exercises with dumbells.
Rating:
Summary: Quit The Gym
Review: I can highly recommend RKC. The days are over of Monday: Biceps and Triceps,Tuesday: Chest and Shoulders ETC.. It is a total body work out. I first started with dumbells to see if I liked the work out. I purchased RKC the DVD version, watch it several times before starting to lift any weight. I later bougth an actual Kettlebell, although it is the same weight as I was using the KB is more difficult to use. I quit my gym after the first week of starting the RKC. For example I have seen my biceps grow, yet I have not done a bicep curl in two months.
Rating: 
Summary: Definitely NOT impressed
Review: I can't believe I shelled out $35 for this book! I had to return it to my local bookstore because I couldn't even bring myself to finish it! Large print, widely spaced, photo-crammed and poorly formatted. Very little useable material for the money. Pavel must have never heard of spell check or grammar check, either. Not to nitpick, I should get to the point. This book has NOTHING new. It's true that one-hand lifting is simple to learn and highly beneficial. You can learn it largely on your own, though. Also, repetition lifting is good for you, and may be the best thing in the world for your strength, health, and flexibility. You do NOT need Kettlebells, this book, or the kettlebell video to obtain these benefits. The reason this book exists is to sell kettlebells, and they don't come cheap. The book, video, and set of three kettlebells would cost you about $500.00! That's money better spent on a barbell, adjustable dumbbell, and a year's subscription to a good strength training magazine. Save the rest. Trust me.
Rating:
Summary: My comments and observations of Mr. Tsatsouline's book
Review: I found the book to be an excellent resource. It showed me not only how to execute the exercises but also how to plan and structure my workouts. It also has quite a few sample routines which are to say the least very demanding. I have been using Pavel's methods and techniques along with kettlebells for about 4 months now and have seen a real difference both in my strength endurance and my physique. Do you have to have kettlebells to get anything out of this book? Absolutely not! You can do the same movements with a dumbbell. The k-bell just makes it that much more demanding. Prior to purchasing The Russian Kettlebell Challenge I did do some research and I found the biggest gripe to be that it was "too expensive" as was the case with all of Pavel's works. My question is, expensive compared to what? And you get what you pay for! When I first got the book there were some things that I didn't understand about the Side Press and the Bent Press. So I went to Pavel's free (I'll say it again, FREE) forum and talked with him directly and he explained it several times over in different ways until I got it right! How much do the other fitness guru's charge for an on-line consultation? Do I feel this book is right for everyone? No, no program is. Do I feel it is a solid piece of work built mainly around time tested effective techniques? Yes! Did I feel ripped off when I first forked over the [item price] for a paperback book? Yes, but that was before I saw it working for me before my very eyes and experienced the wonderful customer service of Mr. Tsatsouline and Dragondoor. I would gladly and without reservation recommend this book to anyone interested in bettering their bodies for any reasons.
Rating:
Summary: Worked for me.
Review: I have practiced Kettlebell training for a year and a half. I now have an anatomy chart back and have gotten MUCH stronger. I read many of the reviews of this book on this site. While most of the reviews are positive, there are a some people with much that is negative to say about this book. Many of the criticisms are true. Yes, you CAN get hurt doing this workout. Yes, Kettlebells are expensive, but the book readily admits that you can do virtually all of the exercises with a dumbbell. Yes, the book contains a great deal of "fluff" but the information that you do get is memorable and useful. Funny, I was able to glean a great deal more useful techniques upon second and third readings. This helped me tweak my techniques and improve. Lastly, the exercises are HARD. Surely, I wasn't expecting the hyped results without hard work. One of Pavel's mottos is "enjoy the pain." Surely, when I gasp for air after another hard workout, I am fully enjoying the pain. Then again, I take solace in the gains to come in strength and conditioning.
Rating:
Summary: A great book - a killer approach to fitness
Review: I've been working out with weights for over 25 years, and the Russian Kettlebell Challenge is simply the best approach I've ever found to combining strenght training, endurance, and flexibility. Pavel Tsatouline has done his usual outstanding job of presenting clear, no-nonsense info on the best way to get into killer shape, with tremendous carryover for virtually any athletic endeavor. The explanations of the why's and how's of kettlebell training are excellent. The exercise descriptions and photos are clear. The training guidelines Pavel presents and the sample programs alone are worth the price of the book. The Russian kettlebell sport standards he includes are inspirational, and great for goal-setters. His "program minimum" can be followed by ANYONE - male or female - in only a few minutes a day, with minimal equipment, and will produce spectacular results. His "program maximum" is a challenge in ever sense of the word, but will definitely get you in the best shape of your life. The companion video for this book is superb as well, and a must for mastering some of the nuances of the unique kettlebell exercises. His kettlebells, which are sold separately, are the coolest toys in my house. I have purchased almost all of Pavel's excellent works, and they have literally changed my life. After years of beating myself up with unproductive exercise routines, I've applied Pavel's Power to the People principles with far better results at 40-plus years of age than I got at 20. Now, I'm addicted to kettlebell training, and more excited and enthusiastic about working out than ever. The Russian Kettlebell Challenge is Pavel's best work yet - and that's saying a lot. I highly recommend this book, and all of Pavel's products. If you're serious about exercise and getting into the best shape of your life with surprising ease, you will not be disappointed with this or any of Pavel's products.
Rating:
Summary: Good book, great workout
Review: If you have been power lifting, bodybuilding or are involved in martial arts, you owe it to yourself to give kettlebells a try. They provide an intense full body workout that leaves you exhausted. Additionally, they demand good form and intensity. You can't do a sloppy workout with these things, they'll punish you if you do. The author's writing is basic and to the point just like the workouts, and his sense of humor makes the book enjoyable. He does a great job of explaining the techniques as well. I was up and running with a 20KG kettlebell the first day and can honestly say it's one of the best workouts I've ever experienced. Get the book, get some kettlebells, and get strong Comrade!
Rating:
Summary: Good book, great workout
Review: If you have been power lifting, bodybuilding or are involved in martial arts, you owe it to yourself to give kettlebells a try. They provide an intense full body workout that leaves you exhausted. Additionally, they demand good form and intensity. You can't do a sloppy workout with these things, they'll punish you if you do. The author's writing is basic and to the point just like the workouts, and his sense of humor makes the book enjoyable. He does a great job of explaining the techniques as well. I was up and running with a 20KG kettlebell the first day and can honestly say it's one of the best workouts I've ever experienced. Get the book, get some kettlebells, and get strong Comrade!
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