Jeff Martone's H2H (Hand-to-Hand) Kettlebell Drills (57 min., $39.95) By Jeff Martone

     I had no idea what I was in for when I popped this video into the VCR. I've followed every printed word and video related to Kettlebells for the past several years. I figured there was very little left that would surprise me. Enter Jeff Martone.

     His new video presents an incredible collection of drills that I had never seen, nor even imagined possible. Not only does Jeff show us that they are indeed possible, but he performs them smoothly and teaches them succinctly. I can't remember a time when I was happier to own a kettlebell than while I watched this tape for the first time. I just could not believe all the new uses I have for my kettlebells. And they are not all just parlor tricks either; they have an excellent training effect that you cannot get with any other implement. Try flipping and catching a Bowflex!

     One thing I really like about this video is that all of the exercises are presented in a logical progression from simple to more complex drills. A lot of thought went into the presentation and instruction of this video. The video quality, sound and editing are all very well done. Neither of these are very important criteria for a training video, but it is nice to see professionally made videos. While I like the presentation, it is the content that really makes this a great tape.

     The contents of Jeff's video fall into a few basic categories: flips, releases, under the leg variations, miscellaneous and even more miscellaneous! First up are the release moves, in which you swing the weight, let go at the top and then catch it. It could not be any simpler, yet Jeff manages to find several ways to make it more challenging and fun. The hand tapping drills are simple, but they add enough extra challenge to make things interesting. Next up are the flips, which I had seen before (one of the few I had seen previously). To flip the bell, you release it as before, but you let it make a complete revolution before catching it again. It's another fun way to make things just a bit more challenging. Of course, Jeff took the flip to the next level as well, adding new variations that I had not seen before, including cleans and snatches with a flip. Ingenious!

     There are also a lot of under the leg and around the body pass variations presented here on this tape. Variety is the spice of life and Jeff really spices up this basic exercise with several variations that are, in my opinion, better than the original. This is also where we enter the land of the miscellaneous. I will not even try to describe some of the other stuff on this tape. I asked Jeff at the RKC seminar how he came up with so much unique stuff and he told me that it was basically just a matter of finding creative solutions to working around injuries. Creative indeed…

     I have had almost two months to play around with the material on this tape and I can say that it has injected new life and energy into my kettlebell workouts. I just have so much fun releasing and flipping my kettlebell that I keep going after I would normally stop. Of course, I do not even realize how tired I am getting, since I am having fun. However, as soon as the bell hits the ground, I am sucking wind big time. It is a great feeling. It actually reminds me of the feeling I get when I play a long, intense point on the tennis court. I can go at 100% until the point ends and then I nearly drop from the combination of breathing hard and laughing. It is truly a unique training effect. It is difficult to quantify it in linear terms, like adding 5 lbs to your deadlift, but you do develop a unique coordination and sensitivity, a stronger grip and more varieties of movement to add into your training.

     As a word of warning, learn these lifts outdoors where you can safely drop the kettlebell. It will happen, so do it in the safest environment possible. Also, you simply have to master the basic swing before attempting anything on this tape. It is for advanced Gireviks only. For those that do take the time to master the basics, these new exercises are your reward for your hard work.

Announcement: Power Ring Training System

Note: The Power Ring Training System is from the same parent company that publishes this magazine, Power Athletes, LLC. Thus, there will be no official review of this product, only the following announcement and instructive articles in the future.

     There has been a high demand for gymnastics rings, but typically they have been too expensive. This problem is now taken care of by the Power Ring Training System, the first rings apparatus designed with the needs of non-gymnasts in mind. The most innovative part of the system is that they are adjustable in height within a 9 foot range, so they can be used for overhead work such as pull-ups and ground work such as push-ups. They will cost $78.50 plus S&H.
Another great benefit is that they are portable. You can easily fit them into a backpack and have them up in a few minutes. Adjusting the height could not be any easier. All you have to do is depress a button and slide the strap through. You can go from pull-ups to push-ups faster than you can catch your breath!

     The most compelling part of the Power Rings is all of the conventional equipment it replaces. It is better than any pull-up bar and dip stand on the market, they are the world's most challenging and versatile push-up handles and are the most user friendly "ab wheel" in existence. The best part is that since they are adjustable in height, you do not have to be in ridiculously good shape to attempt a standing jackknife (ab wheel roll-out from toes). Nor do you have to capable of performing a pull-up before you can start working on them. You merely have to lower the rings to a height where you can spot yourself with your feet. They are definitely user friendly, but they can be so difficult that they are an Olympic sport. The possibilities for challenge and growth are endless.

     The rings are also easier on most people's joints because they rotate and move freely, as opposed to being locked into one particular grip throughout the whole rep. With the rings, you can use a neutral grip or even employ a "shoulder and elbow-friendly" corkscrew motion. You can also go from a wide grip to a narrow grip within a single rep if you find that to be easier on your arms.

     If you are interested in entering the ring of power, please check out the new website: www.ringtraining.com. We will start taking orders on June 10th.