On Feb. 28th, in San Jose California, an RKC Level 2 certification was held. Participants from all over the world came to test and learn new skills. One of those in attendance was the owner of TNT Fitness Results; Derek Toshner. .
By passing this camp Derek has now become one of two Level 2 RKC certified trainers in the state of Wisconsin (his brother being the other one). The camp consisted of 3 days of tests on the various exercises a kettlebell instuctor would be expected to perform without any flaws in their technique. Level one exercises include proper form of a swing, press, squat, snatch, clean, and turkish get up. Level two consisted of more difficult exercises such as windmill, bent press, pistol squat, pull-up, viking push press, and push jerk. In order to pass, participants not only needed to perform proper techniques, but also needed to perform a press with half their body wieght, a pull up with 24kg kettlebell hooked to their toe, a pistol squat, and 100 snatches in 5-minutes with a 24kg kettlebell.
If the participant failed any part of the level two training not only would they not pass but if they also failed at the level one skills, they would have their level one certification taken away. This does not happen often but is always a possibility. Derek was not allowed to pass until he got to day three and performed all the exercies. He was one of the fortunate ones in his group, six of the other 12 in his group failed the certification, thats a 50% fail rate which is common at this type of camp.
This only proves how serious the top instructors of kettlebells are when it comes to their craft. Derek is a phenomenal athlete and for him to pass it took all his skills and strengths. So for those thinking of taking a shot at the Level one certification make sure to train at TNT with Derek for a minimum of 3 months before attempting to become one of the RKC elite.
