February 25, 2009

Updated Kettlebell Workshop Schedule - Winter 2009

Kb02Kettlebell 101
This five-hour workshop will cover an introductory level technique progression of the "core" (SINGLE) kettlebell lifts: the Deadlift, Swing, Clean, Squat, Military Press and Snatch.

Workshop Dates:
February 21, 2009 -
Baltimore, MD
March 01, 2009 -
York, PA
April 29, 2009 - Arlington, VA
May 16, 2009 -
Quantico, VA

Kettlebells - For Women Only
This five-hour workshop will cover an introductory level Kettlebell technique progression designed to facilitate fat loss, increase lean muscle mass and enhance endurance. 

Workshop Date: April 29, 2009 – Gaithersburg, MD

Kettlebell 201
This five-hour workshop will cover an intermediate level Kettlebell technique progression with TWO kettlebells and will focus on the Deadlift, Squat, Swing, Clean, Military Press and Snatch. 

Workshop Date: March 14, 2009 - Quantico, VA

Kettlebells for First Responders
This five-hour workshop will cover essential Russian Kettlebell and bodyweight skills and techniques for strength, endurance and injury prevention for First Responders (LE/Fire/Mil).

Workshop Date: April 04, 2009 - Fairfax, VA

Kettlebell Kombatives
This five-hour workshop will cover an introductory level Kettlebell and Bodyweight technique progression designed to increase speed, power and endurance in combat athletes while promoting lean muscle mass, joint stability and injury prevention. 

Workshop Date: April 18, 2009 - Charlotte Hall, MD

To get the most updated list of events, or to pre-register for any of the above events, please shoot us an email and we be more than happy to add you our mailing list.

February 18, 2009

New Class Times!

MAK art small For those of you who are living under a rock (or a KB) and haven't checked your email lately we are offering two additional classes during the week.  We are adding another CrossFit WOD at 0630 PM on Monday and Wednesday evenings starting on February 18, 2009.  So for those of you that work "bankers hours" and can't get in for the 0500 PM workout you've got no excuses to miss a WOD!

See you there!

January 29, 2009

Free Intro To CrossFit Workout this Saturday (01/31/09)

CrossFit Koncepts 061008

CrossFit Koncepts will be having a free Intro to CrossFit Workout this Saturday (01/31/09) from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.   You will learn about CrossFit, Russian Kettlebells and how our dynamic training environment and methodology will get you into the best shape of your life - GUARANTEED.  We'll take you through a brief warm-up followed by a quick introduction to the skills you will need for the workout.  Once that is out of the way you'll get your first taste of what a CrossFit / Kettlebell workout is like.  By the time you're done you'll know why CrossFit Koncepts is the only choice for you!

If you're curious about what a CrossFit / Kettlebell workout is like then this is your chance to find out - for free!  If you're working with a trainer, or have been working out on your own and are not getting the results you're looking for then PLEASE attend this free workout so that we can show you what we have to offer.  It's only one hour out of your day - but we are confident that it CAN and WILL change how you workout forever!

FYI: We will be releasing dates for upcoming Russian Kettlebell and Martial Arts workshops shortly.  We have several training events scheduled in MD, DC, VA, PA and CA in the coming months and I look forward to seeing you at one or several of them!

NOTE: The free workout is limited to the first 15 people who RSVP to Mike at makoncepts@gmail.com or at 301/404-2571.

January 12, 2009

The First 11 Workouts of 2009

Kim_KB_Snatch Well we are already eleven (11) workouts into 2009 - can it already be that many??!!??  They've all been tough, physically and in some cases mentally, but fun!  So far we've done:

  • JAFO
  • You're Such a Jerk
  • You Don't Know Jack
  • I'm Seeing Double
  • Enough Rope to Hang Yourself
  • That Doesn't Look Too Bad
  • Melissa aka You Crazy B#$ch
  • Duck and Cover
  • Hoover

What do future workouts hold for CrossFit Koncepts clients?  Well, you'll just have to wait and see!  But I can guarantee that you'll meet a whole new group of "girls" - not the CrossFit Girls but the Bond Girls!  You think Fran, Cindy and Linda are tough?  Then wait til you meet up with Vesper, Kissy and Thumper!  Bring on the PAIN!!!

January 08, 2009

Homemade Energy and Protein Bars (2 of 2)

Here is the second-half of the video by Alton Brown (Host of the Food Network's "Good Eats") about making your own energy and protein bars.  Hmmm... maybe we need to press Dorothy and Geri (our resident gourmet cooks) to give these recipes a try! :P



January 07, 2009

Homemade Energy and Protein Bars (1 of 2)

"Good Eats" host Alton Brown has a great way of making a cooking show palatable - seriously!  He has a great sense of humor and his delivery is great - if he ever decided to do stand-up comedy I'd pay to see him!  Anyway, here is part one of a two part video on how to make your own energy and protein bars for pennies - and they are a heck of a lot better for you!


January 01, 2009

New Year and a New Location!

TacticalLunge We started off 2009 with a workout at our new location!  Twelve brave souls ventured out on New Years morning to bring in the new year in style - with a CrossFit Koncepts workout!

For those of you who aren't on our mailing list (and missed the notices regarding our move) we are now located at 8576 Dakota Drive in Gaithersburg, MD 20877.  It's only a "stones throw" from our old location but the move has given us a lot more space and has allowed us to offer more classes and more special events.

Following is our new schedule:

CrossFit Koncepts Group Workouts

  • Monday: 0500 - 0600 PM
  • Tuesday: 0700 - 0800 PM
  • Wednesday: 0500 - 0600 PM
  • Thursday: 0700 - 0800 PM
  • Friday: 0500 - 0600 PM
  • Saturday: 0900 - 1000 AM
  • Sunday: 0900 - 1000 AM

NOTE: we are running a new member special for the month of January.  For more information contact Mike Krivka at 301/404-2571 for all the details and to sign up for a free introductory workout.

December 22, 2008

Athletic or Aesthetic?

Kbsnatch What's my acid test for any exercise that I do or teach?  It's a real simple one - all I do is look at the exercise and determine if the underlying goal of the exercise is Athletic or Aesthetic.  Simple?  Yes.  Effective?  Absolutely!  In case you don't know what I'm talking about, let me explain.  An athletic exercise is going to direct impact on my speed, strength, flexibility, endurance, etc.  An aesthetic exercise is going to give (the layman) the impression that I have speed, strength, flexibility, endurance, etc.

Let me give you an example - how about biceps curls for starters?  The goal of the biceps curl is to increase the size and definition of the biceps head in relation to the other muscles in the upper arm.  Increasing the size of the biceps would also require the development of the triceps in order to maintain balance in the upper arm.  What is the athletic purpose of large biceps?  I guess they'll fill out your t-shirt better but will they really improve your performance or just make you look like an athlete?

How about the kettlebell snatch?  The goal of the kettlebell snatch is increase the athlete's hip speed, anterior and posterior chain integration, increase overhead strength and flexibility, and develop anaerobic endurance.  The kettlebell snatch doesn't overtly emphasize the development of one muscle (group) over another but does promote development of the pelvic girdle and glutes.

So which exercise do you think I would do as part of my own workouts as well as recommend to my clients?  Right...

BTW - Guys - if you have to do curls please do them in the privacy of your own home so that I don't have to watch you preening in front of the mirror.  Because if see you doing them I may not be able to control the laughter...

NOTE: image from CrossFit Eastside

December 16, 2008

Lance Armstrong + Kettlebells

LanceArmstrong doing 2-hand swings with the Kettlebell Lance Armstrong, in an upcoming "Men's Health" magazine article (Jan/Feb 2009) details his mindset and training methodology behind his planned comeback in the 2009 Tour de France.  Not surprisingly, Lance has included Russian Kettlebells as part of the process.

See the full article on the New York Daily Times website and look for the Jan/Feb 2009 issue of Men's Health on newsstands later this month.

December 09, 2008

KB Cossack Pistol from Japan

It's rare that you find someone with spot-on technique on YouTube but this guy has it.  I ran across this video, as well as a couple others that I'm going to post, that are very impressive and represent smooth, powerful and seemingly effortless kettlebell technique.  Nice work!


Kettlebell Resources

Sunday AM Kettlebell Workouts

  • Another workout survived!
    A sampling of images from CrossFit Koncepts Sunday morning workouts.

CrossFit KB Certification (06/08)

  • CrossFit Level I Kettlebell Certification - June 2008
    This album contains pictures from the Level I CrossFit Kettlebell Certification held on June 21st and 22nd, 2008. This event was held in Gaithersburg, Maryland at CrossFit Koncepts and was taught by Jeff Martone. Jeff was assisted by Mike Krivka, owner of CrossFit Koncepts.

CrossFit Koncepts 04/13/08 WOD

  • Ana (aka "The Energizer Bunny") knocking out some KB Snatches...
    This album contains pictures from the 04/13/08 Sunday Morning WOD. This workout is Mike Krivka's Birthday workout entitled "A Few of My Favorite Things...". It turned out to be a real "smoker" but the Sunday AM crew attacked it with gusto and most, if not all, completed the workout in less than 30 minutes!?!? John, who did it on Saturday AM and only got to level 4, returned on Sunday AM and completed the workout!

CrossFit Koncepts 04/06/08 WOD

  • Ana aka "The Energizer Bunny" knocking out Box jumps during FGB!
    This album contains pictures from the 04/06/08 Sunday Morning WOD that is a CrossFit staple: Fight Gone Bad. NOTE - We did this workout with the Saturday AM crew as well, which consisted of John, Krystal, Liz and "Dos" - and they all returned on Sunday AM to do it again!!!

CrossFit KB Certification (03/08)

  • This album contains pictures from the Level I CrossFit Kettlebell Certification held on March 8th & 9th, 2008. This event was held in Gaitherburg, Maryland at CrossFit Koncepts and was taught by Jeff Martone. Jeff was assisted by Mike Krivka, owner of CrossFit Koncepts.

KB Workout with Jeff Martone

  • Jeff and Mike during a KB Thruster cycle...
    Pictures from a quick KB workout with Jeff Martone the evening before the Level I CrossFit KB Certification at CrossFit Koncepts.

CrossFit KB Certification - San Diego, CA

  • Crossfit_kb_cert_2007
    This album contains pictures from the first CrossFit Kettlebell Certification (Level I). This event was held in San Diego, California at CrossFit San Diego and was taught by Jeff Martone. Jeff was assisted by his wife Maureen Martone and Mike Krivka.

CrossFit Journal