Enter The Kettlebell! Strength Secret of The Soviet Supermen

I have trouble understanding why some reviews of this book criticize it on the basis of lack of content. I think the book is chock-full of content, so much so, in fact, that I seriously urge any reader to take Pavel's advice to re-read several chapters. Others, who criticise on the basis of advertising content are also off the mark. While there is some promotional material, it is a handful of pages in the back of the book and is not intrusive.

Pavel is heavy on precise technique. This is for safety and also maximum gain from each exercise. It is precisely this detail that makes the book so valuable. Rather than simply describing a generic kettlebell swing technique, for example, Pavel lays the groundwork in preceeding chapters on hip flexibility and how to develop it, but ultimately covers grip, breathing, elbow and shoulder protection, callouses and hand maintenance, pull techniques, leg, hip, and back positioning, workout routines (e.g., ladders), and more.

My only problem with the book is that whoever edited it could have done a far better job organizing the material. I found that you really have to read the book cover-to-cover several times to really put it all together. In other words, you can't take this a chapter at a time as you progress, except perhaps for the face-the-wall squat preliminary work for flexibility. In a similar vein, some of the writing describing details of certain moves could be clearer. Again, if you read through the book, all will become clear, however. In the case of Enter the Kettlebell, having the video would be really helpful, as it helps in getting around some of the ambiguity.

This is the most worthwhile book on basic kettlebell I've seen to-date. If you're wondering whether to also purchase The Russian Kettlebell Challenge, no need - Pavel makes it clear in this book that it supercedes the earlier volume. His other books are complimentary, however, including Power to the People, The Naked Warrior, Relax Into Stretch, From Russia with Tough Love, etc.

Others have done a good job of reviewing this guide to the kettlebells. They can be brutal in developing your strength, cardio, and balance and stability all at the same time. These are not your mother's free weights! The author, Pavel, is self-described as "the evil Russian," but his wry and perceptive humor actually helps me to stay focused and enjoy the end results (after the pain subsides from laughing and lifting at the same time.) Some complained that the price for this book was too high, but now that Amazon is offering it for less than $25.00, you will be glad that you ordered it before your athletic friends and opponents discover kettlebells.

This book is an excelent introduction to exercising with kettlebells, that is what the name of the book sugests and what Pavel delivers.
I didn't think there is lots of filler information in it and I appreciate the pictures showing the correct and wrong way to do the movements. The exercises are completly diferent from barbells and they can carry you a long way. I have been doing the swings for a few weeks and I can see myself getting better. I like the way the KB seem to not have an end as far as workout, when you can handle the KB for the movements then try to make more repetitions in the same time.
Some may not like the way Pavel writes but I think it has to do with his cultural upbringing, remember he was born in the communist USSR so he does have an authoritary (sometimes) way of saying things.
Does he tell you all he knows in this book? No, this is meant to be an introduction to this type of exercises not to make you an expert at it, I like to keep it simple at the begining, I can always get another book later on.
Pricy? compared to paying a personal trainer, never. When you think about how much you will get out of this book I think it is pretty economic.

I learned about kettlebells from a trainer at my gym, and bought this book to learn more about them. Pros are easy to read, good humor, and easy to follow instructions. Cons are the pain you'll feel after doing a simple workout consisting of swings and get-ups, and the money you'll part with to get his other books (he's a good pitch man, but I won't criticize him for that, because he's just living the good American capitalist dream).

You must be prepared, however, to find an RKC instructor and take some classes, because the instructors that are RKC qualified are all trained on the same standard Pavel covers in his book, and taking just a simple introductory class will definitely 'grease your groove'. If you try these swings and get ups on your own with just reading the book, it's a lot like learning golf without lessons. You may find yourself in bad habits that are very hard to break. I took a class that covered the swing and the get-up, and it was definitely the smartest thing I've ever done for my body. I found I was horribly restricted in my hip flexors and hamstrings, and therefore my form was lousy. once my form was fixed, I knew was it was like to really get a kettlebell swing workout, and my hamstrings are screaming the day after.

This book is much better when used as a companion and reference to you when taking some RKC classes and getting the movements down from someone in the know. Between the book and a three hour class, I've spent $100 but I can say that I've probably blown several times that over the years paying for gym memberships that I've never used. If you buy yourself a good starter kettlebell and have a track near your house, you can start the RKC minimum program without difficulty, and in two months your body will look (and feel) like never before.

One last thought....get yourself a good stretching book. Pavel has a couple, but I've not read them and therefore cannot recommend any particular title. You WILL become more flexible in doing these (you'll have to if you want to save your back). If you're tight in the hamstrings and hip flexors, you DEFINITELY 100% must take a class with some RKC instructors so you don't wind up doing permanent damage to your back.

RKC....better living through pain!!!

Again...a great book! Answers all the questions you have about using kettlebells. Very clear instruction, serious aoout his subject; an expert in his field. Not for wimps! I have MUCH respect for Pavel's books.