Classic Iron Kettlebells
Testimonials for Doug Nepodal, Senior RKC

To see more testimonials, or to share your own experience with training with Doug, click here



THE Consummate Professional

I could go on and on about what a fantastic RKC Instructor Doug Nepodal is. Pavel's selecting Doug as a Senior RKC speaks far more to that than I can. Doug was our Senior RKC at the Tallahassee HKC; the best way I can sum up my opinion of Doug is that I can imagine no better representative for DragonDoor. He is extremely personable, funny, and knows kettlebell training inside, outside, and upside down! Every DragonDoor product and every RKC session I've ever bought has been worth FAR more than its price. Doug Nepodal is a shining example of this. If you have the opportunity to train with Doug, PLEASE take advantage of it. Doug is a first class instructor; you'll be amazed at the depth of his knowledge and the ease and simplicity with which he conveys it. Doug Nepodal is incredible.

- - John Fox - Ocean Springs, Mississippi



Immense Physical and Mental Changes


When I started kettlebell training, I'd been weight-lifting with free weights for around seven years intermittently, and had reached a bit of a plateau in my training in regards to my strength gains and fat loss, and was getting frustrated and bored. So I figured, let's try something new! I was in for quite a surprise.  I lost 35 pounds from working out with kettlebells, and got stronger.

The truly unique aspect of the Russian Kettlebell Challenge (RKC) as a workout to me is how it is a combined aerobic and full-body anaerobic workout. I would be seriously surprised if anyone who takes the class just once doesn't question the necessity of long, joint-jarring jogs afterwords. Your heart will be pounding within minutes of picking up a kettlebell. It is a whole-body workout that will leave you feeling wonderfully spent, all-around! Doug knows his stuff extremely well, and he knows just how to provide an exceptional workout for anyone of any fitness level. As I mentioned before, I've been weight-training for around seven years -- Olympic lifts and power lifts -- and I truly feel that training with kettlebells is far more effective and beneficial on more levels than most any of the training I've done. I also want to stress how fantastic the energy is in this class. Everyone is pushing themselves, and everybody wants everyone to succeed. Kettlebells is an individual-based workout, yes; but everyone involved seems to understand that they're a part of something great on so many levels. It's an individual challenge among a family unit who encourages, pushes and supports each other, led by Doug, whose bouyant energy and serious dedication is contagious to everyone. To be honest, this class is one of the high-lights of my week because of this collective positive energy and the amazing workout.

I've lost fat, namely around my midsection, arms, legs and glutes. My physique is leaning out consistently each month I keep at kettlebells, and my body is solid! In particular, my core, legs, glutes, shoulders and my entire back have grown exponentially stronger in the last several months. I can take a month or two away from weight-lifting and go back to find that my lifts are better than they were before because of kettlebells. You also start to know and understand your body extremely well very quickly, and the way that it's meant to move and function. Doug's class can be a trying challenge physically, and therefore mentally: you truly earn respect for yourself and for everyone else who is working themselves hard to reach new levels, and sticking with it. That's what it's all about -- becoming better. That, and enjoying it!

- - Laura, Santa Barbara, CA




An Environment for Success

I first met Doug the night before the San Diego RKC certification. Friday morning Doug got us together as a team and let us know that he was there to make us RKCs and his goal was to make all of us pass. The whole time Doug kept working hard to create an environment for us all to be successful.

I went through the RKC with my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instructor and every night we talked about how glad we were to have Doug as our Team Leader. Doug was not easy on us and he made sure we learned the proper technique. Doug makes people want to go that extra mile and that is what makes him such awesome trainer.

I am a military veteran and now a personal trainer so I have experienced many styles of leadership. What makes Doug a sought after trainer is his ability to push people without being a drill instructor or boring people with too many details in his instruction. Most people want to have fun and not critized when they hire a trainer but that can be hard with kettlebell training since it can be so challenging but Doug is the best at making people enjoy their suffering.

I am so lucky to have such a great mentor and I hope to be more like Doug when I train my clients.

- - Kyle Rourke, Palos Verdes Estates, CA USA




A Whole New Respect


"I recently met Doug at a workshop in Venice. I was not sure what to expect, but as soon as he started going into a couple of exercises, you could tell this guy was a pro. There's a reason he's a Senior RKC. He was thorough, yet direct and it was interesting the entire time. I came out of that workshop with a whole new respect for kettlebells and Doug. If I lived near Ventura I would take advantage of the wealth of knowledge and experience he has as much as possible."

- - Marcuz Martinez, Orange County, CA

 


An Oustanding Instructor
 

"I have studied martial arts for eight years. I hold a Black Belt 2nd in a mixed martial art. Doug is one of the best instructors I have met. He always seems to know just how far to push. 9 months ago I could not do a windmill with no kettlebell or with the lightest bell available. Now I do them with the 24Kg with no problem. Doug not only knows how to complete all the kettlebell exercises he always instructs by example. His form is great.

There are many who can do, but few instructors like Doug who can teach and lead.
"

- - Greg Stanislawski, Canton, OH

 

 
Incredible Knee Prehab and Rehab!
 

"Doug trained with me months before I had a knee surgery. I was trying to simply have a better recovery then my last surgery which landed me 2 and 1/2 weeks in a wheel chair and another 2 weeks on crutches. Because of Doug's training and the kettle bell work outs I was walking 3 days after surgery with no crutches! Amazing! And to top it off I was back training with kettle bells within a week! I was also able to swing the 80lber! Doug is a great trainer who is dedicated to his clients and kettle bells!"

- - Leila, Akron, OH

 


An Example of Leadership

"Wow.  What a leader.

I had the privilege of assisting Team Nepodal at the August RKC. Doug is an incredible coach. He is professional, knowledgeable, approachable, encouraging and fun to be around. He set the tone for a great weekend. Our team's success is a testament to Doug's abilities. I learned a whole lot about the instructor I strive to be from Doug."

- - Stephanie Laff, Los Angeles, CA

 


Unmatched Support and Encouragement

"Doug Nepodal RULES!!!!!

It was a true blessing to be under the teaching of Doug. His demeanor, intensity, knowledge and most importantly his belief in my ability was unmatched. His quick response to correct, advise and push our team paid big dividends by the end of the weekend. When I double pressed those two 24kg KB's... well, I will never forget that feeling. What I gained from Doug will have an ongoing effect on how I push and encourage my clients."

- - Dave Neal, Brentwood, CA

 

 
 
Above and Beyond
 
"Comrades,

My wife and I have been training with Doug for the last 7 months. He comes over every other weekend at about 7:30am and "gives us a butt whooping". Our fitness levels have gone through the roof since we discovered Kettlebells and started training with Doug. He is a really kind, generous person that is very free with his advice and time. Frequently he has gone above and beyond what I would expect of a "personal trainer" and done something more along the lines of being a really great friend. This morning was a great example of such an event.

A bit of back story: when I was a much younger lad I did something bad to my back that involved about 14 beers, running, and a flight of stairs. General fitness helped ease the pain and training with Doug on the RKC Hard Style eliminated it... or so I thought. This last Wednesday I was doing some double swings when something pinched in my back and the pain lit up again. Just as intense as it had been those many years ago when I had first fallen. I was terrified that I would have to take a lot of time off or be forced to visit the doctor, take X-rays, and perhaps be forced to endure an operation that was supposed to be prevented by "being in shape".

When Doug showed up this morning I told him of my back ache and the intense pain it was causing me (felt like someone was twisting a dagger into my back). After some conversation and watching me swing he was able to figure out that it wasn't pain coming from my back- but an pulled muscle in my right glute (caused by over working the double swings) that was pinching the Sciatic Nerve and creating pain sensations that felt similar to the pain I had many years ago. Doug quickly found the spot, rubbed it out (yes he rubbed my butt), and immediately the pain went away. I was literally pain free in less than 10 minutes of Doug walking through my front door. He showed my wife the spot to rub and I was able to finish out the butt whooping with a huge smile on my face.

Doug is a great guy with a ton of experience with Kettlebells and general fitness. If you are in the Ventura County area of Southern California and you haven't gotten set up a session with Doug- you owe it to your health to do it."

- - Michael-Scott, Moorpark, CA
 

 
 
Approachability
 

"In September of 2008, I had the fortune of having Doug as my Team Leader for the RKC in Minneapolis. What separates Doug from trainers that I have worked with in the past, is his willingness to lead by example and to purposely' get his hands dirty at any chance he gets, rather than sit on the bench and arm-chair quarterback. Furthermore, Doug displays a level of approachability and humility that is a rarity in new age trainers, let alone individuals in general. If you get the chance to work with Doug I strongly suggest you jump at the opportunity, I know that I am looking forward to the time when our paths meet once again. If you need any further evidence of what type of a Kettlebell instructor Doug truly is, pull up the pictures from the RKC in question and you will see Doug leading the infamous Grad Workout, like a leader should be, at the head of his troops."

- - J. Sushnyk RKC, Canada


 
 
A Fantastic Coach
 

"A great coach teaches a principle and waits until YOU OWN it, they don't focus on showing you what THEY can do. If you get the chance to learn from Doug, do not waste the gift given to you. Doug is a remarkable trainer because he has mastered when to teach and when to stand back and watch ... when you finally get out of your own way and just do it. I appreciate your coaching skills and as well as your endless patience."

- - Karen Washburn RKC, AZ



To see more testimonials, or to share your own experience with training with Doug, click here