Author - Andrea DuCane
21Dec

Where and How To Grab The Kettlebell Handle

As I travel around the country, I find there is a lot of confusion about where to grab the kettlebell handle—in the middle or in the corner? It is understandable that people are confused. After all, kettlebell training is still reasonably new to the broader public and it IS a very unique training tool. I hope to clarify some of this confusion and explain why certain grips are better for certain exercises, while some are definitely not appropriate for others. The simplest way to break it down is to look at where you grab the kettlebell on the handle: the center or...

Articles, Kettlebell
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04Aug

A Sensible Approach To RKC Prep

What’s the first thing you think of when preparing for the RKC? Most people instantly think of the dreadedSNATCH Test! It’s understandable—after all, the RKC Snatch Test is a test of a candidate’s conditioning, and how well they’ve trained to complete 100 snatches within 5 minutes with the appropriate kettlebell for their weight class. It is meant to be a challenge. Everyone will agree, you have to earn your RKC—it’s not just given away to anyone who attends an RKC workshop. So, it’s no surprise that most of the questions and information out there about preparing for an RKC workshop are focused on how to successfully...

Articles, Health & Fitness, Kettlebell, RKC, Workshops
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08Jul

Why the Single-Leg Dead Lift Should Be One Of Your Go-To Leg Exercises

Why do I love single-leg deadlifts so much?  Well, for one thing nothing works the butt and legs quite like it.  Add the extra benefit to the back, core, lower legs and feet and you have a full body exercise.  As Gray Cook likes to say, “Maintain your squat and TRAIN your deadlift” – especially the single-leg deadlift. I have to share with you a personal story; I’ve had four Patellar dislocations. Yes, FOUR! The first one happened after a two-hour ballet/pointe class. The second happened in the middle of a jazz dance class. The third happened when my tango...

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31May

Interview: Andrea Du Cane on the 2016 Dragon Door Health and Strength Conference

Q & A with Dragon Door Author, Andrea Du Cane about her upcoming presentation at the 2016 Dragon Door Health and Strength Conference Secrets of The Windmill: A Deep Dive into The Athletic Benefits of This Remarkable Yet Under-Utilized Exercise Dragon Door: Why are you a big fan of the windmill, and why do you think we don’t normally hear about this exercise much? Andrea Du Cane: I think it’s not so much that we don’t hear about the exercise, I think that it's misunderstood. I think people tend to not fully understand the purpose of the windmill, its uses, or how to perform...

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10Nov

The Importance of Movement: Simple Strategies To Add It To Your Life

I just had an eye opening experience that gave me a new appreciation for the importance of creating an ageless body. I recently had minor surgery, and for about 3 days afterwards I moved like a very elderly person. Needing help to get up and down the stairs and in and out of chairs. I thought, so this is what it’s like to not have the strength or mobility to live a “normal” life. Thank goodness this was only temporary, but for many people it’s their life. I truly believe we have the ability to control much the aging process. There...

Articles, Health & Fitness
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10Nov

Abs: So Many Ways To Train Them – myths and truths

In the pursuit of getting a “six pack” or even flat abs, I’d like to touch on a couple of myths and provide some sound information. First of all, getting a six pack requires more than just abdominal crunches or planks. The most important element to getting a six-pack is diet. Yes, I know, no one wants to hear it. We all want to believe “spot reducing or target training” alone with give us those washboard abs. It just ain’t going to happen without a proper, low carb and calorie restricted diet. So if a six-pack is at the top of...

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19Sep

Kettlebell Workouts: A completely unique total body workout

A number of years ago I wrote an article for Twin Cities Wellness introducing and explaining Pilates as a fabulous fitness program. I still believe in Pilates and continue to teach classes. I now want to introduce you to a new and completely unique total body workout. That's a tall order, an all-in-one fitness program. It is very rare to run across a completely new and different form of exercise--one that includes strength training, muscular endurance, cardiovascular health and fat loss, in one workout! The Russian kettlebell is a time-tested system of strength and endurance training. I would like to...

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07Sep

The Goddess Workouts

Act it, Live it, Look It, Be It, Feeeeeel It! How to Be Every Inch A Goddess, Look Like An Immortal… And Feel Like Heaven By Andrea Du Cane, Senior RKC I have arranged for These Six Powerful Kettlebell Goddess Workouts to Destroy the Pitiful Earthling in You and Replace it With a Bona Fide Godly Bod. Just DO the darn things and I personally guarantee your results.” —Zeus, Mount Olympus So…which Goddess do you want to be today? There is finally a simple way to become the Goddess you’ve always wanted to be. My Kettlebell Goddess Workout DVD helps you...

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01Jul

The Single Rep Dead Stop Swing, Clean, Snatch Workout

As I travel around teaching HKC and RKC’s, I notice a common problem (theme – challenge), the sloppy start/stop of a Kettlebell ballistic lift. Imagine this scenario: someone is getting set up to swing; it doesn’t matter if it’s 2-handed, single arm or double.  They get over the Kettlebell, lift it up, and rock it back a couple of times between their legs and THEN swing it back far enough to load their hips and explode up. What’s wrong with this picture?  The set-up was not correct, was not focused nor was it properly executed. There must be an intention and...

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08Apr

The Problem With Knees (Or “why” the knees give us problems?)

Ask anyone over the age of 30 if they have ever had knee problems and the likely answer will be yes. Knee pain is one of the most common complaints among all age groups, athletes and fitness/lifestyle backgrounds. One of the reasons for the vulnerability of the knee, is the way the knee is designed. It’s a hinge joint held together only by ligaments that connect the femor (thighbone) to the tibia and fibula of the lower leg. These lower bones connect the knee to the ankle and the femor connects the knee to the hip. There is...

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