Last weekend Fitter Strength was back in Bangalore for another KTCC course. This time, the course was attended by two top level Indian bodybuilders, Mr. Ganesh and Mr. Vinay, who wanted to learn how to lift kettlebells, the right way. 

While bodybuilding training is mainly dependent on barbells, and dumbbells to look the best onstage, there is no reason why a bodybuilder cannot use kettlebells for a more well rounded level of fitness. Even ex Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler has used kettlebells in his training. 

Of course, in the case of these two gentlemen, who also happen to be very successful trainers, a great motivation to learn kettlebells was to be able to offer more utility and variety to their valuable clients to help them achieve their goals. And oh, by the way, these two champions were on the dreaded "pre-competition" diet during the two days of the course and were to be onstage in the evening of the last day of the two day course! A clear example of the brutal mental strength that these two champions possess. 

Forward thinking athletes like them are fine examples for others in their sport and in other sports, that as a top athlete you should never stop learning and should always try to improve your knowledge and fitness levels, even if it means learning something outside of your own sport. 

In the future, we at Fitter Strength hope that more and more bodybuilders will try kettlebell training and find out how adding a kettlebell to their routine can help increase their stamina, endurance and flexibility levels to add to their already great levels of strength. 

Powerlifters are a special breed of athletes! It is always amazing to meet one, and learn of the mind-boggling pounds that they can lift. It’s amazing to learn how these guys cross the limits of human potential with their hard work and determination. Raghu Hondadakeri certainly lives upto that description, and more. Towering at about 6 feet 3 inches and weighing over 100 kgs, he is as strong (or more) than what he looks.

In 2014, it was my pleasure to have taught him kettlebell training during the KTCC course in Bangalore. However, at that time I could not know more about his methods of training as we spent the full 2 days practicing and discussing kettlebells. So let’s get to know this Karnataka state champion powerlifter better, who has also ambitions of one day competing in another brutal sport, mixed martial arts.


ArnavSarkar (AS): Hi Raghu, first of all I would like to thank you for taking the time out to do this interview. Could you begin by telling us a bit more about yourself and how you got started in strength training?

Raghu Hondadakeri( RH):Sure Arnav, it’s been fifteen years since I first stepped into a gym, little did I know that I would compete in bodybuilding, power lifting and become an internationally certified coach as well. I spent plenty of time studying from various resources, and learning from accomplished strength training athletes and that simply helped me go on to improve year after year and my desire to win still has me laser-focused on accomplishing more.

 
AS: How has your training progressed over the years?

RH:In the early part of my career, the primary focus was bodybuilding and competing on stage, getting bigger, leaner, and increasingly conditioned with each competition. However, while transitioning to a power lifting style of training, I had to change my mindset and approach to training and recovery, with lower volume and higher intensity training methods.

For me teaching kettlebells to newcomers is always a pleasure. And when I see my students do the same, I cant help but feel proud. Shatrughn Desai of Pune, who learnt kettlebells during the KTCC course did a fabulous job by taking kettlebells to the streets and introducing this great tool to many people at the Happy Street event in Aundh, Pune on 1st February.

The response was terrific. After doing a few demos, people started coming on their own to Shatrughn and wanted to try out kbs themselves. Overall, Shatrughn did a great job and we wish him the very best for the future as a kettlebell and fitness instructor. Below are some photos taken during the day.