Testimonials

My personal experience training with Comrade Bob Orr, RKC

By Master Gunnery Sergeant Daniel Hongell, USMC

Upon completion of 6 months of physical therapy for a frozen shoulder, I began using a 16kg kettlebell for strength training.  I spoke with my physical therapists and Comrade Orr about the benefits of using a kettlebell and we determined it would be a great training tool since it would not isolate any one muscle through exercise.  In fact, it would be a great recuperation and strength builder.  This is exactly what I needed.

I ordered my first kettlebell and “Naked Warrior” book with anticipation.  I began using the kettlebell by learning the basic movements.  With Comrade Orr’s guidance, I learned patience, proper form, mental preparedness, and application of the movements.  These are essential to all training but it was even more important for me since I was recovering from an injury and just starting strength training again.  I really wanted to grab the 24 kg kettlebell and go but Comrade Orr insisted that I continue to work on the movements and exercises with the 16 kg.  He added pull-ups and deck squats to my workout schedule. 

My strength was increasing and after moving up to ladders of 5 for presses, many swings, and many snatches, I moved up to the 24 kg kettlebell.  Comrade Orr switched up the routine and always kept it challenging.  We started doing snatches with ¼ mile runs between sets for up to 3 miles, 5 to 10 sets of pull ups, sets of 500 meter rows, double swings, windmills, Turkish get-ups, dead lifts with kettlebells and free weights, and  bench presses.  Progress and workouts were kept in his “evil book of pain” and they were often invigorating.

I could not do a pull up when we started strength training.  I started at sets of 1.  Now I am doing 5 sets of 4.   I started pressing a 16 kg kettlebell and now I have pressed the 40 kg kettlebell.  I didn’t start strength training again to get big.  I did it to recover and get strong.  I am getting strong.  The definition I have gained is a benefit of this and I like it.  I have been using kettlebells for one year and the progress I have made speaks for itself.  As Comrade Orr has often said, “Some people say they will do and some people do.”  I can say I do and this makes all the difference; a noticeable difference, too.

Comrade Orr presents challenging training that goes beyond using only the kettlebell.  He incorporates a wide variety of strength training modes like the Tabata Protocol and circuit training similar to Crossfit or Gym Jones. This is all based on weaknesses.  These sessions reveal how strong we are and how much more work still needs to be done.  His concept of adding challenges is the norm and we accept new ones often.  This gives me a great sense of accomplishment because I know my base of strength is reality. Our training is real and breeds physical and mental confidence.