I recently had the opportunity to speak with David Hess, the Strength and Conditioning Coach at Abilene Christian University about his recent incorporation of Kettlebell training for his student athletes.
LS: David, first let me thank you for you time and agreeing to talk to me and say congratulations on the 5-0 start for the Wildcat Football team.
Before we get into the questions, can you tell us some of your background and how you achieved your position as the strength and conditioning coach at ACU.
DH: I graduated from ACU in 1979, with a BS in exercise science. From there I went into Country Clubs. I was Manager of Fairway Oaks for 17 years. From there I opened my own Health Club in Downtown Abilene. The Abilene Athletic Club. I had that club for 4 years. The Head Strength and Conditioning Coach position came open in the summer of 1999. I always wanted to come back to where I went to College. I took the job and started in August, and have been here ever since. I received my CPT and CSCS back in 1987, just for back-up. Who knew 9 years later I would put it to use. I've been doing personnel training for 15 years.
LS: How did you become interested in Kettlebells?
DH: Of course Kettle Bells have been around for ever. I'm an old school type trainer and just happened to be looking through one of my old magazines one day for some ideas for football off season material. I came upon an article on the KB's and thought there are so many things I could do with these. So I ordered 3 sets, 32's,52's, and 62's, and then 3 instruction books. I now have 8 sets of KBs.
LS: When did you incorporate Kettlebells into ACU atheltics?
DH: I put KB's into our workouts Jan. 2005.
LS: Which teams at ACU train with Kettlebells?
DH: I use KB's with all the teams. Football, baseball, golf, softball, tennis, track, soccer, basketball, and volleyball.
LS: What was the reaction of the athletes & coaches when you introduced Kettlebell training?
DH: Everybody thought I was crazy. It took about a month until they came around.
LS: You have stated before that you have seen great results using Kettlebells. What results have you seen? Anything you did'nt expect?
DH: Softball went from 32 homeruns to 62 homeruns in one season. Our leading hitter on the baseball team went from 6 homeruns to 18 homeruns in one season. Verticals improved, forearm strength, grip strength, and overall core strength improved. So many kids have gone back to their old high schools and told their coaches about them. I always use them to demonstrate to our new recruits. I have yet to have anyone not believe they work.
LS: Do you have any favorite Kettlebell routines or drills?
DH: Renegade Row, flip and press, turkish get-up, bench press, KB jumps, these are some of my favorites.
LS: Do you have sport specific Kettlebell exercises?
DH: I have found that every exercise works for every sport. I don't shy away from any of them.
LS: You have some athletes that have gone or will go on to the professional level, how do they feel about Kettlebell training?
DH: I train the #1 Bullfighter in the world with them, Rob Smets. Dominique Rhodes running back for the Colts trained this Summer with me we used them each day in some capacity. Daniael Manning our Safety that was drafted tis year by the Bears used these while he was here. I also have a 71 year old woman who uses them. Everyone loves them.
LS: Are you and other coaches using Kettlebells?
DH: Since I'm the only strength here, yes we all use them.
LS: Thank you again for your time and good luck!!
DH: Thank you.
LS: David, first let me thank you for you time and agreeing to talk to me and say congratulations on the 5-0 start for the Wildcat Football team.
Before we get into the questions, can you tell us some of your background and how you achieved your position as the strength and conditioning coach at ACU.
DH: I graduated from ACU in 1979, with a BS in exercise science. From there I went into Country Clubs. I was Manager of Fairway Oaks for 17 years. From there I opened my own Health Club in Downtown Abilene. The Abilene Athletic Club. I had that club for 4 years. The Head Strength and Conditioning Coach position came open in the summer of 1999. I always wanted to come back to where I went to College. I took the job and started in August, and have been here ever since. I received my CPT and CSCS back in 1987, just for back-up. Who knew 9 years later I would put it to use. I've been doing personnel training for 15 years.
LS: How did you become interested in Kettlebells?
DH: Of course Kettle Bells have been around for ever. I'm an old school type trainer and just happened to be looking through one of my old magazines one day for some ideas for football off season material. I came upon an article on the KB's and thought there are so many things I could do with these. So I ordered 3 sets, 32's,52's, and 62's, and then 3 instruction books. I now have 8 sets of KBs.
LS: When did you incorporate Kettlebells into ACU atheltics?
DH: I put KB's into our workouts Jan. 2005.
Lunge Curl Press
LS: Which teams at ACU train with Kettlebells?
DH: I use KB's with all the teams. Football, baseball, golf, softball, tennis, track, soccer, basketball, and volleyball.
LS: What was the reaction of the athletes & coaches when you introduced Kettlebell training?
DH: Everybody thought I was crazy. It took about a month until they came around.
LS: You have stated before that you have seen great results using Kettlebells. What results have you seen? Anything you did'nt expect?
DH: Softball went from 32 homeruns to 62 homeruns in one season. Our leading hitter on the baseball team went from 6 homeruns to 18 homeruns in one season. Verticals improved, forearm strength, grip strength, and overall core strength improved. So many kids have gone back to their old high schools and told their coaches about them. I always use them to demonstrate to our new recruits. I have yet to have anyone not believe they work.LS: Do you have any favorite Kettlebell routines or drills?
DH: Renegade Row, flip and press, turkish get-up, bench press, KB jumps, these are some of my favorites.
LS: Do you have sport specific Kettlebell exercises?
DH: I have found that every exercise works for every sport. I don't shy away from any of them.
LS: You have some athletes that have gone or will go on to the professional level, how do they feel about Kettlebell training?
DH: I train the #1 Bullfighter in the world with them, Rob Smets. Dominique Rhodes running back for the Colts trained this Summer with me we used them each day in some capacity. Daniael Manning our Safety that was drafted tis year by the Bears used these while he was here. I also have a 71 year old woman who uses them. Everyone loves them.
LS: Are you and other coaches using Kettlebells?
DH: Since I'm the only strength here, yes we all use them.
LS: Thank you again for your time and good luck!!
DH: Thank you.
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