Kettlebell master coach Sergey Rudnev was in town in December, showing us the Russian way to work the cast iron ball. Not that he wasn’t tempted by the Bengali way of life, aka the copious food, but with 19 kettlebell enthusiasts turning up for the the IKSFA Level 1 and Level 2 certification courses, hosted by AWE Fitness at Magma House on Park Street, December 10-14 were spent honing the kettlebell skills. 

You were in military school from age 15 to 17. What forms of fitness did you practise there and why did you choose kettlebells? 

I went to the Suvorov Military School where I learnt freestyle wrestling. But for wrestling  I needed special facilities, while kettlebells I can lift anywhere. Kettlebells were my one chance to be a sportsman. 

What is the Rudnev System that you’ve devised?

As a kettlebell coach, I have to have information about which stage my student is at, which weight category they belong to, which competitions they have participated in and the date of the nearest competition. I see a video to check their form, then send a plan for the first week, send a video with corrections, and then it continues like that... 

Would you say kettlebells are for a specific body type? 

Well, being flexible around the chest will help. And your elbow should be able to touch your hip bone... that means having a longer upper arm. 

What motivates you every day? 

I want to stay young and strong. And I like interacting with people all over the world. 

Do you have hobbies other than kettlebell lifting? 

Running, swimming, gymnastics. I was a gymnast from age eight to 12.

Tell us something that your fans don’t know about you...
I want to take a trip to space!