Gift Guide for the Kettlebell Enthusiast in Your Life

It’s notoriously difficult and probably annoying to shop for someone like me.   If I really really want something, that means I may have already purchased it, or its so exorbitantly expensive that I’d never even think to ask anyone for it.  Ever.   Pair that with the fact that for over a year I’ve been systematically getting rid of anything extraneous*, am excessively particular about what I’ll voluntarily wear/eat/use and it’s usually gift card city for me at Christmas.   Which is frankly, just fine with me!   Not going to send my relatives on wild goose chases, or request that they send me frozen Ostrich tenderloin (that would be really great, actually), or that one of a kind bag in the window of the local artists store that looks like something Gengis Khan would have proudly carried.  Fortunately for you, whoever it is you’re considering buying a gift for isn’t me – so go ahead and be VERY grateful!

If there’s an RKC, HKC, or general kettlebell maniac in your life, here are some ideas for you – starting with the more expensive ones, and working towards a more modest budget.

• Of course, the best gift, in my opinion is more knowledge or the opportunity to learn something new.   Considering the intense nature of the Dragon Door workshops, you’ll want to check with your giftee before making a purchase.   But if your kettlebell-crazy friend has been pining away for an HKC, or RKC certification experience (and you’ll know because they’ve been talking to you about it incessantly), and you’re able to gift that to them, by all means, mention it to them right away.   You’ll most likely make their Christmas, and New Year and and and and…..
• If they’re already RKC or HKC certified – think about the Marketing Mastermind Workshop – the reviews coming back from this year’s and the previous year’s workshop means that this gift will be life and business changing for years and years to come.   Similarly, the Easy Strength or Bodyweight workshops with Pavel and a star-studded cast of people your RKC or HKC will know and want to meet would be welcome presents that keep on giving.
• Likewise, if they’ve similarly been pining away for a new heavier kettlebell, or one of theirs seems to need a matching partner, then carefully inspect it while they’re away and place an order right away from Dragon Door.
• If you would like for them to suffer greatly because they’ve been mean to you or something, you can always get them one of the notorious Ab Pavelizers, which in addition to turning their midsection into a rippling washboard, will utterly crush their ego.  That being said, yes I want one, after having my ego utterly crushed by one at the Bodyweight Workshop this past October.
• A gift certificate for massage therapy, or high performance workout wear.
• There are some interesting kettlebell-related jewelry options floating around the internet.  As much as I like the occasional necklace, the thought of forgetting that I’m wearing something like that and clocking myself in the tooth is not a good thought.  Know your giftee.
• Scout out their book and video collection – see what they’re missing – fill in the blank spaces with some of the exciting new stuff out there like Easy Strength, Convict Conditioning 2 (especially if they have the first one on their shelf), etc.
• If and only if you know their dietary strategy well, a selection of healthy, portable snack items is almost always really appreciated!  For me, this would mean things like Ostrim, Tanka Bar, Larabars, macadamia nuts, incredibly snooty chocolate as dark as humanly possible.  Again, know your giftee.

On a side note, my strange sense of humor finds it amusing to watch these two dynamics at work during the holidays: 1 – Gyms, trainers, etc working the “give the gift of health” angle on selling gift training packages.  2 – Mainstream media’s gift do-and-don’t lists stating that getting someone a gym or personal training gift is tantamount to “calling them fat.”    In my opinion, sessions with a GREAT trainer or coach can be a priceless gift if given to the right person at the right time.   But then again, it’s darned near impossible (this is not me challenging you) to really hurt my feelings anymore, so think about who will be receiving the gift and how they may interpret it.  If you have the opportunity to secure a training session with one of their heroes, then DO IT.

*Not a fan of unnecessary kitchen gadgets – I haven’t bothered with a microwave, blender, or kitchen knife other than a single chef knife in over a year.