SF Kettlebells

Remember that scene out of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s «Pumping Iron» that describes how straight forward Arnie was with his clients back when he was a personal trainer in Munich? He talks about how he called a client «fat» and explains why he does not sugarcoat his messages? Would you be offended by that knowing too well that you are, indeed, fat and that the great Arnold is going to kick your arse like no tomorrow to change things for good? No, you would not. You would agree and get to work.
«A problem well stated is a problem half solved.»
I had personal training in multiple places. Toronto, New York, San Francisco, even Calgary. I always insisted on working with someone who is straight forward, fully engaged, excellently educated and interested to make me better. I did not need someone who is cozy with me in order to warm my soul. I have a puppy for that.
While Marty stands in this history of great trainers I had over the years, he is offering something beyond that, beyond fitness: He is a teacher. He’s an educator. Marty’s deliberate choice is to advance you to become self-​reliant. He is unparalleled in his strive for perfection and his demands. Think of that chain cigarette smoking, 68 year old Russian ballet trainer in Montréal kicking your behind fantastic: «Plié!!!» … «Encore une fois!!» — and now get that thought out of your head again.
Bottom line: Marty is not for everyone. He’s got a big heart and is empathetic. But he’s dedicated, concentrated, demanding, sometimes tough as nails and a straight talker. He’s probably the most educated fitness professional I have met until today.
And his website sucks, just in case you are a hipster who is religiously into User Experience Design. He’s not claiming to do that well. Get over it.

I worked with Marty first to improve my technique of my kettle bell swing, and then to work on my deadlift technique. Marty was very helpful for both.
As some other reviewers mentioned, Marty is so particular about getting the form right that it can be frustrating. In the end, I was happy to have my technique picked over until I really had it right. Marty takes a holistic approach to training in general, ensuring you know how to warm up and work on mobility techniques before moving on to heavy lifts.
After my sessions, Marty was great about going back and forth in email with me to work out a program. He also followed up with additional articles and book suggestions since he realized I was a nerd about fitness too.
I’d definitely recommend Marty for anyone looking to improve their form or put together a weight lifting /​kettle bell program.

I originally thought a Kettle Bell work would be something that would just help tune my body. I’m an old gym rat and always felt I knew how to train. What I’ve gained from Marty wasn’t just strength and fitness it was a connection to understanding how my brain and body work together. Learning how to train through these workouts has helped me focus on me. Paying attention to the things in my life that should aid my fitness goals but also my mental and emotional ones as well. Fantastic workouts with great insight and often an education in how to take better care of yourself. What more could you ask from a trainer!

I worked with Marty over the course of 10 training sessions and let me start by saying that he is one of the toughest trainers I’ve worked with. He demands near perfection in your technique before moving on/​loading you up with weight. This is for your own safety and also to be sure that you the building blocks down before turning it up a notch. For me, this was both great and frustrating at times. I would have liked to progress a bit further, but I also was coming to Marty having injured my shoulder some months back, so I understood the progression we took.
To say that Marty is a treasure trove of techniques, both with kettlebells OR otherwise, is an understatement. He knows his stuff and will share it with you as he sees fit for your training.
I went to Marty to perfect my form with the traditional kettlebell movements (two handed swings, one handed swings, hand to hand swings, cleans, presses, and snatches) so I could take my practice to the next level. Now, I didn’t perfect the snatch, but I did gain a level of expertise in performing the RKC swing as well as the press. He also taught me at least 5 different mobility drills that I could use to warm up/​cool down OR just perform on an off day.
The only fault I can give Marty is that the fact that he doesn’t work out of gym made for some interesting logistical issues at times. This was nothing we couldn’t plan around but I did have to call it out.
The bottom line: If you’re looking to reach a new level with your training goals and want a tough as nails trainer, then Marty is your guy.

Marty is much more than a kettlebell instructor. His approach to exercise and fitness is holistic and inclusive and based on deep knowledge and understanding of the human body. I love his balanced approach. Marty will push you according to your abilities to that sweet spot where you get maximum benefits with out overtraining. If needed he will incorporate restorative work as well — something that is essential in a high intensity exercise program.
The kettlebell is an amazing training tool but it needs to be understood and used with caution. Marty with his knowledge and passion is the kind of teacher that will help you get the full benefit of it. Recommended!

Marty was a great and one of the knowledgeable instructors Ive ever work with, I been very interested in the kettlebell swings for a while and he helped me to clean my swing. I loved how he is really technical on the form. I also loved those mobility exercises he gave they totally make a big difference. I am totally satisfied with this experience and I will definitely work with him again!

Marty is an excellent, knowledgeable and fun trainer! I had been working with kettlebells for a little over a month, focused on the swing, and since I was visiting San Francisco wanted to meet with an RKC trainer who could help me with form. Marty’s focus on correct form is very strict and will help you improve the effectiveness and safety of your workouts.
Marty is also very passionate about fitness and provides lots of encouragement. Marty is a fun and interesting trainer, a wealth of information. Marty helped me fix my swing form, taught me the TGU and gave me a ton of helpful hints to improve my hand strength and how to reduce pain in my joints.
After our two sessions Marty sent me several emails containing workouts I could do at home, links to the information we discussed and checked in several times to make sure I understood the workouts. Marty is a great example of an inspiring trainer: smart, eye for detail, fun and encouraging! It is very clear that Marty’s number one priorities are your safety, health and enjoyment. I highly recommend you meet with Marty!

I hired Marty years ago, with the initial goal of gaining muscle mass. With Marty’s nutritional advice and individualized weight training program I added 10 lbs of solid and natural muscle mass in just a few weeks. I was stoked because it wasn’t about pounding protein shakes and taking supplements. My gains were from eating healthy, showing up consistently, and letting Marty take the wheel in the gym. His knowledge, training, and enthusiasm was motivating and unparalleled. I still look at pictures from back then and it is clear that I was in the best shape I will probably ever be in my life.
Since then, my goals have changed. I am a massage therapist and a bit older, so I am not needing to win any bodybuilding competitions. I just need workouts that will keep me healthy and are accommodating of the physical demands from my job. I am super protective of my hands and am scared at some of the workouts I see other trainers putting their clients through. Recently, however, Marty listened to my concerns and took on the task of finding something that would not only work with my hands and body, but actually help condition me so that I could continue doing the work that I love. An expert in Kettlebells, Indian Clubs, nutrition, healthy living and so much more, I would strongly recommend Marty to anyone who is looking to take their workouts to the next level.
Matt Reynolds — Massage Therapist

I’d been tossing kettlebells around for quite a while before I came to Marty. I thought I knew what I was doing. Progress had come easily and steadily by working out largely on my own. Then I decided it was time to take the RKC certification. That’s when Marty entered my life. Everything changed.
Marty’s knowledge of physical culture is unparalleled, and that knowledge was immediately put to use in diagnosing form errors and stability issues in almost every aspect of my kettlebell practice. I was impressed. I felt like Luke Skywalker just after he crash landed his X-​Wing fighter on Dagobah. He thought he knew the ways of the Jedi, but it took meeting Yoda for him to unlearn all that he had learned in order to become a true Jedi Knight. Marty is my Yoda.
I’ve got RKC in San Jose coming up in a few weeks and thanks to Marty I feel ready. Moreover, Marty has gone beyond the kettlebell and introduced Indian clubs into my workout routine, drastically improving my mobility.
Lastly, I find Marty’s overall fitness philosophies to be very commensurate with mine: eat clean unprocessed whole food, train hard and get plenty of sleep. Marty will help you reach your fitness goals.

Training with Marty is kettlebell training at it’s best. Marty is very pleasant but also very to the point. And the point is doing each exercise with correct form. Before meeting Marty I had done swings and done Turkish get ups but after meeting with Marty I’m really DOING the exercises. The attention to detail was what impressed me with Marty the most. Kettlebell training is an amazing way to train and Marty will show you how to get the most out of your time. I have never trained with anyone who is so knowledgeable about kettlebells and look forward to future sessions with Marty Covault.

The Good: Knowledge. After training with Marty for 1.5 years (2x week) I found her understanding and passion for fitness to be unparalleled– she is truly an excellent trainer when she wants to be. I experienced positive changes in my physique and overall fitness level during that time. I came away with an excellent foundation for continuing on with my own fitness goals. Her knowledge of kettlebell movement, functional strength, stability, and excercise is superb.
The Bad: Punctuality. Over the course of 18 months Marty was late for my sessions 90% of the time, and significantly late (20 – 30 minutes) 75% of the time. She liked to expend considerable periods of time during her $ 95/​hr sessions talking about non fitness related things even after consistently showing up late– to the point that she would make herself late for other clients. She then had the aggravating habit of claiming she made up for being late by spending extra time with me!
The Ugly: Interpersonal and business skills. I found Marty to have a huge void in the grace department. I found her to be exceptionally rude at times but decided to ignore most of it given the good training. Upon confronting her multiple times about her tardiness she eventually decided that she couldn’t train an angry person person like me anymore (Imagine!!) I was left with a load of expensive equipment which she previously demanded I buy for the training and $ 15,000 invested in a progressive, unrepeatable training education. Marty in her own words is «not willing to give any refunds under any circumstances» even if she decides to end the training in the middle of your prepaid package.
Beware. If you can stomach all of the above, I wholeheartedly recommend Marty.
Merritt W.
San Francisco

I am happy to be have much more freedom of movement and less back pain thanks to Marty. The initial muscle tension and restrictions from being at a desk for to many years or commuting took its toll on my flexibility. Marty addresses the core issues with my mobility and has tailored my training sessions to focus on the areas where I am in most need. Thanks Marty! We will soon be working with the kettlebells to improve my strength and stamina.

Off the top I was not expecting all the cardiovascular training Then it don on me… kettlebell cardiovascular training is incorporate into our strength and conditioning training. WOW how innovative! Marty’s Seminar was just that. she teaches the key concepts about kettlebell training in a understanding fun manner. The concept of Linkage vs Leakage is KEY– refers to «Taming the Arc» proper hip loading whereas if you let the bell swing down closer to the ground than to you, you will end up compensating with your back and that is neither safe nor efficient meaning you can’t go fast if you’re inefficient. Marty’s training program really forces you to hit on all your Extensors reflex Receptor.
As an competitive Bodybuilder, I have always relied on proper form, speed and momentum (keeping the weight in play as we call it) training that kettlebell work not only allows but encourages. I immediately realized that the magic in the bell that Marty spoke about with so much passion and that passion of she made this seminar enjoyable and fun. Im forever hook to kettlebell
thank you Marty!
Alexander Dunn rate: 10 out 10
mental and physical toughness are needed, of course.

I first met Marty Covault when I attended the 2009 San Jose RKC (Russian Kettlebell Challenge) 3-​day training, where Marty was assisting Chief Instructor Pavel Tsatsouline as a Kettlebell instructor. As a student-​athlete at Stanford, I came to Kettlebells to improve my general strength and conditioning, but also because they’re great fun.
Even though I had studied with other Bay Area KB trainers before the RKC, I was still struggling with my swing form, and Marty was incredibly helpful in fixing my Kettlebell swing. He was able to quickly see what I was doing wrong, give the appropriate correct exercise or drill, and guide my movements so that I could swing healthy and swing strong.
Marty was a real professional at the RKC, and even though Pavel and other instructors gave me great guidance in fixing my KB cleans and get-​ups, Marty was able to cue me in a hands-​on way that I found more helpful than other personal trainers I have worked with.
They say that everyone needs a coach, so six months after the RKC, even though I had learned Kettlebell basics, I gave Marty a call. He was of great help in making corrections to my get-​up and single leg deadlifts, and my strength work is back on track thanks to Marty! I was especially glad to find a RKC with such a diverse set of athletic experiences who was so personable, knowledgeable, hands-​on, and effective. If you live around the SF Bay Area, give Marty a call!

Me and my wife started getting fit mid-​February of 2009. Before that time, we’d gone through a series of challenging times (including the loss of her mother to Cancer) and as a result of all the stress, we both gained a lot of weight. We were concerned about our health. I was borderline diabetic and weighing over 215 pounds and I’m only 5’6. I also had back pain left over from an auto accident back in 1995, and I have had chronic asthma my whole life.
My wife is a natural researcher. Her brain is part Internet. So when she decided to pick out a personal trainer to help us get fit, she did her homework. She searched extensively for a personal trainer to help us get fit safely. She looked specifically for a trainer who was intensely knowledgeable. That’s what she found in Marty Covault. I’m not an easy person to train due to the back issues and the asthma, but Marty never made me feel like I was a challenge. It’s also not easy training two people at once who have different skills and abilities the way me and my wife do, but Marty made that seem like no issue.
Since training with Marty, my posture has improved. I sit, stand and walk taller and with more confidence. I feel better all around. It is now June 24^th 2009 and we’ve been training with Marty for about two months. I was about 190 when we started training with Marty (I had been exercising with an elliptical previously to try and drop weight) and now I’m 177. I have muscle definition I can’t remember ever having before. I could never do an unassisted pull up before. I just tried the other day and was able to do 3 of them. I couldn’t touch my toes before. Now I can almost get my palms on the floor with my knees locked. My wife teaches people how to spin fire (also called poi). I just spun fire for my first time last weekend. My wife taught me how, but training with Marty also had a lot to do with finally feeling ready to do that.
I’ve always had trouble being too much in my head and not at all in my body. With Marty and with the kettlebell training, that is impossible. I have to be in my body, and it turns out it’s a pretty great feeling. Marty taught us nutrition, kettlebell training and information on how the body works, how to work past when you get stuck or plateau, and more. Marty’s so deeply knowledgeable about kettlebell training and about fitness. This is someone deeply passionate about their craft, who eats sleeps and breathes it. Marty also adjusts to our changing schedule, always finding ways to accommodate us so we can get in our trainings. We both work full time and we have kids so that is huge for us.
I’ve worked with several personal trainers in the past and have done standard weight training off and on for years and I have never had these amazing results. I’ve never felt in such good hands before. And a surprising thing I never anticipated is how this has rippled out into other areas of my life. The flexibility training with Marty opened me up to being more flexible and trusting my body more in other areas of my life. My artwork has been positively impacted by a new sense of being in my body, being flexible and trusting my body. We were both struggling with body issues and that appears to have melted away with the pounds. We can go clothes shopping now and have a good time instead of feeling depressed and stressed out by the experience. I’ve long been curious about martial arts but afraid to try it because I didn’t trust my body. Now me and my wife are going to check out a Krav Maga class. I’ve always wanted to try rock climbing and now we can. My wife has been wanting me to take dance lessons with her and now we can. We’re also setting a good example for our kids on nutrition and exercise.
My wife loves how her body has changed. She’s stronger and leaner than she’s ever been in her life. It’s like she’s carved out of marble now. Her form is beautiful. A whole new world has opened up to us, and we’ve probably added several happy years to our lives. Thank goodness we found Marty. If you get a chance to train with Marty, do it. This is the best investment we’ve ever made.