At the dawn of the modern weight training movement, one exercise quickly arose (pun intended) to prominence among the pioneers of the jolly ol' game of taming the iron: The one-arm snatch. From barbells, dumbbells, and eventually kettlebells, it has found a place in the training of just about every serious trainee. And if you're not currently training it seriously? Well, this episode just might light that fire you need under your tush... On that note, if you like training that: · Gives you more ...
Jun 22, 2025•20 min
Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: https://www.9MinuteChallenge.com I'm joined once more by my friend Gil "The Beast from the Middle East" Reves to talk about the most underrated (and overlooked) kettlebell movement of them all: THE CLEAN. Gil has done arguably more to master the clean than just about anybody else, and he has the spectacular results to show for it. In this episode we discuss: Importance of the kettlebell clean in martial arts and defense positioning...
Apr 23, 2025•40 min
Lightning has struck ONCE MORE, and the Hebrew Hammer and Paul “Big Mac” McIlroy are back under one proverbial roof once more to talk about some more of Paul’s most hard-hitting, no BS insights into how to keep the Gain Train constantly rolling into the station year after year, decade after decade. If you haven’t already, I will encourage you once again to get: - Paul's new book "Perpetual Strength" (which you can - and should - check out here: https://www.dragondoor.com/products/perpetual-stren...
Apr 14, 2025•1 hr 47 min
Ep. 480: What To Train BEFORE You Train Turkish Get Ups On this episode I discuss the importance of training foundational movements and exercises BEFORE attempting Turkish get-ups at all - let alone trying to go heavy. In addition to patience, proper instruction, and all that jazz, one other thing that will likely help you a great deal is my 9 Minute Kettlebell and Bodyweight Challenge. Using some of the movements found in this challenge, Louis Toh (who has been a guest on the show), improved hi...
Feb 24, 2025•14 min
In this episode, I welcome Antoni Poblocki to discuss his impressive strength achievements, particularly his recent half-bodyweight press of 40 kilograms. Antoni shares how he discovered my work through a friend's recommendation and his journey into kettlebell training. He also discusses his passion for historical reenactments, focusing on the early medieval ages in Europe, and how that has influenced his physical training. Antoni explains the evolution of his kettlebell training, from group ses...
Feb 11, 2025•31 min
Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com I'm joined on this episode once again by none other than Josh Harrs: One of my long-time Inner Circle students and the inaugural Inner Circle Member of the Year. Join us as we discuss how he's gone from "strong" to "stronger than ever" at the tender age of 53. In this episode we cover: 0:01:36 Josh Harris' best training year at age 53 0:02:54 Balancing different training disciplines 0:07:46 Adapting ...
Feb 05, 2025•53 min
Here are a few videos of examples of PROPER form for pushups and one-arm pushups: Pushups => https://youtu.be/iss7Ssiw828?si=d2E1iKBbHgREk8kN One-arm pushups => https://youtu.be/U-Hm3ApX3b0?si=9Q97Dpk5coy8pJ2R If you like training that: · Gives you more strength than it takes from you · Improves your stamina and resilience simultaneously · Powers-up every nook, cranny, crevice, and corner of your Soft Machine Then you just might like my 9-Minute Kettlebell and Bodyweight Challenge. As the ...
Feb 02, 2025•14 min
Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com I'm joined on this episode once again by none other than Dr. Justin Schooth: One of my long-time online students and the inaugural Hammer Head of the Year. Join us as we discuss how he's gone from injured and in agony to so freakishly strong, fit, and resilient that the young men on his volunteer lifeguarding post have earned a newfound respect for his outsized level of physical prowess (while also k...
Jan 28, 2025•37 min
On this episode I answer an email from a fan asking how to blow past that seemingly insurmountable single pullup he's stuck at so he can get all the way to a mighty (and achievable) five reps. Video footage of movements mentioned in this episode: Hanging: https://youtu.be/ZjlOujJtFfo?si=ggkJ5SUVzcTRmV_m Bodyweight Rows: https://youtu.be/fUBOKvXp2fw?si=kN7GukL9uxKCELYC YTWLs: https://youtu.be/cGI-gqbqe1Q?si=l72QMOlUYfI9uRqJ Jackknife Pullups: https://youtube.com/shorts/WgVhGC2QCdg?si=CMF2uZY4XU2E...
Jan 05, 2025•23 min
It's the New Year. You're feeling newly invigorated and determined to make this your best year ever. If you're like most people, your fitness goals play a key role in your overall plans to better yourself; and why wouldn't they? After all, physically taking action is the key to achieving anything in your life. What better representation of your determination is there other than to take the reigns and make mad gains? Yet if you're like most people, odds are you're at risk of FAILING your New Year...
Jan 01, 2025•31 min
I'm joined on this episode by none other than bona fide polyglot (i.e. speaker of many languages) and master language teacher Luca Lampariello - founder of the SMART Language Learning Academy and speaker of 15 languages (10 of them at a fluent level). In this episode Luca and I talk about: Luca's origin story and early struggles with language learning The differences between acquiring a language vs. learning a language The importance of comprehensible, interesting, and acquisition-rich input for...
Dec 31, 2024•59 min
Hot diggity dayum, this was one HECK of a jam-packed episode. It's also my longest to date, and for good reason. Paul and I dove deep into a topic near and dear to both of our hearts: building perpetual strength 1. Introduction and book promotion - Paul's new book "Perpetual Strength" (which you can - and should - check out here: https://www.dragondoor.com/products/perpetual-strength-paperback/) - Aleks's 9-minute kettlebell and bodyweight challenge (which you can get for FREE at http://www.9Min...
Dec 23, 2024•2 hr
I'm joined on this episode by my ol' pal Pat Flynn to talk about his epic new book, Strong ON! In this episode we talk about: Release of Pat Flynn's new book "Strong On: 101 Minimalist Kettlebell Workouts to Blast Fat, Build Muscle, and Boost Flexibility" Defining minimalism properly , not just as "doing very little" The benefits of kettlebell training as a "fitness generalist" approach Incorporating creativity and principles from other disciplines (like music) into workout design The importance...
Dec 19, 2024•41 min
On this episode of The Hammer Cast, Aleks and Al Kavadlo discuss Al's new book, "Ultimate Calisthenics," which is the culmination of his life's work in fitness. The program includes a full book and over 50 video tutorials, covering exercises with minimal equipment like parallel bars, rings, and an Ab wheel. We also discuss: The challenges of creating the Ultimate Calisthenics program The role of foundational exercises and proper technique in calisthenics The similarities between the music and fi...
Dec 13, 2024•51 min
I'm joined once again by my pal and founder of Original Strength, Tim Anderson, to discuss a whole heapin' helpin' of epic stuff - namely: * Tim's new facility and the expanded crawling space * Crawling techniques and challenges * John Brookfield's influence and training philosophy * Upcoming Original Strength events and workshops * Fuquay-Varina and the local community * The impact and effectiveness of Original Strength * Passion and effective sales/marketing techniques * Cultural and language ...
Sep 24, 2024•49 min
I'm joined once again on my podcast by my pal Pat Flynn, discussing his latest article on his very humbly titled "Journal of Absolute Truth," entitled: "The only 11 Fitness Tips You'll Ever Need." You can (and damn well better) read all about it here: https://journalofabsolutetruth.substack.com/p/the-only-11-fitness-tips-youll-ever Also: Pat's got a new book now available for pre-sale that I highly recommend you snag as well. A very handsome and Hebrew Hammerly gent wrote a nice blurb about it, ...
Sep 22, 2024•47 min
Get your own FREE digital copy of the 9-Minute Kettlebell and Bodyweight Challenge here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com I'm sure this episode will rustle some jimmies, but you know what? Who really gives a shyt. In this episode I cover: * Reactions to hard style kettlebell training vs. reactions to Donald Trump * Overview of the origins and approach of hard style kettlebell training * Reactions of other kettlebell practitioners towards hard style * Historical parallels of new movements being cr...
Aug 30, 2024•16 min
I'm joined on this brand-new episode once more by my friend Mark Shropshire, a master instructor with Original Strength (OS). Now it's YOUR turn to join us as we discuss: His upcoming OS workshops in Colorado the benefits of the OS system for various populations, including older adults and those recovering from injuries. Shrop's personal experience of recovering from a hip injury using OS techniques and the importance of addressing physical limitations to improve overall well-being. How of kettl...
Jul 25, 2024•54 min
I'm joined once again for round 2 with the great and powerful Dan John. On today's episode we discussed: Experiences and lessons learned from fitness events, including a memorable trip to Disney World for an RKC certification The evolution of workout culture, from the "burn" culture of the 1970s-80s to the rise of high-intensity training and functional fitness in the 2000s The influence of the internet on the fitness industry, including the emergence of HIT and kettlebell training Misconceptions...
Jul 18, 2024•1 hr 16 min
I'm joined once again on this episode by the great strength coach and track and field maestro Dan John. Here's what to get giddy about in this episode: Dan John discusses his new book "The Armor Building Formula" and how it takes a practical approach to muscle building The importance of having goals and working backwards to achieve them Agreeing points between different experts in the fitness field and focusing training around those Integrating mobility work, loaded carries, and other fundamenta...
Jul 11, 2024•1 hr 25 min
I'm joined on this episode by Dr. William Moore - an SFG II and medical doctor who dishes on his simple, effective insights for life-long strength and health. In this episode we discuss: Bill's background in swimming, triathlons, and late discovery of kettlebell training Bill's preparation for his StrongFirst level 1 and level 2 kettlebell certifications Differences in recovery capacity as we age and how to approach training accordingly Emphasis on proper technique, consistency, listening to you...
Jul 05, 2024•1 hr 16 min
I'm joined on this episode by city slicker turned farm girl Jenny Hendricks, who shares her incredible journey from being sickly, weak, and on the path to Death's Door, only to discover the power of eating as nature intended, which not only healed her various illnesses, but has also allowed her to make her life's mission helping others with seemingly undiagnosable ailments. In this episode we also talk about: * Jenny's brush with near death, including hair loss, rapid and unexplained weight loss...
Jun 27, 2024•44 min
I'm joined on this splendiferous episode by none other than Mark Rosenberg, who has made a name for himself with his unconventional yet highly effective approach to lifting for freakish levels of strength. In this episode we discuss: Unconventional lifting techniques and their effectiveness for strength and entertainment Deadlifting records and techniques, including working with various equipment and stances Injury prevention in weightlifting through proper form, listening to your body, and vary...
Jun 20, 2024•59 min
I'm joined on this episode by none other than Diego Reyes - a gut health specialist aiming to help Americans turn the tide on one of the "secret" afflictions that beguiles many, and often goes undetected, untreated, and unsolved. Listen in as we discuss one of the most important battlefields on the frontlines of human health! And be sure to check him out online at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diegoreyeshealth/ Website: https://www.completevitalitylife.com/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@...
Jun 14, 2024•58 min
Riddle me this, friendo: How is it that old school strongmen in the 1800s and early 1900s managed to set a wide array of strength records that still stand TO THIS DAY - despite: Shorter lifespans More life-threatening diseases Inadequate medical treatment More expensive and often lower-quality food And a litany of other seemingly insurmountable obstacles in their path? The answer: they had a method . I reveal this method in part on this short but riveting episode. Tune in, chill out, and enjoy. ...
Jun 11, 2024•28 min
I'm joined on this episode by athletic coach and fitness revolutionary Dave Daglow. In this episode we talk all about Dave's back story - from up-and-coming athlete to severely injured and in desperate need of figuring out how to put himself back together again. From this humble beginning, he came to a series of startling realizations about his own body, that of other athletes, and the entire notion of exercise as we think about it - and from there he set out to get people back in touch with the...
Jun 06, 2024•43 min
I'm joined on this epic episode (epic-sode?) by none other than Master SFG and fellow bodyweight fanatic Karen Smith. In this episode we dive deep into a smorgasbord of spectacular stuff, including: her origin story and what got her into kettlebell training the fateful phone call she got from Pavel that inspired her to take on the challenge of nailing her first one-arm pushup the past, present, and future of the StrongFirst Bodyweight certification much, much more Check out Karen Smith online at...
May 30, 2024•57 min
I'm joined on this episode by my pal and yours, Pat Flynn. We decided to do this episode based on a very good question I got from an email subscriber, asking how Pat and I were able to work so well together despite our vastly different approaches to fitness. Tune in for our stimulating, titilating, and riveting answer. And be sure to follow Pat online at: https://www.chroniclesofstrength.com https://www.youtube.com/@KettlebellQuickies https://hardstylekettlebells.clickfunnels.com/racked-and-load...
May 23, 2024•25 min
I'm joined on this episode by old school strength and physical culture enthusiast Brooks Kubik of Dinosaur Training. Join us as we dive deep into the world of physical culture as it was before the days of widespread access to quality training information, insights on how the old schoolers trained, and how Brooks overcame crippling asthma and other physical maladies to become one of the greatest minds in strength of the 20th century. Check him out online at https://www.dinosaurtraining.com Wanna ...
May 17, 2024•1 hr 30 min
I'm joined on this episode by the wise and brilliant Dr. Kathy Dooley - anatomy fanatic, chiropractor, and all-around strong gal. Listen in as she talks about how and why the study of anatomy can help you unlock new and untold levels of unrivaled brute strength by learning how to work WITH the natural design of your body rather than fighting against it. Check her out online at https://www.immaculatedissection.com Wanna crush weakness and forge all-day strength, stamina, and resilience WITHOUT an...
Apr 25, 2024•45 min
