YOUR PATH TO BECOME ADVANCED
LEARN HOW TO INTEGRATE
Kettlebells, Barbells, and Sport-specific Training Safely and Effectively
LEARN HOW TO IMPROVE
Athletic Performance & Coaching Methods through Better Programming, Mobility, Strength, & Resiliency
The Pro-Level Path
Become a CERTIFED KETTLEBELL & BARBELL instructor
This path is for professional strength instructors, fitness trainers, sports coaches, and health & wellness practitioners seeking to enhance their knowledge, skills, and technique to advance their own performance & strength athletes.
The School of Strength—STRONGFIRST
Dr. Michael Hartle has been a Master Instructor with The School of Strength for nearly 10 years. He was fortunate to learn directly from Pavel Tsatsouline who brought the kettlebell to the West and continued with a promotion to lead the SFG kettlebell and SFL barbell instructor certifications. Pavel and Dr. Hartle co-authored the SFL cert curriculum and the programming design manual.
WHY ATTEND THE SFG KETTLEBELL & SFL BARBELL INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION?
The StrongFirst instructor certifications are the gold standard for strength and conditioning professionals. The 3-day weekends are physically and mentally demanding, will test your coaching, technique and performance to the highest degree, and are always taught in person. The SFG Cert’s “G” stands for girya, or kettlebell. The SFL Cert’s “L” stands for lifter, or barbell.
Strength professionals attend to keep their skills sharp.
Personal challenge enthusiasts attend to test their mettle.
No matter your reason – it’ll be a life changing experience.
– Dr. Mark ChengK3Combat LA, StrongFirst Master Instructor, 
– Pavel MacekKB5 Gym Czechia, StrongFirst Master Instructor THE BEGINNERS PATH
START WITH KETTLEBELL & BARBELL BASICS
This path is for EVERYONE. Whether you are just hearing about kettlebells and barbells, beginning to strength train a little, or you coach gym students and want to fine-tune your basic coaching skills.
The Key to Mastery is a Strong Foundation
Dr. Michael Hartle always stresses proper form and technique. Always. One very important basic skill is how to generate enough tension throughout the body while lifting. Whether you’re new to lifting or a long-time pro, learning the “required tension” to properly execute a lift will improve your performance but also decrease the chance of injury during loaded movements.
WHY ATTEND A KETTLEBELL & BARBELL WORKSHOP?
Attending a 4-hour kettlebell and barbell workshop, built around the StrongFirst principles, Dr. Michael Hartle teaches how to “get tight” and develop a proper motor pattern hardwired in your cerebral cortex and the rest of the neurological system when lifting a kettlebell and barbell. Or anything really. During the workshop, you will practice power breathing and the hardstyle plank while learning how to swing a kettlebell, deadlift a barbell, and many other exercises and skills.
Start building a strong foundation.
Apply these principles in your daily strength sessions.
Dial-in your coaching technique
practice how to teach the basics to others.
THE MENTAL PATH
ADVANCE YOUR STRENGTH KNOWLEDGE
Boost your Mental Performance
Dr. Michael Hartle’s high-level of expertise and practical knowledge comes from 50 years of weight room lifting, treating sports chiropractic patients, coaching athletes, and teaching barbell and kettlebell strength worldwide.
In his guest articles and podcast interviews he speaks on various topics from training as a powerlifter, how to build serious strength and power, neuro muscular adaptation and intuitive training, rehabbing from injuries, and lessons he has learned along the way as a strength and health professional.
Stay mentally active
Read a diverse set of training and programming articles
Listen to top strength, science, and sports interviews
build your strength library with books & WEbinars