STUDENT / CLIENT TESTIMONIALS (unedited)

Our fire company saw Mike Stefano's First Responder Program as an excellent first step in establishing an ongoing firefighter fitness program. He's an excellent teacher who was able to relate the specific elements of the program he taught us to our work as volunteer firefighters. Everyone in our class, which ranged in age from 21 to 55 and covered a wide range of fitness levels, fully participated and was able to master the program. Almost as impressive as what we learned was the sense of teamwork and accomplishment as we worked our way through the First Responder workout at the end of the class, cheering with and for each other at our accomplishment. It's a great class that I would highly recommend to any volunteer, combination or career fire department or first responder organization.
Tom Healey, Safety Officer, Plainsboro, NJ


My name is Alan Condon I am a new AKC Fitness Instructor. Mike Stefano and his lovely wife Kim visited my martial arts academy and taught the real Kettlebell training methods. I was amazed at all the technical details in the AKC method. I was following the RKC format the 5x5 protocols and the power lifts. Although I developed some great strength, I always felt I was missing some key attributes.

All I can say if wow! I spent 7 hours learning the AKC techniques under Mike's direction. I learned how to breathe correctly, the dynamics of the rack position, which was just incredible. As well as the key movements of the swing, snatch and jerk and then progressing to the long cycle.

My wife and 7 other students were amazed and energized through Mike's tutelage. He is a very talented and patient coach. We were all able to learn the proper method of kettlebell technique and continue to perform the movements for 7 hours with a short lunch break. On that break Mike shared Valery's history and goals of the AKC/WKC. I feel lucky to be under his guidance.

In my previous Kettlebell experience with the 5x5 protocol a 20-30 minute workout would leave me spent. I am a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt under the great Carlos Machado so I am used to grappling for 30-40 minutes at a rip, so cardio was not an issue. It was more an issue of muscular endurance and real functional strength that the the AKC method develops. Mike shared a great routine that will help in that area.

I feel very fortunate that i found the AKC and Mike and will be able to share these techniques with my family and students.
Alan Condon - Empire Martial Arts

Since I am going to be both a bridesmaid and a bride in 2009, I was looking for a way to tone up and lose weight so I could look my best in two sets of wedding photos. After some internet searching, I found East Coast Kettlebell Club and Mike Stefano. And how lucky I was to do so! Almost immediately, I noticed that my posture had improved and I was starting to feel more toned. Tracking my weekly progress with a measuring tape has confirmed that the inches are coming off!

I can't say enough about how pleased I have been with the results I've been achieving through my kettlebell workouts. After having major surgery several years ago, I gained weight which had stubbornly refused to go away, no matter what I tried. Much to my delight, I am now starting to be able to wear some of my favorite "pre-surgery" outfits again!

But my figure isn't the only thing that has improved. With each workout, I find myself achieving new personal bests and surpassing even my own expectations. I've also noticed an improvement in my cardiovascular fitness and my overall energy level, as well as a decrease in the lower back pain that comes with working a desk job.

While vanity may have lead me to try kettlebells, I know that the many other benefits I've found will keep me swinging, jerking and snatching long after I reach my goal weight.
Megan C. - Attorney


When I first knew that I wanted to become a Firefighter, a workout regimen was an absolute must. So what I did was go the traditional route of hitting the gym and starting circuit training with bench press, curls, squats and so on. Of course I felt I was getting stronger, but what I had longed for was muscle endurance. The ability to have muscles work at a high rate for longer periods of time, an obvious demand of the fire service. Not feeling successful in my attempts of achieving sustained muscle endurance and the CPAT right around the corner, I decided to get in touch with Capt. Mike. It was the smartest decision of my life.

I knew right away that Kettlebell's would be the key to my workouts in the future. No longer circuit based or repetitive, Kettlebell's teach you how to push yourself in a safe and healthy way. Within three workouts I instantly felt stronger and had started to see a difference in that much needed muscle endurance. Best of all, I actually looked forward to working out, just to see how hard I could push myself. If you are skeptical, don't be. Give it a try and you will see the difference immediately. Capt. Mike offers a very educational fitness environment and an overall good time throughout your workout. Without Capt. Mike and Kettlebell's, I don't know where I would be. I certainly wouldn't be where I am today and I definitely wouldn't have passed my CPAT by almost three minutes with a time of 7:38.
Brian R. - Firefighter Candidate


I'm Jess, and I am a seventeen year old high school student. I have been working out since I was 13 and have bounced around from more gyms and more exercise methods then I can count. Finally I have found one that's just right. Kettle bell! Kettle bell is not hard and anyone can do it. The workout is only about 20 minutes each day which is perfect for my busy high school senior schedule. I love the effect working with a Kettle bell creates. It gives you nice leaned, toned muscles. One has absolutely no chance off looking like a scary overbufff woman- man thing at the end. There are no scary inhumanly large trainers yelling at you either. Kettle bell is a sport that requires skill, determination, and diligence. It not only works the muscles but the mind as well. It truly builds character. It's a little different but that's part of what makes it fun. Because Kettle bell is such a new and upcoming venture the kettle bell society is a very close knit group. Any young girl whose looking to call herself an athlete and is not sure how should certainly give this a try.
Jess L. - Student


Kettlebell training equals over all functional fitness. Whether your looking to train for a physcial exam or your just working out for the first time the benefits of kettlebell training far surpass any routine weight lifting or cardio program.

As a firefighter I've found the benefits of a regular kettlebell lifting routine to be equally essential to maintaining both strength and cardio ability. While no workout program can resemble the exact stresses and strains of firefighting, kettlebells comes as close as you can get. Kettlebells like firefighting requires all of your body's muscles work together and at the same time increases your heart rate so that your body keeps up. The combination of the two can be both mentally & physically challenging something that most other routine workouts cannot do.

Over time I have found that kettlebell workouts strengthen muscles that provide stability and support and is essential to everyday life both long and short term. I have seen that lifting kettlebells for as little as 20 minutes per day will burn body fat while at the same time add muscle definition. Just the fact that you don't need to dedicate separate time to weight lifting and cardio makes kettlebells a great choice for anyone. I highly recommend trying them and seeing for yourself!
Matt O. - Firefighter