thursday, january 7, 2010


posted at 7:26 amcomments


wednesday, december 23, 2009



RECENT REVIEW ON DRAGONDOOR.COM

A Life Changer Rated 10 out of 10

It is hard to overstate the impact AL has had on my life over the past two years I have known and trained under him. His boundless enthusiasm for fitness and life in general is truly infectious and has profoundly improved my own self image and approach to each and every day. He is constantly shifting and honing his approach, whether to martial technique, kettlebell form, or teaching methodology. AL is never content to sit back and accept that he has reached the apex of his journey, and that constant drive for knowledge and improvement is transferred directly to his students and clients as he practices what he preaches right alongside you. If all you care about are results, you need only reference his list of clients that I have personally witnessed lose 50, 60, over 100 lbs., or see the growing list of beefed up frat guys and even firefighters who have been shamed by 110 lb. girls who have been training with him for only a few months. And he does it all while fostering an environment of cooperation, diversity, and mutual respect rather than competition and showmanship. It is truly a pleasure to know and learn from AL, and he will absolutely change your life for the better, both physically and mentally.
Sean Keating - San Diego, CA USA

posted at 9:04 pmcomments


sunday, november 29, 2009


Kettlebells are unique in that no other implement can be used for such a vast array of exercises. Kettlebells will help you develop:

  •  foundation of strength
  • Greater flexibility (and strength through that increased range of motion)
  • Accelerated recovery
  • Increased grip strength
  • Balanced musculature, which will eliminate weaknesses
  • Increased power and explosiveness
  • CRAZY conditioning

Because kettlebells are so versatile and portable, you can take them with you to the gym or anywhere that has a small open spot.

That is why kettlebells are such a great training device.  You can keep them in the trunk of your car and you can get a workout wherever you’re at; in a park, in the parking lot or in your yard.

Imagine taking a set of kettlebells into your gym, past reception and doing a killer workout while everyone else is struggling away on the elliptical.

(from "art of manliness")


posted at 5:57 pmcomments


monday, november 23, 2009


FREE KETTLEBELL CLASS!!!!!!!

WHEN: Thanksgiving Day 9:00 am til 10:15 am

WHERE: South Mission Beach (meet at basketball court)

Everyone is welcome, bring family and friends
Spectators and skeptics are always more than welcome!
Lets get a good PRACTICE in before enjoying lots of food.

For those who can't make it, have a Happy Thanksgiving.
I am very thankful for all of your support and loyalty.

Al



posted at 10:56 amcomments


monday, november 2, 2009


KETTLEBELLS have tremendous implications for resistance training and preparation for athletics and activities of daily living. Much of the current fitness methodology create or seek to minimize the role of inertial forces. The result is an Un natural and non activity specific method of training. Excluding the inescapable law of inertial forces in our lives. These inadequate training methodologies lay the foundation for UNFULFILLED PERFORMANCE.
Fulfill your performance potential by using KETTLEBELLS. Training should always exceed the demands you are going to face.

(excerpts taken from kbc training manual)


posted at 12:39 pmcomments


wednesday, october 21, 2009

DRAGON DOOR REVIEW


Instructor reviews of: Al Lowrimore
Average Rating: 10.0 in 1 reviews
Powerful enthusiasm + absolute conscience = RESULTS
Rated 10 out of 10
Al Lowrimore is one of the most conscientious instructors I've had the pleasure of meeting and training with in almost any field of human movement. Knowing him as both a martial arts and kettlebell instructor, I can tell you with absolute certainty that his infectious enthusiasm, progressive teaching methods, and keen eye for safety and detail will take your training to the next level and far beyond. For years, I've been proud to call him a member of the KBLA family, and I'm equally proud to recognize him as a fully certified RKC instructor. He's par excellence! If you're anywhere near San Diego, contact him early and make the time to train with him! Dr. Mark Cheng, RKC Team Leader - Los Angeles, CA USA - www.kettlebellslosangeles.com
Instructor reviews of: Al Lowrimore
Average Rating: 10.0 in 1 reviews
Powerful enthusiasm + absolute conscience = RESULTS
Rated 10 out of 10

posted at 1:13 pmcomments


sunday, october 18, 2009

"DEDICATED PRACTICE"

Dedicated practice has five components:

1. Designed by someone else

2. Has immediate feedback

3. Mentally and physically challenging

4. Repeatable

5. NOT FUN!!!

Dedicated practice is what will take you to the "next level" 
Practice does not make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect.
Find training partners that are willing to do "Dedicated Practice"
This is true for your Kettlebell, JKD and BJJ training. 
Study on all five of these components
By making dedicated practice part of your life, you will gaurantee improvement

(thanks to my good friend Mr. Sandy Fisch for sharing his knowledge)

posted at 2:51 pmcomments


wednesday, october 7, 2009

"Hard Style" 
MVC= Maximal Volitional Contraction
Heels, Quads, Gluts, Abs, Lats
Sounds easy enough; not so fast ricochet rabbit.  To have five muscle groups fire simultaneously is VERY difficult It takes concentration every single repetition
It takes thousands of repetitions Very proud of our entire team, keep up the good work!!

posted at 9:05 pmcomments


friday, september 25, 2009

"HARD STYLE" WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

COMPRESSION!!

Compression of the muscles. Muscles produce force by tensing. Maximize the tension. Compression of the joints. Keep joints tight and compressd to avoid injury and leakage.
Compression of the breath. High intra abdominal muscles increase strength.
Compression to the ground. Maximize stability.
Compression of focus. Focus the scattered energies of the body into a directed all out effort.

Study on this!!
Watch closely your fellow students that do it every time. (Donna, Rachael, Christina, Tim)
Compress, compress compress...

"HARD STYLE": Kinetic linkage from the ground up eliminating linkage.

Concepts taken directly from RKC Intructors manual. Thank you Pavel

posted at 8:56 amcomments


wednesday, september 2, 2009

RECENT YELP REVIEW OF SELF DEFENSE SEMINAR


Al Lowrimore JKD & Functional Fitness

5 star rating
based on 1 review

Category: Martial Arts  [Edit]

Neighborhood: Point Loma
2176 Chatsworth Blvd.
Suite B

(at Voltaire St) 
San DiegoCA 92107
(619) 985-0760

     

    review for Al Lowrimore JKD & Functional Fitness

    Sort by: Yelp Sort | Date | Rating | Elites'

    Monique R.

    La Jolla, CA

    5 star rating
    8/5/20091 photo

    This post shall serve as both a rave review and also a warning to any and all creepers out there...mess with me and, thanks to Al Lowrimore's Women's Self Defense Seminar, you will end up bleeding from your eyes (at the very least), possibly infertile and definitely feeling severe pain!

    As this review concentrates on only one of Al Lowrimore's programs, I will start by advising that Al also offers classes in Russian Kettlebells, Functional Fitness and Jeet Kune Do in addition to the program which inspired my review: Women's Self Defense. Al Lowrimore is a professional, black belt, martial arts instructor. I know of nobody more qualified to teach women to fight in the event flight is impossible. He encourages you to push yourself more than you think capable and will constantly challenge so as to build a better, stronger, more confident you. My favorite quote of his, "our purpose is to make you successful".

    I participated in Al Lowrimore's 2-day women's self defense seminar and with the knowledge gained I feel confident I could fend off an attacker in an instant! Al's program is definitely intense but he has the ability to teach even the most delicate ladies how to protect themselves if ever, God forbid, one finds themselves in a precarious situation.

    At the start of the seminar I felt a tad timid about throwing punches and kicking groins of the teaching assistants; however by the end there was no hesitation in doing what needed to be done to get free of "my attacker's" grasp...or as Al so eloquently put it, "protecting my center line".

    Throughout the course Al taught us concepts such as violence vs. threat of violence, naturally occurring physical and mental attributes which serve as warnings of danger. We learned basics regarding fighting distance and range, and he showed us how to create a base so as to maintain balance, proper posture, stance and footwork (all of which are components required to maintain control over your body).  

    This course is not meant to teach you to fight your attacker (that is reserved as last resort) but rather you will learn strategies for escape, which may require physical confrontation to allow for time to get away. We were taught so many techniques; most of which are meant to leave the perpetrator stunned while you flee. A few of the highlights: punching and blocking, eye pokes and gauging, groin kicks, shin kicks, biting, escaping a hold, avoiding a choke, small joint manipulation, ground movements (mainly to get someone off of you), fighting once on the ground and fundamentals to getting back on your feet and away from the assailant as quickly as possible.

    What I found most valuable was learning how to react should such a horrible event occur. For example, I would imagine most (including myself pre-Lowrimore education) would be stunned if grabbed by another and may freeze-up not knowing what to do. Now I know I have the ability to break free, fight if need be and most importantly get the hell away from the danger.

    By the end we were beat up and bruised but confident in knowing we too can beat and bruise another if circumstances require.

    Thanks to Al and all his teaching assistants for the vast knowledge, techniques and confidence gained during your course. I truly feel as though I can now protect myself should someone try to get to my center line or anywhere else I don't want them to be.

    posted at 9:48 pmcomments


    monday, august 31, 2009

    I spent the last 3 days working on my certification to become an RKC instructor. It was both physically and mentally VERY demanding. Snatch test 100 reps in 5 min, Vo2 Max workout, Gradworkout, Performance testing, and victim teaching evaluation. We were constantly performing techniques under intense scrutiny.  Unlike other certifications out there, RKC expects perfection and performance. You must be knowledgeable, able to perform  your knowledge and be tough. Many did not pass. If you would like to become RKC do not take your preperation lightly it will be a grave mistake. I would thank many of my students and friends who helped me prepare for this. I could not have done this without you.

    posted at 6:33 amcomments


    tuesday, august 11, 2009


    Wanted to say thanks to all the new students at MCRD. Turn out has been amazing.
    We will always focus on the fundementals, but get ready for the workouts to be much harder.
    Once the essentials have been ingrained, the tempo of class will pick dramatically.
    Special thanks to Giovanna at Semper Fit for making this opportunity happen.
    I Also would like to thank Shawn Theisen for his relentless support for what we we do.
    Good training to all,
    Al

    posted at 1:25 pmcomments


    friday, july 31, 2009


    We are excited to announce we will have 5 competitors for GRAPPLING X. Cody, Darrin, Ashton, Josh, and Ray will be representing our family. You will notice the intensity of JKD and Kettlebell classes will be a much higher pace. All the fighter will be competing in the PANKRATION venue the oldest style of MMA. Please come and support on August 22nd.

    The entire Team will play a roll in getting Fighters ready. I would like to say a special thanks to STEVE, DONNA MARTIN, RACHAEL, LAVON & MIKE DIAZ for sacrificing their bodies and time to help these atheletes train.

    posted at 7:28 amcomments


    sunday, july 19, 2009


    We welcome you to a community where easy will no longer suffice!

    For those who attended this weeks classes you know what i am talking about.
    Very proud of EVERYONE for the effort.

    Al

    posted at 5:24 pmcomments


    wednesday, july 15, 2009

    Wanted to thank everyone in Kettlebell Classes for the effort being put forth in improving form.
    Keep in mind strength is a skill, skills take practice.
    The "Maximal Volitional Contraction" of the Hard Style Lock is hard to achieve and should be the cornerstone when looking for areas to improve KB skills.

    I would also like to welcome Karolyn Kirby to our affiliate family. Karolyn is a "WORLD CLASS" Volleyball player and coach. Please Check out her website at www.karolynkirby.com I know many of you have kids playing volleyball now, if you are looking to have them go to the next level please contact Karolyn!

    posted at 1:59 pmcomments


    tuesday, june 30, 2009

    Just wanted to thank those who attended last weekends Women's Self Defense Seminar!
    Giovanna, Rayna, Monique, Kari, Ashton, and Leslie. These ladies worked incredibly hard and have the bruises to prove it. It was physically and emotionally demanding  and they passed with flying colors. I am so proud of all them. Everyone saw the changes in in each other. It was awesome as everyone cheered each other when "the fight was on". ( they beat the crap out of me)

    We focused on minimizing techniques and maximizing Targets.
    Topics covered were:

    Violence vs Threat of Violence
    Places of Violence
    Physical Attributes
    Mental Attributes
    Timing, 
    Beginning, Middle, and End of Equations
    Distance  
    Ranges
    Base 
    Posture
    Stance
    Footwork

    Techniques Covered:

    Eye pokes and gouges
    Groin shots
    Shin kicks
    Small joint manipulation
    Fundemental movements on the ground
    Fundementals of getting back on your feet
    Fundementals of avoiding a choke
    Ground fighting
    Biting
    Escapes

    This is just a small sample of the content of the seminar.
    I would also like to thank Rachael, Ray , Shaun, Victoria, and Ashton for taking a lot of punishment and helping this be a success.

    Thank you all for a fun and eye openeing experience.

    Al





    posted at 9:47 pmcomments


    thursday, june 18, 2009



    We are now officiallly sdkettlebells.com!! We are also jkdsandiego.com!!
    Special thanks to Ray Regno for helping with these changes.
    Sean is working on a new logo which will be out soon...


    I would also like to congratulate our entire team on gains EVERYONE has made!!!
    It is truly impressive. Keep up the hard work it is paying huge dividends...

    posted at 10:19 amcomments


    monday, may 25, 2009


    "NOTHING TO LOSE BUT FEAR"

    WOMENS SELF DEFENSE SEIMINAR DATES HAVE BEEN SET!!!
    The next Womens self defense seminar will be held June 27 & 28 from 1:00 to 4:00pm.
    Space will be limited, so reserve your spot early.
    Details will be posted on the website shortly.
    DON'T MISS THIS VALUABLE OPPORTUNITY it could save your life.
    Al

    posted at 6:21 pmcomments


    thursday, may 21, 2009

    Some future events: 

    I will be attending the RKC certification course in August. This is by far the most comprehensive kettlebell training on the planet. I will come back with loads of vital information to share. I am really stoked about going. This course is also physically demanding, so anticipate classes to be VERY difficult going forward.

    I will be conducting a womens self defense semnar in June, dates will be finalized in the next couple of days.

    Our good friend and kettlebell "strong woman" Donna Martin will be graduating fron SDSU this weekend, please join me in congratulating her on this tremendous accomplishment. Nice job "Donna Martin in the house"!!!

    I also have reserved the ficticious name 'Kettlebells San Diego" along with the domain name sdkettlebells.com we will have some changes comming to the cyber world...

    Peace

    posted at 4:28 pmcomments


    wednesday, may 20, 2009

    Wanted say congratulations to both Cody and Darren for bringing home gold medals at Grappling X. This was truly a team effort, from all the JKD students and coaches, to all the Kettlebell members. Our guys were better conditioned, bottom line. All the work with Kettlebells, the extra running, the counltess sparring rounds paid off. If you have a chance tell them congratulations!! They represented all of us, and did so with class and honor.

    Al

    posted at 10:09 amcomments


    wednesday, may 20, 2009

    Beginning this month, I will be begin posting regular updates and blogs to help my students review what we've been learning as well as give prospective students a taste of my approach to self defense and functional fitness. Stay tuned!

    -Al

    posted at 9:13 amcomments


    Al Lowrimore
    JKD & Functional Fitness
    2176 Chatsworth Blvd
    Suite B
    San Diego CA 92107
    Click here for directions

    allowrimore@cox.net
    619.985.0760


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