Pavel Tsatsouline Books & DVDs

Pavel Tsatsouline is a renowned fitness instructor and author who has significantly influenced strength training in the Western world. Born in Belarus (then part of the Soviet Union), he was a physical trainer for Soviet special forces before emigrating to the United States in the 1990s.

Pavel is primarily known for popularizing kettlebell training in the West. He served as a subject matter expert to the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Secret Service, and various other elite military and law enforcement units. In 2001, he became the first person to be certified as a kettlebell instructor in the United States.

His training philosophy emphasizes strength as a skill rather than merely the result of muscle size, incorporating principles from Soviet sports science. Pavel's teachings often focus on tension control, breathing techniques, and neurological aspects of strength development.

Pavel has authored numerous influential books including "Power to the People!," "The Russian Kettlebell Challenge," "Enter the Kettlebell," and "Simple & Sinister." His distinctive teaching style combines no-nonsense instruction with occasional humor and memorable catchphrases such as "strength is a skill" and "greasing the groove."

In 2012, he founded StrongFirst, Inc., an international school of strength that certifies instructors in kettlebell, barbell, and bodyweight training methodologies.