When I started training with Dan I was pretty out of shape. I knew nothing about kettlebells, but had just started rockclimbing, and was eager to increase my strength and endurance. We started with 18-pound swings, while focusing on proper form and the fundamentals of “greasing the groove.”
Within three weeks I was swinging the 12kg and pressing the 18-pounder. It has now been four months and I can squat with the 20kg, press the 12 kg, and knock out 100 16kg swings with no problem. I am climbing harder and longer than ever, and my confidence is soaring.
With Dan’s help and positive encouragement, I have gone above and beyond my fitness expectations, and am beyond thrilled with the results. I can’t thank Dan enough!
Jessy C. – Berkeley, CA
Dan is an incredible teacher/coach/personal trainer. When I wanted to achieve a couple of goals I had missed due to injury, Dan was there to provide instruction, inspiration and enthusiasm – all long distance over the internet!
As a personal trainer, he designed road bike workouts, bike trainer workouts and kb workouts. He made sure I understood form and technique, and in no time I was swinging heavier kbs, and feeling much stronger on the bike. He introduced me to Z Health, which I have just begun.
We even talked about nutrition. He taught me how to get the best benefits from the foods I eat, and provided information on protein, absorption, and even when to eat for optimal health and performance.
It’s been a great ride. Dan has given me so much. He has taught me, answered my numerous questions, and encouraged me to seek my best in whatever I chose to do.He checks up on my workouts to keep me inspired. And the whole package makes sense to me.
The strength, endurance and confidence I have gained from Dan’s teaching has already provided me with more than I ever thought I could do. The goals are coming up and whether I achieve them or not, I’m healthier, feel great, and am in better shape than ever before. Thank you Dan. I am thrilled with what you have done for me.
Nancy P. – Champaign, IL
Dan is encouraging and supportive, and he’s great at assessing where I’m at. He pushes me farther than I push myself, but never to a painful level. Before I started seeing him, my knee would be irritated whenever I went for a walk, but after doing Z-Health and moderate kettlebell workouts with Dan, it doesn’t bother me at all anymore, and my strength has really increased.
His attention to each person’s physique and ability is what really sets him apart. He caters each session to my personal needs and addresses my unique issues.
I recommend him highly for anyone who wants to undo painful compensations, regain flexible comfortable movement, or gain strength.
Sabrina – Oakland, CA
Dan has been a great find. His integration of nutrition, movement and strength training has lead to noticeable results in a surprisingly short amount of time. I have had some success with kettlebells and weight diets in the past but could not make the results last. This time Dan has helped put together a healthy lifestyle that does not require depravation. It has helped me drop 4 inches around the waist in just a few months. His techniques will help both young and older people seeking out a maintainable approach to a healthy life. If you want skills for a healthy life – go see Dan.
Franklin B. – Alameda, CA
I started working with Dan Peven about 4 months ago. My brother lives in Boulder and told me about how much better he felt swinging kettlebells. I emailed Dan a letter that basically said “I am a 59 year old woman. I have terrible knees……Can I do this?” Dan’s response was very supportive and I thought I could take a few private lessons and then see how I felt.
We started working together with Dan teaching Z-health movements that help stretch every part of the body. 3 lessons later, Z-health was a natural part of what I did at work every day he began teaching me kettlebell exercises. Well, months later, I can’t believe the difference in my body. I was definitely not in bad shape…..I worked out every day either on an eliptical machine, walking or doing bikram yoga. I was uncertain that I would have time to include kettlebell classes while continuing all my other activity and also working full-time. But I continued to swing the kettlebells with Dan and joined a saturday class with other folks.
I now swing kettlebells 4 to 5 times a week. My knees are the healthiest they have been in a long long time! But, the difference in how my body feels is AMAZING. Kudo’s to Dan. Without his patience (still!) , knowlege and encouragement, I would never be in this place. He has started a 6am bootcamp 3 days a week in Berkeley and it is a blast. He always shows up on time and gives individual attention to the details to prevent any injuries. Can’t ask for much more:):)
Dr. Mary Goulart – Berkeley, Caifornia
I’ve known Dan for about forty (!) years. In that time, we’ve played a heckuva lot of ball, as well as taken a few awesome backpacking trips both out west and out east. We even turned a jawdropping double play to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat to win a softball city championship back in Illinois long before the first streaks of gray hit either one of us.
But his most valuable contribution to my lifelong drive for physical health occurred on a 2009 visit to Berkeley, when he noticed me limping on a right foot that had troubled me for months. Within 48 hours he’d gotten me started on the path to recovery, a path I’m still treading successfully. The stretches and movements he showed me have allowed me to continue pursuing a level of physical fitness I thought I’d have to to abandon after being forced by knee injury to stop running. Now I’m riding a road bike eight to ten times a week with virtually no pain and have lost ten pounds of flab.
Though my much-too-busy life kept me from continuing daily Z-Health work, I find myself able to use it therapeutically when troubles arise, and to inject spurts of it into daily life to facilitate painfree activity at both work and play. The man has been a staunch lifelong friend and mentor; there aren’t many people who qualify as either, let alone both.
Michael deLisle – Knoxville TN
Since attending an introductory course last fall, I’ve become totally hooked on Dan’s training program. I love the feeling I get exercising early in the morning. I work out twice a week with Dan in a customized program using both Kettlebells and Z Health. Not only have my strength and flexibility improved, I now have more energy. Aging does not have to mean getting weaker and having less energy.
Dan has an incredibly positive attitude and a genuine interest in making his clients feel better by customizing a program for each individual and applying the knowledge he’s acquired through the years of his own training. Each day Dan greets me with his fabulous smile and the hour flies by. I love my yellow kettlebell (12 kilos). By the way, I no longer need to use a ladder to climb up to my attic, I can simply boost myself up with the new strength in my arms.
Catherine D – Berkeley, CA
