What makes Levi different? Creativity. And the ability to recognize the difference between college athletes and old fat guys like myself. And have several different workouts and movements for both and all between. And I don’t like most trainers cause it’s always my way is the only/best way and you need to do it this way. That’s not Levi.

Josh Roberts, Army & Navy Veteran, Deputy Sheriff

The moment you walk through the gym doors you know you’re going to get a good workout in. Whether it is as an athlete or an everyday person trying to better their life. Levi offers a variety of workouts – some people may be timid or scared to try simply because they don’t believe in themselves, but every movement benefits someone. Levi also has an eagerness and willingness to continue to better himself mentally as well as physically and that is something that intrigues me and makes me want to push harder. Not necessarily get to his level, but to get to my own personal high because he is walking proof that determination, hard work, and perseverance pays off.

>Alissa Christoffer, RKC

My 11 year old son has been working out with Levi consistently for 2 years. The improvements made in his athletic performance and his overall strength are outstanding! We feel very fortunate to have access to Levi and his knowledge, specifically his expertise in kettlebell training!

Sara De Vos Roberts

I have been going to Athletic Republic for 4 years now. It has been a truly life changing experience and there is nothing like this anywhere. The combination of strength and conditioning you get from kettlebells is unlike anything. I consider myself very lucky to have found AR and Levi!!!

Mitchell Begley, USMC Veteran, Active Guard, Fireman

If you are considering using Levi as your coach, stop thinking about it and sign up. I have been a personal trainer on the side, am Crossfit Level 1 Certified, had personal training from some of CrossFit’s biggest names, personal training from 2 National Champion Olympic Weightlifters, and a USAW International Coach in the past. I tell you all that to give perspective when I say Levi is the real deal.

I chose him over a lot of other trainers and am very glad I did for a few reasons. He really knows his stuff. His programming is absolutely top shelf, and I’m a programming nerd. He has integrity which is very refreshing to deal with. He lives what he teaches. I’ve been blown away by the level of personalized customer service he’s given me. Way more than I expected. His pricing is an absolute bargain for what you are getting in return. He doesn’t inflate his prices because he’s an internet celebrity or marketing shark like others do. He gives more than fair prices and absolutely over delivers on his coaching services. He is able to customize his programming to YOUR goals. I’ve seen the program he wrote for a buddy of mine that I recommended Levi to. My buddy has completely different goals than I do weight loss and has no equipment, far less workout experience, and that program is great too. Which tells you he’s multifaceted as a coach.

I’m not getting anything out of sharing this A+ review, and I’m not one who does reviews, pretty much ever. But I’ve been so blessed by Levi and have benefited from my exposure to his training protocols that I want to give credit where it is due and encourage anyone on the fence … take action and go for it! You will not be disappointed!

Joe Kalsbeek, Police Officer

Harder To Kill Training: it would seem obvious, but this is learning to train for life, and it’s invaluable to me both as a practitioner and as an instructor. The progressions, variations, the endless adaptability and applicability of the exercises and frameworks discussed here are worth investing three times the amount of time it actually takes Levi to teach them. Adding this to your training–and, really, anyone can and should–is not just an addition of knowledge, it’s a transformation of how to address your practice and make it work more specifically for you (or for those you teach).

Ridge Carpenter, SFG

I first met Levi five years ago when I sought him out to train me for a 24 hour obstacle race. With a combination of his strength, endurance and kettlebell knowledge, every day I continue to be in the best shape of my life

Tyler Kilgore, 3x World’s Toughest Mudder Competitor – Top 10% finisher

I have been training with harder to kill for over a year and I am in the best shape of my adult life. Levi’s programs are custom tailored for your goals, and trust me no other program will hold a candle to his. Get serious about your training and make it happen. Become HARDER TO KILL.

Wesley Radunz, RKC

Working with Levi Markwardt is pure pleasure. Coach finds time to talk, advise and motivate, plan itself is hard but gives pleasure. What is more important than connection with a Coach and his advice? Being a coach myself I learned a lot during work with Levi as I also earned my sfg1 and half bodyweight press. I can’t recommend him enough .

Mateusz Kwiatkowski (Poland), SFG

I first came across Levi and Harder To Kill Training on instagram earlier this year. In the explore tab, I stumbled upon a video of him performing a turkish getup with 203 lb barbell over his head. As a kickboxer looking to return to competition in 2018, I needed to begin taking my strength and conditioning to the next level, which prompted me to contact Levi. Im currently in the second week of my second ten week program written by him, and I have a massively improved body to train with compared to when I first started using Harder to Kill training. My deadlift went up from 405 to 500, my max get up went from 75 to 125, and my overall fitness has massively improved. The programming is close to perfectly balanced and its foundation is built on essential, compound movements performed in a dynamic manner, creative sequencing, and far more enjoyable than programming that one would receive in a standard, commercial gym. As a result, I’m moving far more efficiently in kickboxing practice, my functional strength is at the highest it’s ever been, my body control and awareness has improved immensely, as well as my balance, flexibility, cardio-vascular endurance, muscle endurance, and power. Whether you’re aspiring to be a professional athlete like myself, or you’re trying to improve general health and fitness, Harder to Kill training will fulfill that need with Levi available to guide you every step of the way.

Dillon Mena, Kickboxer

When I first heard that Levi Markwardt was coming to Lima with his HTK seminar, I only knew that he had freaky skills of moving the bells around. So I went to the seminar to see “the kettlebell giant” in action. Truth be told, I am an average human, so I did not have any illusions of becoming HTK…
What I did not expect was the fact that besides freakish strength and mad training skills, Levi also obtained excellent teaching skills and a wonderful ability to explain the most complicated exercise in that practical way, so even the most kettlebell-challenged people (like myself) could learn to perform any exercise quickly and with proper form.

For 2 days our group, that included both experienced trainers and kettlebell enthusiasts, was busy first polishing most basic kettlebell technique performing (swing, snatch, clean, get up), then learning all kinds of variations of those exercises, then surviving HTK test (Levi surprised us by actually doing those HTK tests together with us! What a motivation!) Levi constantly communicated with the group, and made sure that each and every one of us would ask questions and receive satisfying answers, that everyone got to practice each HTK exercise that was included on the seminar program, as well as gave us time to experiment and create our own movements. I felt very encouraged throughout the entire seminar, and I did feel that in just 2 days I got a little stronger and a lot more confident in my training. I improved my snatch, which was one of the most challenging kettlebell exercises. I learned variations of squat, deadlift and press with kettlebells, and a few technique tricks, which helped me a lot to improve my powerlifting performance.

So at the risk of sounding like a kissass, I will tell, that this has been the most exciting and the most challenging training seminar for me yet! The only thing: there should be HTK bootcamp, and it should last a week or so.

Viktoryia Piatlitskaya (Peru), Powerlifter

I started training with Levi around 2009. He had me in the best shape and conditioning I have ever been in a very minimal amount of time. He has recently brought kettle bell training into his arsenal of ‘torture’. I must admit, the gains in strength I have had with using kettle bells, in the little amount of time I’ve been training with them is quite impressive. I’m thankful to have a RKC instructor that takes his training and instructing as serious as Levi does. He makes sure you are performing all movements in their correct form to make the most of every session. Looking forward to the next level…

Jared Kerr / Arnold’s Park, United States

I have been working with Levi for about 3 years or more now. When he brought this KB stuff to the house I thought he was crazy. But I have to tell you I have really enjoyed this knew move to the KB program and have never done workouts that really work the full body that he has introduced to us in the house. Just so you all no that it is Levi’s House that I speak of. Love the program and Levi does a great job at teaching the proper form and still makes it fun.

Phil Miklo / Arnolds Park, United States

I have been working out at Levi’s facility for the past few years. I like the way he varies his workouts, so you are not always doing the same thing. Since Levi became an RKC instructor, he has incorporated the kettlebells in the workouts. I like the fact that he makes sure you know what your doing before you start the days program. I am very happy with the increased strength that I directly attribute to using the kettlebell program that Levi has incorporated every week.

Sam Lammers / Spirit Lake, USA

I recently did some personal training with Levi to learn how to properly use kettle bells. I struggle with back pain and weight loss at the young age of 23, so my friends and coworkers recommended some personal training sessions with Levi. I was a little nervous about trying kettlebells because I had no experience with them. Levi was patient and supportive teaching me how to properly use the kettlebells. I made so much progress in such a short period of time that I have started to look forward to exercising with kettlebells. I couldn’t have developed that attitude without the help of an excellent teacher. The workouts he provides are challenging but achievable for a beginner like me and I can’t thank him enough for helping me gain the skills and confidence I need to become stronger and healthier.

Amanda Lietz / Spirit Lake, US

I found Levi to be a terrific teacher and coach! I’m 67 and wanted to safely increase my activity level to recover and regain some strength, and to improve my general fitness. A friend told me about KB and recommended I see Levi to get that all important instruction on proper form. I’ve only been working with him for a month; but after learning the basic KB movements I really do feel better and am now exercising with newfound knowledge and confidence that I can improve my of fitness without injuring myself. If any of you are looking to improve your fitness…but maybe wondering if this KB training thing works and is worth the investment…my answer is a resounding yes on both counts! You won’t regret having Levi introduce you to the benefits of training with the KB. Thanks Levi!

Bob Seigel / Graettinger, USA

Before I started working out with Levi, my KB experience was extremely limited. Over the past few months, I have been participating in his board workouts. These workouts (that he creates) are centered around a variety of KB movements. They are always changing and always challenging. When I started them, I was hesitant and choppy with my technique. Levi would constantly watch, even when I didn’t think he was, and provide corrective feedback. His feedback is always very clear and concise. I would definitely describe Levi as a student of the game. You can tell that he is very passionate about what he does, and is eager to continue to learn and improve on his skill set. I now joke with Levi that he “ruined” me in regards to weight lifting. After working with him, all I want to do is train with KB, instead of traditional weight lifting. He prefers the term enlightened rather than ruined, and I couldn’t agree more. Working with Levi has completely changed the way I train.

Seth Shatto / Storm Lake, United States

Ive had the privelage to be train under Levi for 3 years now. He is a great Role Model inside and outside of his facility. With that being said, I’ve always wanted to do what he does. When he told me that we were switching over to kettlebell training I was very hesistant at first. Within the first two weeks of kettlebell training under Levi’s supervision I could already see results. He drilled form right from the start and always stayed on me about it. My results were unbelievable, honestly I’ve never had better results from any other program. Kettlebell training has changed my life. I went from 190lbs to 205lbs. 15lbs of solid muscle. I felt great because I felt strong as well. Then I Joined the navy. Went to Bootcamp for a few months, lost all of my muscle that i put on due to all the running and body weight excersises of bootcamp. So now i was back to square one. Now, upset that the Navy Gym on base didn’t have KBs. I asked Levi for help. He told me I should invest in my own. So I did, I went out and bought 16kg, (2) 20kg, (2) 24kg, 28kg. I do the workouts he gives me in my own room. Something i would not be able to do with any other program. It is challenging at times because his tips and advice come via internet but Its the fact that he is always willing to help that makes me appreciate what he’s done for me. He’s gotten back on track and again loving what KBs are doing to my body. For that I am forever indebted.

Brady Nissen / San Antonio, USA

I have trained with Levi for some time now. My true love is weight lifting and becoming stronger. That being said, I have struggled with lower back pain for most of my life. It has gotten so bad that when I take bike rides I have to actually get off my bike for a minute to relieve the pain. After Levi started implementing RKC at his gym, I noticed a huge difference on my form with KB swings, cleans, and snatches. I have recently started the 10,000 swing challenge and have not had any lower back pain at all. I was most surprised when I went on a lengthy bike ride today and realized that my back pain was at a bare minimum! The great coaching and proper technique that we get from Levi has not only improved my strength with KBs, but has reduced stress and pressure that I had been putting on my back all these years!

Annie B / Spirit Lake, US

I have had the privilege of training with Levi Markwardt for the last three years. During that time I have watched Levi grow as a trainer. Levi is always looking for new ways to make his own and his clients training the most efficient. I think Levi has found the real deal when it comes to kettle bell training. Since Levi has became an RKC instructor our form has really dialed in. Thanks to Levi I will be using kettle bells safely and correctly the rest of my life. Levi would be a great trainer if you are a novice or a “pro” when it comes to experience. Levi always does a great job keeping me humble and pushing me to my next level.

Mychal Sheridan / Lake Park, United States

I had the chance to experience Levi Markwardt’s training in action after he became an RKC instructor and was immediately impressed with his ability to break every movement down, so it was easy to grasp and understand. Not only did he verbally go through the skill cues, progressions of each exercise, and explain why each movement is important, but he also demonstrated what I was supposed to look for in each kettlebell movement to self-correct any issues I was having so I could be successful. He was more than happy to answer any questions I had and was right there with positive feedback when he had me demonstrate the movements as well. It’s clear that his job is not something to just pass the time, but a passion that he hopes to inspire and better every individual he comes in contact with. I believe that is one of the greatest things you can find in an instructor and would highly recommend him to anyone.

Olivia Warren / Mora, United States