SF Kettlebells - San Francisco, California

Eric Drew

Marty is an incredible trainer. You will learn so much about the principles of physical fitness, strength training, and proper technique. Marty is excellent at identifying the weaknesses in your posture, form, and technique, and then creating a totally personal program to attack those deficiencies. His training goes beyond just teaching proper form with kettlebell exercises, he teaches you the fundamentals behind the techniques so that you can then apply those principles in your own training at home. He also very skilled at identifying faulty movement patterns and correcting them so that you can train safely and with confidence.

The training also goes beyond just strength and kettlebell training. My cardiovascular endurance has greatly improved since starting to work with Marty. Marty also incorporates other tools into your program depending on your goals and where you would like to improve. I learned about mace training and I learning a ton about mobility and flexibility. He also provided a number of great ideas about diet and nutrition.

Marty takes a holistic view of your strength and health and he cares deeply about his clients and their progress. You will not find a better trainer. Whether you’re just starting out or just looking to refine your technique Marty will absolutely be able to help you achieve your health goals.

Matthew Swanson

I found Marty during Covid when the gyms had closed and I was looking to experiment with new workout regimens. I wanted to learn how to properly use kettlebells and thank goodness I found an expert like Marty as he helped me discover more about functional strength training than I would have found by working with kettlebells alone. Through training with Marty, I have identified the gaps in my core strength that had been holding me back from unrealized gains, and by being more conscious about proper form I no longer get injuries which I used to think was part of the process of strength training. Marty is a passionate coach; he will not babysit you but if you are serious about strength training he will help you reach your potential.

Michael Taylor

Currently I am training with Marty, having completed 25 of 30 sessions with him.
Marty Covault has a clear passion and an eye for detail when it comes to physical training and health. While the focus of his sessions are on proper form and movements, he takes a holistic approach to training. He adjusts to the needs of his clients, talking about topics like diet or mindset as needed (something I came to appreciate). In each of my sessions he would take the time to not only go over my form and give me a good workout, but also answer my questions that weren't directly related to training. I find him very approachable and easy to talk to.
Other important factors are his flexibility with scheduling and training. I started with three sessions per week, lowering it to once weekly as I became more comfortable exercising on my own. He was extremely focused on getting me to achieve good form. While this may seem meticulous at first, it's worth the resulting confidence when training alone. In addition Marty drives to his clients house. This was extremely convenient for me as I owned my own equipment and had space to workout.
Overall I have thoroughly enjoyed my time training with Marty and wholly recommend him to anyone wishing to train with kettlebells. I recommend taking the time to bring questions, and goals. The more you put in the more you will get out. Marty clearly loves to share his knowledge and improve the lives of others.

Dane Whitaker

Marty is a fantastic trainer. I have know him and trained with him for over 18 years. His training methods are an exciting mix of different styles that serve to build muscle and strength with out compromising mobility. He is constantly studying and incorporating methods from the old masters to cutting edge techniques to get the best results. I highly recommend Marty for all of your fitness needs.

Michael Ungar

Marty is an outstanding trainer. I began my work with him because I was dissatisfied with the lack of attention to individual technique – particularly in the use of kettlebells – that I found with nearly all club trainers, even at the most “exclusive” gyms. They are simply too busy building numbers, not sound instruction. As a consequence, I acquired some bad habits and harmful movements. Marty is the consummate trainer focused on detail. He breaks down every swing, lunge, lift, and press into a series of aligned and integrated positions, moves, and even breathing technique so that I am aware at each phase of the exercise how my body is supposed to respond. The process may be slow, but it is deliberate and has generated impressive results. I am stronger, more balanced, and conscious of my movements. Marty has also helped me enormously with stretching techniques, my shoulder alignment, mobility, posture and functional asymmetries, as well as programs to direct my strength training into improving my endurance and power output in biking and swimming.

Steve Quick

I came to Marty needing to refine my kettlebell swing. What I found was an extremely knowledgeable and skilled trainer and coach. The 24 sessions I spent with Marty were invaluable and set me on a path of deeper understanding of fitness and physical culture. Marty is s self avowed non-traditional trainer. Little did I know at the time that this approach was exactly what I needed. Not only did my kettlebell form improve dramatically but so did my mobility, strength, and stamina. He also introduced me to and trained me with the mace bell and Indian clubs, both unconventional tools, with major core, shoulder, thoracic, and grip benefit. We also covered rolling techniques and recovery methods. Marty coached me onto a path of greater, strength, skill, and physical fitness understanding. If you are looking to up your kettlebell skills, strengthen your weaknesses, and try an unconventional fitness approach, you can’t do better than with Marty.

José V. Guerra Awe

Having been an athlete at high-school and collegiate levels, and a personal trainer for the past two years, I have had the benefit of working with various coaches, as well as have been able to challenge and train myself. Needless to say, I've rarely found myself wanting or needing personal training. Lately I've been missing having a coach and was feeling like I needed someone to give me that extra push to take me to a new level of fitness. After reading through MANY reviews and websites, I happened upon Marty’s site. A couple videos in, I was convinced this was the guy!!
As a trainer, I pay acute attention to my clients’ form when performing any exercises. Form is everything for me, and I would expect anyone who is a trainer or coach to be the same. When it comes to putting form FIRST, Marty supersedes any trainer I've ever met or worked with. He is old school strict! and for all the right reasons. If you don’t perform an exercise with the EXACT form he requires from you, you stop, reset, and start again. He ensures that you learn even the simplest movement pattern with impeccable form, before he progresses you.
But his attention to detail doesn't stop at just form. He walks you through every part of every exercise making sure you understand the how and why of what he asks of you. Marty will squeeze every last drop out of you during every session.
I wish I would have had coaches who payed so much attention to detail as Marty, when I was an athlete in college.
Marty is also INCREDIBLY knowledgeable. I am amazed at how many different styles of training he is familiar with, though, I wouldn't expect anything less from such a passionate and dedicated athlete! Marty has done it all, and his decades of experience are very apparent from the second you meet him. He leads by example and there is no substitute for that when your job is to inspire, and guide people to become a better version of themselves.
If you are a beginner or an athlete looking to take yourself to the next level, Marty is the person to help you get there.
Marty is a great example of what I aspire to be like when I grow up.

jdvdm

I did about 30 personal training sessions with Marty. From the start, I was consistently impressed with the precision and subtlety of his instruction. He is not a trainer who is just there to push you to work up a sweat. His breadth of study in a wide range of physical disciplines comes across in how he teaches each exercise, movement, or lift. I originally contacted him to work with kettlebells, which we did extensively, but he also incorporated a lot of bodyweight exercises, unusual stretches, work with indian clubs, triggerpoint massage balls, foam rollers, among other things. He is extremely perceptive and is able to observe and give extremely useful feedback on your form that is specifically attuned to your body and fitness level. The best thing is that whatever specific thing you are working on, his emphasis on the quality of the form leads to insight and growth that you can apply in other physical training areas you haven't even worked on directly. I proceeded after our sessions to do some work with barbells and found myself drawing on the same principals I had learned with Marty doing bodyweight and kettlebell work. If you want to bring serious focus and commitment to your physical training Marty would be a great choice as a guide!