Testimonials

I can’t believe the [online nutrition] program is almost over. I will be forever grateful that this program came for me when it did.

Two days ago, I ran for 20 minutes straight. It wasn’t easy, but it happened. I am so proud of what I have done. My decisions are better, my body feels better, and I think I finally understand the exercise high that people talk about. I really look forward to my next workout.

I have a bag of clothes that I am getting to small for and that bag gets bigger every day. I am not in plus sizes any more and getting dressed is about fashion instead of what doesn’t “make me look fat.”

During this program Amanda helped me add things [to my diet] and take out things that made a huge difference.

Theresa C. – Chelmsford, MA

I am a senior at Westford Academy and I am looking to play baseball in college. I’ve tried at other facilities but I didn’t seem to be making any gains. I heard about Skill of Strength from my friend so i decided to give it a shot. At the start of senior year I was an out of shape 228 pounder.

Before the baseball season I lost over 30lbs and I now weigh 195lbs. I am in the best shape of my life. My trainer, Steve, is a magician at setting a program to your specific needs and goals. My 3 goals were to throw harder, lose weight, and become more athletic and mobile. I blew away all my goals, gained 6-8 mph on my fastball and increased all of my numbers. Its hard work, but trust me you will be very happy with the results.

Jake Robbins – Westford Academy Baseball Player

Skill of Strength is a great opportunity for athletes looking to make the jump to the next level. I have noticed countless improvements in both my own game and that of my teammates that can be directly attributed to work done here, at S.O.S. Whether you are just looking to make the varsity team, or looking to play in college, S.O.S. can provide you with both the strength and the mobility to do so.

Pat Killion – Westford Academy Ice Hockey Senior Defenseman

I walked into Skill of Strength with a 10 year history of chronic lower back pain. After experiencing disappointing results from several chiropractors and traditional physical therapists, I decided to try something different.

One hour at SOS and I was in less pain and had more mobility and flexibility than I can remember EVER having. Worth every penny, I’ve thrown so much time and money away in the past on treatments that did little to nothing to fix my back.

Thanks so much, so great to have my life back!

Dave C. – North Chelmsford, MA

I just wanted to thank you for all the great work you did with my daughter over the past 6 weeks. It was pretty amazing to see how much progress she made — I just wish she’d had 2-3 months to work with you! The work you did with her over the last 6 weeks did more than just give her a fighting chance at being successful on her hike.

At a deeper, more profound level, I think you changed her whole attitude towards training and rehab. As you know, she put in a lot of time during her high-school running career with various PT’s, orthopedists, etc, without seeing much improvement. It had gotten to the point where she didn’t really believe it was possible to get better. After working with you, I can see that she now realizes that there is a path that she can follow — if she chooses –that will lead to her being a lot less injury-prone than she currently is. That’s a huge gift to give someone as they head off to college. So, thanks again for everything you do.

- Jon B. – South Hamilton, Massachusetts

I am a trainer by day and a drummer by night. Hence I have lots of aches and pains. Hip flexor being the worst. However, after meeting with Mike I am 4 weeks into doing the mobility work he suggested and today is the first day in a long time that I am almost pain free! Not only that, he fixed my swing and I swear my pain is going down because I am doing it correctly now. I wanted to go for my HKC, but was worried about my hip pain. Now I’m not at all worried, but now I’m psyched! I highly suggest him!!

- By Michael Bistany / Salem, USA

I am a professional athlete and there is nothing more important to me than trusting my trainer when it comes to new work outs. Mike built that trust immediately and has brought me so far since. After training with Mike Perry for more than two years I can honestly say there is no better trainer than Mike, especially when it comes to kettle bell training. Kettle bells have become a routine in my work out and the results have made me a better athlete. Mike has consistently taken me to new heights and there is no doubt in my mind that will continue for myself and all of his clients. I recommend Mike to anybody out there who is looking for a motivating, knowledgable, and passionate trainer.

Sam Brill – Newton, MA

Having just recently started training with Mike, I would like to add my two cents to the reviews here. First of all, training aside, Mike is a great person, very laid back, and funny, making the training experience that much better without losing any intensity or quality of training. Also, as a music teacher myself, I understand that it is one thing to be talented, while it is another thing altogether to be able to impart your knowledge/ability onto others. Mike is gifted in both aspects…not only is he incredibly fit and a great example of how to train well, he is also patient and does an exceptional job explaining all aspects of kettlebell training, making it very easy to understand some difficult concepts fairly quickly. I would absolutely give Mike Perry my full recommendation as a kettlebell instructor!

BJ Knights – Franklin, MA

Mike instills an devout appreciation for the importance of technique and the awesome synergy that is possible with Kettlebell training when proper breath, activation, body position and mind set are all addressed. We are talking about strength and power development with functional movements promoting mobilty, stability, and muscular balance. Kettlebell training is an effective and efficient training tool to add to one’s training arsenal, but when you learn from an RKC INSTRUCTOR like Mike Perry who brings knowledge, passion, and fun to every session, kettlebell training quickly becomes a way of life. If you live anywhere near the Boston area and want to learn ketlebell training from one of the best young teachers in the strength and conditioning communtiy today, don’t hesitate to give Mike a call.

BJ Baker MS ATC CSCS – Boston, MA

I had the pleasure of training with Mike over the course of several months and his skill, passion and professionalism were immediately apparent. He has a tremendous focus on proper technique but is able to guide you through the subtleties and necessary corrections without making you self-conscious. His examples were clear both in how he described them as well as how he demonstrated them and after just a few sessions with Mike, I felt I had the proper techniques down due to his great coaching. I highly recommend Mike to anyone interested in learning Kettlebells from a talented and enthusiastic instructor!

Mark Holland – Needham, MA

I am a professional soccer player who has trained with Mike for about 2 years. In this time I have gained an enormous amount of respect for kettlebell strength training and the results it provides. I trust Mike more than any other strength trainer I have worked with so when he teaches I listen, learn and reap the benefits. The passion and knowledge he has for kettlebell training is second to none. I firmly believe his work has made me a stronger player and kept me injury free at the same time. He’s a trainer whose knowledge and methods you can trust.

Mike Parkhurst, Professional Soccer Player – Copenhagen, Denmark

Mike Perry is an absolutely tremendous kettlebell trainer – in particular his knowledge of movement, verbal cues in training others (in particular, people slow to learn like me!) and impeccable patience. His ability to perform all movements himself is perfect and very helpful in demonstrating how to use the KB. I highly recommend Mike not only because of his training capabilities but also because of who he is as an encouraging, engaging, and friendly person.

Marc Pitts – Boston, MA

Five reasons why Mike Perry is one of the best Kettlebell trainers in the Greater Boston area:

He is extremely knowledgable in the art of training with kettlebells.
He is able to use and adapt his expertise in kettlebell training to other facets of training.
Unlike many “experts” in the strength and conditioning field, Mike is more than able to translate his knowledge into effective teaching.
Mike practices what he preaches – he executes perfect form while training, and is always one of the strongest athletes in the gym.
As a person, Mike is personable, easy to get along with, and hilarious.
I strongly recommend that anyone in the Boston area interested in kettlebell training contact Mike Perry beforehand.

Michael Campanella – Boston, MA

Mike Perry is terrific kettlebell trainer. Not only a gifted instructor and technically very capable himself, he continually looks for ways to improve his understanding of kettlebell technique and communicating proper technique to clients. He’s also very good about adapting KB training to a variety of sports, including racquet sports; and while he works much of the time, and very effectively, with younger athletes, he’s also particularly good coaching and encouraging older athletes (me!). And he’s also just a really nice guy and never in bad mood. I have felt really fortunate to work out with him and couldn’t give him a higher recommendation.

Chip Robie – Boston, MA, USA

I have trained with Mike Perry throughout both my college and professional soccer careers. Kettlebell training has been an integral part of my training regimen and has yielded massive gains in my strength and endurance. Mike demonstrates his masterful knowledge of kettlebell training by implementing a variety of exercises that have helped me greatly improve my on-field performances. I would encourage anyone who wants to take advantage of the benefits kettlebell training to do so with Mike Perry.

Chris Tierney – Boston, MA

Mike Perry is one of a small number of professionals who continuously strives to be the best. He approaches training with the utmost respect and focuses on teaching skills and principles, not drills and the flavor of the day. I recently brought my staff to do an in-service with Mike, and he taught us all some of his powerful principles and gave us tools that we could put to use with our clients and ourselves immediately. His passion, work ethic and desire to over-deliver to his clients is second to none. If you are tired of fitness for fitness sake, and layering fitness on dysfunction, its time to let Mike show you how to train smart with kettlebells and beyond, and reap the benefits of it. You will not regret that decision!

David Jack – Greater Boston, MA, USA

As a former collegiate athlete, I’m constantly looking for activities to challenge me and people to keep me interested and Mike was able to supply both of those things. I participated in the Kettlebell Workshop with Mike and in just 2 hours I became obsessed with KB workouts.

Mike’s enthusiasm and vast knowledge of this training method is something I’ve never seen before. I had an incredible experience training with Mike and I plan on continuing this training style with Mike for a long time.

Tom Lau – Boston, MA

Training this offseason with Mike Perry was huge for me. He was instrumental in preparing me for my first MLS pre-season. And prepared I was. He got me strong and fit. Because of the work I did with Mike, I had the fastest 30 yard dash time on my team and had one of the highest vertical jumps. On the beep test I finished in the top 5. After working with Mike, I came into camp fitter and stronger than I had ever been before and it helped me immensely.

I trust Mike. He knows what he is doing and everything we did helped me with soccer. The lifting, fitness, speed and agility work we did had a specific purpose. There were many difference facets to his training. We worked very hard and it payed off. That was only possible because of the understanding that Mike has of the sport of soccer and what it takes to be an elite athlete. I would recommend Mike to anyone and everyone who is serious about becoming a better athlete.

Mike Fucito – Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)

Working with Michael was a shear thrill and pleasure. I learned so much from him as we worked together and collaborated with clients. Michael has a professional and passionate way of working with the imbalances in athletes that brings out the best results. Thank You Michael!

- Patricia Haladay – CMT & LMT, San Francisco, CA

If you train with kettlebells you know that it is more complex than it looks. Mike’s ability to effectively communicate and instruct is amazing. However, his ability to observe and adjust your movements is his real strength. This combination helps you get the most from each session. If you are considering kettlebell training contact Mike his enthusiasm is contagious.

- Bill Cody – Chelmsford, MA

I went to see Mike for a movement assessment for my sciatica. Wow! The knowledge and skill he possesses are second to none. His FMS screening zeroed in on my problems right away. He could even tell me what my comfortable squat stance was before he saw me do one. His training techniques are excellent and he has the ability to really explain what is going on. He has cured my sciatica in one session! I was struggling for over a month with pain and with his methods, I was relieved almost immediately. He is very passionate about his work and has the experience to back it up as well.

I have been to other RKCs for training which have all been beneficial, but Mike is the best! He is very detail-oriented and can really pick apart your form to get you to do things right. I am really happy I decided to see him. He is very inspiring! I was impressed with his strength (videos on youtube of him doing a pull-up and a pistol with the beast.) Then I find out he had rehabilitated himself from two herniated discs in his back! Incredible!!

I will look no further for a RKC Instructor in my area. Mike is the real deal! I will continue to go to him for preparation for my own RKC endeavors. I highly recommend Mike Perry to any kettlebell enthusiast in the southern New Hampshire and Massachusetts area.

- Mark Richard – Wilton, NH

As a professional athlete, I’ve had the benefit of working with a large number of highly skilled and capable individuals. Mike Perry is undoubtedly one of these people. As a pitcher, the strength and maintenance of my throwing shoulder was vital to whatever success I had on the field. But the majority of this conditioning and diligence took place off the field during the off-season with Mike. Not only does he appreciate the mental and emotional necessities that come with preparing for a full athletic season, but he understands the physical intricacies inherent to throwing the baseball. For lack of a better word, Mike is unrivaled in his ability to combine the discipline, knowledge, and enthusiasm necessary to compete at the professional level, let alone the collegiate level, and I would recommend him as an invaluable resource for anyone looking to take themselves seriously as an athlete.

- John Birtwell – Miami, FL

Training with Mike is always an enriching experience. His passion for challenging workouts and reshaping the body is contagious. I am incredibly fortunate to train with Mike as I learn new intense but fun ways to build strength with kettlebells and improve my body. Mike’s professionalism, competence, patience and sense of humor make him a perfect trainer for me. I have also watched him find the right approach with his clients’ different personalities in group training. I am convinced the versatility of experience and a personal touch Mike offers to everyone can’t be beat.

I love it that Mike is always happy to substantiate what he teaches and encourages me to explore beyond the incredible wealth of knowledge on fitness and nutrition that he brings to our workouts. Mike also offers that perfect balance of correcting proper form without criticizing and makes me feel eager to learn new techniques and discover fun paths to fitness and health. You will not regret training with Mike! His energy and passion for kettlebell workouts are incredibly motivating.

- Dasha Tcherniakovskaia – Brookline, MA

I found Mike when I noticed someone on the forum asking for KB trainers in the Boston area. He offered a workshop which I could not attend but he offered to do a private session with me. He came to my house right on time which was both convenient and professional. Mike picked my swing form apart and was able to help me correct some issues almost immediately. He was able to recognize movement issues in my hips and shoulders for which he gave me corrective exercises. He was personable, well-spoken and extremely knowledgable. I will be scheduling more sessions with him very soon. I can’t stress enough how important it is to see an RKC early in your training and Mike is the perfect RKC for that task.

- Kevin N. – Waltham MA

I trained with Mike after practicing with kettlebells for a little under a year on my own. About five minutes into our first session he was able to recommend a seemingly slight change to my swing form that has drastically improved both my form and my endurance. Two more changes and a few corrective exercises later and I could feel an overall “tightening up” of my swing form. After another session I was able to move up a kettlebell size as well as greatly increase my capacity on swings, cleans and presses, as well as make my first steps toward snatching. Without Mike’s expertise, attention and skill I would have had to struggle immensely to figure things out on my own. In addition to proving himself to be a capable teacher of RKC methodology, Mike is clearly passionate about kettlebell lifting and fitness in general. I would gladly recommend him to anyone seeking serious training from a qualified instructor. I know that I’ll be getting in touch with Mike again when I’m ready to move on to a more advanced level of kettlebell training.

Justin Termini – Marblehead, MA

I am currently a college athlete that is interning for the summer at the gym where Mike works. I have been amazed by his wealth of knowledge throughout the summer and have learned so much in such a short period of time.

At the beginning of the summer MIke told us that one of his favorite leg exercises was the pistol. At that point, another intern and myself attempted performing a pistol and we failed miserably. We continued to try them for the next couple of weeks with no real improvements until MIke broke down the movement for us and gave us a few pointers. Within a week from learning the correct way to attempt a pistol, I was able to perform them on both legs! I was amazed at the strength such a simple exercise required as I could feel muscles in my legs activating that had clearly never been used to such an extent. It has been 2 weeks since Mike instructed me on how to do a pistol, and I can proudly say that I can now perform body weight pistols with ease and have worked up to doing them with a 20kg kettlebell!

Mike is the smartest trainer that I have ever met, and his ability to break down exercises and teach them is second to none. I would recommend Mike to anyone that is looking to become stronger and be able to accomplish things that they have never done before.

Andrew M. – Westford, MA

Mike brings great skill, knowledge and passion to his client training. He combines his deep experience with continuous learning to help clients achieve their goals. Mike can help you achieve results; whatever your goals maybe – strength, conditioning, endurance, corrective training – he gets clients to succeed.

Although I trained with Mike before trying kettlebells, now that he has introduced me to them, I see why kettlebell training is so popular, effective and fun. Mike ensures that technique and form get the right attention. He does a great job of building confidence and challenging you. I always look forward to training with him, a very easy-going and solid guy.

I followed Mike when he changed gyms because he truly sets himself apart from many trainers. I can add that at the two places I have seen Mike in action, even other trainers look to him for advice and tips.
If you are in the Greater Boston area, try a session with Mike.

Mark M – Wellesley, MA

I attended Mikes 1/9/2011 workshop & came away even MORE passionate about kettlebell training than before. I have been working out with kettlebells for about 1 year,mostly finding info on line & through books. After Mikes workshop, it opened new doors for me as far as my swing technique & variations. Mike & his wife Mandy are also terrific people who took the time to talk to all on an individual basis. Thanks again to both & you will be seeing me again, hopefully to receive my HKC cert in April.

Bob Shoupp – North Attleboro, MA

I attended the Mike Perry kettlebell workshop this past weekend and I was not disappointed. Mike was very helpful in explaining the benefits of this style of training. Mike is very knowledgeable trainer and his presentation was very educational and professional. Mike was extremely cognizant of my form and he helped with every aspect of my training. I look forward to more kettlebell training and I would definitely recommend training with Mike! Great Workshop!

Tom Churchill – Weymouth, Massachusetts

Most of the reviews on this site focus on Mike’s talents as a kettlebell trainer, and he is certainly gifted in that area. But what I most appreciate about Mike are his skills in assessing and correcting fundamental movement patterns. While Mike has the technical proficiency and fitness to coach those pursuing high-level goals (professional athletes, RKC’s, etc.), he also has the patience and empathy to use these same technical skills to clean up bad movement patterns in those with injuries.

I’m a 50-something professional, with lots of endurance mileage on the odometer, but no meaningful background in strength training (much less kettlebells). With me, Mike has used kettlebell training not as an end in itself, but as a means to correcting some chronically painful movement patterns. Mike has a broad background beyond kettlebells (FMS, Z-Health, O-lifting, etc.), and he draws on all of these disciplines to identify subtle movement flaws, correct them, and then groove perfect technique. Like a good martial arts or yoga teacher, Mike makes the journey as rewarding as the destination.

On top of his technical skills, Mike is just a friendly, caring and positive human being. I’d highly recommend him to anybody who wants to learn impeccable kettlebell technique. More importantly, I’d recommend Mike to anybody who wants to learn to move better, regardless of your sport of choice.

John Bain – Marblehead, Massachusetts

I was an avid weight trainer, however work and day to day life has made it difficult to get the gym. Plus after 30 it is not possible to lift the same without injury. I have put on a “couple” of pounds and have been unmotivated. Mike introduced me to kettlebells and was able to create a program that was easy to fit into my schedule. His program created a mini gym in my basement that makes the most out of my time. I recommend Mike to anyone. Mike actually works out with kettlebells and is living proof of the benefits. Mike works with pro athletes and still has the patience to work with amateurs like me.

Steve Hurst – Westbury, New York

As a married couple with different athletic abilities, we were not sure if a joint session with Mike Perry would end up being a good idea – but we went ahead and were extremely glad we did. Mike was extremely compassionate (neither of us is in good shape) and yet never did he make us feel inadequate or uncomfortable. He is an extremely skilled teacher – very clear and meticulous! We loved it!!!!

David A. – Cambridge Massachusetts

Being a former Division 1 athlete, and an NFL fullback, I have been dedicated to my training over the last 6 years. A little over a month ago Mike incorporated kettlebells into our workouts and my gains have been remarkable. Mike’s knowledge and passion for kettlebell training is second to none. He creates a competitive, and energetic training atmosphere thats necessary when training hard.

Chris Zardas – Wakefield, MA

Currently a personal trainer,strength coach,and a former college athlete, I needed to sustain my hard workouts. Mike Perry introduced me to kettle bells. I started training on my own to learn proper technique. Mike’s attention to the smallest of detail has made the most significant difference in my workouts.He understands the “why?” and breaks down a complex movement or issue to its simplest form.

Ana Tocco – Boston, MA

I went to Mike for some training and tips to take with me to the RKC in April. His personality immediately makes you feel at ease and he really seems to care about helping you perform at your best. We started with an FMS and he helped me put together a thorough mobility and snatch training plan. Mike’s ability to point out little flaws in my form and cue corrections that were easy to grasp was great! Meeting with Mike has been extremely valuable to my training progress. I highly recommend Mike to anyone looking to learn kettlebells or anyone already training that needs a professionals eye to get them to the next level in their training.

Lou Argenzio – Avon, MA

Our biggest concern when referring a patient to a strength and conditioning specialist, is that they have the knowledge to respect the injury that the patient has worked so hard to rehabiliatate in physical therapy. The step from physical therapy to more advanced training often falls apart becaue tissues are overloaded due to poor biomechanical technique and flawed program design. I can confidently state that I would trust any of our patients to Mike Perry because of his superior knowledge of spine and extremity biomechanics and their impact on injury prevention.

Alan L. Visnick PT, OMT, LAT,C
Director of Treatment, Orthopaedics Plus
Woburn, MA

I have had the pleasure of knowing Mike for close to 4 years on both a personal and professional level. Mike has become my “go to guy” for EVERYTHING training and he is by far the most talented trainer I have ever had the luxury of being around. I have never met someone with the pasion and pure love that Mike has for the Strength and Conditioning. Every session Mike has is intense, efficient and calculated. He is a professional in every sense of the word who is constantly researching, learning and progressing his skill set. Perhaps the most impressive facet of Mike’s profile is his personal workout regiment. I spent an hour this past Saturday “training” alongside Mike who lets just say gave me quite the ego check. The extra 35-40 lbs of bodyweight that I have over Mike was not a limiting factor in our workout to say the least. He is a BEAST in every sense of the word and he doesn’t just talk or read about training….he lives it 24/7! If you have the chance, train with Mike.

Sean Collins – Boston, MA

I have been training with Mike Perry for approximately 2 months. Mike initiated training with the FMS evaluation and he created a dynamic plan based on my physical capabilities. My medical history includes an old back injury (herniated disc) and an arthritic hip. One of Mike’s many strengths is that of being a great diagnostician. When something isn’t working correctly, he will evaluate, adapt and provide a workable solution. Mike is a subject matter expert in this field. Mike is also a natural teacher. Since training with Mike I have experienced positive results and have made several improvements.

I highly recommend Mike to anyone interested in training with the best.

Fred – Southern New Hampshire

I started training with Mike this summer. I was a complete novice at Kettlebells. First, Mike administered the CK-FMS test. At 58 I didn’t expect to do well and I didn’t! Mike then showed me swings and other movements through our sessions. Mike focused on the very basic moves explaining each one. Mike stressed fundamentals throughout our classes. He was a natural at communicating effectively and clearly. His patience helped me clear up many patterns and movements that I was doing improperly. His enthusiasm and passion showed thru every minute! Mike is clearly knowledgeable about all aspects of fitness and training. He was very patient while correcting all my faults and continuously gave me positive reinforcement.

Mike is a very down to earth guy and also very accessible by phone or e-mail if I had a question. It was a pleasure being trained by him and I will train with him in the future. I would recommend Mike without hesitation!

Danny H – Wilmington, MA

As a yoga instructor of over ten years, I feel professionally qualified to say that Mike Perry is an especially good kettlebell and fitness instructor. I was drawn to kettlebells for their simplicity and efficiency in delivering strength and endurance. However, as a self-taught enthusiast, I quickly found myself running into injury.

Mike has been enormously helpful in teaching me correct form and execution, as well as developing phenomenally intense workouts.

Here’s why I would wholeheartedly recommend Mike without reservation:

Mike is smart. He has a fluent understanding of body mechanics and he is able to adapt those core principles to a variety of body types, conditions and injuries. There is no “one size fits all’ mentality with Mike, but much more, “how can we adapt these movements to your body.”
Mike is passionate about learning AND teaching. A lot of people just regurgitate talking points that they learned in a certification course. But Mike really comes alive in figuring out how to facilitate proper movement and form. His positive curiosity and enthusiasm are infectious.
Lastly, Mike is a very down-to-earth, friendly and honest guy. His rates are affordable, he’s generous with this time, and you will learn a lot under his guidance.
If you’re in the Boston area, he’s definitely worth a little trip up to Woburn.

- Joshua Summers, Lic. Ac. – Boston, MA