About the Brighton Kettlebells Team
The Brighton Kettlebells team is hand picked to ensure the highest standard of training possible. Each one of our coaches can put into practice everything that they teach as they themselves regularly train with kettlebells.
We require that each coach is certified by the best in the industry and that they themselves have a high standard of fitness. Furthermore, each coach has their own unique style of training, giving each class a different twist with varied and fun workouts, so you never get bored.
Christian Vila
Owner and Operator- Brighton Kettlebells
Christian was one of the first Personal trainers to become certified to teach Kettlebells in Brighton & Hove. Having been in the health & fitness industry since 1998, he has a passion for training and helping others achieve their fitness goals. After graduating with a BA (Hons) Sports Science degree, he’s had the best training in the industry possible, leading to a level 3 Personal Training qualification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).
Disillusioned by the fitness industry, Christian turned to Kettlebells in 2008 and became the first Personal Trainer in Brighton to be certified to teach Kettlebells. He has trained under Angie Dowds (Biggest Loser series) , Steve Cotter (IKFF) and Mike Mahler (Aggressive Strength) to become one of the country’s top Kettlebell trainers.
Christian went on to launch the successful Brighton Kettlebells classes in 2008, which now has seven classes a week in three locations around Brighton & Hove.
Christian also specializes in Strength & Conditioning for combat athletes under the Combat Ready Training banner.
Rooth Smethurst
Rooth Smethurst has worked in the fitness industry for the past 10 years, in gyms and health clubs in Brighton and London and as a freelance personal trainer. She joined the Brighton Kettlebells team in 2010 and now has a solid reputation for her own style of teaching, which is both fun and challenging.
As a qualified REPS level 3 Advanced instructor, Rooth specializes in functional movement, performance and therapy, enabling clients to do everyday tasks or sports specific activities by teaching the body the skills of that particular ‘function’. This includes rehabilitation from injury, pre-hab (avoiding injury) and enhancing performance. Rooth’s other areas of expertise are Women’s health and fitness, and she has qualification as a pre and post-natal trainer and massage therapist.
Her back-ground is in dance, swimming and volleyball (having grown up in the Southern hemisphere). Activities Rooth incorportates into classes are crossfit style circuits, kettlebells, Olympic lifting, Thai boxing, gymnastics, Yoga, and TRX.
Areas Of Expertise
- Sports Massage
- One to One Fitness Training
- Functional therapy and movement training
- Pregnancy Fitness Training
- Post Natal Fitness Training
- Pre and Post Natal Massage
Professional Experience
- Level 3 advanced Personal Trainer (Premier training)
- Diploma In Sports Massage (Sports Performance Services)
- Pre and Post Natal Exercise Specialist (YMCAfit)
- Pre and Post natal Massage Therapist (Jing)
- Diploma in Functional Therapy (Faster Health and Fitness)
- Advanced Functional Trainer (Faster Health and Fitness)
- TRX certification (Faster Health and Fitness)
- Kettlebell Certification
- Extreme Circuits Trainer
- Exercise to music
- Bosu Trainer
- Register Of Exercise Professionals
- Federation Of Holistic Therapists
Mark Stroud
Area of expertise
Girevoy Sport (kettlebell sport lifting)
A strength and endurance sport based on the classic Russian lifts. Jerk, Clean & Jerk and Snatch.
The competitor will complete the maximum repetitions within a ten minute period of the specified lift.
Creator and coach of Brighton Girevoy Sport Club.
Qualifications
- IKFF CKT Level 1 (International Kettlebell Fitness Federation(
- EGSA Sport Coach & Fitness Trainer (European Girevoy Sport Association)
Dan Alliston
“To expend the greatest time improving yourself, and no time criticising others.”
Biography
Husband and father of two, Dan studied to become a Level 3 Advanced-Personal Trainer with Premier International, after 16 years of management in the surf industry. Motorcycle road racer, downhill mountain biker, kick-boxer, skateboarder and long board surfer, Dan has pushed himself in a variety of disciplines, all of which have led towards his success as one of Brighton and Hove’s most reputable coaches.
After studying under Personal Trainer, Angie Dowds (ITV’s Biggest Loser) in 2008, Dan transferred his “Crossfit” inspired sessions to focus on Kettlebells, joining the Brighton Kettlebells team in 2011. He now runs the classes at Varndean school.
Areas of expertise
Creativity of functional training programs. Kettlebell specific strength, conditioning coaching and weight-loss target achievement.
Qualifications
- ADPF Kettlebell Instructor
- Certificate in Gym Instruction – Premier Training
- Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing – Active IQ
- Level 2 Register of Exercise Professionals
- Advanced Level 3 Certified Personal Trainer – Premier
- Level 3 Register of Exercise Professionals
- Basic Body-guarding skills – Excel Security
- Brighton Kettlebells – Team Instructor
Favourite Kettlebell Exercise = Swing Snatch, single or double!
Website: www.dandgfitness.com