From setting world records to being the first Malaysian to be awarded the Personal Trainer Of The Year 2019. I’m considered to be one of the most sought-after personal trainers here in Malaysia. My clients love that I inspire them to be achievers through movement and mindset. To lead and inspire others, I must lead by example and do my hard thing. With Break Fear, Break Records, I’m advocating mental health, emotional resilience and physical well-being by swinging a 20kg kettlebell over 24 hours to raise money for Yayasan Health on World or YHOW.
After I achieved Malaysia’s book of records for doing 2,727 chest-to-ground burpees in 8 hours. I decided the next one is Guinness World Records. Hence, the first thing I did was to send in my application to attempt for Guinness World Records to understand the guidelines and requirements. It takes 3 months to process an application, and weeks for them to respond to my enquiries. The guidelines are very strict, and I need to ensure I am clear with the type of kettlebell swing and the attempt I am about to do. Because there are many types of kettlebell swings out there, like squatting to swing or swinging the kettlebell overhead. My attempt was the original kettlebell swing, which lifts a kettlebell from a hang position between the legs so that it reaches a point where the arms are parallel to the ground by extending at the hips to thrust the kettlebell up.
It took me 18 months to prepare for it. Guinness World Records is a totally different level because it means you are the only one in the world, the best in the world, to earn a particular world record.
I look out to Jonathan Wong being my coach. We sat down and strategised the whole training leading up to the event. My main objective is to finish the attempt injury-free. I analyse the kettlebell swing movements and create a training plan to bulletproof my body to be able to kettlebell swing for 24 hours. In 2019, the world record for the most weight lifted by a kettlebell swing was about 170,000 kg. Then, in February 2022, someone broke it at 253,704 kg, and then another person broke it again at 258,134 kg in September 2022, a few weeks before my attempts.
I didn’t want to break the current world records with a little extra margin. I want to set my own world record of exceeding 300,000+kg. That is the world record I want to set for myself. Aside from training, working with Yayasan Health On World and UNITAR International University as venue sponsors truly helped me to prepare. A lot of behind-the-scenes planning is required to make this campaign a successful one. I feel sometimes the preparation is more demanding than the training.
Movements create emotions. Each time we move, we change our current state of mind. When you are sad, depressed, lost or unmotivated, stand up and walk around. Go out for a run or lift weights in the gym. Just move!
Alvin Netto, Kajang.
