Joe Chalakee
RKC August 2008 · Founder of Kettlebells South Bay · Torrance.
Joe Chalakee is not new to kettlebell training. Before founding Kettlebells South Bay and teaching in Torrance, he started working out with kettlebells in August 2007 — originally to improve his performance in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, then expanding into muscular definition, cardiovascular conditioning, strength, and endurance.
Formal training
Joe expanded his interest in kettlebell training into formal education designed to build specialised knowledge. In December 2007 he began training with Dr. Mark Cheng, Sr. RKC, an expert in the Russian Kettlebell Challenge and the founder and head instructor of Kettlebells Los Angeles.
After a year of intensive study, Joe became an RKC-certified kettlebell instructor in August 2008 under Pavel Tsatsouline. That allowed his leadership of Kettlebells South Bay to follow the same established system of proper instruction found in the RKC and in Kettlebells Los Angeles.
Additional certifications
Joe expanded his teaching credentials well beyond kettlebells:
- Battling Ropes — John Brookfield’s certification, August 2010
- D.V.R.T. / Ultimate Sandbag — Josh Henkin’s certification, July 2011; later DVRT Master Instructor
- Certified Indian Club Specialist — under Master RKC Brett Jones, November 2011
- TRX Instructor — January 2012
- CK-FMS — May 2012
Martial arts and athletics
Joe holds a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu belt under Rey Diogo and a black belt in Shotokan Karate under James Yabe Sensei, 8th Dan. He has also trained extensively in Judo and Kyokushin karate, and is a former professional BMX bike racer with ten years in the sport.
Teaching
Joe taught at Kettlebells South Bay to hobbyists, martial artists, and fitness enthusiasts of all backgrounds, offering beginner, intermediate, and advanced kettlebell classes alongside Ultimate Sandbag, TRX, and battling rope group classes, as well as private and small-group training.
Joe founded Kettlebells South Bay and led it until 2014. The business continues today under different ownership, and has moved from Torrance to Harbor City — see kettlebellssouthbay.com for its current schedule and instructors. Joe himself no longer teaches in the South Bay; his historic email address on this site is no longer a reliable route to him.
Common questions
Is Kettlebells South Bay still open?
Yes. The business Joe Chalakee founded continues to operate, though under different ownership since 2014 and now based in Harbor City rather than Torrance. Its current schedule and instructor roster are at kettlebellssouthbay.com.
What is DVRT / Ultimate Sandbag training?
Dynamic Variable Resistance Training, developed by Josh Henkin, uses a sandbag whose load shifts during the movement. Like a kettlebell, it forces continuous stabilisation, but the shifting fill adds an unpredictable element that particularly suits grappling and tactical carry-over.
Why do Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners train with kettlebells?
Grip endurance, hip power, and the ability to generate force from awkward positions — all three transfer directly onto the mat. Kettlebell work also builds those qualities without adding mass, which matters when you compete in weight classes. Joe came to kettlebells for exactly this reason before it became his profession.