Up to a $2000 value, order anything you want and receive it FREE when you are order 6000.

Now, go buy something … www.ristosports.com

We are a New England company.  And, we are very idealistic. We believe we can make the world a better place through weightlifting shoes as well as the sport of weightlifting itself.   We think any product you buy should make you better in some way, and we think the people making the products should be treated with dignity…and that high quality products can still be made in the USA at a market competitive price.

In effect,  it is really hard to believe that anyone would want to bomb Boston. It is hard to believe that, just a short drive from us, a fire fight went down from MIT to Watertown.  A place we’ve lived, worked, and went to school.

Like Boston, we move forward.  We continue to believe that the positive light that each of us brings to the world shall conquer the darkness we’ve witnessed.

Paul Revere Statue, bathed in light, North End, Boston

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Best,

Risto Sports

Dr Herrera, Mendikhan Tapsir, Ivan Rojas, Victor Ni, Aleksey Ni

Ohh, and guess what, the coaches of the Kazakhstan Weightlifting Federation attended Risto Sport’s International Weightlifting Conference in Eliot, Maine, USA.

Even though they were here to attend our seminar, we’ll share some interesting facts.

1. The Training system

A few months ago, we did write a post on how Risto Sports uses the same system as Kazakhstan. Yes, they use a Soviet System for all lifters – just like the one Dr. Herrera spoke about during our seminar.  So, if you want to train like a Kazakh champ, then you can do so right here in the USA at Risto Sports.

They did also mention, that athletes who are “Master’s of the Sport” (ie champions like Podobedova) use a hybrid system from Enver Turkeleri (Naim Suleymonoglu’s coach).  This system is appropriate if you are vying to be world champion.

Look for more publications on these systems from Risto Sports.

2. How is their Federation organized

All coaches report into Aleksey Ni, the Head Coach. Aleksey reports to Mendikhan Tapsir the General Secretary.  Victor Ni coaches Svetlana Podobedova, Maiya Maneza, and Zulfiya Chinshanlo.  Ilya Ilyin’s coach reports to Aleksey Ni.  Again, Victor, Aleksey, anf Mendikhan were all present at Risto Sports.

3. Fun facts

Svetlana Podobedova is getting married this summer. Maiya Maneza is also getting married this year. Zulfiya has a boyfriend. Ilya Ilyin is already married.

So, we’re sorry, the best weightlifters in the world are all taken.

The several of the seminar speakers received the Kazakhstan Weightlifting Federation, tonight.  This photo is just a small snapshot of the cast of characters you can interact with this weekend.

Yes, that’s the guy you’ve seen coaching Ilya Ilyin at the Olympics.

Don’t miss out.  You can still register at the door —Thanks to Marshwood School system, we have an expanded space which will accommodate walk-ins on either day.

The conference is at Marshwood Middle School in Eliot, ME, on the corner of Depot  Road and Route 236 North.

Yes, for the record, that really is Ilya Ilyin’s coach from the Olympics sitting with us.

Coach Ivan Rojas and Dr Herrera will be present with our A Team competing:
Diego Salazar, Olympic Silver Medalist, weightlifting men’s 62kg category
Carlos Andica, Pan American Record Holder in the Clean and Jerk for men’s 85kg category
Gwendolyn Sisto, ranked in the US female weightlifters will compete in a special Pan Am qualifier session
Gwendolyn Rojas, a top Youth Under-13 athlete

Neysi Barrera, Youth World Championships Silver medalist
Jenifer Chamarro, top JR in Ecuador

Diego is a true professional athlete: he trains intensely, methodically, and pays close attention to his diet and recovery.    He is very inspirational to our lifters.  Upon asking him what was the mental secrets to his phenomenal competition results – he says only, “Train hard, and the competition will be easy”.   To support Risto Sports’ local community, Diego and Coach Ivan Rojas even volunteered to teach a weightlifting class at the Marshwood Middle School.  See photos of Diego training, his recovery work, and coaching Marshwood Middle School kids here:

Diego Salazar warms-up at Risto Sports

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For the next 6 weeks or so, you can train alongside one of Colombia’s national treasures, right here in Eliot, Maine, USA.   Likewise, Diego is accepting requests to coach at clinics in the surrounding area.

For more information, feel free to email us at info{at}ristosports.com  or call 207 319 7607.

1. How long should I expect before I receive my shoes?

For any shoe that is in stock, we ship the next business day.  If the size is back ordered, see the next questions.

2. Why are some shoes back ordered sometimes?

We carry over 20 different sizes in 3 colors– with all of our shoes being hand made in fair trade conditions.  We have a broad customer base, who come is all different sizes.  In effect, it is not possible to have 100% availability in all sizes.  Think of it this way, if you go to a shoe store, they usually only have a few shoes in each color and not every size– often the customer winds up getting a different model or going a size bigger than what they originally picked out.

3. What if the size and color I want is back ordered, what happens next?

Risto Sports is constantly restocking shoes.   In any of our stock models, we will make the shoe size you ordered for you.  It will take 2 -4 weeks.  Again, these shoes are hand made using locally sourced material (ie lower carbon footprint), so they are a small work of art to produce.

4. Why are the sizes listed only in US men’s?

Here is what we did to simplify sizing.  We listed all our sizing in US Men’s.  Why?  because:

A. We found that it was easiest for US and International customers to convert to US mens vs using the shoes South American system

B. We found many men who ordered “women’s” shoes and women who ordered “men’s” shoes. So, I guess we’re ahead of the curve in terms of eliminating gender biases.

– ie  we’re not stereotyping women into having tiny feet and only wearing pink, and we’re not stereotyping men as only having wide feet and never wearing pink.

C. The original sizing system we use is GENDER NUETRAL. Our hand made shoes are converted from a gender Nuetral South American system into US.  Some companies have “men’s” and “women’s” shoes only as a marketing scheme.

5. How do I select the best size?

Simply order your normal size in US men’s; we have a sizing chart on our site to help you.  If  you still are not certain, then at the time of your order, please note in the order comment box several shoe sizes you wear and in which brands.  For example, based on customer feedback, our sizing is similar to Nike.

6. What if the shoe I get feels too small or too big?

First, try the shoes on carpet with clean socks on and do some air snatches at the end of the day when your feet are the largest.  About a 1/2 inch of space is ideal, all though some people prefer more or less (most podiatrists recommend a FULL Inch!).   Per our website’s terms, you may exchange them.  Yes, you will need to provide roundtrip shipping costs.  Think of it this way, if you drove to the store and bought a pair of shoes then wanted to exchange them, you would still have to drive back to the store to do the exchange, then drive back home with your new shoes. Another example– ever need to change the day of your flight, every airline charges substantial change fees as one change can have a huge effect on operating losses.

7. For exchanges, some companies pay for one leg of shipping, why don’t you do that?

Many of theses companies have small children in Asia making their shoes so they can afford to do this.  Some of these companies are even giant corporations  On the other hand, there are many high quality shoe manufacturers that do not pay for exchange shipping and see it as the customer’s personal responsibility.

8. Can I return my shoes? I go them 2 months ago, and they are a little too loose and I don’t want to wait to exchange them.

UNWORN shoes can only be returned with in 2 weeks of receipt of the item.  You will be refunded the cost of the shoe minus a 15% restocking fee.  You will not be refunded the shipping as the shipper already fulfilled the service of delivering the shoes to you.

Returned shoes cause variation in shoe demand, ultimately, increasing inventory costs. Further, returned shoes must be refurbished which also costs money.

The key to keeping products at a lower price then most other weightlifting shoes on the market AND in fair trade conditions AND lower carbon footprint  is to absolutely minimize returns and exchanges as they are externalities to our friendly shoe making ecosystem.

REGISTER HERE: http://www.ristosports.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=153

This is an excellent opportunity to receive both training methodology and practical application of coaching..

Specifically, experts will address technical aspects of programming, athlete motivation,  and correcting common technical flaws.  Featured speakers  include:

1. Dr. Alfredo Herrera former member of IWF Technical committee, former technical directors of Cuban weightlifting team,   PhD and Post Doctorate at State Central Institute Moscow, USSR
2. Leo Totten, Owner of Totten Training Systems LLC, US Olympic Team Manager, Head Coach of East Coast Gold
3. Maria Isabel Urrutia, Olympic Gold Medalist

A special technical demonstration and analysis to be performed on Carlos Andica, Pan Am Record holder, 205Kg clean and jerk at 85Kg weight class.

The seminar location is in scenic Eliot, Maine; located one hour North of Boston. Site hotel is Anchorage Inn Portsmouth, New Hampshire: http://www.anchorageinns.com/portsmouth_hotel_southern_new_hampshire_bordering_maine.html .   International flights should be booked into BOS or Boston, Massachusetts.  Other nearby airports include PWM and MHT.

For more information, contact Ivan Rojas at +1 207 319 7607 or info@ristosports.com

To just drop in and train, no coaching =$10

One month use of gym, 1 technical advice session or beginner coaching = $50

To drop in and quick technical advice =$25

To get a personalized training session with in depth analysis=$80

4 hour personalized seminar = $180

12 week programming cycle by Dr. Herrera or Prof. Alexei Ignatov =$385 (1 purchase of personalized training session can be credited to the purchase of a cycle), use of gym included with 12 week cycle

Special pricing for local School District Students (MSAD35)

Repeat customers receive free drop-in session pending gym availability.  Sponsored athletes and guests of Risto Sports exempt from fees.