Kettlebells

My daughters have joined the ranks of those who love Kettlebells. While visiting them I decided to give it a try. We have all seen the images of the bulked up men and women who weight lift and it brings a little bit of fear to me that I would even be in the same gym as them.  These crossfit people are serious about working out! Entering the gym we are greeted by Autumn Martinez, a long time friend and the instructor of the Kettlebell class. "She looks amazing", I think to myself. After the class was finished I knew why she looked so good!

A little Kettlebell history for you.  

• Originally these odd shaped cast-iron orbs were developed by Russian strongmen in the early 1700s to rapidly develop endurance, strength, flexibility and balance. 

• Researchers have found that using the Kettlebells in a 20-minute workout burns around 300 calories and the muscle sculpting impact of calories burned after exercise can increase the effectiveness of the workout by up to 50 percent.

• Using Kettlebells researchers found is as effective as running a six-minute mile or cross-country skiing uphill rapidly.

• According to Shape magazine, the Kettlebell forces your bodies stabilizer muscles to work harder because the weight isn't evenly distributed,as a result, you'll carve your core, sculpt your shoulders and back, and tone your butt and arms, as well as build power and boost endurance.

• The American Council on Exercise (ACE) Research study of Kettlebells can be found here.Kettlebell study

It was a typical cross fit gym, weights, ropes, rowing machines, weight balls, Kettlebells, heavy things and a lot of very sweaty people high fiving each other. Soon I would understand why it was called boot camp. Written on a whiteboard was today's workout. Honestly it might as well been written in Chinese because I didn't have a clue what it meant!. The instructor Autumn was extremely helpful as she demonstrated what we were going to do. It began as a workout on the rowing machine, which at least I could figure out, then push ups, (not my best form, my daughters told me later!), then we took a wall ball and had to throw it up a wall from a squatted 
position. I've seen this on the Biggest Loser so it shouldn't be that difficult, right? I almost fell over and clearly my muscles were not ready for this one. 

After 3 circuits of this our warm up was over!  Determined not to wimp out or let my daughters be disappointed in their Momzo as they call me, I proceeded to the real workout phase. Kettlebells and running! 

My arms felt like jelly, my quads were burning, drenched with sweat and my reputation was on the line so of course I was going to finish. "I may not be able to get out of bed tomorrow, but for today I am going to fake it till I make it!", said this 51 year old. One of the positive aspects to working out with others is the encouragement and motivation that they give to you.  Time and time again I heard, "Good job Jann, keep it up".  When my form was good or bad, our instructor was there to coach and encourage.

Would I do it again? Yes! In fact 2 more times while I am visiting and then I plan on purchasing my own Kettlebells!

What I learned

The difficult things in our life are the things that produce long lasting results. Trials have a purpose even though they are not pleasant at the time. We will gain not only a new perspective on life but also a deeper faith in the Lord if we look to him as our instructor during pleasant times and in the middle of our difficult and painful situations. This has never been more true than it is now as I walk down the road of Alzheimer's with my mom.