My trainer was sick today, so I was left to train on my own (no worries). The "Extreme Kettlebell Cardio" DVD by Keith Weber arrived today, so I decided to give it a try. I am actually really sore from Newport and softball, so I decided to only do a portion of the workout. I struggled through it - LOL. All I kept thinking was "man, I am really deconditioned with my KB training." It almost felt like taking baby steps all over again. However, I'm confident that in a few weeks, I'll be readjusted to my KBs; after all, it has been since January that I really consistently trained with them. Anyway, I digress....
Keith's DVD is nicely put together. I really like how he emphasizes left side first, as this is my non-dominant side. He also had a nice flow to the combinations, and it was definitely an intense workout. Dividing into 6 distinct workouts allows for a great deal of flexibility to either do all 6 routines in a single workout session or to allow you to mix and match or do one each day. Today I did the manmaker, part of the swing workout, and part of the core workout. This is an endurance based, follow-along workout that can be most paralleled (IMO) to AoS Newport. I'll have fun alternating between this workout and Newport. Keith has a different style than Anthony, but he is a good, motivating instructor.
For more information on this DVD, check out www.dragondoor.com.
I followed up my workout with some dedicated stretching and then did some housework. I hope that I'm not quite as sore tomorrow. I plan to do an endurance spin class and maybe some running (ugh!). I'm toying with the idea of doing a reverse Duathlon in October (12 mile bike, 3 mile run, 12 mile bike). To me this is a much better option than run-bike-run :-) I despise running, but I really want to participate in a multi-sport event, and I figure I can tolerate a mixture of running & biking. Since I'm not a good swimmer, triathlons are out of the question. I'm also considering doing the Livestrong ride in Austin in October. All this in addition to 3 shows...a tad risky, but you only live once :-)
Sleep well, and I'll check in tomorrow.
Thanks!
Monday, July 07, 2008
Kettlebells have gone mainstream...(and not for the good of the sport)
Sorry for the long title, but I was just shaking my head "tisk tisk" when I saw this video & infomercial for kettlenetics on youtube today. As KBs increase in popularity, we will see more and more poorly produced and downright dangerous instructors/videos/etc. It will put KBs in a poor light...Make sure that you are training with CERTIFIED kettlebell instructors and do your research on the instructor. None of these exercises profiled in this video are worthwhile...i have no comments...just "tisk tisk". As you train and continue in your pursuit of kettlebell greatness, try to stay true to form and true to the principles that we have been taught by the masters (any RKC or AOS Certified instructor; Crossfit instructors; American Federation of Kettlebell Lifting instructors are all good places to start...or work with someone who is training for one of these certifications)
Your thoughts/reactions?? They are killing me!! Make it stop!!
Your thoughts/reactions?? They are killing me!! Make it stop!!
Can you do this?
Jason C. Brown of Kettlebell Athletics/Combat Sports Conditioning/Crossfit Philly often trains Lamont Lister, a pro fighter in the Philly area. Can you do this for 4 rounds??!! I actually visited Jason over Christmas and requested that he put me through one of Lamont's workouts for my birthday present. I barely survived; it was awesome :-)
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Softball after 13 years!!!
I went with Jay to his work team's softball practice today. I played with the team just to get some exercise in, to enjoy the fun of athletic teamwork, and to meet some new people. I haven't played softball since high school, so I was a little nervous initially. I had a great time, but I played well also! Our team mates kept calling me an all-star - LOL. I felt great after 2 hours of practice and wanted to do some snatches (had my KB with me); the rest of the team seemed to lose focus and tire after about an hour. They all want me to play on the team moving forward. It was a great feeling! I've never considered myself to be a great sports athlete, but it did feel GREAT being part of a team again. I'm looking forward to practicing with them again next week.
Hope your Sunday is going well. I have a major suntan after today. I think that my sunblock is making my skin tan faster as opposed to blocking the sun rays :-)
Hope your Sunday is going well. I have a major suntan after today. I think that my sunblock is making my skin tan faster as opposed to blocking the sun rays :-)
Friday, July 04, 2008
Just Chilled after all on July 4
Well, today I just chilled after all. I cleaned up the house a bit, but didn't do any exercise. I decided to just be easy. I did divert from my diet, though :-( I really wanted a hot dog...dang that Johnsonville Brauts commercial!! LOL!
So, I'm going to hit it hard tomorrow and get my diet back on track. Everything in moderation....
Make it a great one!
So, I'm going to hit it hard tomorrow and get my diet back on track. Everything in moderation....
Make it a great one!
"Go world"
I absolutely love these 2 commercials narrated by Morgan Freeman. Be inspired! Go World!
A World View of the Olympics
Kerri Strug - I vividly remember this moment
A World View of the Olympics
Kerri Strug - I vividly remember this moment
What Kettlebell Brands do you own?
I've tried a number of kettlebells on the market. My personal arsenal has the following bells & brands:
Power Systems: These two kettlebells (9kg & 12kg) were my first two and least favorite bells. I bought them in Dec 2005 when I was just starting out with kettlebells. Power Systems was one of the cheapest on the market and had relatively reasonable shipping. Overall, these bells are not molded smoothly and have very wide handles. It's a rough bell. However, for me, these bells served their initial purpose, which was to test the waters out with kettlebells. I found a cost effective solution to trying the sport, and decided to upgrade to better bells as I got more serious with my training. I still use my 9kg (yes, Power Systems sells a 9kg and not an 8kg bell, with weight being marked in pounds on the bell). I have since given my 12kg Power Systems bell to a friend who wanted to learn kettlebells. I didn't experience better kettlebells until June 2006 when I trained at Punch Gym in Rhode Island and attended a KB workshop with Lisa Shaffer in Dallas, TX. When I tried the Go Fit bells at Target (also sold at Academy, Dicks, Sports Authority), they were quite similar in construction and handle width to Power Systems, which is why I suspect they can sell them so cheaply.
Ader: I bought 2 Ader kettlebells (16kg, 20kg) in June 2006 when I took a workshop by Lisa Shaffer. I really like the shape of the Ader, the size of the handle and the overall feel. I was told that they were very similar in construction to Dragon Door kettlebells, which I think is very true. I love my Ader kettlebells and would purchase them again in the future.
Dragon Door: DD is often known as the "big daddy" of kettlebells and for good reason. I have two 12-kg DD bells, and I have been very pleased with them. The Ader kettlebells are very similar in shape and construction. The DD bell's handle seems to fit my hand the best and the overall bell has a smooth exterior finish (at times can feel slick). I would purchase DD bells again, even though they are the most expensive. However, I would likely be frugal and content stocking my gym with Ader kettlebells as well.
Perform Better: I currently own one Perform Better kettlebell (16kg). The bulbous portion and base felt a bit small to me. I had a difficult time doing Renegade Rows with the PB bell, as the base felt small and unstable to me. It could have been difficult because I paired it with a different brand 16kg to execute the Renegade Row. I do think that I think that I will try again after removing the rubber base from the bell . Muscle driver bells reminded me of PB bells. I also did not go with the vinyl covered bell b/c I was afraid that the vinyl would just be slippery, especially since my hands and forearms sweat quite a bit when I'm working out. I bought my PB bell when PB was having their fall sale, so the price (and shipping) were reasonable.
Lifeline: When adding another bell to my collection, I was torn about adding another Ader or trying Lifeline. When I was at a workshop in 2007 with Lisa Shaffer & Mike Mahler, some of the participants had Lifeline bells and others had Ader. Although I didn't try the Lifeline bells first hand during the workshop, I did look closely at the bells construction; they reminded me quite a bit of DD. Anyway, I eventually added both a 9kg and 24kg Lifeline to my collection. I really like the feel of the Lifeline kettlebell. It is similiar in construction to Dragon Door & Ader. The handles weren't as slick as either DD or Ader. I liked the size of the "bulb" of the bell, as well as the thickness and feel of the handle overall. I am very pleased with my smaller Lifeline bell and the 24kg bell. I will definitely add another Lifeline bell to my collection, either another 24kg or a 28kg. The price point of Lifeline was very reasonable, and so was the shipping.
AOS: I usually love everything that AOS makes. When I attended the AOS KB Certification in June 2009, I tried the AOS bells (of course) and loved them. When I needed a few new bells for the gym due to more having clients, I ordered three AOS bells (9kg, 12kg, and 16kg, along with a buddy). However, when I received them, I was kind of disappointed. The bells had gone through a redesign from the ones I used during the certification class. Instead of being unfinished, they had been powder coated with a silver finish. It's just an aesthetic thing, but I don't like it. I was also disappointed with the 16kg bell particularly. The handle was so thick compared to my other bells. Neither myself nor my clients liked that bell, so I sold it. I only kept the two smaller bells so that I could use them with the KB Buddy. I did find it useful when helping some of my female clients transition from the 12kg to the 16kg bell for their snatches/cleans and from the 9kg to the 12kg; it provided a good incremental step. The handles on the smaller bells seemd okay, but the heavier bell was disappointing. I'm not sure if the AOS bells are still this way (i.e. slightly thicker than average handles), but I probably won't buy them again.
- 1 x 9kg Power Systems
- 1 x 12kg Power Systems (gave this one away)
- 2 x 12kg Dragon Door
- 1x12kg AOS (with a kettlebell buddy)
- 1 x 16kg Ader
- 1 x 16kg Perform Better
- 1 x 16kg AOS (I sold this one)
- 1 x 20kg Ader
- 1 x 8kg Lifeline
- 1x 24kg Lifeline
- I've also tried a Go Fit bell at Target/Academy and a Muscle Driver bell at Play It Again Sports.
Power Systems: These two kettlebells (9kg & 12kg) were my first two and least favorite bells. I bought them in Dec 2005 when I was just starting out with kettlebells. Power Systems was one of the cheapest on the market and had relatively reasonable shipping. Overall, these bells are not molded smoothly and have very wide handles. It's a rough bell. However, for me, these bells served their initial purpose, which was to test the waters out with kettlebells. I found a cost effective solution to trying the sport, and decided to upgrade to better bells as I got more serious with my training. I still use my 9kg (yes, Power Systems sells a 9kg and not an 8kg bell, with weight being marked in pounds on the bell). I have since given my 12kg Power Systems bell to a friend who wanted to learn kettlebells. I didn't experience better kettlebells until June 2006 when I trained at Punch Gym in Rhode Island and attended a KB workshop with Lisa Shaffer in Dallas, TX. When I tried the Go Fit bells at Target (also sold at Academy, Dicks, Sports Authority), they were quite similar in construction and handle width to Power Systems, which is why I suspect they can sell them so cheaply.
Ader: I bought 2 Ader kettlebells (16kg, 20kg) in June 2006 when I took a workshop by Lisa Shaffer. I really like the shape of the Ader, the size of the handle and the overall feel. I was told that they were very similar in construction to Dragon Door kettlebells, which I think is very true. I love my Ader kettlebells and would purchase them again in the future.
Dragon Door: DD is often known as the "big daddy" of kettlebells and for good reason. I have two 12-kg DD bells, and I have been very pleased with them. The Ader kettlebells are very similar in shape and construction. The DD bell's handle seems to fit my hand the best and the overall bell has a smooth exterior finish (at times can feel slick). I would purchase DD bells again, even though they are the most expensive. However, I would likely be frugal and content stocking my gym with Ader kettlebells as well.
Perform Better: I currently own one Perform Better kettlebell (16kg). The bulbous portion and base felt a bit small to me. I had a difficult time doing Renegade Rows with the PB bell, as the base felt small and unstable to me. It could have been difficult because I paired it with a different brand 16kg to execute the Renegade Row. I do think that I think that I will try again after removing the rubber base from the bell . Muscle driver bells reminded me of PB bells. I also did not go with the vinyl covered bell b/c I was afraid that the vinyl would just be slippery, especially since my hands and forearms sweat quite a bit when I'm working out. I bought my PB bell when PB was having their fall sale, so the price (and shipping) were reasonable.
Lifeline: When adding another bell to my collection, I was torn about adding another Ader or trying Lifeline. When I was at a workshop in 2007 with Lisa Shaffer & Mike Mahler, some of the participants had Lifeline bells and others had Ader. Although I didn't try the Lifeline bells first hand during the workshop, I did look closely at the bells construction; they reminded me quite a bit of DD. Anyway, I eventually added both a 9kg and 24kg Lifeline to my collection. I really like the feel of the Lifeline kettlebell. It is similiar in construction to Dragon Door & Ader. The handles weren't as slick as either DD or Ader. I liked the size of the "bulb" of the bell, as well as the thickness and feel of the handle overall. I am very pleased with my smaller Lifeline bell and the 24kg bell. I will definitely add another Lifeline bell to my collection, either another 24kg or a 28kg. The price point of Lifeline was very reasonable, and so was the shipping.
AOS: I usually love everything that AOS makes. When I attended the AOS KB Certification in June 2009, I tried the AOS bells (of course) and loved them. When I needed a few new bells for the gym due to more having clients, I ordered three AOS bells (9kg, 12kg, and 16kg, along with a buddy). However, when I received them, I was kind of disappointed. The bells had gone through a redesign from the ones I used during the certification class. Instead of being unfinished, they had been powder coated with a silver finish. It's just an aesthetic thing, but I don't like it. I was also disappointed with the 16kg bell particularly. The handle was so thick compared to my other bells. Neither myself nor my clients liked that bell, so I sold it. I only kept the two smaller bells so that I could use them with the KB Buddy. I did find it useful when helping some of my female clients transition from the 12kg to the 16kg bell for their snatches/cleans and from the 9kg to the 12kg; it provided a good incremental step. The handles on the smaller bells seemd okay, but the heavier bell was disappointing. I'm not sure if the AOS bells are still this way (i.e. slightly thicker than average handles), but I probably won't buy them again.
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