Thirty-five year old Pamela had been a fitness enthusiast for many years, but never considered herself very athletic. When younger, she recalled struggling with her fitness and stamina, and felt disappointed she could not compete at a very high level. Over time, she tried various exercise and fitness routines, but not until beginning kettlebell training did she feel physically empowered by her workout. Earlier this week she discussed her experiences with me.
Kettlebell Fitness Beginnings
Pamela's journey started two years ago during a personal training session, as her instructor introduced her to a 13 pound iron ball with a handle. She enjoyed the effect of combining weight lifting with cardio moves. For her birthday, her boyfriend gave her an 18 pound kettlebell and a guidebook on how to use it. As part of the gift, she attended an introductory workshop on kettlebell fitness. There she learned about basic kettlebell mechanics, safety, and sample routines.
Initially, she practiced sporadically as a supplement to other physical activity. Her enthusiasm increased as she noted the benefits of the workout, and she began a weekly routine with a local class. She went on to compete in local competitions as well, achieving Rank 3 in the World Kettlebell Rankings. Ranking is determined by the number of repetitions of specific exercise in a 10 minute period, adjusted for the weight of the competitor and weight of the kettlebell used, according to the club's ranking system.
Today, Pamela and her boyfriend own eight different kettlebells (of various weights), and she continues her weekly training sessions. She will begin bi-weekly training in the coming months in order to compete and achieve Rank 1. She intends to continue her training and see where it takes her, possibly teaching others in the future. As long as her personal fitness and strength continue to improve, Pamela considers her endeavors successful, "I want to be able to do all the moves that any other kettlebeller can do."
Kettlebell Community and Fitness Benefits
During the past two years, Pamela has participated in kettlebell classes, bonding with a community of "like-minded people." She follows her routine and progresses every week, with her coach managing the entire class. About two thirds of the class returns every single week, with the remaining one third consisting of newcomers to the workout style. Pamela enjoys this sense of community, and has made some very close friends along the way.
After some comparative research, Pamela found that most classes cost around 10 or 15 dollars per session, comparable to other specialized classes teaching various forms of training. Personal sessions generally cost five or six times as much, so she recommends finding a class in your area.
In addition, Pamela raves over the fact that her kettlebell routine provides a complete workout, has improved her overall fitness and energy, and invigorates her every single week. She finds that her skill and athleticism in all physical activities have improved tremendously, and comments, "I don't think I could say that practicing other activities make you better at kettlebells, but kettlebells make you better at everything else."
Focus and Control of Mind and Body
Surprisingly, the kettlebell classes have also taught her greater mental discipline. Throughout training, she has had to learn to discipline herself when it comes to her workout sessions. The weekly routines, as well as the individual exercises within, must be conquered slowly and methodically.
Pamela explains that it is impossible to achieve your goal if looking at too big a picture. In other areas of life, she has learned to maintain this discipline, dividing her time to become more efficient at achieving her goals. She continues to take life, "one rep at a time."
For more information: Read about Pamela's advice for other kettlebell beginners.
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