Kettlebell Love
Have you guys ever done a kettlebell workout?!
I think I’m in love!
That’s me, looking like death, in the front on the right. Photo Credit: Essential Fitness, LLC.
I’ve been taking a group strength classes from Essential Fitness with seven other members of the Grayslake Running Club, and last night was our first kettlebell workout. Those things are F-U-N! The perfect combination of strength and cardio. I just wonder how my quads will be feeling later on today… I was dripping in sweat and worn out by the end of the 45-minute class! My legs even felt a bit wobbly when finished. Awesome.
I am really happy I decided to join this strength class. It was kind of a last minute thing that I signed up for, but I have been really enjoying it. Something about doing strength workouts with other people makes it a lot more fun.
And our instructor, Brian, from Essential Fitness is awesome. He gives clear instructions, does all the moves with us, is upbeat, and has a great sense of humor. I highly recommend him for personal training if you live in the northern suburbs of Chicago! I am going to be bummed when our strength class is over, and am already thinking I might have to have a few more sessions… maybe with Steven!
Brian gave us some Essential Fitness shirts last night! Schweet!
Do you like group strength classes? Or do you prefer to do your strength workouts on your own? Have you ever hired a personal trainer?
Themocracy
Wow! You’re ripped!! I LOVE weight lifting!
Ha. I am assuming you don’t have your glasses/contacts on/in yet? 😛
Just kidding! I don’t even know if you wear glasses/contacts!
What are your favorite moves?
I’ve only used kettlebells once that I can recall. I don’t recall that particular exercise being fun (it was part of a very tough boot camp class).
I have never done group strength classes unless that bootcamp class counts. I used to do strength training on my own at lunch but now I just run. I know I should do strength too but it’s so boring!
I have never had a personal trainer but it seems like a cool concept.
Looks like a tough workout! Hope your quads aren’t too wreaked from that workout! I have no set up my garmin with a workout yet – I was just trying to get used to the lap button which I did last night. Having the distance is nice for long runs but I like my old watch for intervals because usually I am at a track and know the distance.
Ooooh, kettlebell swings. I loved those in CrossFit! But if he makes you do kettlebell cleans run far, far away 😉
The group aspect is what made me like CrossFit so much. I’m glad you’ve found a way to enjoy strength training! And you look great in that photo.
What are the cleans? I know last night at the end of the night we would swing the kettlebell under our legs, then jump forward on the up part. That was killer!
You are waiting until the fall to think about doing CrossFit again, right?
And thanks 🙂
Kim, you are looking so thin and fit!
Aww, thanks. I am trying to get to a good running weight! 🙂 Well, and get healthy 😉
Will you be my body guard?
Hells yeah!
(But I thought Peanut was helping you deck people out?!)
I prefer group classes for strength most definitely. Weights are SO BORING on my own. I have a decent grasp of things I could/should be doing but have a hard time making myself do so.
I have never used a kettlebell but you made them sound like fun!!! Nice arms!!!!
=^..^=
I love kettlebells. I always feel so hardcore when I whip them out. 🙂
Glad you enjoyed your workout! I’ve never worked with kettleballs or done a strength training group class before. I’m a little intimidated by them because of my back issues.
I WISH my gym offered a Kettlebell class! I have a Kettlebell but I need more things I can do with it. 😉 The one thing I can do, hurts! But it is a GREAT workout.
One tough rock star
I like my personal trainer because she holds me more accountable than I would probably hold myself.
Never done kettlebells. They kind of look intimidating, and I imagine myself whirling around and accidentally clobbering my neighbor with one!
It’s great to find some kind of strength training that you like. I’m not sure that just going and doing weights is my thing. Too slow!
Doing weights is too slow for me too! I like that this class is kind of cardio-ish. I just wish I was more coordinated – I have lots of bruises from hitting myself with weights!
This looks so COOL! If you guys go in on any more strength clinics, let me know…
(I AM doing the mental training clinic – it’s where I stand to improve the most. Are you going?)
I will let you know if I hear about another group getting started! And I am totally going to that clinic (I am the one who suggested it to Lupe and she got it all set up!).
Look at you! Looking good, missy! 🙂
I’ve actually never been to a group fitness class, but I did create a little strength-training program to do at home from all the DVD’s of Bob & Jillian I’ve done. Usually, my strength-training just BORES me but I made this one into little circuit sections where I do some strength, ab work, and cardio. It gets my heart pumping big time!
Thanks! Your circuit sounds fun! Have you ever posted it? I would love to see the routine!
I’ve been so curious about kettlebells. It looks like a great workout! I love mixing things up with classes.
This is awesome! You look spent, which is exactly what I like to see in a prospective workout, dead people, lol. I’ve been wanting to start using kettlebells for the longest time, but my gym doesn’t have them and we don’t have the space at home.
As soon as I have a house and workout space (since we are looking to buy a house) I’ll be all about the kettlebells.
I looooooove kettlebells. They are so much fun. They mix weight lifting with a bit of grace, and I enjoy the momentum you get with them. I use them a lot when I work out with my trainer. I hope you are downing a lot of those protein shakes with that strenght training cos ya need your protein to build muscle.
I like the momentum too! I think that is the only thing that kept me going on Tuesday, lol.
My friend gave me a new brand of protein powder to try. Maybe I will take it after my kettlebell workout tomorrow!
One of my instructors in my massage therapy course swears by kettlebells. Once my parasite detaches (hehe) and I’m able to start that level of exercise, I’ll definitely check it out. Unfortunately I don’t think the local YMCA has ’em in their gym, and I’m not gonna pay for membership elsewhere just for access to kettlebells tho. … we’ll see….
i love group classes. i guess that’s why i like tnt so much too. more fun with friends. =) that class looks INTENSE!