Not Just Muscle
Archive for July, 2009
Life Lessons from Kettlebell Practice
Jul 16th
My “inner coach” was speaking in Life Lessons during today’s kettlebell practice. Here are 27 lessons that apply to kettlebell training, and pretty much everything:
- Keep your eye on the thing that can hurt you.
- Slow movements give you time to think.
- Pay close attention when someone wiser than you gives you advice.
- Shortcuts are ok for road trips but not for workouts.
- You’re generally stronger at the beginning of the day’s effort.
- Sometimes it is more difficult to move slowly than to go fast.
- Always warm up before starting your main activity.
- Breathe.
- When it’s time to push forward, give it everything you have.
- Quality over quantity.
- Concentrate on what you are doing.
- See yourself doing it right in your mind.
- Enjoy every opportunity for rest.
- Write things down so you don’t forget the details.
- Have fun.
- Celebrate every success. Notice but downplay the failures.
- Getting up and down holding something heavy is hard work.
- Quickly moving something heavy is hard work.
- Hard work is good for you.
- Today’s hard work will be tomorrow’s easy work.
- When a child comes in the room, notice and say something kind to them.
- You feel good when you’ve tried your hardest.
- Practice everything, even the stuff you think you’re good at.
- Some time alone can be refreshing.
- No matter how far out of your reach, never assume something you want to do is impossible.
- Refuel when you’re empty.
- Share the cool information you have.
What can you add to my list?
Top 5 Reasons Why I Love Kettlebell Training
Jul 3rd
If you know me, you know I love lots of different kinds of training. This means anything that involves moving weight — from simple bodyweight exercises to heavy barbell lifts to mma conditioning workouts. It all pretty much qualifies as my kind of fun. Though it’s certainly not the “be all end all,” the kettlebell has recently become my favorite training tool. Here are five reasons why:
Top 5 Reasons Why I Love Kettlebell Training
- Kettlebell workouts are fast. My typical workouts are about 20-25 minutes long (plus warm up and cool down.) It is definitely possible to get an amazing workout in under ten minutes with the kettlebell.
- Kettlebell workouts are complete. Both cardiovascular training and strength training are accomplished at once. Full body movements provide a workout for all major muscle groups.
- Kettlebells are portable and little space is required to get in a full workout. Exercise in your basement, living room, bedroom, den, office. Take your kettlebell outside. It can go with you wherever you go (but beware of the rolling around in the back seat of your car!) There is even a new backpack specially made for carrying you kettlebell with you on hikes or walks.
- Kettlebell training is fun. There is just something fun about swinging the kettlebell. And where I get a “this is fun- Whee!” feeling from the swing, I get a different but equally fun “OH YEAH! THIS ROCKS!” feeling from the kettlebell snatch. It’s empowering to be able to hoist a handled cannonball overhead. Multiple times. Note: the fun morphs into serious work after a few swings and/or snatches, but that is not a bad thing.
- Kettlebells are economical, at approximately $50 – $100 each. We have all probably paid more than that for a good pair of running shoes. Which one lasts longer? You only really need one kettlebell to get started.
Just my top five. I have a few (dozen) more in mind as well. What are the reasons you love kettlebell training?
