. . . in the distant, early morning . . .

Kettlebell: Day 1

Last night, while climbing into bed, I hurt my left ankle. 

It felt much better today, but I didn’t want to risk running.  I was wandering around the Birthday Shoes Forums when I happened on a thread about Kettlbebell.

It sounded intriguing, so I looked it up some more.  These psychos swing a heavy cast-iron ball called a kettlebell for exercise.  Crazy.

So I went and bought one from Dick’s.  I’ll invest in a much better one if I keep this up—probably from Dragon Door which comes highly recommended.

So I tried this out for 15 minutes while watching John Q.

Round one:

set 1: 10 reps - swing
set 2: 10 reps - swing
set 3: 10 swings 1h left
set 4: 10 swings 1h right
set 5: 10 reps - swing

750lbs

Round two:

set 1: 10 reps - swing
set 2: 10 swings 1h right
set 2: 10 swings 1h left
set 3: 10 reps - swing
set 4: 10 reps - swing
set 5: 10 reps - swing

750lbs

Total work load: 1500lbs; at least, I think that’s how you tally it up.  I should probably do this in kg since this originates from Russia; but I think in pounds, so pounds makes more sense for me.

I’m sure I’ll also get the move names right someday. 

This was really hard.  Really, really hard.  I almost couldn’t finish my 10th set, but I managed to.  I kept forgetting to move my hips; moving hips makes this a bit easier, since it gives you momentum and strength.

I’m a long ways from moving on to other moves; but it’s a beginning.  This kettlebell takes up almost no space - either to store or use -  and I can do it in short spurts (10-15 minutes while watching tv) and it cost me only $30 to get into.  I suspect this one kettlebell will do me for a number of months before I’m ready to move up, at which point I’ll get one of the Dragon Doors kettlebells.

This is the perfect exercise to mix in with my running.  Love it already, and it was a great way to give my legs (and my poor ankle) a break while still working out. And it’s definitely aerobic, no doubt about that.  It also appeared to get abs, back, arms, and upper legs.

Whoda thunk something so simple could be so effective?

(. . . and the best part?  I have a full fitness routine here without leaving my house.  Perfect!)

-Lisa, on July 1, 2010 at 7:26 pm

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