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KETTLEBELLS:
The History of The Kettlebell
Kettlebells have been toning and improving our bodies from as far back as the 18th century. According to Cherkikh (1994), the first mentioning of kettlebells was in a Russian dictionary printed in 1704. It described the men using these weights as gireviks, which is an expression derived from the Russian word for kettlebell (girya). Kettlebells as a fitness regime and a life style have continued to grow rapidly since then and in the 20th Century it was declared that no other sport could compete with the results achieved in kettlebell training. Kettlebells were and are considered to be one of the most superior sports in terms of developing one's muscular strength and body.
Whilst they are relatively new in South Africa, Kettlebells have been used for decades in Russia where they are used by the military, strongmen, weightlifters, bodybuilders and wrestlers. From Russia kettlebells have spread all over the world and have been noted by experts in America as the ultimate all-round fitness and physical development tool. With simply one handy piece of equipment you can work on strength, hypertrophy, endurance, mobility, balance, flexibility and a host of other conditioning categories.
Kettlebells are specifically designed to build strength and endurance. They are a uniquely shaped weight but unlike barbells and dumbbells, they look more like a canon ball with a thick handle attached on the top. Since the 18th century, the kettlebell hasn't needed to be improved in any way other than to offer it in a range of colours. Thus your standard Kettlebell will be a solid ball of cast iron. Kettlebells come in a range of sizes and colours with moderate gaps in weights.
These are a few groups and teams that make use of kettlebells in their training regime:
- Rugby teams
- Martial artists
- Strength and conditioning coaches and personal trainers
- Boxers
- Defense Force Operations
- Physiotherapists, Osteopaths and Chiropractors
- Celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Penelope Cruz, Sylvester Stallone and Lance Armstrong
Some of the benefits of kettlebell training include:
- Improved strength
- Incredible work capacity (strength endurance)
- Enhanced athleticism - flexibility, coordination, balance etc.
- Weight loss
- Injury prevention
- Mental toughness
- Lean & functional muscle mass
- Strengthening of the entire posterior chain
- Core strength
- Sport and combat applications
Kettlebell training is very different to traditional weight training: It is dynamic, effective and functional, getting you into peak physical condition, fast!
Kettlebell training is enormous fun and the results are outstanding! You will enjoy strength, fitness and cardiovascular conditioning for decades to come!
Classes and Cost Info:
(Fee Prices Valid from 1st April 2011 to 30th April 2012)
Classes in Johannesburg
R80 per session or R420 per month
If you are a once-a-week candidate, paying per session is cheaper.
For the (sensible) people doing 2+ sessions per week, the monthly fee works out cheaper.
Private session rates: (In the dojo)
1-on-1 (R300 each)
NO contracts! (No need to sign up for 3 years & then regret it 'cos you only actually trained for 3 weeks)
Classes:
Mondays and Wednesdays: 18h45 - 19h45
Fridays: 18h00 - 19h00
Classes in Cape Town
At TAKEDOWN Fitness Centre
89 Main Road, Diep River
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: 9h00 - 10h00 and 18h00 - 19h00
(Fees to be confirmed)
What you need, to do a class:
Clothes you can sweat in and a sweat towel.
Training in the dojo is barefoot so no special shoes needed. If you are training 1-on-1 then flat soled shoes (without too much cushioning) or weightlifting shoes are recommended.
For 1st timers, some gloves are maybe not such a bad idea.
A bottle of your preferred training drink.
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