1. FITNESS I COMPETITION
by Gwen Starr
The womens’ single
arm, long cycle event
Kettlebells Are bAcK
A Fitness trend turns competitive in the us
T
Kettlebell he kettlebell, or girya in Russian, is arranged the event that featured both
an old Russian strength and condi- men and women who have become ad-
lifters from all tioning tool. It has been used for dicted to the sport. The stage was set
over the world centuries by the Russian military, police with 3 lifting platforms where lifters
and the layman to gain strength, agility, compete to see how many reps they can
gathered at the power and endurance. About 100 years do in a ten-minute round. Athletes are
Jacqueline ago kettlebells lost their popularity categorized by gender and weight class.
when dumbbells and barbells emerged. Although they compete against each
Kennedy onassis At the time it was less expensive to buy other, more importantly they always try
high school au- the plates that load on to the barbells, to surpass their own personal record
making them more affordable. (P.R.). I got to speak to some of the com-
ditorium for In recent years, kettlebells have be- petitors before it was their turn to hit
the first new come the rage in fitness centers the stage.
throughout the world. They give you a Alexander Bodrov came to the
yorK Kettlebell complete body workout, are more effec- states four years ago from Russia. Cur-
competition tive than aerobics, help melt body fat, rently living in Connecticut, Alexander
and build strength and energy. Due to came to New York City to participate in
their design and the manner in which his first kettlebell competition. He com-
training is performed, kettlebells help to peted in the two-arm long cycle with 35
train virtually all the muscles in the lb. kettlebells. The expected amount of
human body. reps for his 198 lb. body is 69 reps in a
The training works for anybody ten-minute period.
since the kettlebells come in all weight Shuvaun Brennan, a certified IRON-
increments. Many personal trainers WORKS Fe instructor and personal
have become certified and have added trainer at Sky Athletics on the south
kettlebell lifting to their clients’ regi- shore of Long Island, has been working
mens, encouraging them to begin com- out with kettlebells for only 1 ½ years
peting in what is now a sport as popular and already her instructor, Rick Car-
as traditional weight lifting. ranza, co-owner of IRONWORKS Fe,
Kettlebell lifters from all over the coached and got her competition ready
world gathered at the Jacqueline with the 26 lb. kettlebell in the single-
Kennedy Onassis High School audito- arm long cycle event.
rium for the first New York Kettlebell I asked Shuvaun how she prepares
competition. IRONWORKS Fe, the Na- for this event. She told me that her diet
tion’s premier kettlebell training center does not change much; she is a healthy
located here in Great Neck, New York, eater on a regular basis but when she
50 IMAGE December / January 2010