Kettlercise

I really shouldn't leave it until this late to update, because I am shattered and my heart can't really be in it when I'm struggling to keep my eyes open.  I hope I don't feel this bad tomorrow evening, as it's my second stab at Kettlercise and judging by last week I'll need all the omph I can muster!

So if you've not clicked the link, Kettlercise is basically a cardio/core/strength class, using Kettle Bell weights in a non-stop series of one minute toning exercises such as lunges, squats, jumps and bicep curls. Like this...


I'll be honest, I was pretty damn terrified about the prospect of this. But I was also excited to see if I could get through it.  The class I chose is run by Angie at Chris Bowman Fitness, and I didn't really have time to psych myself out of it. I was a bit worried the class would be full of goddess-like powerhouses, who would sneer as my feeble blubber wobbled into the room. I always have that fear when I join an exercise class...I blame the fact that my first introduction to instructor-led exercise was the Ministry of Sound workout based on the Call on Me video...enough to make anyone feel inadequate. But in reality, as it always turns out to be, it was simply a mixed-bag group of people just looking to burn some fat. I always find I'm somewhere in the middle in exercise classes, in age, shape and ability. Obviously I'd like to be at the top, but I'm always relieved to find I'm not at the bottom. Having said that, I did use the lightest possible bell (2.5kg) - my upper arm strength is non-existent and I didn't want to start off on something I couldn't keep up with. I think for now that will be the weight I use, because although I kept up well with the moves, I certainly felt it working! I wouldn't want to increase it until I've got a good few classes under my belt.

The class itself was intense, as expected. Angie is incredible, she has an instant likeability and keeps the class focused. Plus, she's got just the right amount of crazy mixed in to keep it fun! I really liked that the moves were done a minute each, so even in ones I found tough I could try to keep pushing myself until the minute was up. I didn't find any were too difficult to follow, but if Zumba has given me anything to go by I'd say I'm quite good at mimicking moves and picking things up after a few reps.

I left the class on a total fitness high, but also a little scared about how I was going to feel in the morning. And how did I feel? Disabled. I could barely walk, and stairs actually made me cry. I'm not exaggerating - I had muscle strain in muscles I hadn't even been aware of before. I was actually quite embarrassed, as although I wouldn't say I was fit I do like to think I have some experience in a range of different exercises. I can plank, surely that counts for something?! I honestly didn't expect to feel as destroyed as I did, and the recovery took days. I wasn't even sure I could face Zumba on Monday night (Kettlercise makes you aware of just how many lunges and squats Zumba actually entails, that's for damn sure), and even now I'm still feeling it in my thighs. It's a gift that keeps on giving.

But I am totally willing to put myself through it again tomorrow, because something that works my body that hard is bound to have results. I'm ready to see what shape I can get to by really pushing myself. I've noticed that classes are the fitness format that works best for me - at home it's too easy to slack off or even skip workouts all together. In a class, with other people's energy to feed off of (plus the fact that I don't want to look as if I'm slacking), I go at least 25-50% harder than I ever would at home. Plus, there's no pause button on a real, live instructor!

I could totally see me being a class junkie. If I had the dosh (and time) I think I'd try a whole bunch of things like circuits, yoga, pilates, maybe even metafit. I'd even like to try some sports, like squash. Oh well, maybe I'll win the lottery this week...until then, I think I'm starting to get a good combination of cardio and toning with a good enough mix to keep my body guessing. Now I just need to build my stamina and increase the frequency.