Monday, September 30, 2013

Stronger and Better after 50 thanks to Kettlebells!

Martha at 53 years old shares her motivating story of what it takes to be strong and feel good in your 50's. I met Martha through the private Be SLAM group we have for all the people using the program.  When she volunteered to share with us her success with the program and DVD's, I asked her if she can submit some pictures.  I'm blown away by her beauty within and out.  What an amazing role model that can inspire us all.  Thank you Martha for sharing and in response your last line, you are most welcome!



"At 53, I like this better and stronger version of myself!" says Martha






Kettlebells have truly changed my life and I'm excited to share my fitness journey with you. My interest in kettlebells and training with Lauren was a very happy accident. About 2 years ago was looking to try something new in fitness. I was always pretty active but was growing a little bored with traditional weight training.

As a cyclist I was looking for a full-body workout that would be less time-consuming than riding. I also wanted to gain strength, get toned and lose a few lbs. In 2011, I asked for and received a kettlebell as a gift for Christmas. I didn't really know how to work out with it, so I searched online for kettlebell DVDs, and I stumbled on Lauren's website. After reading some very positive reviews I ordered her DVD, "The Ultimate Body Sculpt and Conditioning with Kettlebells." I was very impressed with Lauren and her workouts, in addition to her choice of Robin Duncan as her workout partner. Robin was also beautiful, strong, and looked incredible for a woman of ANY age (she also happened to be in her fifties as I am). So Robin (and of course, Lauren) became my new fitness role models!

I also ordered Lauren's other DVDs and enjoyed working with them for another year or so, but what really took my training to the next level was joining the 12-week workout program Be SLAM. Prior to that I was never one to follow programs or schedules, but joining Be SLAM showed me I could push past self-made boundaries and get even stronger.
  
Through the encouragement of the other ladies on the Be SLAM facebook page and working at my own pace, I was able to increase my weights and move up gradually. Everyone in the group was so positive and helpful and we really encouraged each other, which was a huge motivating factor. The other women were great teachers too, since they had tons of experience to share. During the program I saw tremendous strength gains and also body composition changes that I didn't think were possible 'for someone my age. I was also inspired to clean up my diet and get honest with myself about what I was actually putting in my mouth! I still enjoy an occasional treat but I try to eat mainly fresh, unprocessed whole foods with a focus on vegetables, lean proteins, and good fats. The combination of consistent good eating and kettlebell training is a real powerhouse combination in getting lean and maintaining it! 
 
I am still a work in progress, but I'm interested to see where this kettlebell journey takes me. I also continue to cycle, ski, hike, and do anything outdoors. I really enjoy the quick, hard-hitting, no-nonsense kettlebell workouts, and getting my strength back has been a real confidence-booster. At 53, I like this better and stronger version of myself! Thank you so much Lauren, for designing these great programs that are truly life changing. Keep the great workouts coming!!


p.s. To continue her training Martha is now participating in the new online streaming classes which has courses for beginners to advanced levels. You can learn more about Lauren's Playground here





Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Todays Workout - High Rep Heartache

100 Sandbag Back Squats, 100 Press/Push Ups, 100 Sandbag High Pulls, 100 Sandbag Push Press, 100 Sandbag Shoulder Cleans. Complete any way you can.


Record your time.

Train hard!



Thursday, August 29, 2013

On The Edge Fitness KETTLEBELL STORE is Now Ready!

Kettlebells For Everyone

Purchase any kettlebell or kettlebell package today and receive $5 off with on any or our results driven kettlebell DVDs and our effective  Be SLAM (Be Strong Like A Mother) program!


These kettlebells have been tested by all private members in my classes, training sessions and me.  After spending 9 years trying and testing different types of kettlebells we have all come to an agreement that these kettlebells are the winner.  

Not sure where to begin?  
Click here and I'll show you


Shopping for a Kettlebell


Finding the right kettlebell can be very confusing. Knowing what sizes to purchase and brands to invest in can be very overwhelming. Generally when just beginning your journey you can purchase just one kettlebell. There is no pressure to rush and order several at a time. Developing strength will be an organic process when done correctly. You will know when you are ready to incorporate a heavier kettlebell into your program.
At the very minimum this is what I recommend:
In a perfect world it�s nice to have options for the different exercises. If you have the funds to invest in several at a time then this is what I�d recommend for the average male and female:
You can view some of the packages I have put together for both men and female here. 

Russian Kettlebell Metrixx E-Coat

10 KG | 22 Lb Metrixx� E-Coat Kettlebell

These classic Russian Kettlebells Metrixx series have a perfect shape that allows you to put your hand through to have the handle rest on the base of your hand without bending your wrist back. These bells are similar to the classic style bell that I began my kettlebell journey. The Metrixx coat kettlebells have a very nice non slip grip with a resilient finish. The main difference is the affordable price and perfectly flat handmachined flat bottom. These bells are made with single cast moldings wth superior consistency and quality.

8 kg Russian Kettlebell
This size is the most popular starting weight for females new to kettlebell training. The majority of females do very well with starting with an 8kg bell. You will quickly move up to a heavier bell for swings and squats, but this bell will be your friend for a bit longer when performing exercises such as Cleans, Presses, Get Ups and High Pulls.

10kg Russian Kettlebell
This size is the perfect in between bell from a traditional starter 8kg to the next level 12kg kettlebell.

12kg Russian Kettlebell
This size is the most popular starting weight for stronger females newer to kettlebell training. The majority of females do very well with starting with an 8kg bell, but quickly begin swinging a 12kg. You will quickly move up to a heavier bell for swings and squats, but this bell will be your friend for a bit longer when performing exercises such as Cleans, Presses, Get Ups and High Pulls.

14kg Russian Kettlebell
This size is quickly becoming the most popular for stronger females that are ready to take kettlebell training to the next level.  The perfect bell to help you get to the 16kg press or 16kg snatches that you've been going after!


16kg Russian Kettlebell
This size is the most popular starting weight for males new to kettlebell training. The majority of men do very well with starting with a 16kg bell. You will quickly move up to a heavier bell for swings and squats.



32 KG Paradigm Pro Competition Kettlebell

About Competition Kettlebells. Great advantage of competition kettlebells is the handle size stays the same. Perfect for people with smaller hands. Perfect for doing push-ups on and renegage rows even for the 8kg bells.
These classic Russian Kettlebells Metrixx series have a perfect shape that allows you to put your hand through to have the handle rest on the base of your hand without bending your wrist back. These bells are similar to the classic style bell that I began my kettlebell journey. The Metrixx coat kettlebells have a very nice non slip grip with a resilient finish. The main difference is the affordable price and perfectly flat handmachined flat bottom. These bells are made with single cast moldings with superior consistency and quality.
Due to the fact that Competition (Pro Grade) kettlebells are made from steel, and not cast iron, they are more durable. This is not to say that the cast iron russian kettlebells will fall apart, it just means that steel is stronger than cast iron and therefore more durable.
Pro Grade handles are slightly slimmer than with traditional cast iron kettlebells. The handles are specifically designed to prevent lateral slipping and minimize fatigue with high repetition sets.
The smaller handle size of competition kettlebells allows many women with small hands to workout with more weight since the handle size does not get thicker as the weight increases.
Pro Grade Competition Kettlebells look �fat� compared to cast iron bells. They have a larger mass in the ball of the bell, imparting different, and many think, better ballistic properties due to this larger center mass.

8 kg (18lb) Competition Kettlebell
This size is the most popular starting weight for females new to kettlebell training. The majority of females do very well with starting with an 8kg bell. You will quickly move up to a heavier bell for swings and squats, but this bell will be your friend for a bit longer when performing exercises such as Cleans, Presses, Get Ups and High Pulls.

12kg Competition or Pro Grade Kettlebell
This size is the most popular starting weight for stronger females newer to kettlebell training. The majority of females do very well with starting with an 8kg bell, but quickly begin swinging a 12kg. You will quickly move up to a heavier bell for swings and squats, but this bell will be your friend for a bit longer when performing exercises such as Cleans, Presses, Get Ups and High Pulls.
16kg Competition or Pro Grade Kettlebell
This size is the most popular starting weight for males new to kettlebell training. The majority of men do very well with starting with a 16kg bell. You will quickly move up to a heavier bell for swings and squats.
  • Gravity Cast To Precise Weight Specifications.
  • Bare metal handles that are ready for chalking! No paint stripping needed.
  • 100% Steel construction & color-coded for easy identification.
  • Regulation 33mm Handle.
  • A superior professional grade competition kettlebell.

Premium Cast Iron Kettlebells

18 Lb | 8 Kg Premium Cast Iron Kettlebell
  • Classic, Durable, Cast Iron Russian Kettlebells.
  • �Gravity Cast� Molding With No Welds, Weak Spots, Seams or Burrs.
  • Hammer Tone Coating.
  • Thick, Smooth, Handles Optimized to Prevent Chafing.
  • �Machined� bases that are Perfectly Flat.
  • Used by all branches of the United States Armed Forces, MLB, NFL, NHL and NBA.
  • Good for many exercises such as halos and arm bars.
4kg Premium Cast
Perfect starter bell for anyone who may be a little intimidated with starting their kettlebell journey. Small size bell and easy to manage. Perfect for rehab or pregnancy. Great practice bell for learning new exercises such as Get Ups.
6kg Premium Cast
Beginner bell for anyone who may be a little intimidated with starting their kettlebell journey. Also great for learning exercises such as Get Ups, Cleans, Presses and Snatches. Small size bell and easy to manage. Perfect for rehab or pregnancy.
8 kg Premium Cast
This size is the most popular starting weight for females new to kettlebell training. The majority of females do very well with starting with an 8kg bell. You will quickly move up to a heavier bell for swings and squats, but this bell will be your friend for a bit longer when performing exercises such as Cleans, Presses, Get Ups and High Pulls.











Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Todays Workout - If It Bleeds We Can Kill It

Huge apologies for the gap between posts here on Sandbag Fitness - work and other projects have been stupidly busy. I've still been training though and I hope you have too.

5 Heavy Sandbag Thrusters
50m Sandbag Load Carry
10 Heavy Sandbag Shoulders

Repeat for as many rounds as possible in 15 minutes.


Thursday, August 1, 2013

28kg Get Up vs. 116lb Lauren Brooks






Turkish Get Up - One of the best kettlebell exercises for your entire body!

If you want to learn the beginning of a Turkish Get Up, grab your copy of The Kettlebell Body� today.

Or you can see our FREE Get Up TUTORIAL STEP 1 HERE