'STRONG from the beginning'

Kettlebells not just trendy but SAFE for momma too!

The kettlebell audience is expanding. In kettlebell history mainly military and law enforcement professionals used kettlebells now you see so many of the top trainer and celebrities joining the craze including our mom’s to be!

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We all know that list of benefits from kettlebells training, how they create resistance in the form of weight, offer specific balance challenges and give a total body workout etc... but did you know they can be a great choice for pregnant women who want to keep up with their fitness routine?

Sure you won't want to be maxing out, doing a 5min KB Snatch test and as the belly grows you will have to make for some changes in movement, nor would you won't be wanting to go for long workouts either because they will leave feeling more fatigued rather than energies, strong and confident like a workout should, BUT...

In most cases kettlebell workouts are even safe for pregnant. A deliberate Strength and Conditioning practice during pregnancy can lead to a healthier, fitter mom, and therefore a healthier, fitter baby. Anecdotal evidence suggests that training can lead to a more straight forward, manageable labor and delivery. Be sure to use the watchful eye of a trained BIRTHFIT Coach and check out their website for more information. They even have a great BIRTHFIT Podcast.

Happy Training!

Coach Kylie

ALWAYS A STUDENT

A week has passed. The bells are down, testing is over for now, the sweat has gone, the heart is beating back to its rhythm and the mind has had time to process the weekend that was SFG Burbank 2017 (Strong First Grya)

It wasn't the weekend I had hoped for in some ways and it was more than I could have wished for in others... I didn't pass my Iron Maiden and it would be a lie if I didn't say I was little bummed, my pull-up was just not even close but 2017 ain't over yet and strength is a lifelong journey. To achieve Iron Maiden or Beast Tamer is no easy task, each movement favours a different body type so most who attempt it after years of training only get one or two elements. Iron Maiden is a weighted; pistol, tactical pull-up and strict press.  For the woman all three movements are performed with a 24kg kettlebell and 44 kg for the men.

But that's not what what Im here to write about. This weekend highlighted for me, what it means to be StrongFirst, that strength has a greater purpose, that we are always a student no matter our experience or how big a pedestal others put you on. What it means to be part of Deuce Gym to #HoldThe Standard. This weekend went beyond the realm of fitness it evoked personal beliefs, sparked new friendships and allowed me to experience what I preach first hand.

For the first time professionally I didn't feel uncomfortable or frightened to ask questions or share my knowledge and experience. ALL the staff and students brought something unique to the day which I feel allowed us all to learn better and feel comfortable, there was no 'one size fits all'. While we were put into small groups, that did not stop all the team leaders, assistants and Master Instructor making sure they got eyes on each and every one of us; we all were learning from each other, cause we are #AlwaysAStudent

This weekend was a family coming together to help each other grow and develop, there was no ego, there was courage, strength, understanding, guidance, compassion, encouragement. You were challenged to be the best you can be and shown what it means to be StrongFirst. That to be strong doesn't just mean how heavy you can lift, it's a lot more. Its being open and ready to learn, it's helping others, it's knowing when to stop before you hurt yourself, it's being able to fail like professional with integrity and honesty, it's having the courage to seek the answers you don't know, ask the questions you need to ask. I took away so much from this cert, I left with more tools to help my athletes/students and self, with more fuel in my fire to go after my dreams, greater self belief, inspiration, passion and pride to say I am part of the StrongFirst family.


Thank you StrongFirst.

Do it like a Celebrity!

The new benefit of Kettlebell Training...

Strong & Sexy!

I won’t lie, … kettlebell workouts are HARD, but that is why they are so effective. If you don’t mind the grit or a solid challenge and want maximum results with minimum time, then invest in kettlebells.

I know I am bias to kettlebells because I love the challenge and grit it requires, you can't fake your fitness or strength with a kettlebell and while I love a good barbell throwdown, it's just not always practical.

It doesn't matter if I want to slim down, improve my flexibility, build lean body mass, power, strength and speed, kettlebell training can do it all, they are resilient and reliable for delivering results both for me and my clients; but I'm not the only one who loves it a number of celebrities have spoken publicly about their use of kettlebells… you judge the results:

  • Katherine Heigl
  • Kim Cattrall
  • Jessica Biel
  • Jennifer Lopez
  • Angelina Jolie
  • Vanessa Hudgens
  • Sylvester Stallone
  • Ethan Hawke
  • Matthew McConaughey
  • Most of the cast from the movie “300″

I think it's obvious by these red carpet faces, kettlebells give strength and tone without adding bulk. The American Council on Exercise did an independent study on kettlebell workouts that found that: During the 20-minute workout, the average calorie burn was 272 calories, not counting additional calorie burn due to the substantial anaerobic effort.

5 Simple Effective Workout

Just like our celebrates have if you decide to give kettlebells a try, seek a certified coached before going solo and ensure you have medical clearance. If you are in the Venice, California, you can email me at kylie@coachedbykylie.com

Workout1: TABATA Swings or Snatch 8 Rounds of  :20 on :10 off Then rest 2min and repeat another 3 times

Workout2: AMRAP 5, As Many Reps As Possible in 5min Snatch

Workout3: 1-5 Ladder; Clean, Press, Front Squat.  Start with 1 rep each and go up till you are doing 5 reps of each. Rest 2min between each flu ladder and Repeat 2 more times. (1-5 is one ladder)

Workout4: Double Kettlebell Front Squats. 3 sets of 5, or 4 sets of 4 Give yourself enough rest between sets about a 1-2 min.

Workout5: Double Kettlebell Presses 3 sets of 4-6 (best to do less reps with heavier weight, but you it feels easy for you with the kettlebells you have do an extra rep per set.

 

Time cant be your excuse now!

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"But I don't have time to do all that.." 

I hear this a lot and yeah sure it can be the case especially when you train isolated muscle groups as a posed to functional multi joint moves which most of us don't need after all functional moves replicate daily life movement and help us achieve longevity. 

What's Functional, Dynamic, TOTAL BODY Strength and Conditioning… KETTLEBELLS

Kettlebells aren't anything new, they date back to the 1700s, when Russian strong-men began using them during training.

A kettlebell basically is a cast-iron ball and handle, due to its nature in shape exercising with kettlebells exercises throw off your center of gravity, forcing you to use multiple muscle groups, including your core, to maintain your balance. So that's also why, subbing a dumbell for a kettlebell isn't not the same; sorry for anyone out there who thinks if you use a dumbbell or kettlebell for the same movement gives you the same results, it doesnt, it gives you similar but the unique shape is what gives its key difference.

Like everything in life, mastering the fundamentals or basics are key to achieving the best results. The devil is in the detail as they say..

So what are the fundamental sacred 6 movements in kettlebell training?

Exercise 1 The Swing

The Russian-style kettlebell swing, when performed with proper form it's great for building your posterior chain and cardiovascular system. Its Strength & conditioning in one! It represents full-body power, while aiding extreme fat loss, and a high level of cardiovascular conditioning. It's also the foundation of all kettlebell ballistic moves.
 

Exercise 2 The Goblet Squat

Squatting is a fundamental movement pattern, you squat to sit on a chair, you squat to use the toilet and that's just the start, have a solid and strong squat and your on the path to a long happy independent life, no nursing home at 55yr for you. The kettlebell goblet squat isn't just a leg exercise; it's another total-body movement that offers strength, mobility and conditioning. It will never replace the barbell squat for strength but great at fine tuning that movement pattern!

Exercise 3 The Turkish Get-Up

The Turkish get-up is a slow, deliberate movement that's been around for centuries. You start by lying on the floor, then stand up, then lie back down again in a specific sequence of movement transitions. It's about fluidly but when you add the load of the kettlebell it now requires, strength, mobility, total body awareness, it's a high skilled movement and for good reason, like i've said before, it's the ‘Ultimate Body Builder’ physically and mentally!

Exercise 4 The Strict Press

It's not just any kind of overhead press because you use your entire body, pressing from the your feet all the way to your core to your arm and this and the fact you're pressing from your shoulders more natural plane of motion, it's no wonder it feels stronger than with a dumbbell or barbell. Clients of mine who have mastered this movement then applied its principles of total body pressing and corresponding breathing have seen gains in all their major barbell strict lifts!

Exercise 5 The Clean

Similar to the kettlebell swing, the clean is another explosive exercise for total-body strength and conditioning. The difference here is that the kettlebell finishes in the rack position as opposed to being projected horizontally away from your body.

Like the Snatch is the most technical lift in Olympic lifting and timing is crucial, the same can be said for the kettlebell clean. It can take a while to learn and even longer to master but it's an essential movement in high-powered kettlebell complexes.

Exercise 6 The Snatch

The kettlebell snatch—sometimes called the Tsar of kettlebell exercises—is the ultimate display of full-body power and is nothing like a barbell snatch.

The kettlebell snatch is physically demanding but the benefits are worth it, total-body strength and conditioning at its highest. It increase athletic performance, builds strong powerful shoulders and explosive strength.

This exercise should not be attempted until the kettlebell swing hip-hinge pattern and explosive hip drive are established.

Getting Started

Sure you can youtube how to do these moves but the kettlebell is a very unique tool that requires proper technique to get optimal results, it's not just the movement pattern but the breathing to correspond. If you want to learn more, I offer small group and personal training in Russian Kettlebells you can reach me at kylie@coachedbykylie.com and book your intro now!

So what's your excuse now? ;)

BULLETPROOF

Kettlebells Bulletproof your shoulders!

We have all been there or known someone who has, hell I've injured both my shoulders and if I face reality, it was from lack of proper warm-up, incorrect movement patterns, going to heavy before I had mastered the move, poor stability and pushing through pain.

Three common shoulder injuries are;

  • Rotator Cuff Injuries, usually in form of a tear or strain,
  • Impingements
  • Instability/dislocation.

Many shoulder injuries are preventable by strengthening the Rotator Cuff and scapular musculature, while maintaining joint mobility and stability. There is no point building strength if the body then won't move in its full range don't you agree?  

But it’s important to perform the right types of exercises and avoid poor technique faults and training methods, not to mention avoid OVER TRAINING

Here are some great exercise you can start to incorporate into your training, either as warm-up or part of your pre-hab/Re-hab work and see the strength grains come in!

Halo - Effective for the shoulder joint and the thoracic spine mobility. Common reasons why some people struggle to get those extra lbs overhead

Arm Bar  - Great for Rotator cuff, Lats and Thoracic. Not as dynamic as the TGU or Windmill but the stability and proprioceptive benefits (knowing where your arm is in space) are outstanding. Also, it really opens up the anterior portions of the shoulder complex (anterior glenohumoral joint, pecs, and rib cage). For tight pectorals and forward rounded shoulders, this is a fantastic mobilization.

Sling Shot - The Slingshot helps improve shoulder mobility, grip strength, rotator cuff strength, and core strength. When you think about why are we not doing more of these? One of the keys to improve your strength is increase grip and core strength! It is an active movement, but it can produce a mild traction effect on the shoulder. For patients who have trouble reaching behind their back, this movement can really help, and it's fun to do.

Military Press - The kettlebell military press is excellent for total shoulder strength, but has the mobility and stability elements to it, as well. The key being the plane of the scapula, which is approximately thirty to 45 degrees anterior to the frontal plane (see picture). Basically, your arm is not positioned straight out to the side and it’s not straight out in front of you.

 

TGU - Arguably, the Turkish get up (TGU) is the most important of these exercises, you have heard me refer this to the ‘Ultimate Strength Builder’. The TGU enhances and optimizes Rotator Cuff function by moving through a broad range of motion, all while firing and stabilizing the rotator cuff the entire time. The TGU fires the rotator cuff the entire time but also the weight bearing positions mean the scapular is building stability and strength. Just don't rush the TGU, move through each transition slowly and with control.

Windmill - Requires a dynamic range of motion, mobility, and stability. Rotator Cuff must constantly fire and stabilize the humeral head through the wide range of motion. It’s also great for the hip and spine strength and stability. 

Russian HardStyle Swing - swing is fantastic for the rotator cuff. The entire time you are swinging the kettlebell, the rotator cuff is firing to stabilize the shoulder joint and maintain the ball of the shoulder in its socket.

By no means are these the only ones, these are just my favorites cause they warm me up well before training and have some great BANG for the buck!

If you have any questions comment below or email me at kylie@coachedbykylie.com

Happy Training!

 

 

Crossfit building a stronger resolve and positive mindset in women!

Crossfit building a stronger resolve and positive mindset in women!

CrossFit is more the just the latest fitness craze or lifting heavy weights. CrossFit builds confidence through found strength. Good foundation an exercise of social skills for those who may be naturally introverted.

HOW?

1. Harness Happiness: Releases endorphins during and after you exercise similar to a runner’s high, but much more fierce.

2. Skyrockets your Self-Esteem: You start to achieve and believe things you once deemed impossible and therefore. helping to achieve improved body image, self-perception and sense of accomplishment.  

3. Teaches you Strength has a greater purpose: This sense of dedication and focus it encourages transfers into all aspects of your life, including your personal relationships. Strengthen your body; strengthen your mind; strengthen your relationships be ready for LIFE

4. Frees Your Social Butterfly: The only thing more fun than strength training is strength training with a friend or partner. Also, there is such a tight-knit strength training community who will share common values and interests with you. Love your fellow lifters!

5. Energizes you makes you more present aware: CrossFit tapes into 10 GPP strength, endurance, power, speed, agility, coordination, balance, stamina, flexibility, accuracy and taps into the 3 energy systems all which means more energy and body awareness.

6. Gives you  a break from the daily grind:  Although strength training requires focus, it gives your brain a break from the intellectual thinking you endure all day and your emotional self.

7. Better Sleep: It has been documented that those who train can sleep more deeply. Your body will need that quality sleep in order to repair, recover, and reap the benefits of all of your hard work. You earned it!

8. Decreases stress: We all know training releases endorphins, which puts anxiety and depression in the doghouse.  It also increases norepinephrine, which can boost your brain’s ability to cope with stress.

9. Make Time For YOU: Make uninterrupted “you time” an essential part of your day. Do some cleans to clear your mind.

10. Brings Balance back: A stronger Body means a Stronger Mind, a Stronger emotional self which Means a happier healthier you, one who is ready to take on any obstacle.

11. Satisfies your inner beast: Teaches you how to be independent and still take part in a group environment!


Want help building a strong you? Email me at: kylie@coachedbykylie.com