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The Kettlercise concept is going down a storm in gyms around the country, with members loving the results they get from the workout, as well as the social side of taking part in a regular group exercise session. Christina Eccles found out more and joined in with a class at DW Sports in Barnsley.
Kettlercise helps users to achieve results fast BILLED as the most effective Kettlebell fat burning exercise class, Kettlercise has been specifically designed to achieve maximum results – fast. Differing from Kettlebell training – where you would normally use a heavier Kettlebell for short reps, rest, then go again – Kettlercise is a continuous workout, usually taking place in an hour-long class format. After a warm-up, participants run through a set of 37 exercises, spending one minute on each before moving on to the next one. Typical exercises include a rotational lunge, a windmill and a two-hand swing, with each session designed to work both the lower and upper body for an all over workout. Benefits of taking part in the programme include fat loss, redefined abs and an increase in lean, toned muscle, and according to Kettlercise instructor Ayesha Mir, this is a workout which can be enjoyed by all ages and abilities. She explained: “During a class you spend a minute on each exercise, going as fast as you safely can and at your own pace before moving on to the next exercise. “It’s great for fat burning and body shaping and also open to everybody because it’s easy to follow, so people aren’t put off by complicated moves.” Ayesha, who has been teaching Kettlercise since 2010, also takes a
Ayesha Mir range of other classes in the Yorkshire area – including aerobics, step, boxercise and circuits – but she told Workout that Kettlercise is one of her favourites. She added: “It’s really taken off. What people like is that it does get pretty quick results. “I enjoy teaching it and the members love it.”
A windmill is a popular Kettlercise class move.
A fast-paced class in a friendly atmosphere WALKING into the reception at DW Sports in Barnsley, the first thing that struck me was the club’s friendly atmosphere. As we sat down for a chat, Kettlercise instructor Ayesha told me that each week before class, members usually meet in the club’s cafe area for a coffee, a nice ritual which I was welcomed into too before I got to grips with my first Kettlercise session. After making our way upstairs to the studio where the class was to be held, Ayesha handed me a 4kg Kettlebell, explaining that with Kettlercise, rather than focusing on lifting heavy weights, the concept is more about keeping good form and pace to keep the blood pumping and exercise both lower and upper body parts. Following an energetic warm-up, we got straight into the routine, spending a minute on each exercise before moving on to the next one, with no scheduled stops in the session. During the class, I enjoyed the
Christina ahead of her first Kettlercise class (left) and a typical session. range of movements and exercises we ran through. As each one was only executed for one minute, it was easy to up the intensity and pace for the moves I could do, but the timeframe was also short enough that I didn’t feel I was wasting a lot of time with the moves that I couldn’t pick up straight away.
The biggest thing I struggled with during the class was getting to grips with the Kettlebell and holding it properly on each movement, but I’m sure that’s something which would improve with practice. The session was enjoyable and entertaining, with upbeat background music and friendly banter
between class members all adding to the Christina put to the test... fun. No doubt, I’ll be aching for the next couple of days as I recover from the workout, but I would definitely attend another class in the future.