50 IMAGE December / January 2010

The kettlebell, or girya in Russian, is

an old Russian strength and condi-

tioning tool. It has been used for

centuries by the Russian military, police

and the layman to gain strength, agility,

power and endurance. About 100 years

ago kettlebells lost their popularity

when dumbbells and barbells emerged.

At the time it was less expensive to buy

the plates that load on to the barbells,

making them more affordable.

In recent years, kettlebells have be-

come the rage in fitness centers

throughout the world. They give you a

complete body workout, are more effec-

tive than aerobics, help melt body fat,

and build strength and energy. Due to

their design and the manner in which

training is performed, kettlebells help to

train virtually all the muscles in the

human body.

The training works for anybody

since the kettlebells come in all weight

increments. Many personal trainers

have become certified and have added

kettlebell lifting to their clients’ regi-

mens, encouraging them to begin com-

peting in what is now a sport as popular

as traditional weight lifting.

Kettlebell lifters from all over the

world gathered at the Jacqueline

Kennedy Onassis High School audito-

rium for the first New York Kettlebell

competition. IRONWORKS Fe, the Na-

tion’s premier kettlebell training center

located here in Great Neck, New York,

arranged the event that featured both

men and women who have become ad-

dicted to the sport. The stage was set

with 3 lifting platforms where lifters

compete to see how many reps they can

do in a ten-minute round. Athletes are

categorized by gender and weight class.

Although they compete against each

other, more importantly they always try

to surpass their own personal record

(P.R.). I got to speak to some of the com-

petitors before it was their turn to hit

the stage.

Alexander Bodrov came to the

states four years ago from Russia. Cur-

rently living in Connecticut, Alexander

came to New York City to participate in

his first kettlebell competition. He com-

peted in the two-arm long cycle with 35

lb. kettlebells. The expected amount of

reps for his 198 lb. body is 69 reps in a

ten-minute period.

Shuvaun Brennan, a certified IRON-

WORKS Fe instructor and personal

trainer at Sky Athletics on the south

shore of Long Island, has been working

out with kettlebells for only 1 ½ years

and already her instructor, Rick Car-

ranza, co-owner of IRONWORKS Fe,

coached and got her competition ready

with the 26 lb. kettlebell in the single-

arm long cycle event.

I asked Shuvaun how she prepares

for this event. She told me that her diet

does not change much; she is a healthy

eater on a regular basis but when she

Kettlebells Are bAcKA Fitness trend turns competitive in the us

by Gwen Starr

Kettlebell

lifters from all

over the world

gathered at the

Jacqueline

Kennedy onassis

high school au-

ditorium for

the first new

yorK Kettlebell

competition

F I T N E S S I C O M P E T I T I O N

The womens’ single

arm, long cycle event