August: Kettlercise

Read Also: 2 Weeks Later, 5 Weeks Later
& Kettlercise For Women DVD Review

   This post is a couple of days late, I know - like I said in my last post, I've been doing lot of work on my book so everything else has fallen by the way side. I've been working out hard, mind you, that's one thing that hasn't suffered, but that's also because it takes me just 30-40 minutes a day and it's been a part of my daily routine for so long now that I just don't have to think about it.

   Anyway, this month's workout is yet another strength one: kettlebells. Again.

   I've been seeing adverts for Kettlercise in Women's Fitness magazine for well over a year now and I finally decided to give it a go. I was a bit put off because of how seriously it took itself - I don't necessarily want a workout that is bubbly and silly, but I don't respond well to giggle-free zones. That's why I love Jillian Michaels so much. Her workouts are hard and keep me challenged, but she's funny while being serious. I could never help laughing every time in Extreme Shed & Shred she turned to Basheerah Ahmad and said "I can hear you breathing," and Basheerah laughs a simple "Hah!". It gets me every time. It's the simple things. But I love that about Jillian's workouts. She's strict, but she manages to keep the atmosphere light so you're encouraged to do your best without feeling intimidated.

   Kettlercise always looked way too serious. I like people who smile, not grunt and growl. But I bought volume 1 anyway. I admit, I love branded goodies, so I would have loved to have bought the DVD with the kettlercise-branded kettlebell, but it was only 2kg which is too light for me, so I didn't bother, but it's a great option for people who are new to it and need a kettlebell as well as a kettlebell workout.

   The DVD is made up of a 8-minute abs-focused section (which I always find gimmicky), a 20-minute express workout, and a 60-minute full workout. Yikes. 60 minutes?! Jillian Michaels' kettlebell DVD consisted of two 25-minute workouts and I found that a more than adequate amount of time. The idea of a 60-minute kettlebell workout intimidates me. I can only hope that the first and last 5 minutes - 10 if I'm lucky - are warm-ups and cool-downs.

   Even so, I'm only using this DVD 3 times a week, so trying to do the 60 minute workout should be my target. But I've been feeling quite tense lately and run-down, so for this first week, I'm going to just use the 20-minute workout. I'm hoping that the 20-minute workout will be short but intense, while the 60-minute will be a bit slower-paced, like more kettlebell windmill, less rock and roll squats. It probably isn't, but I'll find out in time...eep.

   No new leggings or anything like that this month. I've not really had time to look around and nothing has jumped out at me. There is a pair from Roxy that I've liked for a while but I can't seem to find them anyway.

   I'll update again in two weeks, as always, at which point I should be able to tell you whether the 60 minute workout is a real killer or not, or if it turns out that I'm going to be disappointed by the whole thing. I've got my 4kg, 6kg and 8kg kettlebells on hand. I swing with the 8 now so I know I'll want that on hand for the easiest moves, 6 for the middles and 4kg for moves I've never tried before - apparently the DVD features about 32 moves, and I think I only know something like 20, so I'm hoping for a challenge, but not one I can't complete.

   Either way, we'll find out in 2 weeks!