What’s the Word?

Kettlebell: Heavy Metal Rocks Tigard

February 23rd, 2009 by Allison George

One of my New Year’s resolutions for 2009 was…well, wait.  You’d better brace yourself for the originality ahead: to exercise more.  Now that it’s almost March, I figure it’s a good time to start!  Part of the delay has simply been the fact that nothing sounds very exciting.  I’ve battled equipment-hogging gym rats, grape-vined, and step-kicked myself into total exercise burnout.  There had to be something new out there, maybe even something enjoyable?  Luckily, inspiration came in the form of a coupon from one of the local mail fliers.  I’m quite fond of coupons. This one was for a free class at the Elite Kettlebell Gym in Tigard.

I dropped by the gym during my lunch break for an introductory class.  I was a little nervous at first because gyms can be intimidating when you’re new, but not this one.  It was a very friendly, welcoming place and I felt perfectly comfortable even amidst ropes, sandbags, sledgehammers, a giant flipping tire, and an instructor/owner (Michael Skogg) that could snap Mr. Clean like a little twig.  Come to find out, he was a member in the U.S. Special Forces.  You have to admit, there’s something to be said for an instructor who comes with a background where fitness was paramount to staying alive during military operations.  I’m not saying that a jazzy little chasse move couldn’t come in handy sometime, but let’s face it- not if you’re being mugged.

We were introduced to the kettlebell, which is a cast iron weight that looks like a cannonball with a handle and was apparently useful as some sort of Russian farming tool back in the day.  The farmers noticed they were getting stronger by hauling this thing around, and eventually started using it for exercise and village strength competitions. O.k., I’m sure that I’ve gotten some or most of that wrong.  I had a hard time paying attention initially; the giant tire was calling my name.

What I found to be interesting about working out with the kettlebell is that you are lifting weight and getting strength training,  but it’s nothing at all like traditional weight lifting.  The movement actually feels more natural than traditional weights once you start picking up the proper form.  Michael is a great instructor and it was actually- dare I say -fun!  The time flew by, my heart rate went up and I got a great workout from just the introductory class.  Actually, I had a hard time getting in and out of my chair for the next few days afterwards, but I can’t wait to go back!

Tags: Elite Kettlebell Gym, gym, kettlebell, tigard
Posted in Sports | 2 Comments »