I started with Tracy's DVD about 4 weeks ago. On the first day I managed to keep up using a 20lb bell up to the point where she starts teaching transfers. This is about the 500 swing mark. My form on those last few swings was not great to say the least. I collapsed in a small puddle clutching my forearms and watched the rest of the DVD in awe at Tracy barely breaking a sweat.
For the last 4 weeks I have been doing a combination of following the DVD and the roundabout video that Tracy posted from her blog around the same time.
Last Sunday, I followed along with the entire DVD, and repeated the workout at the end for a second time all with my 12kg bell. My hip snap at the end was as good as the first rep.
My left hand grip has improved so much that I no longer need chalk to complete the workouts and I have no fear of losing my bell on the 1 hand swings and transfers as I did in the beginning. Oh and my forearms don't hurt any more. I also have a much better appreciation for how important the hip snap is. I train in front of a mirror so that I can't slack off without seeing it immediately.
For the record the entire DVD, by my count, is 926 swings. The 12 minute workout is 266. After I did the math I quickly stood up and snapped out 8 more reps to be able to claim a 1200 swing workout. :)
To say I was pleased is an understatement. This is phenomenal for me. I am loving my workouts, I am excited to get into my workout room and knock out some Tracy Style swings. I am feeling and seeing changes all over my body. So is my husband. *grin*
I think I am ready to start designing some of my own workouts as well. I think more than anything I love how this DVD gave me the tools, ideas and confidence to make up my own workouts. At first I thought I was going to be all left feet in trying to get the moves down, specifically the roundabout but it comes pretty natural now. I do have to envy Tracy's ability to keep count though.
If you don't own this DVD, I cannot encourage you to get it enough. Thank you Tracy :)
Wow, that sounds like a great workout for you! I may have to look into this DVD, though I'm not sure I'm ready yet. Even picking up the 3 to 5 pound dumbbells I use in my class tends to make my feet hurt. That is slowly getting better as I lose though, so the time will come.
ReplyDeleteMy gym does have a few kettlebells. I keep eyeing them!
I am definitely loving it. It is not strictly a beginners swing DVD in that it does not teach you how to swing the kettlebell to start with, it's for people who are comfortable with the 1 and 2 handed kettlebell swing to learn how to do high volume swings.
ReplyDeleteThat said she does talk about how to get an absolute beginner started. A workout can be as simple as 8 swings in a minute. If that's what you can do that's where you start.
Learning to swing a bell properly though is important. I love the no impact aspect of it but it is easy to tweak your back using too heavy of a bell. You can get Kettlebells for Dummies on kindle, maybe you can pick that up for your nook? It's a great book and written by an RKC too.