Bristol Kettlebell club member profile – Clare Adamson
When did you get into kettlebell training?
I started Kettlebell training in June 2011.
What attracted you to kettlebell training?
I am a fairly active person, however I found that I had reached a plateau with my fitness and wanted to try something new. Kettlebells appealed to me because of the combination of both cardio and weight training, and the extensive variety of exercises that can be practised. It’s an all-over body workout which I felt would work perfectly alongside the other fitness activities that I enjoy.
Some say it’s really tough, is it?
The beauty of Kettlebells is that it is as tough as you want it to be! If you are happy to stick to lower weights and concentrate on perfecting your technique and getting every move right then this will give you a great workout. If you want to push your stamina levels and strength then moving up in Kettlebell size will certainly give you a tough workout. My opinion is that the best results never come from taking the soft option!
What other types of fitness have/do you enjoy?
In the past I used to take part in a lot of extreme sports such as Snowboarding and Kitesurfing. However, now I’m a little older I prefer to keep my feet a bit more on solid ground and enjoy running, spinning and suspension training. I also do a bit of pole-dancing, purely for fitness!
There is a lot of hype surrounding kettlebell training, what kind of results have you seen?
The results that I have seen since starting Kettlebell training have been amazing. A month into my training I found that I had a much flatter stomach and could actually see muscle definition for the first time ever! I lost 2 inches around my chest, hips, stomach and calves. I have also noticed a marked difference in my running, I am able to run faster for longer and have managed to beat my personal best time in a 10k race.
What size kettlebells do you work with?
It varies from 10kg to 20kg depending upon which exercise I am doing, and also how tired I’m feeling! I usually swing with either a 16kg or 20kg. Generally I press and squat using a 10kg as these are my weakest exercises. I go up to a 12kg for snatching.
What are your future goals within kettlebell training?
Recently a combination of work commitments and sickness has meant that my Kettlebell training has dropped off to only one session a week. My goal is to get back to training three times a week again in order to see a marked difference in my fitness levels. Once I am back to training regularly at this level I would like to improve my technique and try to push myself to going up in Kettlebell weight. I love the sense of achievement I get from setting myself a challenge, and Kettlebells certainly gives me that!
Words from Pete – The results Clare has seen are fantastic, to change your body shape, lose inches from all over and see improvements in sports really is a testament to the almighty kettlebell and the awesome benefits they provide. Clare always works hard and so I expect the results will keep coming once she can get back to more regular attendance. Well done Clare, keep up the good work!
