Photo By Sgt. Eric Quintanilla | Al Lowrimore, Russian Kettlebell Challenge instructor, helps a student perform the...... read more read more
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SAN DIEGO - Fitness is on every service members mind. Whether it’s preparing for their annual fitness tests or maintaining combat readiness, there are few workouts that match the level of intensity needed for a kettlebell class.
Kettlebell training is a whole-body workout that can easily be incorporated into a weekly routine by attending classes twice a week, Monday and Wednesday at 4:30 p.m., at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego Fitness Center.
“It’s an all-out body workout because we swing the kettlebell. It fuels the attributes that make you a better athlete,” said Al Lowrimore, Russian Kettlebell Challenge instructor at the MCRD Fitness Center. “Fighters become better fighters, surfers better surfers, and golfers better golfers. It fuels and enhances. It is the gas for the techniques,” he added.
Athleticism is often attributed to balance, awareness, speed, timing, power and endurance, according to Lowrimore, all of which kettlebell training can work to improve.
“I struggled for 16 pull-ups when I was in the Marine Corps and now I can do 30,” said Philip Hoskinson, former Marine Corps sergeant and amphibious assault vehicle crew chief.
“(Kettlebells) changed my upper body strength and tripled my speed,” added Hoskinson, who is also a University of San Diego rugby player.
All of these attributes are important in the military, and tested on a regular basis with pull-ups, push-ups, ammunition can lifts and others.
“My (physical fitness assessment) has definitely improved as far as my total fitness level goes,” said Lt. Anvy Nguyen, Commander Naval Region Southwest. “I am able to push myself to a higher limit.”
Service members and civilians can benefit from this class whether it’s to lose weight or tone up. It creates a leaner and more functional body, according to Lowrimore.
“Whatever you’re looking to do, it will accomplish,” he added.
Kettlebell training is about linkage, connecting the whole body at once. This creates a workout that incorporates the whole body and not just a single muscle. This creates a workout that makes a body more functional rather than focusing on appearance.
“Linkage is coordination, it requires awareness of self,” said Lowrimore. “They go from loose to rigidly tight then back to loose in a split second.”
The classes teach participants the importance of effectiveness and efficiency, using the least amount of energy for the desired outcome. Efficiency is the most direct route to where you want to go.
“Efficiency always has its arms around effectiveness,” added Lowrimore. “We teach effectiveness first. We come and practice repeatable skills.”
By the end of class new students learn how to do the same exercises without extra movements that take more time and energy.
“It makes for a leaner body that’s more functional,” said Lowrimore. “I’m a better athlete now at 52 than I was at 35. This gave me real strength back.”
The classes can be tailored for all fitness levels by adjusting the weight. Kettlebells range between nine and 106 pounds and is not gender specific.
Throughout the class the instructor will go through different phases, demonstrating the movements first so that he can walk through and help struggling students.
“These are real high intensity workouts, you can push your threshold to a new level,” said Nguyen. “I don’t plan on going back (to the gym), I tried a few times but it was too boring.”
The hour-long kettlebell classes are held outside the fitness center in the functional fitness area and are open to service members and their families, Department of Defense civilians and guests.
“I’ll make you a better athlete with just that one tool,” said Lowrimore. “If you want to be explosive, do this.”
| Date Taken: | 08.31.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 09.08.2011 18:26 |
| Story ID: | 76692 |
| Location: | SAN DIEGO, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 100 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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