Kettlebell

What is kettlebell?

A kettlebell, sometimes also called a girya, is a cast-iron ball with a handle. Over the past ten years, it has gone from being a little-known piece of equipment to a preferred training tool for MMA champions, elite military units, celebrities, and the general public. The reason is simple: the kettlebell is compact, virtually indestructible, and capable of replacing many modern fitness tools. At the same time, it is suitable for all age and performance groups and carries over well into many different sports. Properly guided kettlebell training can benefit any athlete, whether the goal is fat loss, physique shaping, improved mobility, strength, or endurance.

Kettlebell training significantly improves reflexive stability, develops overall strength and conditioning, and enhances muscle activation thanks to the unique demands it places on the stabilizing system due to its offset center of gravity. Its shape also allows for a greater range of motion than traditional dumbbells and promotes more natural, safer body mechanics than, for example, machine-based training. During the negative phase of ballistic exercises, the kettlebell accelerates, adding a kind of “virtual weight” to its actual mass. As an interesting note, during ballistic exercises the body burns nearly twice as much energy per minute as it does during traditional cardio. This effect is difficult to replicate on machines or with other forms of resistance.

The class is led by experienced instructor Roman Kladivo, who is officially certified within the international StrongFirst system, which provides top-level and prestigious education in kettlebell training.