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Consistency is key when it comes to staying fit, and having some diversity can help keep your training fresh. To that end, it’s good to have options for those days you can’t make it to the gym. Having a good library of fitness DVDs can help you stay on track, but some of them are pretty worthless.
Enter The Kettlebell Body
If you’re looking for a good addition to your library, Lauren Brooks has you covered with one of her newest releases, The Kettlebell Body. Lauren is the owner of On the Edge Fitness, as well as the author of Kettlebells for Women. I’ve been following Lauren and her work ever since I was first introduced to her pregnancy kettlebell DVD, Baby Bells. I still recommend that DVD to pregnant women who are looking for a sustainable, effective strength routine. Her Ultimate Body Sculpt and Conditioning With Kettlebell series is also one of my favorites.
“You can adjust the difficulty of the workouts by using heavier or lighter bells, making it a long-term investment.”
The Kettlebell Body features four women from four different age groups (twenties, thirties, forties, and fifties). It was inspiring to see such a diverse group of strong women. Lauren emphasizes that factors like age or how many kids you have had (one of the women featured is a mom of five) shouldn’t stop you from training with kettlebells.
The workouts in The Kettlebell Body are filmed on the rooftop of a California kettlebell studio. I thought it was a nice backdrop, and the video quality has definitely improved from some of Lauren’s earlier DVDs. There were also a couple notes on form for certain exercises that were slightly different from her previous instructions. I liked that Lauren wasn’t afraid to admit some of her ideas have evolved through the years. That’s a mark of a coach who is learning and growing, not becoming stagnant in his or her development.
Some Things Never Change
But one thing hasn’t changed: Lauren’s solid instruction and simple but effective workouts. Those two things are the centerpieces of this DVD. You get three efficient twenty-minute workouts, and they’re all excellent. I loved the combinations of exercises and the coaching cues throughout. I also liked that Lauren integrated stretches for active recovery during the rest periods instead of just cutting out to music.
“Lauren emphasizes that factors like age or how many kids you have had (one of the women featured is a mom of five) shouldn’t stop you from training with kettlebells.”
My favorite workout is the “Kettlebell Body” workout, which includes ladders of the following: rows, deadlifts, clean and press, swings, and other full-body exercises. It’s my favorite workout to do when I start to feel sluggish in the afternoon and just want to go nap with my kids.
Lauren’s coaching style is clear and concise, but I also appreciated her sense of humor and timing. Her little pearls of wisdom like, “If you’re bored, you’re not going heavy enough” and “Deadlift with a smile” added personality to the workouts and made them more enjoyable.
For total beginners, Lauren has also included a demonstration section with instructions for the following exercises:
- Hip Hinge
- Deadlift
- Kettlebell Swings
- Hand to Hand Swings
- Clean
- Press
- Single Leg Deadlift
- Plank
- Goblet Squat
- High Pull
- Half Get Up
That list should give you a good idea of what you’ll get in this DVD: quality instruction on fundamental kettlebell exercises, as well as solid, efficient workouts with good basic ingredients. In a world of fluffy fitness DVDs, The Kettlebell Body is a breath of fresh air.
Downsides
My note for improvement is I wish there was a no-music option. I’ve seen this on other DVDs and I prefer it, since personally I find music distracting during workouts. That’s probably just me, since most people I know prefer listening to music, but it’s always nice to have the option to turn it off.
The price might also scare some people away, but keep in mind you’re getting a niche DVD here. There aren’t many kettlebell workout DVDs out there to begin with, and for women in particular the workouts on this one are hard to beat. The Kettlebell Body will allow you to learn good form and progress your strength, which is definitely worth the price tag (and big bonus – there are no pink plastic kettlebells).
Who This DVD Is For
This DVD is for kettlebell enthusiasts of all levels, as well as total beginners. You can adjust the difficulty of the workouts by using heavier or lighter bells, making it a long-term investment. I highly recommend The Kettlebell Body to anyone looking for new kettlebell routines to add to their training.
“The Kettlebell Body” is available for $39.99 at On the Edge Fitness.
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