"Excuse Me, Mister"

A few months ago the above picture was causing an uproar. The subject of the picture posted this as an inspirational advertisement for her fitpro business. People called it "fat-shaming" and called her "entitled" and "judgemental". Online, people called her out for child abuse and other heinous acts, based on the fact that she has the time to shape her body in that way?!?!? I'm prepared for a stoning for my next statement.

I liked it.

It wouldn't inspire me to get my workout on, because I don't aspire to have a body like hers (which, BTW, is gorgeous). My body is the by-product of the workouts and activities I love, and I'm good with that. But, I can see how it could be an inspiration to some looking to get back into movement and working out post baby.

As for the fat-shaming. Well, no one can make you ashamed of you, fat or no, without your permission. Perhaps if you are uncomfortable with her message you need to look further than faulting her for her achievements, and look inside to see what drives your own feelings of defensiveness and inadequacy.

I stated above that this image doesn't inspire me in particular to get off the couch. But in my work day I come across so many awe-inspiring, determined and beyond incredible individuals I couldn't begin to share them all with you. People who achieve beyond the point of reason. People who keep going when most of us (including myself somedays) have already given up.
I want to share a few of them, in the hopes that they will inspire you to a "no excuses" lifestyle. Inspire you to get up and make choices based on how you will feel in the future. Not how you feel right now. Inspire you to be your best, so that you never, ever miss a thing.

Jo:
Mom of four, owner and sole employee of a busy and thriving home jewelry business, part time hairdresser plus, you know, all the things that come with being a Mom of four. Cleaning, cooking, driving taxi for kids, putting nutritious food on the table for her family and so very much more. She has realized that she has put herself way down on her list of priorities, behind all of the above, and hubby and dogs and, well, you get the picture.
In October she made a change and has stuck to and is rocking out an intense workout regime, making healthy choices and LOVING IT. She works out 4 x at the gym and on her own at home.
Jo shares her successes with her friends encourages others to get moving and helps empower them to make it happen.
She is getting results! Less pain, loose pants, more energy and much more.
Way to go Jo! You inspire me to adopt a "No Excuses" lifestyle.

Denise & Gabe
I have been working with this couple in their home, with their three girls, aged 4,2 and under a year. This busy family makes nutritious, fresh meals a priority and do their best to fit in movement into their hectic days. Our sessions are often the most wonderful form of chaos possible. Filled with crawling babies, pile on Daddy pushups, Frozen musical parades, whole family jumping jacks and airplanes.
I have never seen two parents take the beautiful creativity and joyfulness that encompasses their beautiful little girls in stride like they do. Never missing a beat, needy babies are picked up and incorporated in to the workout. The older girls take part and are encouraged to explore moving and have fun. Everybody (especially me) has a great time. And Mom and Dad? Work their butts off. Guarantee those girls will be doing the same with their children in the future.
Incredible work Denise & Gabe! You inspire me to adopt a "No Excuses" lifestyle.

Girl MD
I have a girl in a group fitness class who comes to the same class each and every week. She often struggles for balance, has difficulty getting co-ordinated, and often is a little (sometimes a lot) behind the rest of the class. I approached her after the first couple of times I taught her to inquire if she was comfortable and enjoying the class. She replied that yes, she loves it. She apologised for not being able to use the step, which we had used in class that day, because she has muscular dystrophy and cannot react quickly enough to use it safely. She laughingly told me that she had signed up for a step class, not realizing how difficult it would be for her, but how she had finished the whole session doing everything off the step instead, because she didn't want to give up. She also goes to Zumba classes, and I see her each and every week at my conditioning class.
She was diagnosed about 4 yrs ago at age 40 and has rapidly lost motor function. She was a teacher, a runner, a soccer player and an all around active person. Now she struggles to keep the pace with people twice her age. She told me once, after struggling with an exercise, that she was doing the same thing as everybody else, just the version of it that works for her. I thanked her. We all need that reminder sometime.
You amaze me Girl MD. You inspire me to adopt a "No Excuses" lifestyle.

Of course I could go on. For days. About the people who inspire me to put away my small troubles and difficulties and get myself moving forward. If anyone has ever inspired you to adopt a "No Excuses" lifestyle - please tell us about them so we can be inspired!

The Ultimate "NO EXCUSES" Inspirational Picture - Denise with 2 of her 3 girls joining in the fun

Find your CORE

"Sane is just crazy without the balls to own it"

Depression a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts,behavior,feelings and sense of well-being.People with depressed mood can feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, ashamed or restless. They may lose interest in activities that were once pleasurable, experience loss of appetite or overeating, have problems concentrating, remembering details or making decisions, and may contemplate, attempt or commit suicide. Insomnia, excessive sleeping, fatigue, aches, pains, digestive problems or reduced energy may also be present.
Depressed mood is a feature of some psychiatric syndromes such as major depressive disorder,but it may also be a normal reaction to life events such as bereavement, a symptom of some bodily ailments or a side effect of some drugs and medical treatments.

So I was thinking about depression today. And I was chatting about it to some clients. Many of the people I come across are feeling "down in the mouth" right now. Long, cold winter. Lack of Vitamin D from little sunshine. Many, many contributing factors can come together to make an individual suffer.

So when I was chatting with my clients, I mentioned that,to me, depression was the complete lack of hope.
When you are sad, it is easy to see a light at the end of the tunnel. Sad people say, "I'm having a rough time. But there are things to look forward to.These will help me feel better."
Depressed people say, "I've caused this rough time. Nothing is worth looking forward to. I don't deserve to feel better"

So when I googled the definition of Depression - I expected to see words like loss of hope, no future etc.... more that fit along with depression as I know it. The wikipedia definition above is a pretty good indicator of clinically what depression and depression disorders are all about.
But it lacked the nuances I was hoping for.

As I looked closely in the top corner was this line:
"Despair" redirects here. For other uses of despair, see Despair (disambiguation).

In other words, if you Wiki "despair" it will take you to depression.
See below the thesaurus meaning of despair:

de·spair
dəˈsper/
noun
1.
the complete loss or absence of hope.
"driven to despair, he throws himself under a train"
synonyms: hopelessness, disheartenment, discouragement, desperation, distress, anguish, unhappiness; More
antonyms: hope, joy
verb
verb: despair; 3rd person present: despairs; past tense: despaired; past participle: despaired; gerund or present participle: despairing
1.
lose or be without hope.
"we should not despair"
synonyms: lose hope, abandon hope, give up, lose heart, lose faith, be discouraged, be despondent, be demoralized, resign oneself; be pessimistic

We got there. It was a little bit roundabout, but the ending was the same. The complete loss or absence of hope.

So.Very.Painful. Especially for those of us who have everything to hope for.If you are a normally exhuberant, joyful, and inherently hopeful person, depression is the ultimate kick in the gut. Because we know, rationally, there is nothing to be depressed about. But the hope is gone, nonetheless. And we feel like a failure. And unworthy. And hopeless.

I have somewhat regular "down" days with my chronic depression disorder. But although I battle to keep my mood even or even strive for good, these days are minor blips on my radar. You would probably never notice, even if you lived with me. I'm a pretty happy gal,all round.

But right now, and for a little bit now, I have been without hope. Working hard to keep my head above water at all times. But drowning in thick despair nonetheless.

So, I'm sharing because I know a lot of people are going through similar right now. And I am challenging you all to get on board with healthy choices to make you feel better. Nothing will bring back the hope until your mind and body begin to repair. But you yourself can light the flickers that show the light at the end of the tunnel. The beginnings of hope.


Below are a list of things that always work for me to help me through a rough patch of depression (or, well, any rough patch, big or small)

1. Surround yourself with people who understand. Not people who want to change you, and make it better. But who can accept the truth of what you are going through and walk beside you with love.
2. Eat to fuel your body and brain. Eat enough food, and stick to tasty, simple and healthful NATURAL foods. Avoid adding any chemicals to your body where ever possible.
3. Exercise. Exercise. Exercise. Best reason to exercise EVER. Do it in your home, go for a walk, do a dvd, drag yourself to a class, jump on your bike, dance. Whatever. Move and move as often as you can. Movement is a reminder of life. And to live, is to hope.
4. Put on music. Play music. Sing a song. Whatever your musical tastes and talents, turn on a beat that makes your heart sing. It's not going to cure anything, but it will take you into the moment. And music is life giving.
5. Find an animal. Grab your neighbours hedgehog if you must. Cuddle and stroke it for all it's worth. Time with animals is restoring and their eyes always tell you the truth.
6. Write about it. Ahem. My blog is usually the result of my needing to pour something out.
7. Ignore the voices. The ones that say you can't you shouldn't you're not good enough. They lie to you. Fear, doubt and depression are liars.
8. Seek help. Through a counsellor, trauma line, hospital, 911, call friends, don't be alone. You are worthy of being helped. And although you have lost all hope, those who love you have not.


Durham Mental Health Services
Phone (905) 666-0831
Toll Free: 1-855-888-DMHS (3647)

Distress Centre Durham
24 HR HelpLine
905-430-2522
1-888-452-0688

or contact 911 immediately if your safety is in jeopardy.

Find Your CORE!

"Take your protein pills and put your helmet on"

I walked down the Health and Nutrition aisle at a large box store the other day. This store will be known hereafter as "the store that will not be named". If you know me well, you know how I feel about large chain box stores. If you would like to know my views on this matter, ask me in person, but bring two coffees and dress comfy. You'll be listening a while.
So, I'm wandering through this aisle at the store that will not be named, and looking for something that in ANY way shape or form relates to "Health" and "Nutrition".

Pills for:
Weight Loss
Rapid Metabolism Boosting
Fat Burning

Bars/chews etc for:
Recovery
Energy
Muscle Building
(Note: first ingredient in all but one brand of these bars = SUGAR. In case you were wondering)

Powders, shakes and additives for healing/growing/fixing pretty much every single thing that ails you.

Now let's be clear, I am well aware that not all of us can get every nutrient we need through food. Allergies, etc can make this challenging. So there are some lovely supplements located in the vitamin/mineral aisle for that. For the most part, we can access all the things we need to live healthily from the REAL Health and Nutrition Aisle located at your grocery store, box store, farmers market etc.
It's the one with FOOD in it.
Usually located around the perimeter of a store, or pretty much anywhere at your farmers market.
Fruits
Vegetables
Fresh meats
Eggs
Dairy and cheeses
Whole grains

All mostly one ingredient items, nothing or little added, as little chemicals involved as possible. These foods will not outlive you. Your first grader knows what they are. And they taste great.

I know that unwrapping a bar is super easy preparation. So is washing an apple.

At $2.50-$4.00/bar or $20-$30 powdered additives, $3.50 for a half dozen navel oranges and $1.99 for a bag of carrots is a steal.

So if has to advertise itself as "Health" and "Nutrition" take a moment to think it out. True quality always speaks for itself.

Find Your CORE

Every Move You Make

Why do some people like working out, running, playing sports, skiing ? Why can some people hop out of bed, jump into their lycra pants and sports bras and bounce enthusiastically to the gym? Is this a strange and rare breed of person? A genetic mutation? Do these people not feel pain? Does working out feel good to them? Are they masochists?
Or is the secret as simple as this: People who love movement are fakers? I mean, who on earth wants to move all the time? And who thinks it's fun? So fun, in fact, that they encourage everyone around them to do it? Misery loves company and all that....

I love to move. I wake up in the morning and my toes to my nose vibrate, ready to go. My first step when my toes spread into the carpet feels like a welcoming hug. The feeling of my pulse adjusting to movement literally takes my breath away. Grateful. Another day. Cannot wait to get started.

When I move, I feel alive. When I dance, my heart beat pounds the rhythms while my body floats off to freedom. When I run, all sounds fade away, one stride at a time. I see the world in the way I want to always experience it. Fascinating. Always new. Stunning and surprising. It is my daily reminder that everything is miraculous. When I lift weights or train in the gym, my pounding heart and tired muscles remind me that I am a survivor, that I can survive temporary pain for long term health and happiness.

When I move, I feel secure, I feel beautiful, I feel free.

Nice, huh? You convinced to get off the couch yet??

I'll tell you a secret.

I started writing this blog to procrastinate going for a run. Despite the fact that I know all of the above, I STILL. DO. NOT. WANT. TO. WORK.OUT. TODAY.
Even us fitness loving, movement preaching, soapbox standing, smiley sweaty headbanded people struggle. It is simply the knowledge that moving is ALWAYS better than not moving that sets us apart.


The truth us that every single person in the world loves to move. We have just forgotten how to work past the pain, and commit to something long enough that the positive outweigh the negative.

Nothing is easy. But YOU ARE WORTH THE EFFORT.

My three tips for helping yourself love to move:

a) commit to it and stick to it consistently for a significant period of time. 2 weeks is not enough time for your body to adjust to the demands and start to give you positive feedback. Physical fitness is the results of our body's ability to adapt to the demands we place on it. Once it has adjusted, you start to regularly experience some of the multitude of positive effects.

b) take a moment after your workout to note the benefits, either mindfully or by actually writing or noting them down. Take note of how you are feeling when the workout is done. Use sentences, single words,stick figures - whatever helps to reinforce the positive feelings that have come from making an effort today

c) remember that a major factor in maintaining physical fitness is time management and consistency. A successful exerciser may have allotted themselves an hour to work out. Throw in sick kids, late at work, unexpected challenges, and that time quickly whittles itself away to 15 minutes. Stay positive and remember that if you want to feel the positive effects of movement, 15 minutes is better than no minutes at all. Instead of" I only have 15 minutes, I can't workout", you embrace the 15 minutes as the opportunity it is.

So everyone has the capacity to be a happy perky fitness loving unitard wearing fitness addict. You just have to keep moving forward.

Find Your CORE!

"Lose Yourself"

We all go through losses. Sometimes we seek to lose, sometimes it is a surprise. Sometimes you lose what you thought would never go away.
Whether losing weight, losing a friend, or a pet, or your car keys, loss is the beginning of a process of rebuilding. As you lose, so must you find. And unsurprisingly, you always find what you need to make it through.
Over the last two years I have lost my parents. I have found, though, a deep and loving relationship with my brother and his wife, that though always there, has strengthened immensely. I have found a deep chasm in my being that has been left gaping and raw with their loss, but so many people have tended this wound in so many ways, that it heals, slowly, or at the very least does not grow bigger. I have found the part of myself that says I can stand alone in the world, without those who created me. Beside that part, is the bit that says I don't need to.

We will all face losses, both good and bad. From the rubble we learn to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and look around with glasses tinted a little differently. Life is never quite the same again, that is the abject truth of loss. But it goes on. And there is lots to gain from from that.

Find Your CORE


Two years ago, my Mum passed away. Cited below is my eulogy for her funeral.I reprint it every year to remind myself that she isn't just around the corner, but speaking her name keeps her alive.

Angela Faith Jones April 8th, 1941 - February 20th, 2013

Life is an interesting thing. It is given freely, lived with consequences, and lost. Life is a constant change, an unpredictable tide, and yet when an accounting is taken, not much remains that is unsurprising.
Thank you for coming today to celebrate and remember the life of Angela Faith Jones. I knew her as Mum, as did Shayne and Simon. Many of you knew her as friend, surrogate mother, neighbor, confidante, patient. She was known also as daughter, aunt, sister and more. However you knew Angela, you know that she inevitably touched your heart in some way.
Born in 1941, at the height of WWII, in East Ham, London, England, Angela was born amidst turmoil and wartime strife. She often recalled playing in burnt out structures after the war, and spoke of air raid sirens and food rationing. Born to Albert George Addington Staines and Dorothy Esther Staines (nee West), Angela was the youngest of three children: Jeannine (passed away from thyroid disease at age 6) and brother David.
She was a strong willed, intelligent and inquisitive girl, a talented and celebrated violinist with a wonderful ear for music. Quick to laugh and break into song, she was always ready to get into a game of cricket or football, jump on the dance floor, or for the less rough and tumble, a great game of Boggle or Scrabble. She enjoyed being a part of whatever the people she loved were doing. Reading was a particular passion, loving Dickens, Bronte and Elliot, and other popular favourites like Dick Francis, Agatha Christie and more. She loved classical music, but could sing along to the hits over the decades. One of her greatest pleasures was enjoying the soothing sounds of Zamphir and his pan flute. I did enjoy our own personal drum corps parade, with pots and pans around the house, singing patriotically, “Land of hope and glory”, complete with rousing cheer and bow at the end.
Angela married Alan Jones, and from this union was born a rich base of friends in England and the arrival, in time, of their three children, Shayne, Simon and quite a bit later, myself. Being the youngest by far allowed me the priviledge of being her ear for many embarrassing, funny and animated recounts of the boys exploits. My favourite stories, though, were of her own adventures driving a transport lorry around the round-a-bouts of London, a trailblazer of sorts, sitting on some ledger books to see above the dash.
Angela certainly was a woman who faced a challenge head on. Move the whole family overseas to Canada? Done. Adjust to new country, climate, health challenges, financial difficulties? Absolutely. Rise to the challenges presented in the coming years, raising three children mostly alone? Yes. Perhaps it was her inbred stubborn streak, but letting these difficulties get in her way was against her nature.
Did I mention she had prehensile toes? Yep – with each toe working independently, some very creative puppet shows were born.
Angela loved to garden, loved the miracle of seed to blooming plant, loved to breathe in the fragrance and feel the coolness of the earth. She had a knack of “throwing” everything in and having it look perfect at almost any time of the growing season. She loved to give away clumps and clippings of her plants, with the promise that they would look even more beautiful in your garden.
She joined the workforce in Canada full time with VHB Industrial batteries as Office Administrator, and continued to work there until health concerns became too much and she had to retire. Hard working, organized and articulate, she was a master at convincing people without them even realizing they were being convinced. Also world reknowned for the “persuasive” letter or conversation which may, in the nicest possible way, have put someone in their place. She was well loved in the workplace, and enjoyed the challenge and responsibilities set her.
Angela covered many people with her love, took people under her wing and protected those in need of something special. Human or animal, our home growing up was a constant refuge for anybody who needed it. Even when Simon brought home “Siberian Desert Mice” (most of us know them as rats) she opened up her heart and eventually they too won her heart, pride of place in the house and an array of regal names, naming them all after English Kings. Mammal, reptile, bird, never turned away, neither were confused teenagers, heartbroken friends, downtrodden neighbours or suffering strangers. This was perhaps her greatest legacy – the trail of souls who left her care more fully whole than when they came.
From her birth in 1941 to present our world underwent astounding change. Air mail was incredible when invented, and now we communicate in a matter of seconds via email. Air flight has made unbelievable progress and we have men in space and have been on the moon. She saw the advent of television, technicolour and animated to current 3D films. With each decade came great change, and Angela always embraced it. She loved the Mary Tyler Moore show, but also wholly embraced the girls of Sex and the City. We often watched Star Search together, and now I understand she enjoyed watching American Idol with her neighbor Sharon. She moved with the times as best she knew how.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
This is what we shared, my Mum and I. Not only the mutual middle name, passed down from mother to daughter, but the ability to believe that all things are possible. A faith in the basic goodness of human life. A faith in the knowledge that doing the right thing is always better than doing the easy thing. And through the lessons that she taught me, I have gained a most important skill: faith in myself.
If a person’s worth is measured in those who she loves then surely it takes only a quick glance at her beloved grandchildren to see the sum of Angela’s parts. I remember the day Tristan Alexander was born, how she paced up and down the hospital halls in anticipation of meeting him, and how every time she ever looked at him you could see the joy she felt the first time they met. She adored little Zoe and always inundated me with stories of Tristan and Zoe’s many adventures, accomplishments and loving Nana tidbits about her time spent with them. I know how proud she was of them and I wish for them always to remember the feeling of her loving protective arms around them.
Although sharing her beloved baby boys, Shayne and Simon, wasn’t easy to reconcile, I know how pleased she was and how much she loved their wives Cynthia and Andrea. It is a joy for a parent to see their child love and be loved in return.
Life is an interesting thing. We live, as a people, to be with each other, to support, to love and cherish in times of joy and times of hardship. If Angela was here with us today she would be angry that we all came out and had “all this fuss”, but I know that she would have a twinkle in her eye, trying to work out how to make a joke or play a trick to liven up the room, and would also be happy that she brought us all together, to love and support one another, to share stories and songs and to remember.
My Mum hated saying goodbye. She always said it was too final, and I agree.
Until we meet again Friend, Nana, Mum, Angela Faith Jones. Until we meet again.

"I Honestly Love You"

It's St.Valentines week! I am one of the few cheesy people left in the world who loves Valentine's Day. Because love is my kind of thing, I greatly appreciate the opportunity to remember and celebrate this, my most cherished and really the only, emotion that I easily identify with.

I don't need the grand gestures. It's the little things that I love the most. A card, some chocolate (chocolate actually for any occasion, but that's a whole other blog), an acknowledgement in some way meaningful to tell someone what they mean to you. Or a letter. Letters are good. They contain words, which are among my favourite things. My favourite letter I ever received began with, "to my beautiful wife" and ended with "here's to happily ever after". I know. Awwwww.

I love to write letters as well, and at the end of an absolutely fantastic day, capping off an amazing week, which is the tip of an incredible year, I thought this may be the perfect time.

5 years ago I took a leap of faith and hung out my sign. "Fitness Monkey for Sale" (or something like that). My family and I agreed to make the necessary sacrifices to allow me to have a job that gave me freedom to be able to drop my kids off to school, nurse flu bugs and still contribute to the household expenses. I worked long days and longer nights, tired and achy, but happy. Over these years I have had the immense pleasure of meeting and teaching so many wonderful people.

Our decision to start our own business has changed our lives. Yes, it has been hard. But it truly has been the most rewarding opportunity I have ever been given, and each one of our lives is so much richer for it. So this, My friends is my love letter to you.

An Open Letter to My Clients (past,current and future)

Dear COREfitfam;

Someone asked me today what I love about my profession. I was about to spout off some drivel about inspiring people to good health etc..etc... which is fine and true, but not really the heart of the matter. Truth is, I need you more than you will ever need me. I do not change your lives (although I am glad to be a part of the process). You change. You work. You commit. And you make your own dreams come true. And every time I see you embrace your strength, love yourself a little more and be empowered by your amazing accomplishments, I cannot help but strive to do the same for myself.
I am a fitness professional because I love people and I see their potential for good, and in it the ability to surprise themselves and in turn empower others.
Thank you to every single person who has moved with me.
Thank you for:
- saying hello and taking an interest in my family every time you walk through my front door. My children have learnt a whole lot about how to treat others from the way you have treated them.
-laughing at my absolutely terrible jokes
- showing up to every class or session with commitment and determination.
- not laughing when I screw up dance steps, or fall of the stage, or call an elbow a wrist.Or if you do laugh, well, I get to be in on the joke.
- trying to not have your back make farty noises when you do situps
- reminding me everyday with your best effort that you deserve nothing less from me
- being a community of people who cheer each other on.
- for not laughing (too hard) when there are real farty noises.
- for supporting my kids charitable causes, and going out of your way to do so
- for always saying something is not possible, but believing me when I say it is, and trying it wholeheartedly
- for being comfortable with being uncomfortable
- for letting me come into your homes, cuddle your pets, tickle your children, and be a part of your lives.
- just for being the type of people who realize that their health is worth the investment of money and time, and staying on the path of good health.

So this Valentine's Day, know that I am overwhelmed with the many, many, many blessings in my life. I count them each and every day, and you are all among them.

Thank you all for changing MY life.

Happy Valentine's Day.

Annie

Find Your CORE

If It Ain't Got That Swing

Kettlebell.

I have a client who bought 3 on Amazon. Because I was talking about them and they looked cool. I love her. Her friend bought some too. It's contagious.

I have a packed Kettlebell Warrior class on Saturdays. Kettlebells are becoming more popular as people learn their many benefits and feel the effects of working out with them. They are dynamic, convenient and a wonderful addition to any fitness toolkit.

The kettlebell or girya is a cast-iron or cast steel weight (resembling a cannonball with a handle) used to perform ballistic exercises that combine cardiovascular, strength and flexibility training. They were developed in Russia in the 1700s, primarily for weighing crops. It is said that these farmers became stronger and found them useful for showing off their strength during festivals. The Soviet army used them as part of their physical training and conditioning programs in the 20th century. They had been used for competition and sports throughout Russia and Europe since the 1940s.


Unlike traditional dumbbells, the kettlebell's center of mass is extended beyond the hand. This facilitates ballistic and swinging movements. Variants of the kettlebell include bags filled with sand, water, or steel shot.The kettlebell allows for swing movements and release moves with added safety and added grip, wrist, arm and core strengthening. The unique shape of the kettlebell provides the "unstable force" for handling - key for the effectiveness of the kettlebell exercises.

A word of caution before beginning any training with kettlebells. Due to the unusual movements you can make with them, it is ALWAYS advisable to go to a professional experienced with kettlebells to help you establish proper form and technique.

Used properly, kettlebells add an element of fun and effective movement to any workout. And also an element of "ow I can't get out of bed or sit on the toilet" the next morning.

I do a full body kettlebell workout once a week. It gets my heart pumping, sweat dripping and makes me feel like a total fitness badass.

Kettlebells can be purchased pretty much anywhere that sells fitness equipment, from WalMart to Fitness Depot. So be sure to drop by Kettlebell Warrior and then run directly to get yourself a set.

Find Your CORE

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