Monday 20th Dec

Inverurie class cancelled tonight due to snow.

erm... SNOW!

Todays kettlebell class is cancelled due to snow.
Ray

Here is the class timetable for the festive season...

Friday 17th Dec. Combat Kettlebells - OFF
Sunday 19th Dec. XTS Kettlebells - ON (mini Clean & Press comp!)
Monday 20th Dec. GSC Kettlebells - ON (mini Clean & Press comp!)
Friday 24th Dec. Combat Kettlebells - OFF
Sunday 26th Dec. XTS Kettlebells - OFF
Monday 27th Dec. GSC Kettlebells - OFF
Friday 31st Dec. Combat Kettlebells - OFF
Sunday 2nd Jan. XTS Kettlebells - OFF
Monday 3rd Jan. GSC Kettlebells - OFF

Normal timetable resumes on Tuesday 4th Jan.

Please check my facebook / my blog for updates on 19th & 20th if weather causes doubts about if I will run the class. It has to be REALLY bad for me not to make it to class and train. No announcement means I'll be there! (feel free to call/text me also)

Winter workshop - still on!

Inverurie's kettlebell workshop will still run tonight - I will get there!
We can have snow ball fights after it...
See you there!

ABERDEEN'S next Beginner Kettlebell Workshop!

When: Wednesday 24th November
Where: The Garioch Sports Centre, Inverurie
Time: 7-10pm

This could be the last workshop of 2010 for KBA and the max number is 16. Call the GSC on 01467 626141 to reserve your place.
This workshop is your complete beginners guide to training with the kettlebells. We include mobility and bodyweight skills also. It's a quick 3 hours! Non GSC members cost is £45, while members cost is £40.

Call and reserve today and end the year doing something new and you will be ready to kick start the new year with one hellova training style - Kettlebell fitness is to be Witnessed!!

Call on 01467 626141 and I hope to train with you on the 24th! (All the workshop details will be on the website soon!)
Ray

As promised, the TGU reel bumped to the top again for reference...

October and November

Next Aberdeen beginners workshop: Sunday 24th October, 12.30.-3.30pm.
See website for all details. Email me to reserve your place!

November will see the third workshop at the Garioch Sports Centre, however, I would like some feedback as we have options!
When suits you best? Saturday 1.30 - 4.30pm or Wednesday 7-10pm?
Email me!

Combat Kettlebells & 100 Rep Challenge

KBA's Combat Kettlebells class at AMAG October routine...

4 sets of 25 heavy KB swings,
4 MMA padwork rounds of 30-90secs,
Keep padwork rapid,
Padholders go kick-for-kick with each other while boxer swings the kettlebell,
...Enjoy!

Kettlebell taster class next week!

There is a chance to take part in a taster class next Monday at the Garioch Sports Centre in Inverurie.
Monday 18th October, 6pm. Taster class, not the beginners workshop. Call and book your place with GSC on 01467 626141.

My blog is way out of date and I look forward to bringing everyone up to speed very soon - come back and check it out!
Ginastica Natural, IKFF level 2, why kettlebells came to Aberdeen, KBA"s first mini-comp, 100 rep challenge, upcoming club focusing on kettlebell competition, pictures, videos...
Its all coming soon!

Keep 'em swingin'
Ray

September taster & workshop

September updates

Latest timetable:
Monday 7pm @ Garioch Sports Centre in Inverurie.
Sunday 4pm at XTS in Aberdeen.

Additional workshops and classes available on demand!

Saturday's GSC workshop was ace fun. Nice padded floor for mobility work, kettlebells exposed to new beginners and just the ending I ilke.. Sweat and smiles!

As promised, the TGU reel bumped to the top again for reference...

Whats occuring?????
Thursday class is on tonight at XTS, 6-7pm.

Sunday 29th class is cancelled.

Thursday 26th class is cancelled.

Next beginner workshop is Saturday 4th September, 1.30-3.30pm, at the Garioch Sports Centre in Inverurie. Reserve your place by calling 01467 626141.

New weekly classes begin at Garioch Sports Centre on Mondays, 6-7pm & 7-8pm from the 6th September. (open to non GSC members).

Keep Swingin'

August already!

CONFIRMED!
Aberdeen's next Beginner Kettlebell workshop: Sunday 15th August.
Email me to reserve your place! ray@kettlebellsaberdeen.com

Advance dates where Sunday class is cancelled:
Sun 22nd Aug,
Sun 29th Aug,
Sun 12 Sept.

Classes cancelled due to me being away on training weekends. I will try to arrange alternative classes. Confirmation nearer the time.

Check back here during the week for potential Thursday class details.

Thursday beach session tonight...

is cancelled again guys.
Hopefully something will be in place next week!

new look blog

Refreshed looking blog!
August workshop to be announced soon!

Thursday 22nd July

Sorry guys, no outside class tonight.

Thursday beach session tonight...

Tonights session at the beach is off guys. Ground is soaking, train at home instead!

Turkish Get Up video Reel

As promised, the TGU reel bumped to the top again for reference...

Garioch Sports Centre

I will be demo'ing at Garioch Sports Centre on Tuesday 6th and Wednesday 7th July at 5ish-6.30ish. Come and say hi, see what kettlebell training is about and give it a try.
There are taster classes next week on Wednesday 14th July. Two times are available, 7-8pm and 8-9pm. These are tatser classes, it will let you see my typical class format. You will workout. This is not the introduction workshop.
Both classes are capped at 16. Reserve your place with the reception desk.

July and AMAG

Its now the 1st day of July and we are now enjoying much better weather!
The second kettlebell class was outside on Sunday (the first was back in the start April!) The new workouts will be catered for outside sessions - this is rare in chilly Aberdeen!! :-)

The Thursday kettlebell class at the Exel Club has stopped. New sessions will be available during the week. Come back to the blog and check my website for updates as they unfold.

I am running some taster classes at the Garioch Sports Centre in Inverurie on 14th July. Get in touch with reception there if you want to come and try it out. Reserve your place with them.


AMAG


It was a great pleasure to have AMAG's founder back in class and teaching yesterday. Pat is recovering from a liver transplant and is making such progress that he is back capturing our attention, making us laugh and developing our knowledge and skills in Jun Fan. He conducted the class in a way that made it feel like he had never been away from us. His energy and commitment is hugely inspiring to his students and instructors. Its great having him "home".
We'll assist in Pat's recovery and return to increased fitness and look forward to receiving the fast, solid, and precise hits we know and love!



Pat invited Simple Strength's Rannoch Donald to AMAG 3 years ago who introduced us to kettlebell training. Pat recognised the advantages of the dynamic fitness kettlebell training gives us and investigated how to get it to his students and instructors... It all began there folks! See you in training! :-)


Reminder of latest dates:
Sunday 11th July:
Beginners Kettlebell Workshop at XTS in Aberdeen (see KBA website).
Wednesday 14th July:
Taster classes at Garioch Sports Centre.
Every Sunday, 4-5pm. Kettlebell class at XTS in Aberdeen (come prepared for outside class in nice weather - water, towel, shades!

Busy times!

The Edinburgh Way of the Kettlebell event kicked off or recent "tour". Training and teaching alonside Rannoch, Gerry and Craig was fun and as ever, varied. Always learning new information and fine tuning skills.
Aberdeen got cancelled due to low numbers. Existing KBA class students can expect some advanced training soon in place of the missed event.
Inverness last weekend concluded the tour and again we exposed kettlebell magic to the Highlands


This time Kirsten joined us and got a dirty t-shirt (you had to be there!). All new CKT's should be exposed to the "CLEAN", Gerry-style! haha!
And yes, the wee van made the journey event-free! Happy days!


I've been training and wearing Vibram Five Finger shoes recently. I love them. Without getting geeky about it, I like how my feet feel "healthy".



I'll post more on them later, but look around blogs and the web, there is increasing numbers of articles relating to these near-bare foot expereince shoes.

Some changes coming up soon to class timetable. More info as developments happen. Please note the change in date for the next beginners workshop - It's now on the 11th July and NOT the 18th. Get signed up quick by emailing me. All info is on the website.

How is you June challenge coming along? Are you juggling the kettlebell outdoors in our semi-decent weather?! I`m going to post some clips this weekend. Lets get outside and literally throw our bells around!!

For anyone who has a kettlebell at home and not been in touch for a while, I`d love to here from you and let me know how your training is going!

Until next time, keep 'em swingin'!

New beginners workshop announced!

Sunday 11th July, 12.30-3.30pm
email and reserve your place today!
See website for all details!
----->----->----->----->----->----->----->----->----->---->---->

Workshop cancelled

WOTK Workshop in Aberdeen this coming Sunday has been CANCELLED.
It will run later in the year.

WAY of the KETTLEBELL - 13th June 2010

May 2

Recent Beginner Kettlebell Workshop participants...



A busy and fun day with a huge cross section of people training! Everyone performed great!!

May '10

Kettlebell class is on today wth a new workset - come prepared to work!

Sunday 16th May. 3 places remain on the beginners workshop.

Ray will be representing the IKFF, Kettlebells Aberdeen and Kettlebells Scotland at the BodyPower Event in Manchester in a few weeks. Combat Kettlebells will be demonstrated over the weekend! Exciting!

Ellon workshop yesterday was a great bunch to work with, smiles at the end of the day!


"Way of the Kettlebell" lands in Aberdeen 13th June. 5 hours of top-notch tuition from Rannoch and Ray. Qi Gong, mobility, bodyweight and kettlebells. Suitable for all levels - enhance your exisitng understanding and ability as well as learning new drills!
All info on the NEWS page of www.kettlebellsaberdeen.com. Please email to confirm your place! (limited to 30!)

Remaining places

There are 3 places remaining for Sundays kettlebell beginner workshop.
See the website for details, its from 12.30-3.30pm.
If you want in, please call me on 07877 807 191.

Looks like a nice weekend, enjoy training outside folks!

April update

Swing to Win!


Another busy month ahead! (May will be MAD! LOL)
Myself and 11 guys who train with me doing kettlebells are participating in a Bio Mechanical Analysis of the kettlebell swing. Robert Gordon's University students Alister and Kenny, have chosen to research the forces placed upon the human body during the kettlebell swing.
Scientifically, just what effect does kettlebell training have on force production and joint movement in the body? These guys are gonna kick off the investigations!

The picture above is me performing swings, according to the test requirements, in front of super-technical cameras which detect an follow small datums stuck to key body parts.

Following my test, I got to see my stick-man figure made up of dots repeating what I had just performed. It was ace to see the dots (mainly key joints in the body) move, flow and lock in sync with the swing. For the first time, I got to see what feels like good alignment. It was really interesting. If I can get a short movie clip of it, I will post it for you to see.

Anyway, I wish the guys good luck in their research and it's a pleasure for us to help. Thanks to the guys who are taking part also (3 min rest - pah! LOL). I need 3 or 4 others actually, so if you are interested, give me a shout!

We have the Chris's doing fight prep at AMAG right now. They have a weekly routine of the KB's that they are working through, buildng strength, muscularly and mentally. Keep it going guys!

Personally, I am working on some projects happening in May and June, more info to follow, but some good times coming with Simple Strength's Rannoch Donald from Edinburgh. If you train in sport/kettlebells/activities and want to understand and develop your bodyweight, movement, mobility, kettlebells and recovery drills, then we will have an ace event for you soon!

The April Challenge will be in your inboxes in the next day or two.
Also, Kettlebells Aberdeen is now on facebook. If you are on it, join up!

2 places remain for Sundays kettlebell beginner workshop! If you want in, email me!

Happy swinging in the sun!

March 2

Updates!
1. The class at the Exel Club will change to be 6.30 - 7.30pm as of 1st April.
2. New Taster classes to be announced at the Exel Club soon!
3. Kettlebell refresher class available on 11th April. See website for details.
4. Beginners Kettlebell workshop available on 18th April. See website for details.
5. Kettlebells Aberdeen is taking part in a scientific project where a biomechanical analysis wll be done on the kettlebell 2 handed swing! I will keep you posted on the progression!
6. Sunday class back on as normal 4-5pm on 28th March, see you there!

March 1

The Friday and Sunday classes are going great! We are working some quality rounds with and without the kettlebells. Both classes have 3 parts to the class and attendance is growing! Improving fitness is key in this next few months! Parts of the classes are physically challenging for all levels, but now we are pushing some mental challenges also, and everyone is doing brilliant!
The Thursday Exel Club class remains quiet. Is it bad timing (8-9pm)?

This months Ultra Fit Magazine has an artical on kettlebells for women. (I do not rate the tutorials). Have a quick scan next time at the newsagent. All the info is what I explain in my workshops, and it's only encouraged me to get a "KB's for ladies" page on my website, which I`ve been meaning to do.

The March Challenge...
I know, I know! I have not set it this month yet, but its very encouraging to hear people are looking for it!! Give me day or two and it will appear in your mail boxes! The half-month March challenge!
(But whats stopping you continuing Jan and Feb's?? LOL)

The start of the good weather is here... be prepared for outside week-night training soon!!

Finally, please note that the Sunday KB class is CANCELLED on 21st March. If you have a KB at home, you know what you can do for an hour in place of the class! If you don't have one, do something else physical anyway and keep that 4-5 Sunday slot as "workout time!"
All back to normal on the 28th - see you there!

Remember, Kettlebells Aberdeen is your only fully qualified kettlebells training centre in the Granite City and surrounds.

New short Kettlebells Aberdeen reel...


New short Combat Kettlebells reel...


And finally!
Your longawaited clip of the turkish get up. You have done the hard work at my workshop so you know what to lock, tighten, rotate etc. This is not a tutorial. Its a reminder of the movement, as some of you have asked for. Hope this helps!

February 5

Beginner Kettlebell Workshop in Aberdeen Announced!
Sunday 7th March, 12.30 - 3.30.
Limited places!
All details on website - LINK IS HERE! ------------------>
Email to confirm your place today!

Beginners 4 week block...
IS NOW CANCELLED AND NOT STARTING ON THURS 4TH MARCH!

ray@kettlebellsaberdeen.com

February 4

It's been a busy and a fun month!
The first beginners block went really good. Most of the group completed the 5 weeks and I received some wonderful feedback. Techniques were nailed by everyone because we repeatedly visited the essential drills and got the reps in. I was really really happy with everyone progress. Some have bought KB's and some are continuing with classes - that's BRILLIANT!

The second block is slower in getting the numbers to commit, but its nearly there now. I won't be expecting to run a new course every 5 weeks now. They will run upon demand, the same as the workshops.

The February workshop was excellent. We all braved the snow and stayed warm by keeping busy with the essential body weight and kettlebell drills.

March workshop to be announced very soon, by the way!

The Sunday classes are good fun and keeping a steady number, mostly of newcomers... where are all you regulars?! Next Sunday is the last week of circuits and then a change of routine for us!
Thursdays at the Exel Club can see lots more attendance from anyone wanting a mid-week swing!

I have had loads of requests for getting the Turkish get up in a simple video clip and posting it on here. I need slapped about because I recall committing to doing that for the January Challenge!! Watch out for this clip appearing here in the next few days!

I`ll have some very exciting news published soon about a Scotland-wide tour that Kettlebells Aberdeen will be involved with in June. Be prepared to sign up for the Aberdeen event! It'll be alot of fun!

Where next?
How has everyone been doing with the February Challenge? I for one have failed terribly (been doing other stuff though!), but I`d love to know if you have stuck by it. My general belief is that it has flopped for most, and I am not in a position to criticise!
SO!..
Next month the challenge will include a simple addition to February's challenge. Lets grit our teeth and get stuck into the 100 reps per day! Details to follow on email as usual guys.

p.s. Summer is approaching! Kick start feeling and looking great and get stuck into 'yer kettlebell training!!
Classes are running on Thursday and Sunday!
Fresh beginners block at Exel starting next week!
March Workshop coming soon!

February 3

The week 1 beginners class has been pushed back by a week or two.
Get in touch if you are curious about kettlebell training and get signed up for the next week 1 class!
The new start date will be annouced soon!

February 2

Yesterdays workshop was alot of fun and everyone had a very good ability of training with the kettlebell. I forgot the group pic at the end, BUT I did finish on time!! LOL.

Remember, the next 5 week BEGINNERS course at the Exel Club in Dyce will start on Thursday 18th Feb. 6.30 - 8pm. £45. email to reseve your place today! (Places limited to 15)
ray@kettlebellsaberdeen.com

February 1

Edinburgh was lot of fun! Rannoch's K1 and K2 workshops were full of keen kettlebellers and everyone had a great time! Rannoch continues to deliver fantastic workshops, full of energy, clear and highly motivational.

"Hips!"

There are 5 places remaining for Sunday's workshop. Email or call to confirm your place as soon as you can!

The new 5 week Beginners block at the Exel Club will begin on 18th Feb. Details on the website. Call or email to book your place!

February is here! New Monthly Challenge! Watch out for my email giving you the info!!

As ever, if you want to order a kettlebell or gymboss timer, see me for details. If you are shopping at Powerhouse in Aberdeen, give me a shout for discounts!

Whats coming up...

Thursday 28th Jan = NO WEEK 3 beginners class or public class at Exel Club.
Friday 29th Jan = AMAG's Combat Kettlebells is ON as normal
Saturday 30th Jan = REPLACEMENT Week 3 beginners class at 1pm at Exel Club.
Sunday 31st Jan = NO Public class at XTS.

This is all reflected in the KBA calendar on the website.

I am excited about visiting Rannoch in Edinburgh and co-teaching his level 1 and level 2 workshops on Sunday 31st. www.simplestrength.com/workshops-2/

Remember Sunday 7th Feb = Beginners Workshop at 12.30, email me to confirm your place!

I have GYMBOSSES for sale! Email me or see me in class!
www.gymboss.com

February 2010 Workshop Announced!

Sunday 7th February 2010
12.30 - 3.30pm
£40

Email to register and confirm your place.
Kettlebells can be ordered in advance, email for info.

Changes...

The beginners block starts tomorrow at 6.30pm and will run for 5 weeks!
Really looking forward to it!!

However, the 5 week block running from 8-9pm will NOT run as a block this time around. It will remain as a public class and you pay week by week £5 per class. (£1 extra at Exel reception for non-members)
(Rememner, to attend this class, a workshop must have been attended!)

Beginners block

The brand new beginners 5 week block at the Exel Club has generated lots of interest, with a few people confirming their place.
THERE ARE A FEW PLACES REMAINING!

Email or call to confirm your place BEFORE Thursdays class!

ray@kettlebellsaberdeen.com

2009 Video Reels

JANUARY '10

OK, lots to get through, HERE WE GO!

1. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2. The BEGINNERS BLOCK and the PUBLIC BLOCK at the Exel Club will start on Thursday 14th January. Email and depsoit required to confirm your place. Class numbers are limited!
Don't know about these "blocks"? Check out my webiste on the NEW FOR 2010 page!

3. Sunday 10th January will see a short-notice REFRESHER CLASS. £5 to all. 2.15-3.30pm. Quick paced class. Review the focus points of the essential drills and get the reps in. Open to everyone who has done the 3-hour workshop previously and want to "get back into the swing"! Start the year with kettlebells in your training diet!

4. The January Challenge is well underway! If you struggling with the TGU's, please email me and I`ll offer an alternative way to train them.

5. TGU Video to follow soon.