Monday 21 November 2011

Observe and note...

I run my classes based on my background, influences from my instructors and from simple, but passionate forward thinking for what I want to achieve. Simply put, I am a fitness enthusiast, passionate about martial arts and very keen kettlebell practitioner.
The kettlebell classes are very, very structured and very involved. Trust me there is alot going on in there that I try to deliver and achieve.
Which is the point in this blog post...
I run regular classes in two gyms if you like (Garioch Sports Centre in Inverurie and the XTS/AMAG gym in Aberdeen) and over the last 3-5 months I have seen some true and very admirable progressions with individuals in both sets of classes. The people attending regularly (and maybe putting work in on there own time) are really benefiting from MUCH improved mobility and stability, as well as efficiency of kettlebell handling.

These are VERY important aspects for me to recognise and praise.

In some sense, people may not feel their improvement because attending the classes regularly means its a constant progression. Where they will see and feel it will be in there number of reps, or how much effort they put into a 10 min, 15min or 25 minute set for example.
The thing is, the higher number of reps and the more effort delivered in these sets have a developing foundation to them - the ability to move better, the ability to stabilise efficiently and of course gaining experience in handling the bells from longer sets and more reps etc.
Personally, I see these improvements in snap-shot form, I guess. I try to recognise these changes by observing the people in my class, and sometimes deliver a class which can expose the foundations I am looking to monitor.

So, credit where due, I am seeing better hip stability, improved overhead lockout, better co-ordination of compound movements (and the mobility to achieve them), changing breathing patterns where required, trusting stacking of the joints etc. Oh, and I also notice the reps, focus, stamina and weight increasing... :-)

Keep up the great effort everyone!