KBA HQ is heading towards a mega exciting time!
Firstly, I have to recognise how everyone is doing so well in the KBA classes just now. We have some b*tching workouts going on right now, and everyone is nailing them, at their own level. The time I have spent working in techniques over a period of weeks are really paying off. As a group, we have a really good ability about us - keep it up, its so rewarding!
The fresh class at ASV is becoming equally as grounded as GSC. A steady and regular group and already we have experienced a number of different kettlebell workouts - 1 to get in the kettlebell groove, and 2 to show fairly quickly there is just so much we can do in a class! Interesting developments coming up there too!

I am so excited about The Aberdeen Kettlebell Club session. Here I see keen kettlebellers take their training and understanding to another level. Still very new, out focus has been towards the recent and upcoming competitions.
Lets check the history:
Oct '11 - One person at Welsh Open.
Feb '12 - Two people at English Open.
April '12 - Six people at Glasgow Long Cycle
Upcoming Biathlon in June - 11 of us!!

This weekend it all kicks off with 2 full beginners workshops. It's always encouraging delivering workshops to complete beginners!
From there, Alan and I head to Dublin to train with Steve Cotter. Very excited!
Then there is the Level 1 CKT is Glasgow. 6 of us are travelling from Kettlebells Aberdeen! Mike, Claire, Davie and Willie will meet and train with Steve for the first time, which is, like, just so, mega exciting!
Equally as exciting is that I will host Steve for a Master Class in Inverurie. I am delighted that so many of my group will meet and train with Steve. It's sure to be a great evening.

Scottish Long Cycle Competition

Saturday 28th April, Kelvin Hall Sports Arena, Glasgow. 

.... Scotland’s first Kettlebell Sport Competition!! 

I was delighted to host this Long Cycle Competition at the Scot Fit Expo. The first of its kind, and a first for me to arrange such an event. 

32 competitors registered to take part. Many of which came from kettlebell clubs, and with a few independent folks coming along to try their hand on the platforms. 

I am overjoyed with so many athletes taking part! The Scottish clubs represented were AKC, S&S and GKC.... Tell you what, my days are full of bloody abbreviations now!

... KBA, AKC, IKFF, ASV, GSC, AMAG, EGSA, S&S, GKC, FB, C&J, LC, GS, AR, WTF!!.... LOL!

Anyway, the clubs were Aberdeen Kettlebell Club, Sweat & Steel and the Glasgow Kettlebell Club. These clubs are established with the coaches and some members having some experience after attending the Willenhall comp in February. Excitedly however, we all had brand new members taking part in this comp! Alot of first timers on the platform, and including the athletes who came not representing a club, but as kettlebell enthusiasts! Awesome, I was so happy that so many first timers were keen to attend!

Well all gathered in preparation of a quick registration. It was great to see friendly faces and have plenty of banter and quick catch ups. Introductions to new group members were made and so we just kicked the day off to a great start.

Registration done, and I held a quick rules/guidlines meeting with everyone, and then a quick get together for the pre-arranged judges/scorers.

During prep, I realised that once we got going, the schedule should pretty much take care of itself. That said, it required participants being switched on and recognising when they were up, ensuring their own prep time, warm up etc. On that note, thanks to all the competitiors for doing this so well. It made for the event running smoothly on time.

Once the first group of ladies were on the platform bang on time, ready, nervous, excited, but raring to go, we set off with a nice appreciation from the audience! 

How did it run? 10 minute set, 5 minute break & next prep, 10 minute set, 5 minute break & next prep etc etc. All the ladies went first, in KB weight. 8kg through to 20kg. After completion of the ladies event, we had a 10 minute break then the men’s event was underway with 12kg through to 20kg.

In the Long Cycle, ladies lift with one kettlebell and switch hands once. Men lift with two kettlebells for the duration. The kettlebell cannot be put on the floor, and rest is only achieved in the rack or overhead lock out positions.

Here are the results:

Ladies 8kg

Claire Beattie AKC 154 reps

Michelle McCulloch GKC 164 reps

Charlotte Hopkins GKC 151 reps

Vikki Patton GKC 128 reps

Well done Michelle!!

Ladies 12kg

Rachel Lafferty GKC 106 reps

Mandy Moffat AKC 118 reps

Diane Wright S&S 119 reps

Laura Carter 136 reps

Kirsty McConnell GKC 125 reps

Laura Ramsay 123 reps

Elaine Kelly GKC 135 reps

Sian Phillips AKC 138 reps

Congratulations Sian!

Ladies 16kg

Linda Hewitt S&S 72 reps

Julie Maitland GKC 119 reps

Nice one Julie!

Ladies 20kg

Abigail Johnston S&S 118 reps

Woo Hoo Abi!

Mens 12kg

Iain Lamont S&S 106 reps

Chris Dragoonis GKC 64 reps

Alistair Pate GKC 82 reps

George Fulton GKC 104 reps

High-Five Iain!

Mens 16kg

Davie Abel AKC 87 reps

Dave Jenkins GKC 67 reps

Magnus George 62 reps

Stephen Kelly GKC 83 reps

Gavin Houston GKC 114 reps

Alan Lyon AKC 114 reps

Dave McInnes GKC 55 reps

Grant McLachlan GKC 89 reps

Alex Li S&S 83 reps

Superb guys! Alan and Gavin joint winners

Mens 20kg

Rodger Sangster 76 reps

Davie McConnachie GKC 76 reps

Ray Wilson AKC 91 reps

Scott McLaughlin S&S 93 reps

Bravo Scott!

Trophies were awarded to the winners of each category and presented by Chris Crowe, the organiser of the Scot Fit Expo.

This was a great day for sharing with kettlebell friends and enthusiasts, launching and promoting kettlebell sport in Scotland. Thanks to all the competitors!

Thank You’s

A big thanks to everyone who took part in the competition! Thanks for Chris for hosting Scot Fit and helping with arrangements. Thanks to Rannoch for putting me in touch with Chris. Garioch Sports Centre for providing some kettlebells. Wolverson Fitness for platform mats. PomPrint for banners & t-shirts. Thanks to everyone who assisted with scoring/judging (all clubs were represented). To Davie, Alan & Claire for assisting setting up and packing up. To Sweat & Steel and Magnus for assisting packing up too.

Everyone’s involvement was very much appreciated and added to successful operation of the day!

Next one.... Biathlon! 30th June!

Beginners KB Workshops in May

Beginners Kettlebell Workshops:

Saturday 26^th May, 11.15am – 12.45pm, Aberdeen Sports Village, Aberdeen.

Sunday 27^th May, 10am -11.30am, Garioch Sports Centre, Inverurie.

These 90 min sessions will deliver the fundamental kettlebell exercises only, focusing on understanding and managing very good technique. Completion of this session will ensure your ability to use kettlebells correctly and safely. From here you can use kettlebells on your own with confidence, and/or join in any Kettlebells Aberdeen classes. Your knowledge, understanding and ability will develop with continual kettlebell training. These beginner workshops are suitable for all levels of fitness/ability.

The workshop is aimed at teaching the exercises; it is not a workout-class as such. The reps are kept pretty low, but with many repeating sets. Places are limited in each session, so if you are interested in coming to one of the sessions above, please drop me a line telling me so, and which session, and I will reserve your place. ray@kettlebellsaberdeen.com

Ray