I have a strong belief that to stay healthy it is very important to exercise. I have played sports almost my entire life. I started working out around the age of 16 and always liked the feeling it gave me. Throughout my life there have been times when I have gotten away from working out, but always made my way back to it. When away I miss it, I miss the feeling it gives me. Over the years I have read books and magazines trying to find the best way to go about it. I used to do more of a bodybuilder style of working out. Four days a week two body parts a workout: Chest & Bi’s, Back & Tri’s, Legs & Shoulders, Abs. I would use medium weight and do 3 sets 10-12 reps. this used to work for me, but I never felt that strong.
Then in around 2006 a massage therapist that worked at the office I was at brought in a magazine that had a man swinging a Kettlebell on it. It was a Dragon Door magazine and I read about a Russian named Pavel. I was hooked. I wanted a kettlebell. Everything he was talking about made sense to me. He talked about getting stronger by doing 5 sets of 5 reps and going heavier. He also said that the kettlebell was not the only tool to use, but it was one of the main ones. He highly recommended barbell deadlifts, pull-ups, pushups, and squats. The main difference for me was to go heavier and stick to 5 reps. I started to do this and in the interim I got my first kettlebell for Christmas. I was so excited to use it. I also got a book and DVD by Pavel. I knew right away they were onto something with the kb (kettlebell). There was just so much that you could do with it. Just by swinging it for a few reps your heartrate jumps up and you can defiantly see how it can help your conditioning, and pressing it overhead felt so powerful. I started working out with the kettlebell. Doing more deadlifts and pull-ups and going heavier and sticking to a 5 x 5 programs. I defiantly felt stronger. I also found a great health supplement which made me feel very energetic whenever I took it. I highly recommend it if you are looking for a good one. You find it here: https://kratommasters.com/kratora-review/
After doing this for a few years and collecting some more kettlebell’s I looked into getting certified in kettlebell instruction. I found that there was more then just Pavel’s RKC program. There was also the IKFF and one of the main members was based right here in Michigan. I found out there was a certification seminar that was going to be happening about an hour away from my house. Luckily my wife agreed to let me participate and in September of 2010 I got my CKT (Certified Kettlebell Teacher). While taking the seminar I learned about the kettlebell sport lifts: the Jerk, Snatch, and Long Cycle. Right around that time there was a competition happening near my house. My wife and I went to check it out; I was hooked (again). Since then I have competed in 5 competitions and have meet some great people. I believe my training has helped me in my sports as well. I still play hockey and golf.
The Kettlebell might not be for you, but you need to find some form of exercise and stick with it. Numerous studies have shown how beneficial exercise is to help handle the aging process. It is never too late to start. Working out is a huge part of my life and I hope you make it a priority in yours.