trains her carbs need to increase a

bit. She trains with kettlebells every

other day and partakes in the Boot

Camp at her gym 3 times per week,

then gives her body a rest 1-2 days

per week. Shuvaun had taken a ket-

tlebell class at a fitness conference

and was immediately fascinated. She

tells me that it is great cardio and a

full workout – features that dumbbell

training doesn’t offer.

When one works out with kettle-

bells, the trick is to never place them

down on the floor, doing your swings

and presses consecutively. Watching

Shuvaun perform, she made it look

effortless and it was obvious that she

was definitely in great shape for this

event. Shuvaun finished the event

with 97 reps in ten minutes – amaz-

ing! It looks like the girls average 10 –

12 reps per minute, and those

weights get heavier as the time runs

on.

Speaking with Patric Westerlund

and Tobias Holm who traveled here

from Sweden, I also learned the re-

habilitation benefits to kettlebell

training. Patric is a personal trainer

in Sweden and was introduced to the

sport by a chiropractor who treats his

patients with kettlebells. He claims

that it is beneficial for your joints and

helps to loosen the body.

Patric was in a football accident

and used kettlebell training to

strengthen his muscles and bring him

back to health. He trains 5 times a

week and is also a spinning instructor.

He has also competed in power-lift-

ing competitions and mountain bik-

ing. Needless to say, this big burly

guy participated in the 225 lb. cate-

gory.

Tobias is Patric’s student and has

only been training for four months,

yet he made the trip to the states to

compete as well. Tobias is 26 years

old and works at a golf course; he

met Patric at a Long Drive Competi-

tion at the golf course where Patric

was invited to work out with the

golfers to build their strength and en-

durance. Right there and then Tobias

became hooked.

I find it so amazing that this fit-

ness training has taken off in such a

short time. Kettlebells have only

been in the states for about 8 years

and now most gyms offer classes.

Chriss Silverstein, co-owner of IRON-

WORKS Fe, is a poster child for the

positive results that kettlebell train-

ing can have on your workout.

Chriss has competed in Russia,

coming in 3rd in her flight and took

1st place in her last 2 competitions in

Chicago and in the one-arm long

cycle event in New York City. She is

perfectly fit and feminine, but very

serious about kettlebell training and

has also introduced her family to the

sport. Her 15 year-old daughter,

Erica Silverstein, competed at the

event that day and was consistent in

her form. What a great mother-

daughter activity to bring you closer

together.

I brought my family to watch the

competition and we were fascinated

by the enthusiasm and excitement

that each competitor brought to the

stage. I envisioned seeing these

mega-muscular, intimidating men

and women, but they were regular

people like you and me that discov-

ered this new trend and have fallen

literally “head over heals” for the

sport.

IRONWORKS Fe educates and es-

tablishes their brand of group kettle-

bell training classes in many gyms

and fitness facilities; so ask your gym

when they will be coming and try it

for yourself. My family is now

hooked! IMAGE

December / January 2010 IMAGE 51