Kettlebell Training With Lauren Brooks

By angie5 on September 19th, 2008

I had the honors of doing a Q and A with Lauren Brooks. She is the mastermind behind the The Ultimate Body Sculpt and Conditioning with Kettlebells DVD. It is designed for the person who wants to learn how to use kettlebells, but provides workouts challenging enough for someone who knows kettlebells well. This DVD will strengthen and sculpt your entire body and is for women and men of all ages and all athletic backgrounds.

This DVD teaches 15 basic kettlebell and body weight exercises. It also includes 2 follow along workouts with a joint mobility section that is important for warming up. This DVD was filmed about a year after I gave birth to my baby via C-section. My workout partner in this DVD is 52 years old and with the use of kettlebells, now is stronger and leaner than most women in their 20’s.

The best way to see what this DVD is about is to view the trailer right here at http://www.ontheedgefitness.com/videos.html

Q: Why did you first get involved in kettlebell training?

Kettlebell training sparked my interest because it was an old school way of training. I was curious to see how people use these heavy hunks of iron and swing them around. It was also something new and I was looking for a way to change my training to a more effective way.

Q: How is KB training different from dumbell training?

The weight distribution on a kettlebell is massed in a ball with a handle on it. So the handle allows you to swing it around more fluidly rather than the lopsidedness of a dumbbell. Kettlebell training is geared more toward exercises that involve swinging them around along with many more strength training exercises that get the deep stabilizing muscles. You can get a much heavier cardio and strength training workout all in one with a kettlebell.

Q: What weight of KB do you suggest a beginner start out with? And is it necessary to have 2 KB of the same weight or can you get by with just one?

I normally recommend ladies to start with an 8kg (18lb) kettlebell. Very strong women can start with a 12kg (25lb) kettlebell. You can do plenty of exercises with just one kettlebell.

Q: I read somewhere that the KB swing is a good exercise to have people do who have trouble getting the correct form with a squat, is this true and why?

I think they both can go hand in hand. Sometimes I teach people the squat so they can improve their swing and vice versa. The main reason is learning to push your hips back behind you. Teaching people to do a proper squat can be tricky. For some reason many people automatically want to bring their knees forward. By placing a lower chair behind your body and teaching yourself to stick your butt out to sit in that low chair, that has really been a great tool for teaching the proper form on the squat.

Q: What basic KB exercises should a beginner do before learning the more advanced moves?

The best exercises for a beginner are kettlebell deadlifts, swings, cleans, and squats. The most important one being able to master is the swing. Once the hip snap is correct, since it carries over in to many other exercises, the student can move on to more advanced drills.

Q: September is Abs month on WDF, so could you suggest a couple KB exercises that would strengthen and help build those sexy abs we are all longing for?

Kettlebell Swings are a great way to strengthen the core and will help shed fat quickly to see the abs. If you are looking for isolated type ab exercises, there is the Russian Twist which is on my DVD as well as the Pullover to Crunch. All very effective ab strengthening and toning exercises. But the absolute best way to see the sexy abs you work so hard for all comes down to the right nutrition.

Thanks Lauren! What a great interview!

Angie Schumacher is a Certified Fitness Professional who trains clients in her home and is a Women's Boot Camp Instructor in Colorado. She is the author of The Fat Blasting Boot Camp Program and has offered a one stop website to help you with all of your health and fitness needs. Please visit www.BuildingABetterU.com to find exactly what you are looking for!