The Kettlebell Complex

Here at Contemporary Athlete, the Kettlebell is used frequently not because of any growing trend or fad but because of its sheer versatility. I am a minimalist at heart so cluttering the most important thing the CA has, which is wide-open space makes me sad. So we swing them, lift them, push them, pull them, drag them, throw them, carry them, crawl with them, use them as door stops, on occasion even give them away as gifts.

One of my favorite quick, yet brutal, and results driven workouts is this kettlebell complex. If all I have is 30 minutes to fit my personal workout in that day in between groups and clients, and I want to get a great full body muscle screaming burn on and cover my aerobic conditioning this is almost always the first thing I reach for in my bag of tricks.

Here is how it works:

Work your way up to a kettlebell 1/3 your bodyweight

(Ex. 180 lbs. person – 60 lbs. KB)

Use a good low swing for double and single hand transitions so as you don’t break your swing rhythm as you work through the complex.

10 x reps of each stage:

Two handed swing

Single arm swing (Left side)

Single arm swing (Right side)

Single arm rack (Left Side)

Single arm rack (Right Side)

Single arm Snatch (Left side)

Single arm Snatch (Right side)

Single arm Rack (Left Side)

Single arm rack (Right Side)

Single arm swing (Left side)

Single arm swing (Right side)

Two handed swing

Rest half the time it takes to do the full sequence. I personally like to pair it with an abdominal exercise. As I generally consider abs a good place to get in active rest.

The Goal is 5 full cycles in less than 30 minutes.  Start with 3 cycles

Build up to it and be smart! Hurt athletes do not compete very well. Know your limits and Swing on Ninjas!

CAIR – The Beginning of an Era

CAIR

(Pronounced: see-AIR)

The first truly goal oriented indoor rowing team in the Capital District!

CAIR  has been a brainchild of mine for a number of years now. Finally, after a great discussion with Greg Hammond at Concept 2, I decided to jump in with both feet and make this happen.

There are a number of indoor rowing gyms starting to pop up all over the place. Many operate like traditional spin classes. CAIR is much more than that. The idea is team and collective goals. Racing is encouraged in order to go fast; the amazing health benefits are just an awesome side effect of that. With new-to-the-sport athletes side by side collegiate athletes on winter break, along with a handful of U23 athletes looking to qualify for a selection camp, and also those “unaffiliated” post-university rowers looking to move on to the national team, CAIR is unique. Different people, but everyone has the same goal: go fast, and have fun doing it.

The format for CAIR is the same as all CA training. It’s small group training that will happen in the CA with a focus on education, personal growth, and team competition. It culminates in Boston, Massachusetts at C.R.A.S.H. B. Sprints Indoor Rowing World Championships. Side by side with some of the best athletes in the world, junior athletes, and anybody who is still willing to pull on the handle, CA will put in times for the 2000m ergometer test. There is competition for everyone, man, woman, and child alike, and its awesome…

Want to know what it is like? Watch this video of the University of Washington Men taking care of business. There is a reason why they are the reigning 3 time national champions…

For those athletes who are traditionally cycle based athletes, or triathletes. Here is the sell. In Great Britian Rowers ride/Riders row, it’s a crazy thought but some things just make sense. Lots of it! If you don’t believe me read this:

http://www.britishrowing.org/taking-part/indoor/training-advice/cross-training

Oh, yeah and for triathletes…

http://roworx.com/the-amazing-benefits-of-training-for-a-full-ironman-on-the-indoor-rowing-machine-and-indoor-cycling-bike/

The health benefits are huge. The competitiveness in the CA is unlike anywhere else outside of a traditional boathouse.

  1. Burn at least 800 calories in just one session, in almost every case more.
  2. Erging is a non-impact exercise, which develops strength in your legs, core and upper body with every stroke.
  3. Rowing improves your cardiovascular health and reduces blood pressure.
  4. It increases vascularity and circulation efficiency throughout your entire body.
  5. Rowing improves flexibility and strengthens your core like never before.
  6. Reduces anxiety and improves your energy levels
  7. Increases bone density for those with, or at risk for, osteoporosis
  8. Excellent for cross-training athletes looking to improve stamina and total body strength. Upper body conditioning allows athletes, such as runner and cyclists, to achieve a balanced and more flexible body