Kettle Bells – Free-Weights On The Up, Down and Side Ways

With new users in mind, clubs are constructing quiet small spaces in the gym where consumers feel comfortable to perform simple dumbbell conditioning exercises using benches, stability balls, Vew-Do or Bosu. The advantage of this is its helps consumers gain confidence without feeling self-confident and, more importantly, adds variety and progression.

The interest in free-weights has encouraged resurgence in some very well established products that are now coming into the mainstream. The Kettlebell or Girya is a cast iron weight that looks like a basketball with a suitcase handle. Russians have used them for many decades and they have had a following in this country for many years. Now more and more trainers are understanding their value in gyms as an alternative to fixed resistance machines and free-weights.

Kettlebells are really the best tool to improve power, flexibility and strength. Their versatility in health clubs is due to their space efficiency and variety. I can use one set of Kettlebells with a client for a whole session and have a very thorough workout.says McKenzi Sager, Elite Personal Trainer at Virgin Active Islington
McKenzi continues,While I use dumbbells and barbells I find that Kettlebells give me a choice of exercises that I cannot find in one piece of equipment.

Management of resources is becoming of increasing importance in the club environment too. It is not just a convenience or a health and safety issue either. Clubs are concerned with the way storage design not only integrates with free-weights but also in how its design impacts with the whole environment. The design and materials used in the design of free-weight racks are becoming aligned to cardiovascular and strength equipment. Curves are now a vital part of the design of Escape Fitness racks, particularly their innovative X rack.

This fusion of equipment is not only dedicated to national chains as it is attracting devotees from the professional sports arenas too. Mark Lewin runs Power For Sports, which is a new Athlete Performance Centre in Sandycroft, Flintshire that takes functional fitness training to a different level. This unique and innovative site offers elite and aspiring athletes an environment dedicated to strength, conditioning, speed and power.

Company Director, Mark Lewin, has over 17 years experience in the leisure industry and has specialised in elite level training since founding the company in 2003. Having worked with a number of rugby and netball squads using his Attack Training programme, Marks reputation as a strength and conditioning expert has grown significantly. In turn his client base has increased and diversified to include the Welsh Sports Council, as well as top-level ice skaters, golfers, field athletes and paralympians.

Mark has worked closely with Life Fitness and Escape Fitness to develop an extensively equipped site with a Strength and Power Zone includes 13 pieces of Hammer Strength equipment, a complete set of dumbbells from 2kg through to 50kg, together with Olympic discs from Escape. The speed and plyometric zone features a 20m sprint lane with deceleration squares at either end, multi-platforms, plyometric boxes, sprint harnesses, viper cords and agility hurdles and ladders. The Functional training zone consists of 55m sq of Flexi-tuf flooring, a Life Fitness Dual Adjustable Pulley, Bosus, RBK core boards, rebounders and foam rollers, Max-ball stability balls, balance pads and Bodyblades.

Having looked at all the options, Hammer Strength was undoubtedly the best in its field. We have deliberately chosen a select group of high quality manufacturers and suppliers to work with and have developed excellent partnerships with each one. Weve also just been accredited as an official Hammer Strength site, which is fantastic and really adds to our credentials.says Mark Lewin Power for Sports
Yet, Marks focus is not purely elite level performers; he is also involved in a number of initiatives to support junior athletes and helping to cultivate talent for the future in a number of different sports. He explains: I am currently working with a group of under 16 golfers, who are accessing support and information normally only given to the top players. At the same time, I am speaking to local sport development officers and schools in the area.

The whole concept of using free-weights to help complete the activities of daily living is also gaining a greater following. This type of workout is functional as the weights used can be specific to lifestyle needs. There is a constant stream of evidence in the media on a daily basis showing that a large percentage of the population have very inactive lifestyles. This means that even simple tasks such as carrying groceries, light lifting and carrying are challenging. Free-weight training allows for resistance levels to best suit personal fitness levels. It brings a higher quality of living and major health benefits no matter what the age or fitness level of the exerciser.

The variety of exercise options available using free-weights makes them one of the most versatile equipment choices. For example, a set of dumbbells represents one piece of equipment yet they can offer hundreds of exercise options. Douglas Brooks, USA PT authority comments on Free-Weights You dont need $100,000 worth of equipment to get a great strength workout, yet you can replicate $100,000 worth of exercises with them.

Effective training is a workout that accomplishes the goal and using free-weights has been shown to be helpful in reaching strength-training goals whether they are health related or sports orientated. They offer biomechanically correct exercises where the range of movement is suited to the individual. In addition they present great intensity options so training can progress. The use of Free Weights with good form allows for intense core work, which helps increase balance, stabilisation and coordination.

In summary the future looks very bright for free-weights as they are helping operators and instructors alike to offer the variety and progression of activity that is desperately needed to keep clients engaged and ultimately keeping in the exercise habit.

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