I guess I never even knew what a kettlebell (or girya) was until I saw the class listing at CLAY for Intro to Kettlebell. Basically, if you also need clarification, it’s a weight in the shape of a ball, with a handle on top. It was used by the Russian military and Special Forces and is now becoming a popular instrument used in everyday workouts.

Because of the small workout rooms at CLAY, the class required me to sign in at the front desk. When I entered the room (about 400 sq ft with a mirror on one side), the instructor said, “Who are you?” He then introduced me to each of the five other people in the class by name. Intimate was how I would describe this class; CLAY really knows how to meet your expectations of what an exclusive gym should be.

Even though this was an intro class, based on my inexperience with the kettlebell I expected the workout to be difficult. The lowest weight available was 10 pounds, but using the kettlebell is a bit awkward and many times you are holding it with one hand, which for me, was quite heavy at times. The class went at a steady pace, while the instructor took us through a variety of exercises: squats, lunges, cleans, rows, swings, windmills, sit-ups, all while using the kettleball to gain a full body workout. Every 10-15 minutes, the instructor would single people out to show them how to perfect their form. Usually, at larger gyms, this is done while people are working out, but he stopped the workout and explained in detail how to do the exercises the correct way.

I enjoyed learning how to use the kettlebell and I will now incorporate these exercises into my personal workouts. The kettlebell is known to increase strength, power, speed, coordination and core stability—I was sore for two days. In terms of taking this class again, I would want to do the more advanced class which I assume to be a non-stop workout. Also, the instructor kept referencing a piece of paper with the exercises he took us through—I thought that was a bit unprofessional. I have since seen this class offered at other gyms, so take a look at your fitness schedule and try these wonderful kettlebells out yourself!

I learned of the class, The Main Event, through a personal training session I had with Joseph Degeorge (the instructor for the class) at CLAY. Joe is trained in Kyokushin (karate), Krav Maga (the official self-defense system of the Israeli Defense Forces), and Jeet Kune Do (developed by martial artist and actor Bruce Lee). By incorporating these different forms of martial arts, Joe created this signature class. He also mixes in some boxing and kickboxing. When Joe told me about his class, he said that many students needed personal training to keep up in his class—I knew instantly that I had to try it.

Before class began, Joe helped me to wrap up my wrists, so as to not get injured when the punching portion of the class began. Then we did a series of warm ups including knee lifts, jumping jacks, push ups (about 90), lunges, squats and about 7 variations of abdominal exercises. He mixed up all the sets so that we weren’t doing 157 jumping jacks in a row or 45 squats, although by then end I was struggling.

He then took us into the martial arts warm up: jab and cross, upper cuts, and different types of kicks. About 30 minutes had gone by when we moved into the real punching and kicking, so he split us up into partners and I got to put on some fantastically petal pink boxing gloves—yes, pink. I’m not sure what man had worn these suckers in the past, but they really made me smile (and smell, my hands). As a new student, I mostly worked with Joe, which I think made me work harder because he kept telling me to do more reps and harder, etc. This type of exercise is exhausting—I have a newfound respect for those in the IFC and other types of professional fights. A sample series included jab, cross, elbow, elbow or groin kick, jab, elbow. I had so much fun, even though I was out of breath! After class, I didn’t even have the energy to get a eucalyptus towel.

The only problem with boxing at a gym is that you have to wear gloves that other people have sweat in, or buy your own pair. I don’t plan on buying any gloves at this point of my boxing career and because of the smell, I had to wash my hands twice at the gym, twice at home, followed by a shower.

As you may have read in my past blog about CLAY, the group classes are pretty much qualified to be semi-private; this class had 10 students. A class of this size where everyone knows each other’s names really entices me to come back for more.

If you want a private lesson at your apartment, he only charges $125 per private lesson, but mention onepush-up and you will get yourself a little discount—if you order a package, you get a deeper discount. Email me to get the discount!