My back is feeling better after 2 full days of rest – no running, no lifting, no core work. Good ole fashion rest. So I knew I was going to do something active today. I tried a kettlebell training class and then went for a 3 mi run.

One of the things that I am interested in lately is looking into different types of workout methods and training philosophies. Part of really investing in your passion is making sure you arm yourself with all the information to find out if you are doing the right approach for you and your goals. So, I have been looking at  opportunities to try different workout programs.

Today I worked with Brian Wright – Personal Training (BW-PT). Brian invited me to try a free 8a Kettlebell training class in his new studio in Ashburn. One of the most important things when you are using kettlebells is form and Brian took the time to really watch and adjust my form during the workout. During this session, it was very functional movements and he talked about how if you think back to Greeks – they didn’t have any fancy equipment. It was real life movements and they were in shape. First he had me remove my sneakers – he suggested that when lifting, to wear a more flat shoe or go barefoot – chuck taylors etc. So I did this all with no shoes on bc I had worn my running shoes.

So we worked on kettle bell movements – swings, power cleans – and then I did some back lunges with one foot in the rings. One of the things I liked a lot was doing planks. He helped me set up my form properly and then went from all angles and tried to push me to make me aware of whether my core was engaged. He also incorporated some yoga moves to help stretch and a foam roller to work out some of the upper layer of your muscles.  We didn’t just do kettlebells either although it was incorporated in many movements that one would traditionally do with dumb or barbells.

The thing I noticed from this session was that it was quite a good workout, with as many calories burned as some of my boot camp sessions,  but yet didn’t seem nearly as hard.

Brian is really passionate and knowledgeable about fitness and it shows. He took the time to discuss what he was doing and what it was going to help with. Also, he made some modifications based on his observations of some of my weaker spots. It was really a great training session. He is adding more kettlebell training sessions at different times so check his website if you are interested in taking one.

He also mentioned he is starting up a fitness summer camp class for Middle School students. I am sure he will have information on his website.