SUMMER IS A TIME FOR FUN.
Cue: bright colours, steamy flings and, of course, exciting workouts. Everyone wants to look their best come the season of skin and the key is to challenge your bod in fresh ways. Enter the kettlebell: a functional, bell-shaped piece of equipment that can help sculpt muscles and torch calories. “Kettlebells are more user-friendly than barbells or dumbbells,” says trainer and kettlebell specialist, Missy Paris. “Plus, you can use them to get in a killer cardio burn without your feet ever leaving the ground.”
Unlike with other weights, a kettlebell’s load is centrally located, which makes it easier to get from point A to point B in a swift motion. “A lot of exercises we do with the bell mimic the way our body’s naturally intended to move,” Paris says. Kettlebells also place greater demands on your stabilising muscles, core and coordination, leading to (potentially) bigger results.
This workout plan, created by strength coach Dan John, pairs high-rep strength moves with dynamic stretches. “It combines mobility, strength and cardio,” he says. The yin-yang approach will help you not only rev your goals in the gym, but also build strength that translates far beyond it. The best part? Once you track down a kettlebell, you’re: Ready. To.Go.
FOCUS ON FORM
A kettlebell’s offset design makes good technique especially important. For starters, keep your wrists straight (bending them raises the risk for strain and doesn’t let you transfer power as effectively between your body and the bell). Be sure to activate your entire foot, from heel to toe, to create a stable base.
TIME TO WORK
Denne historien er fra December 2019-utgaven av Women's Health South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 2019-utgaven av Women's Health South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Irreconcilable Differences?
You’re one-upping your partner on all health fronts and now your relationship has more tension than your new resistance bands. Here’s how to get over the hurdle of mismatched goals.
Hot And Bothered
Inflammation is all the rage in health conversations right now and research is establishing it as a major player in all sorts of issues you don't want to deal with. But! You can safeguard yourself from the smokin' internal inferno with these smart strategies.
Self-esteem under the microscope
The term brings to mind positive-thinking memes with sunset backdrops and swirly lettering. But could I you sum up self-esteem when asked as part of a pub quiz? Didn't think so. And there's more at stake here than winning the points.
the reset
IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO START OVER
Mind Over Muscle
Could you level up your strength training just by putting your mind to it?
ON BEING THE HEROINE OF YOUR OWN LIFE
Olympian. All-African Games winner. African champion. Record-breaker. Javelin athlete Jo-Ané van Dyk talks mental fortitude and what it takes to live up to your own hype. If there's one thing she can do, it's to throw down. And it's all about to reach peak levels.
Why Women Are Choosing to Be Child-Free
The choice can be liberating, yet stigmas persist. Here, how to cut through the noise with clarity and confidence to make the decision that's right for *you.*
FUEL YOUR SKIN
Inside your body, there's a crew of unsung protein heroes that scientists believe are the key to a healthy, glowing complexion. Heads-up: your routine is about to change for the better.
How To Be Decisive
You could use a Magic 8 ball to help you make a choice. Or, while you're waiting to 'ask again later', let our experts explain the best ways to get unstuck.
Build A Strong Base
You heard it here: the pelvic floor is the forgotten core - and you're selling yourself short by waiting for a specific life stage to train it. Your four-move workout is here.