Tuesday Test Drive: The MizFit is nothing if not behind the times edition.

by

and honest.

let’s not forget the honest.

Lemmie back up.

Once upon a time (let’s call it early in the Bush administration) we had a next door neighbor with whom we had very little contact.

Our meet-ups were pretty much limited to a few minutes every few days at the mailbox where he’d regale me with tales (if by regale you mean talk at me—–which I do) of his kettlebell exercising in his garage.

(and because Renaissance Man & I are nothing if not immature we immediately dubbed him Kettlebell and would oft let our Star magazine languish in the box rather than risk a longass Kettllebell encounter)

I have to admit, however, that he of the garage workouts in the 100 degree heat piqued my curiosity about the ‘bells.

I was curious if they really were as great as purported and if I could get twice the workout in half the time.

I was curious if I—like the Russian Special Forces who also use this tool—could gain strength, explosive agility and increase my stamina if I gave them a shot.

I was curious—–but not enough to motivate me to hoist an a single ‘bell.

And then fate intervened.

Fate in the form of this.

In the form of the amazing Sarah Lurie, owner & founder of Iron Core the only fitness studio in the country wholly dedicated to the Kettlebell technique.

Sarah Lurie and her I can totally do this! explained with the slowtolearn (read: MizFit) in mind DVD.

It wasnt pretty, People, but I got the ‘bell, popped in the dvd & made it through the workout.

What did I adore?

The mind/body of it all. That I had to be entirely focused and IN MY SKIN PRESENT to reap the benefits.

The do-at-home part *and* that the Toddler Tornado could totally play along with her own pretend Kettlebell (Fisher Price? there’s a free idea for you. you can thank me later.) & completely didnt mind that I was working out.

one word: core (ok a buncha words: really really REALLY sore. in a great way.)

Three words: whole body workout (ok, 4 more & I promise Im done: I felt so hardcore!)

Did I dislike anything? I dont know. You’ll have to tune in below to find out….

(is that a good cliffhanger? methinks not. I should have added something about “was MizFit 911’d to the emergency room after straining a muscle? did she quit and storm off set in tears?!” Duly noted for next time.)

**yes, that IS a rub-on tat Im sporting & my name would be Svetlana SvetsAlot. Any other questions?

**EDITED TO SAY: Im giggling at your emails.  Lemmie make this the official pronouncement of NO PRESSURE, PEOPLE.

should you find yourself stumpedlikeme you may merely leave the name you’d lovingly call yer kettle bell should you win.

anything.

from Boris to Buffy.

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Comments


  2. oh how I heart thee, Fitarella.

    your ability to follow directions & to make me laugh.

    Renaissance Man? watch your back!

    M.

  3. Rub on tattoo! Totally badass but without the commitment.

    Instead of getting ready for work I’ve been sitting here for a good 20 mins trying to figure out a good russian name so I can win a prize.

    Izzy Goudinov

    That’s all I got.


  4. Dang Jillian. That’s great as well. I filmed the video and, since Im the one shot wonder, that entire concept came out of my mouth and stumped even me.

    so lemmie make this the official pronouncement of NO PRESSURE PEOPLE.

    and, if youre stumpedlikeme, you can merely leave the name you’d lovingly call yer kettle bell should you win.

    anything.

    from Boris to Buffy.

    Miz.

  5. OMG could you even imagine my trying to work with one of those? I’d probably whack one of the kids faces off with that. Maybe then they’d shut their yaps LOL JK!

    As for a name . . .I’ve got a knack for naming objects after D List celebs . . . I can’t think of a Russian one though . . .dang! I’d just name it Heidi after Heidi Montag *puke* LOL

  6. Wow, these things DO get around!

    Great review–I think, however, that any exercise that requires me to be “entirely focused and IN MY SKIN PRESENT” would not be the best choice for a space cadet like me.

    Especially if said exercise involves slinging heavy weights around the house and remembering to hold on.

    So I’ll give someone else a chance to win Lovely Ludmilla Lugovich.

  14. Ivana … well, Ivana kettlebell.

    And I think they should just be known as cowbells as around.

    In my crossfit class (that I went to like three times because it’s at a weird time) we used the kettlebells (with no rubber!) for just about everything, and I love them. Your plank tricep kickbacks? Use two kettlebells, balancing on them in plank, do a row and then a kickback (with the right weight, of course). Whole body move, baby!

    Anyway, kettlebells are on my fitness wish list. It just keeps getting longer.

  16. Somewhere in a garage far, far away, your former neighbour is practicing the Big Health Craze For 2010.

    (I predict a Powerplate crossed with a Back To The Future II style hoverboard for the ultimate core workout)

    TA x

  17. Imus Knotletgo.

    Sorry – best I could do! Also, I have a KB so I’m just using this comment to make a really lame joke. Seriously? Have been thinking up russian names for 30 minutes now and this is the first NOT dirty one I could come up with. Ah, fun:)

  18. OMG! My friend has bells and met me for lunch the day following her first attempt at the workout. She shuffles in like a penguin and sat down. Asked me to sugar and stir her iced tea, since she couldn’t lift her arms. I think she calls hers bee-atch.

    Ok, I get the TV thing, and swinging heavy metal outside, but why is thou BAREFOOT?

    The tat: Niiiiiiiice.

  19. NOT dirty, Charlotte?

    I’m duly impressed & intrigued.

    xo xo,

    Don Tsalmunyerkrotch

  20. I’ve wondered about these kettlebell thingies. I do some swings with the free weights, but the grips giveth me calluses on my nicely-manicured hands.

    My name: Sveta Lotska

  21. I have no names to offer… but I wanted to say how much I love working out with kettlebells! I just started using them this summer in the Boot Camp class I am taking and wow, what a great workout, as you said. I love the way they work your core and get your heart rate up, as well. Nice demo, Miz. 😉

  23. That is so cool and old school! My trainer was actually talking about kettlebells last week. Maybe I’ll ask for a kettlebell workout…

  24. I have no names but think they look cool and now I want one. Always looking for something to add to my little home gym.

    But I want to be Buffy. Buffy (as in The Vampire Slayer) is my workout inspiration. As I am 5 feet tall, aspirations of being Xena are sorta out of the question.

  25. I’m a bit of a lurker on your site,read everyday but never comment. I had to when I saw that I could enter to win a Kettlebell! I have always wanted one!! I’d call it RED!
    What do ya think??

    Trace

  26. Hmm…I don’t know. Hell Bell?

    Huh. I’m really suffering from a major lack of creativity here. I need to get out more…

  27. Hahaha! Such great comedy- a perfect way to start the day, well after a fantastic run, that is.

    Anyway, I digress. I’ve heard of the kettlebells, but for some reason I was thinking they were called kettleballs. Oops!

    Svetsalot, he he- we must be long-lost relatives, ’cause right now I’m dripping buckets onto the keyboard. Okay, my other Russian name would be Irena Runtumuch.

  29. …but do they ring? What good is a bell that doesn’t ring?

    (Oh, I see….)

    Ivana Fatoffski (sad, isn’t it – especially as she was once such a clever girl…)

  30. Hhhhmm, do you think they might make some doggie kettlebells? They usually aren’t very excited about me doing anything that doesn’t involve playing with them.

    But I still want a kettlebell. 🙂

    How about…. Pulinstrein Missef

  31. Ivan Vasilyevich! (Come on, you KNOW that if you were a ruler you’d want your title to be “the terrible” too! And I bet those kettlebells provide a brutal workout so the name fits:)).

    Thanks for the demo and I’m so jealous of all of you with your kettlebells- they look SO awesome.

  32. I would call him: Best Buddy. He has yet to come into my life. I’ve been searching for him at my gym, but he’s nowhere to be found. I hope that he and I can meet at last this week!

  34. You said Krotch!

    Um and to answer you, yes, my Pod has not accepted an email from you. We here in the land of AOL are sometimes shut off from the rest of the World without as much as a “NO MAIL FOR YOU.” What the kettlebell is going on?

    Colonel Kettlebell Clink (guess that TV show) Geez, I’m old! OMG! then I quote the Beaver with the Geez…

  36. I love my kettlebell, although I haven’t properly named it yet.

    How about Red Sonja?

    Since I have a KB already, don’t enter me in the drawing, others need to feel the kettlebell soreness….I mean love.

  37. If only the darn things weren’t so expensive. And don’t even try to buy them at your local Play it Again sports since no one ever sells the things.

  38. Never heard of such a thing.

    However, my first response to nameing it was “Ma” and I had a 2nd, I’d call it “Pa” and work out with “Ma and Pa Kettlebells.”

    But then I catch on to the Russian twist.

    Yuragona Sendatbadboytome, comes to mind

    or if I don’t win

    Getcherone Offdanet

    Or

    Lex Svingdahting (sounds more Scandinavian)

    (I got carried away, didn’t I…)

  41. All I can think is “Darn Moose and Squirrel” muttered in a russian accent.

    And I can never be allowed to own or try one of these things. I am the biggest klutz ever and if the TV was the only thing I damaged it would be a miracle. I would have to clear the room of children and put a cup on Steve and probably wear a helmet.

    I have however decided to test drive a post natal workout tool beyond my treadmill. There is a post natal Tae Bo DVD done by the daughter of the guy that does those videos. She made the tape 10 weeks post partum and I would like to drown her for looking so good but thought I would try it until I am able to try out the gym. Wow – how did I end up so off topic?

  42. I keep thinking my gym will start offering some kettlebell classes or something. No luck so far…
    I would have to call mine Bruiser as I’m sure I would manage to be covered in bruises after using it!

  43. Oh my gosh! Another item that I have been dying to buy (but haven’t). It doesn’t help that Workout Mommy has been “bragging” about hers. 🙂

    I would call mine Rocky (cue the music now)!

  45. Man, I am totally tired of not being able to watch your videos cause I am at work… Pfff! What, am I supposed to be working or something?
    In any case, I haven’t named my kettlebell yet, but now I am going to, cause dang it, I ain’t gonna be left behind like that! Charlotte named hers Tinkerbell, and I am BUMMED I did not think of that. I think I shall settle for something like… Gorbatchev? hahaha! I am so funny… Free the Russian Spirit!

  47. How do you know what weight to get? You seem to have the 15?

    How about bell-y ache….since I hope it works my core.

  48. No time to read other comments as small child is demanding “READ. READ!” and nothing funny here, so

    Natasha.

    Sounds hot. No other reason. 😉

  50. Ooh, if Fisher Price started making these that would probably be just about my level!

    Hey, as no one suggested IGOR yet for the kb’s name?

    That was always my favorite russian name.

    The second syllable has the bonus of sounding violent, like what ends up all over the gym when you work out next to someone with one of these.

  51. Allison? I have to admit that fifteen pounds was the weight that they sent me. If given the choice I might have started a tad lighter? Although since I really did all the exercises more than a few times just with my body weight 15 worked out FINE.
    By the time I ‘got’ what I was supposed to do I was ready for that weight.
    (that wasnt helpful was it? Ill see if I can rustle up Sarah Lurie to join in the comments here…)

    and Sam? I love your randomness.

    I now wanna rename my Kettlebell Alex Campbell.

    M.

  57. I LOVE these, but they are soooo expensive. Why are they so much more than weights? Bah-humbug.

    (I want one at home because I’m too embarrassed to do it at the gym!)

  58. I’m going to get one and use it on people who make fun of my facial hair.

    I’ve been tracking some woman who swears by them for over a year (just tracking, not idolizing.) She could still make fun of my facial hair and I’d be flustered.

    http://tracyrif.blogspot.com/

  59. OMG…I think we have a winner. I was wondering what DVD was going to follow-up the 30 Day Shred…you’ve totally peaked my interest! I’ve gotta get the DVD and the kettlebell. My current ex-boyfriend is a personal trainer and he has a whole set of the KB’s…he let me hold one once and swing it back & forth between my legs…but that’s as far as my ignorant KB self got. I’m way excited about the KB DVD…I’ll let you know how it goes…of course after I’m done with the 30 Day Shred…that’ll be in 17 days…lol.

  60. I too have been a lurker for some time but the chance to win a kettleball has brought me out of my shell. Everyone has such fun and inspiring comments. I have to admit you’ve all kept me laughing and entertained thru this fitness journey.

    Okay so Russian nickname – I would name mine
    anastacia valeria = meaning a ressurection to being strong.

    And as much as I’d love to take credit for that wisdom, the coffee hasn’t jump started my brain that much yet this morning, so I copied off an internet website. 🙂

    Have a wonderful Tuesday everyone!!

  61. “More kettlebell!” Oh wait, that’s cowbell … never mind. 😉

    I would definitely name mine after Rocky & Bullwinkle villain Natasha Fatale. This would, of course, be in the hopes that the kettlebell would help me become a Femme Fatale. 😉

  62. swing, kettlebell kettlebell, swing! Although I’m not Ferris (er, I guess I’m aging myself), it is my day off!

    I just spent the last half hour trying to come up with something cute and Russian… then I tried Russian-sounding and not so cute… finally I’ve decided that due to a severe lack of ingenuity and cleverness, I’d name it “Fifteen”… (or whatever the weight is… naming a ten-pound kettlebell “Fifteen” would be too confusing even for me!).

  63. Why do I find myself wanting this to come with like…a Russian olympic gymnast coach or something to scream at me about my form?

    Admittedly, I am of the non-creative camp this time around…(I mean, whos gonna trump Fiterella?!)

    How about Yeva? It means zest for life — and exercise is what keeps me enjoying my zest!

  64. I have been curious about the kettlebell and now I think I must try it. I would name mine Lola. I don’t know if that’s russian or not, but I just like the name.

  67. thank you kate.
    I’m all about people normalizing my quirks (& have spent far too much time pondering what my neighbors call me. There are so very many choices…)

    M.

  69. More kettle bell! Or is it cow bell?

    In Soviet Block Russia kettle bell swings you!

    My kettle bell name: Gretel. Gretel the kettle bell.

  70. umm … crap, whenever i need to be creative for something like this it fails me. FAILS ME, i tell you.

    ivana kettlebellsky? (ketelbelsky?)
    svetlana motivatov?
    igor coresikov? (koresikov?)
    boris sweatatenko? (svetatenko?)

    i’m stopping now.

  72. Man- I keep reading about these everywhere and I SO want to try one and be unbelievably sore the next day. I had the same visions of one going through my TV much like the Wii remotes of the past before they made stronger wrist straps. Hm…if you were attached to said bell and let go of that thing I imagine your whole body would be hitting that TV and not just the Kettlebell. Outside it is. I hope I win cause they don’t sell them around here and shipping would be a bitch on something so heavy.

    I would name mine something like Yuragona Haitme enDe Morgen

  73. I just enjoy the nicknames you give to your neighbors. I do that too and some would not be PG13. Rub on tatt…LOL! Katia Kettle ..I don;t know that is my exchange sisters daughters name which means pure and the kettle makes me think of going back to basics on the workout front.

  76. I would name mine Boris the Enforcer – cause that sounds vaguely Russian mobstery. Why I need my kettleball to be in the Russian mob is unknown.

  79. Anyone know a good place where Kettle bells can be purchase cheap. I assume the mail is out due to the cost of shipping.

  82. you all make me laugh & I’ve had the name Ivana Humpalot (Austin Powers anyone?) in my head all day….

    Definitely Target for ‘bell purchases and you can get the dvds online at the link above.

    I *sorely* needed the video explanation.

    M.

  83. My husband is going to make me stop reading your blog! Every time I do, I feel the urge to go out and buy something! I NEED the kick-my-booty kettlebell!!!! I will call mine Gloria…not too creative, I know…but at least I’ll think of it as a friend!

  85. That looks fun. I would share your concerns for gracefully tossing that into my TV…or a window..or back at myself somehow. Because I’m slick like that yo!

    Anyhow…I’m terrible with names- “Kareenya”?

  87. I had never seen these before. They look really interesting. I was at the dentist and half of mouth is asleep, along with my tongue, so I don’t really feel like thinking right now. But if the rules allow it, I vote for Mama Zen’s: Vurkina Mineassoff. I have to say there’s a lot of really creative people in this group.

  90. I saw this on cranky fitness, too. Wow, you and cranky liked it! Very interesting…

    I would name mine Tatiana, after the Russian bond girl Tatiana Romanova (she later tries to defect to the US — fitting, no?).

  91. Gorbachov
    or Putina

    or Darya

    Love your blog! Your videos are very helpful for getting my form where it should be! I always worry about doing an exercise wrong and injuring myself.

    Keep up the awesome work!

  92. Squatlana Sormusclealova

    Looks intriguing. I have never seen one even before! Oh, and my husband and I name our neighbors as well. Ha!

  93. OHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGOD

    I dreamt about Kettlebells last night! I was debating with some martial arts instructor whether it was -bell or -ball…and I was insisting upon the former. I then woke up and googled what on earth a kettlebell/ball was. I have no idea where my subconscious learned of such a thing…perhaps it harbours dreams of being a triathlete!

    Anyway, yes, you doing this post today? WEIRD.

  95. When you are the 95th comment, you can’t seriously be expected to come up with an orignal name…can you?

    Raisa Kettlebelalot

    That’s the best I could do.

  97. I don’t know what I would call it, but I know what my clients will call it!

    Holy crapskovich! Not that again!

    I think this might be the motivation I need to better inform myself about the whole kettlebell phenomenon. Because if it’s on E News, people at the gym are going to be in the know, and if we can provide that service, so much the better.

    Besides which, looks like those swings might be really, really helpful for my swimming, biking, and running!

  98. I really have to get over your arms. Anyway, I have seen this kettleball but was not sure about it. I need to consider this but being as I am probably the most uncoordinated person that I know I might accidently kill someone with it.

  99. Ok! Everywhere I look people are blogging about kettlebells. I am so intrigued that I looked up a gym in my area with classes and compaired that to getting the at home stuff. Still not sure which way I am going to swing but I am going to try this.

    I am not creative today at all and so for now I will just call my kettlebell (that you are lovingly holding for me, thank you) butterfly (pretending it’s light and fly’s of it’s own accord might help with that swinging move).

    Happy Training,
    Love Jenn

  100. I’ve been hearing all this stuff about kettlebells recently, and I want to try! Me, me! My Russian kettlebell nickname would be “Zan-frou Wants Kettlebells To Kick Her Butt.”

  101. P.S. I wasn’t able to watch the video and now I am so bummin’. I should win just to mend my broken heart a little. ;-}

  102. Dear Miz,

    If I could do a triceps kickback in a plank position (with a weight OR a stick!) well then, I wouldn’t be yearning for that kettlebell.

    Sincerely yours,
    Adora Korski

  103. Ack!! I have been wanting a kettlebell for so long now, and now you, and Crabby, and FitMommy and Charlotte all have one and I am jealous, jealous I tell you!! I really want to win one – just wish that I had hit the site before all these creative people took all the good names – very funny reading through them all!

    Itza Badenov

    Weak I know, but at least it gets me in the running right?

  104. Okay, I didn’t comment yesterday on this because I’m completely terrified of the kettlebells. But I can’t believe no one used “Zatnasty Sunuva*itch” which is totally what I would call one if forced to use it. 🙂

    V.

  105. I personally am obsessed with obtaining the kettlebells but I am also a bit concerned what they could do to me (or the walls in my house). I can pull a muscles with your average dumbells, what type of damage could this do to those meager deltoids of mine??!

    Mine would be names buffis bicephevski (sounds like a mean older man who drinks bad vodka while smoking a really fat cigar)

  106. Oh, you make me feel so much better! I was wimply whining about the 15 lb. kettlebell (which I kept wanting to call a kettleball) and wishing I’d gotten to try a lighter one — especially for the Turkish Getup routine.
    Have you mastered the swing with alternating hands? crrrrrrash….

  107. I would want my name to be Nikita since it means unconquered (and I loved a show with a tough Nikita in it)!! I would name my kettle Valentina meaning strong but if I ended up with a red one I would have to dub it valentine thinking along the lines of strong valentina but also red like valentines day and love because I know I would love it for helping me achieve a rocking body since I have a lot of body fat to lose!

  108. I checked out something very much the same to this post via google news… I became intrigued and then started searching around, then somehow landed here… anyway, I think that I agree with what you discuss here. However I am going to go see what additional information I can find as well.

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