Kettlebell Sport: The Road to Competition Day
Mayachela (Maya) Garcia • Oct 2nd, 2008 • Category: Gym+Training
Tonight is one of those nights when all I feel like doing is slipping my sneakers off and passing out alongside my sleeping one year-old. It’s been a busy day—full of deadlines, clients, emails and of course, mommy errands. Did I remember to buy his teething tablets? Who knows…
I know one thing for sure though—despite those dreadful bags under my eyes, I can’t rest tonight because it’s my night to train. An upcoming kettlebell competition looms. I have no choice. I grab the good old gray wrist wraps—the ones that are stiff as a board—and my secret weapon: my MP3 player. What would I do without music? Die. Training for Kettlebell Sport has become my third job next to running a business and raising a son. If it weren’t for competition, I wouldn’t train nearly as hard nor as consistently as I do in preparation for an important event. I would be absolutely content kettlebell lifting as a hobby or as a supplement to my general fitness routine—especially after chasing a one year-old around all afternoon. Somehow, the idea of putting it all on the line when competition day arrives pushes me to excel and to reach for new limits within myself while in training. Tonight is no exception. After I raise the bar on my son’s crib for the final time this evening, I’m heading outside to chalk my bell.
Competition has unquestionably brought out the best in me as a kettlebell lifter. I know there are certain numbers I must earn in training in order to be successful on stage so I constantly work through pain (kicking and screaming, of course) in order to progress beyond an old limit that once held me back. If not for competition, I’m not even sure I would know my true limits or more importantly, my real potential as an athlete. Secretly, I know I would punk out halfway through most difficult sets if I relied on my own pain barometer alone, but since kettlebell sport is a test of strength and muscular endurance, you can’t fake it once you step on the platform. The time you have spent under the bell—your level of dedication—is crystal clear. By the time you reach your fourth minute and approach that one critical moment when you’re allowed to switch the kettlebell to your opposite hand, you either fight or take flight. Inevitably, your mind is panicking, your hands and forearms are burning, and you keep feeling your pace beginning to slow… it’s miserable on a good day and yet, great lifters know how to stay calm in order to concentrate on technical precision and energy conservation. Elite kettlebell lifters know how to make their last rep look exactly like the first one. Mental training is a huge component of kettlebell sport because you must discover places within yourself that you didn’t even know existed. It’s also one of the greatest rewards.
Perhaps there is no better way to explain this than through the power of technology. People say a picture is worth a thousand words so I’m hoping a video is worth a million. Here is a video documentary capturing the sweat, blood, tears, and joy of the Ice Chamber Kettlebell Girls (me included) in action. See what it took five women, including three ‘30-something’ moms, to go for the gold at the IKFF/NAKF National Kettlebell Meet in Michigan. Enjoy!
MAYACHELA (MAYA) GARCIA is a new mother and co-founder of Ice Chamber, a unique athletic training facility in Albany, CA. Her area of expertise is getting women (especially moms) in top shape utilizing kettlebells, bodyweight movements, weightlifting, and their natural environment. Maya's credentials include: Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA), Certified Kettlebell Lifting Coach (AKC), Certified Kettlebell Trainer (IKFF), Certified Club Coach (USAW), and a B.A. in Sociology from U.C. Berkeley.
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The dedication of the ICKB girls is inspiring and motivating. I love watching you and hearing about your struggles and victories.
Maya, you are an amazing woman! All the ICKB ladies make me proud!!!
Maya, as always from the heart and honest. So is the video. The ICKB girls are truly women that are grace under pressure.
You know that this girl is dedicated if she straps on crusty old wrist wraps after a day of dealing with all of us at the IC instead of staying home and cuddling with what can only be said is the cutest kid in the universe. LOVE the video. Especially the bloody hand. And the sky-high heels.
Great post. It makes me want to step up my game and set a real goal too. Thanks for sharing your kettlebell adventures with Chi fans! Btw, what weight should a beginner use?
Rock on ladies! On behalf of our team, thank you for the awesome support. It’s great to hear that you’re gaining inspiration from the video. Lola, if it has inspired you to give kettlebell lifting a try for the first time, then our mission is accomplished! When you’re starting out, your focus should be on establishing movement patterns and technical execution so using a light load relative to your strength level is optimal (4 - 8 kgs is typically a safe starting point).
These ladies are so strong and graceful, they make it look easy. I attended one of Maya’s boot camp classes and could barely do more than 3 reps of the lightest kettlebell. Go girrrls!
just became introduced to kettlebells…love them…ladies we are stronger than we think..girlpower…