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24 Independent & Free Press,Thursday, June 3, 2010 Local trainer starts weekly classes By EAMONN MAHER Staff Writer Exercising with peculiar-looking kettlebells is hardly a new fitness fad, but a Georgetown South man has been winning over clients after recently starting up weekly classes. Matt Ingram, a personal trainer for the past decade, acquired his kettlebells teaching certification in the fall and conducts outdoor workouts Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings at the Gellert Community Centre. Originally, kettlebells were used in strongman competitions in Russia about a century ago and have recently become popular amongst enthusiasts in North America for promoting all-around fitness and cross-training. The cast-iron weights have an adjustable handle and women usually start off with an 18-pound bell, while men begin at 35 pounds. Ingram said he was attracted to kettlebells because classes run for only about an hour and Ingram added that it's ideal for those with a busy lifestyle, providing a full-body workout. A thorough warm-up period is also essential. "Cowbells are a different kind of exercise, the opposite of Pilates because in Pilates doesn't use momentum, you're sitting and holding. But (kettlebells) is like Pilates in a sense that it lengthens and strengthens your muscles out and it doesn't make you big and bulky, contrary to what a lot of people think about lifting weights," said Ingram, who also oversees classes in Mississauga Matt Ingram of The Training Edge shows off for the ladies as he holds up a 30-pound "kettlebell" which is an exercising aid that has gained popularity in athletic training lately. Joining Matt are Kin Trivino (left) of Power Zone, Wendy Farrow-Reid and Laura Parsons of Georgetown. Ingram emphasized that excellent results can be achieved with just a 30-minute workout. Photo by Brian LeVoguer SPORTS & LEISURE and stages fitness "boot camps" in Milton. "If you're looking to get in shape and shake things up, kettlebells will challenge your muscles, just changing things up. For women, it's designed to tighten and tone, and guys do it for building muscle. They're just doing it in a different way. You're outside getting a tan and you don't have to wait to use the equipment." Recovery time from the exercise is longer than with a circuit program, "because you achieve the desired results twice as fast," Ingram noted. Participants are evaluated and encouraged by the instructor through the workout and can increase or decrease the intensity accordingly. "I have been using kettlebell exercises in my workout routine with Matt for about six months. I suffer from a herniated disk in my low back, so I enjoy how it strengthens the back, legs and the abs all the while increasing flexibility in the hips and increasing cardiovascular endurance," said Phil De Rosa, who has been working out with Ingram for about six months. "As strength and conditioning increased, more difficult kettle bell exercises are used that push the body harder and further. It is great all round workout and I would recommend it to most people looking for a great total body workout at home." Ingram is offering a free introductory session for beginners. For more info, visit the website www.KBellphysique.com or email mattingram@ cogeco.ca. Kettlebells the latest exercise craze Follow the bouncing ball Christ the King's Martina Perkovic helped lead the charge for the host Jaguars Tuesday as she scored once in a 5-0 victory over the M.M. Robinson Rams of Burlington in the Halton high school junior girls' quarterfinals at Cedarvale Park. Scoring for the Jaguars were Nicole Waters (2), Perkovic, Danielle Canhoto and Rachelle Giroux. The junior Jags are set to face Oakville's Holy Trinity in today's (Thursday) in one of the semifinal matchups beginning at 3:15 at Trafalgar Sports Park. CtK's junior boys, unbeaten at 7-0-3 this season, have also advanced to today's semifinals after defeating Burlington's Assumption 4-0 and will face Bishop Reding of Milton at Trafalgar Sports Park starting at 3:10 p.m. The finals for both junior divisions will be held Friday at Lions Sports Park in Milton at 3 p.m. Photo by Eamonn Maher Thinking of Changing Fitness Clubs? Serving the Georgetown community for 5 years! Sinclair Ave. 24 Hour Co-Ed Club 905-702-9013 Georgetown Superstore Women's Club Join Today! 905-702-0082 goodlifefitness.com NO MONEY DOWN! NO ENROLMENT & GET 8 WEEKS FREE!* *Based on the purchase of a 1 year membership. Bi-weekly payments will commence based on your start date. Must show proof of a valid competitor fitness membership. No additional fees are required above the regular membership fee. Offer valid at Georgetown GoodLife locations only. Limited time only. Other conditions apply, see club for details. Money B ack Guarant ee! 30 DAY