Going for Serious!

deedles42

So I have been "dabbling" with KBs for several months. I have followed Lauren Brooks videos, studied books by Lorna Kleidman and Tracy Reifkind. In five months I have lost 29lbs. I also run/walk during active recovery days. I have to lose another 90lbs just to get to the top of my BMI... I was the type to say "I will join the gym once I lose X amount of weight." (STUPID) I finally decided to bite the bullet and join Richmond Kettlebell Club with certified instructors. I have my FMS and personal intake early Monday as well as my first Intro Class. I CAN'T WAIT!!! I am also very nervous. They teach you get ups right away... while I have confidence in swings, squats, lifts, etc. My get ups are awful. I know I shouldn't worry as it is entry level classes. But my elbow goes all noodly for some reason. And when I get into the lunge position I struggle standing. Any tips on how so I can practice would be appreciated! I am super psyched. I have finally found something that is extremely enjoyable.

yerfgirl

Good for you! I love my kb gym. They'll work out any kinks in your form which will help with your get up. I find forcing my extended leg into the floor and punching the sky with my raised arm helps. Focusing on one point in front of me helps me stand.

One guy did the get up the other day with the "bulldog". He breathed and focused on each step. It was not fluid but very deliberate and precise. And awesome.

Hope to hear how it goes.

ItsCasey

Learning proper form will definitely help with get-ups.

If you haven't already, try doing them repeatedly with just your bodyweight. This will help you work out any balance issues you may be having with standing up from the lunging position.

You could also just do some lunges and reverse lunges (with or without weight) to practice getting up out of that position. I find that the difficulty stems mostly from balance and not so much the weight.

And in general, I would just say isolate each step of the get-up (rolling up on the elbow, elbow to hand, hand to hip bridge, hip bridge to half-windmill, half-windmill to lunge, lunge to standing, and then everything in reverse), and practice the individual steps repeatedly. Really focus and concentrate on the position of your body during each step. Don't try to rush through it. You'll be surprised at how quickly you will master the whole movement.

deedles42

Hey! This is what I am being taught in the intro classes at Richmond Kettlebell Club. I have been practicing the half get up with 10lbs and doing that pretty easily. I can also get to the kneeling position pretty easily (though I am apparently severely uncoordinated and my knee does not want to form a line to my hand on the floor!) I have been told there is a Rite of Passage at the end of the Intro classes and as long as I can do the half get up, and succeed in the Swing and Goblet Squat I am going to be able to pass and continue on to the next level. They will of course still train me with the full get up and I will also practice at home. I own 10, 15, 20, and 25 lb bells.

I cannot wait to see how I progress. I can already somewhat get to a standing position on my right side. I lean forward too much though. Left side though I cannot do at all. It is very strange. Still practicing!!