Healthymagination » Athletes

Russian Kettlebells: The Ultimate 20 Minute Workout?

Alison Cool — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:52:19 +0000

Guest blogger Alison Cool is a PhD candidate in Cultural Anthropology at New York University, and was a Fulbright Scholar in Sweden 2009-2010. She has previously blogged for style.com, interview.com, and fashionista.com.

You may have seen Russian kettlebells – the strange, cannonball-shaped weights with U-shaped handles – at your local gym, or perhaps you’ve read about some of the celebrities like Lance Armstrong, Jennifer Lopez, and Jessica Biel who have joined this new exercise trend. We talked to expert kettlebell trainer Brook Benten to find out what you need to know about this fun, new fitness accessory.

Kettlebell routines involve a bottom-up swinging motion driven by the muscles in the lower body. As Brook explained, “there’s no such thing as target training. Unfortunately, that is not really possible. But the kettlebell does really focus on strengthening through the glutes and thighs, so if you are working out regularly and eating well, you will definitely see some toning in those areas.”

The kettlebell, originally used by Russian bodybuilders 300 years ago, can be adapted into workout routines for everyone from seasoned gym veterans to fitness newbies. According to a recent study from the American Council on Exercise, kettlebells deliver a remarkably effective workout that increases your balance and flexibility in addition to your strength and cardiovascular fitness. Participants in the kettlebell study burned an impressive average of 272 calories during a twenty minute workout.

As with all new exercise regimes, it is important to make sure you learn the proper technique to ensure that you don’t get hurt. Brook recommends that beginners get started with kettlebells weighing between 10 and 20 pounds for women, and between 15 and 30 pounds for men. For best results, train with kettlebells two to three times a week, with 24 to 48 hours of rest in between sessions. Yoga classes are a good complement to kettlebell training. “Yoga will stretch out tight areas to keep muscles and joints healthy so you can keep exercising and using the kettlebell for a long, long time.”

To avoid injury, Brook stresses the importance of getting started with a certified professional trainer who is trained specifically in kettlebells. For the budget conscious, look for online video tutorials to learn the correct form. Those with a limited range of motion in their hips or with lumbar spine injuries can start with Brook’s technique of “airballing,” or going through the same swinging movements without the kettlebell. Always remember to talk with your doctor before starting any new workout.

CONNECT THE DOTS

The American Council on Exercise’s kettlebell study also includes suggested workout routines with pictures of proper form. WebMD has a useful kettlebell review and guide and Lance Armstrong’s LiveStrong website offers additional kettlebell tips. For general strength training information, head over to MayoClinic.com.

Phil Mickleson’s Arthritis

Lisa Collier Cool — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 23:20:32 +0000

Phil Mickelson hopes to overtake Tiger Woods as the number one golfer in the world, after spending more than 258 weeks as number 2—an all-time record. No player has spent more time in the top 10 than Mickelson without capturing the top spot, MSN reports.

But in his drive to top the rankings, the golfing legend is battling a tougher foe than Tiger Woods, whose game has faltered in the wake of a highly publicized divorce from Elin Nordgren. Mickelson, 40, was recently diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, an autoimmune disease affecting joints. It struck a few days before the U.S. Open, leaving him in such agony that he couldn’t walk.

How might arthritis impact Phil Mickelson’s bid to dethrone Tiger Woods?

Psoriatic arthritis affects about two million Americans and is linked to psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease that sparks raised red, scaly patches. Among the celebrities affected by this devastating disorder are country singer LeAnn Rimes and bestselling author John Updike (an avid amateur golfer), who described his battle with severe psoriasis as being “at war with my skin,” in Journal of a Leper.

“About 10 years after a psoriasis diagnosis, 25 percent of patients go on to develop psoriatic arthritis,” says Christopher Ritchlin, MD, MPD, professor of medicine in the allergy, immunology and rheumatology division of University of Rochester Medical Center in New York. “Trauma from sports can sometimes be a factor, but the disease is also genetic. If you have psoriatic arthritis, there’s a 40 percent chance that someone in your family also has it.”

Symptoms can strike suddenly, adds Dr. Ritchlin, who is not involved in Mickelson’s care. “Joints can get very inflamed and people can wake up with their fingers swollen like sausages. People often think it’s an infection and go the ER.”

In a press conference, Mickelson said, “Every joint in my body hurt to where I couldn’t move. I would just lay down and couldn’t roll over.” Compounding the stress of this excruciating disorder for the golfer, his wife, Amy, 37, and his mom, Mary, are both battling breast cancer, in a devastating coincidence. Psoriatic arthritis halted the career of professional golfer Bob Murphy in the 1980s due to severe pain and swelling,

While there’s still no cure for psoriatic arthritis, recent advances in treatment have helped put Mickelson back in contention for the coveted number one spot. The PGA superstar says that he’s back to “100 percent,” thanks to weekly injections of Enbrel, a biologic medication that blocks a molecule involved in both skin and joint inflammation.

“Early, aggressive treatment can improve the outcome and so far, Phil Mickelson appears to have had an excellent response,” says Dr. Ritchlin. “Many people treated with Enbrel and similar agents go into remission and can resume active or even athletic lives.”

CONNECT THE DOTS

To learn more about psoriatic arthritis, visit MedlinePlus, WebMD or the National Psoriasis Foundation.

Keeping the Olympic Spirit Going

Britta Barrett — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:19:11 +0000

The 2010 Games have come and gone, but we wanted to take one last look back. Here’s Chris Katsuleres, the Olympic Marketing Director at GE, relaying the Olympic torch en route to Vancouver.

The 2010 Games were amazing. The Olympics often inspire people to get active and live healthier. What about you?

Chris Katsuleres and the Olympic Torch

Health Heroes of the Vancouver Games

Britta Barrett — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:37:11 +0000

We’re getting ready to salute the Health Heroes of the Vancouver Games – everyone from the fans and volunteers to the medical staff and…of course…the Olympians! We’ll be joined by Scott Hamilton, Michelle Kwan, Martin Brodeur, and Angela Ruggiero.

If you’re on the ground tweeting about the event, add the #healthymagination tag.

Stay tuned for live blogging and tweeting in a bit!

10:11 AM Pacific/1:11 PM Eastern

The event is underway. Mike Barber has taken the stage. “With healthymagination, we want to further define what it means to live a healthy lifestyle.” He’s showing the crowd the new Vscan, a handheld device for on-site ultrasound.

10:16 AM Pacific/1:16 PM Eastern

Mike has introduced the panel of Olympians: Michelle Kwan, Scott Hamilton, Angela Ruggiero and — the crowd favorite — Canadian Martin Brodeur.

Dr. Jack Taunton, Chief Medical Officer of the 2010 Games, is now speaking. More than 1,500 Healthy Heroes have volunteered to make the Olympics possible.

10:21 AM Pacific/1:21 PM Eastern

Michelle is taking questions. She’s having a great time in Vancouver! She’s asked how she maintains a healthy lifestyle. “When I was in the Olympics, it was my job to be in shape. Now I have to make it a priority to get healthy, work out, get enough sleep…” Her dad’s advice? “Just remember to take care of yourself.”

10:25 AM Pacific/1:25 PM Eastern

Martin Brodeur is up next. “When you go out every day to perform, you have to take care of yourself. A healthy lifestyle is not just exercise, it’s an attitude.” (Well said!)

10:28 AM Pacific/1:28 PM Eastern

And here’s Angela Ruggiero. “If you feel good as an athlete, it translate to everything else in life. Find your motivation…what’s your passion? Mine is hockey.” It’s all about figuring out what your goals are and maintaining balance.

10:31 AM Pacific/1:31 PM Eastern

Now it’s Scott Hamilton’s turn. “There are so many men who feel like they are bullet proof. Women are better at being vigilant with their health.” Interesting.

Now he’s talking about how cancer helped him learn to be vigilant. Because he paid attention to his body and asked his doctors’ questions, he was treated early on. He mentions his kids — a two-year-old and a six-year-old. He wants to be around for them. (Love this guy!)

10:38 AM Pacific/1:38 PM Eastern

Back to Dr. Taunton. He’s talking about state-of-the-art MRI technology, a CT scan, ultrasound, so many improvements in technology. They’re able to look at micro tears in tendons and treat them right away. The recovery time for athletes is so much faster because of this.

10:41 AM Pacific/1:41 PM Eastern

Now we’re getting some questions from the Healthy Heroes in the crowd. Michelle and Scott are questioned on skating injuries. Scott says most of these are self-inflicted. Michelle says no one is body-checking her (ha). Martin is asked how he knew the Swiss hockey player was going to glove slide (the crowd cheers!). He tells them it was a lucky guess.

10:46 AM Pacific/1:46 PM Eastern

Now the Healthy Heroes are off for a group skate. When wrapping up, Mike Barber is asked how non-Olympic athletes (or everyday people) can take a proactive role in being healthy. He points to healthymagination.com and talks about small steps we can all take…it’s all about initiative.

11:25 AM Pacific/2:25 PM Eastern

Phew! In closing, Mike Barber said today was “a fantastic kick-off event! The gold medal athletes are great role models to all, not just for their many accomplishments, but also for making the commitment to lead a healthy lifestyle.” Agreed.

Year of Better Health

Britta Barrett — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:53:05 +0000

We’re excited for today’s luncheon with figure skating champion Michelle Kwan and Dr. Michael Roizen of the Cleveland Clinic, as they kick off the “Year of Better Health.”

Kwan, who is a health ambassador for GE Healthymagination, will join Dr. Roizen and others to discuss better health and unveil the results of a large-scale survey. We’ll be on hand for live blogging and tweeting, so check back here at noon!

12:04 PM

We’re just getting started. Michelle Kwan and Dr. Roizen are making the rounds…

12:27 PM

Dr. Roizen is beginning to announce the results of the Better Health Survey.

12:29 PM

“People are trying to do healthy things but are failing because they don’t have enough information.”

- Dr. Roizen

12:30 PM

Dr. Roizen and Michelle Kwan talking about our Better Health Conversation with WebMD and changing the paradigm of health care.

12:35 PM

“How do we change the paradigm so that people understand that their mother’s disease or their father’s disease doesn’t have to be their disease?”

- Dr. Roizen

12:38 PM

Dr. Roizen explaining how simpler, healthier choices can make a big difference.

12:42 PM

Dr. Roizen talking about how he discovered the healthymagination data visualization this morning.

12:57 PM

Today’s event with Michelle Kwan and Dr. Roizen is coming to a close for one-on-one interviews. Check back here soon for more details on the Better Health Survey.