Today, the Wife and I went to our new local Bikram Yoga joint for a little sweat lodge calisthenics. Hezzy had done this sort of thing sometime last year and she really liked it and got really good results from it. Given that, we were excited to have a school right around the block from us.
All I can say is: HOLY CRAP is it hot in there! It being my first time, I did a lot of sitting or just standing there instead of trying to stand on one foot with my other foot tucked up my arse. H tells me it took her a few classes before she could get through the whole thing, and one of the other guys in the class congratulated me for staying in the room for the whole class, so I guess I did alright.
Unexpected benefit to sweating five pounds of water onto a beach towel: My skin is unbelievably soft and smooth. (Yes, I’m a girl. Thanks.) My fingers were actually pruned up by the time we finished the standing exercises.
Number six on the Forbes Ten ways to live longer list: Be rich.
Number three? Have more sex.
Thanks, Chatchi. Very helpful!
Oops! I’m failing at number two: Be optimistic.
And I can’t even comment on number one, or else I might ruin my chances at number three…
I have mentioned kettlebells in this space previously. I first learned of them because one of my favorite boxers, Kostya Tszyu (who is getting geared up to fight Ricky Hatton in June), is a spokesman for an Australian firm that pushes the peculiar lumps of iron. Since the kettlebells have been experiencing an odd spike on the buzz-o-meter lately, I was interested to read this myth-busting article: Kettlebells : An Antidote to the Hype
The author makes several salient points. I, of course, will focus on the most trivial among them:
Kettlebells are Russian
No, they are not. In fact, they originated in the Highlands of Scotland. A popular pastime in the Highlands in winter is the sport of curling. This was originally played using birch brooms and round stones on frozen lakes and river mouths. In freezing temperatures, picking up a round stone covered in frost in the midwinter gloom can be a tricky proposition. Therefore, a cast iron handle was attached to the stones to make then easier to handle. Highland and Cumberland wrestlers then began using the stones during the spring as a training tool (one among many) for the Highland Games. The handle made it easy to pick up for pressing motions, so why not?
This is not a reason not to use kettlebells, but more of a hype-busting exercise. If you want to be an “authentic� kettlebeller, then learn to play the bagpipes and wear your kilt with pride.
That’s the best reason I’ve heard so far to get me some kettlebells! 
Of course, I also have to come to terms with the fact that curling originated in the land of my ancestors.
But then again, so did golf…
So, I’m not tooting my horn here, because I know I’ve got a way to go as far as getting in shape. That said though, today while “Flexing the Bows”, I bench pressed 200lbs. for the first time ever (one full set of ten, even Oops! Checked my log and it was actually only a half set - five reps.). I have no idea what that would translate to in free weights or anything else, but it’s the most “weight” I have ever been able to push away from my body.
I was never a strong kid. Flexibility and agility were my keys to success. Now, though, I am stronger than I’ve ever been thanks to the Bowflex.
Neat stuff! The forward progress is exciting.
One very odd word: Kettlebells
The kettlebell is a cast iron weight, which resembles a basketball with a handle. An ancient Russian exercise device, the kettlebell has long been a favorite in that country for those seeking a special edge in strength and endurance.
Leave it to the Russians…
And I don’t know if it’s really sweeping the nation, but there have been fluff pieces in the news about them that seem to claim as much.
Strange thing is, it kind of sounds appealing to me. If they weren’t so pricey I might get a starter kit.
Of course, the fact that one of my favorite boxers, Kostya Tszyu, trains with them is probably influencing my judgement. I’m such a fanboy sometimes.
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