On the way to and from Pacific Beach I daily drove past one of San Diego's best kept fitness secrets. Who knew that the key to the best full-body workout was subtracting distracting modern amenities and keeping it real with a few cast-iron balls?
Located on the east side of Mission Bay Drive on Balboa Avenue, Iron Core offers the traditional Russian workout regiment - Kettlebells - in a contemporary SoCal setting.
As I pulled up to the understated warehouse-style building, flashes of interior yellow and orange tones struck my vision. Parked, here I am: one-part terrified to attempt this notoriously extreme workout, and one-part judgmental to see if this old-school routine can really compare to my new-age boutique gym classes (see: Gravity at Lava Fitness).
Inside the main Iron Core building an industrial vibe set me immediately at ease, further enhanced by the noticeable lack of spandex-clad cliques and competitive ego-driven stares. You won’t find mirrors at Iron Core, resulting in an environment omitting arrogance. I glanced to each of the citrus-hued walls, unable to fathom a gym without mirrors. How do I check the angle of my squat, or, more importantly, how do I check out the cute guys and female competition? I seemed to be the only person worried about this because, as I soon learned, those questions innately reflect the vision of Iron Core: expert trainers, no egos, elevated results.
Old-School Method
Kettlebells are traditional Russian cast iron weights that resemble cannonballs with a handle, dating back to the 1700s in Russia’s exercise and military history. From weightlifting legends to special service soldiers, kettlebells have for centuries been used in the most important fitness training regiments in Russia. Because the kettlebell was a hit among the upper crust elite, the workout routine soon became popular for martial artists and professional and everyday athletes across Russia. Decades later, San Diego caught the international kettlebell fever.
Timeless Results
Although the Russian kettlebells are strong enough for soldiers, the results are universal. In fluid, functional motions common to everyday life, you will swing and lift kettlebells to work all your core muscles. Because the movements are based on realistic actions (flipping a mattress or picking up grocery bags) using kettlebells reduces your risk of fitness injury. Furthermore, each kettlebell workout (at Iron Core) targets different movements with new combinations, ensuring your body never outsmarts the routine, forever challenging your core muscles for continuous results. Fit females begin with 15 to 20 pound kettlebells, and fit males begin with 25 to 35 pound kettlebells.
Kettlebell benefits include: efficient and smart training, increased mobility and flexibility, less nagging injuries, lose fat and unwanted flab quickly, men will increase strength and stamina and build muscle, women will pare down abdominal, thigh and butt fat.
New-Age Appeal
The modern draw of this authentic practice is simple; it’s all about efficiency. If you’re looking to build muscle, enhance your athletic performance or lose weight fast – you can reach your goal faster with kettlebells than with standard weight training and fitness programs. One 45-minute kettlebells class achieves the same results as 2-hours in a normal gym routine. Not buying that? Check out the Mike Lucas success story below.
Iron Core Kettlebells
Sarah Lurie founded Iron Core in 2004, creating the first exclusively certified kettlebell fitness studio that offers kettlebell classes and one on one kettlebell instruction. A former body-building competitor, Lurie did traditional weight training for more than 10 years before suffering a debilitating injury during a weight training workout. Lurie discovered that kettlebell training helped her overcome her injury, and dedicated herself to becoming a certified kettlebell instructor. After only three years at the first Iron Core in La Jolla, Lurie expanded to the new 5,000 square foot studio in Pacific Beach. Subsequently, Sarah created a radical shift in the Southern California fitness community and has taken her brand of kettlebell training nationwide with GoFit Kettlebells and Kettlebells the Iron Core Way DVDs. (pictured)
All Personal, No Pretension
Mike Lucas, a Cetified Kettlebell Instructor at Iron Core, battled morbid obesity for almost 10 years. When he decided to make a change, Mike got serious about a new lifestyle of diet and exercise and lost a total of 114 pounds before joining Iron Core. Entering a local weight loss contest co-sponsored by Iron Core in November of 2005, Mike was introduced to Kettlebell strength training. With the guidance of Sarah Lurie, he lost an amazing 46 pounds in 6 weeks. Soon after, Mike became the newest Iron Core instructor.
Insider Tip: After taking an intimate 4-person “Start Me Up” class with Mike Lucas, I can personally say the trainers are extremely dedicated to making sure you learn the correct kettlebell technique, pointing you in the right direction to meet your fitness goals fast. Mirrors or no mirrors, kettlebells will leave you sore and aching for more.
Sign-up for your “Start Me Up” class at Iron Core - and cash in on 10 days of free classes. Visit ironcorekettlebells.com for details.
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