Michele Olson
A little background on me first: I've done a couple of kettlebell DVDs (Kettlebell Way 1 & Iron Core 1) a handful of times, and I use 15 & 8 lb. kettlebells. I'm no hardcore kettlebell person nor am I an expert by a long shot.
I did like this DVD. I originally pre-ordered it, then cancelled it after all the brouhaha about the title being misleading, etc. After I saw clips, I decided to take a chance. I also had emailed Dr. Olson during that time before the DVD was released and received a very nice email explaining what the DVD was and why they didn't use kettlebells (the reasons have already been noted in other threads here on VF).
I used my 15 lb. kettlebell for most of the moves, except the abs section when I used 8s. On a few moves she said to hold it by the base, but I thought the handle worked much better. I think if you're familiar with kettlebells and doing swings, cleans, and pulls (high pulls? sorry, I'm still learning), you could easily do with the kettlebell what she does with the dumbbell. I thought it was pretty obvious which kettlebell move would substitute. And so many of the other exercises are very easy to use the kettlebell - squats, tactical lunges, figure 8, etc. I did not use a dumbbell, which is what Michele is shown using, so I cannot comment on the effects with a dumbbell.
I think the DVD does a good job of what it was intended to do - give people a feel for kettlebell-type moves that work the whole body at once while using a dumbbell so they can decide if it might be something they'd like to invest in. It's useful for someone who knows kettlebells a bit like myself because I can use my kettlebells and follow her, and get a good workout. I wanted it for the 10 minute sections, to add on a kettlebell LB workout after traditional LB weights or LB barre, for example. This will work great for that. Or I can two or more segments together for a good short workout (or, as today, a good 40-min. sweaty workout!). If you're a more hardcore kettlebell person, then no, this may not be for you. But that's not who they were marketing it to.
She did talk a lot about using the legs to power moves (although she never mentioned the 'hip snap') and not to lift the weight with your arms on the swing-type moves. She also emphasized how this type of workout involves many muscle groups at once. I'm going to try the workout with dumbbells at some point to see how that goes.
Like all 10MS workouts, Michele is alone, and there are five 10-minute segments which are programmable.
Instructor comments:
Michele Olson is an exercise physiologist at Auburn Univ. and I've seen several workouts she's designed in the pages of magazines such as Fitness. I found her manner to be friendly and felt she gave clear instruction.
Terri
12/15/2008
