Kettlebells: the key to a killer body?

We started with an 8lb kettlebell and learned the basic technique of the Dead Lift. With arms hanging straight down, we squatted and grabbed hold of the kettlebell handle. Next we stood up pushing through our legs but with our arms still hanging down. The trick is not to use your arms to hoist the weight off the ground. Once standing we had to squeeze our bums really tightly and push (snap) our hips forward.

In between sets of six reps we jogged up and down for a short distance to give ourselves a break and keep the heart rate high.

Next was the Front Squat. With the kettlebell clutched to our chests, we performed a basic squat going as low as possible before pushing up through the heels to standing, snapping and squeezing again at the top. It was at this point that I was surprised to find I'd broken into a sweat with my heart pounding in my chest.

The next exercise was called the Military Lift and involved holding the kettlebell by its horns (the point where the handle meets the ball) and lifting it above our heads. It's important to push your arms back so they are behind your ears and not in front of you so your shoulders get a good workout.

Finally, we moved onto 12lb weights to learn The Swing (the infamous move from Biggest Loser). The heavier weight is actually easier to use as the momentum helps. With legs slightly bent and feet hip-width apart we swung the weight backwards between our legs then forward again as we came up to standing, snapping and squeezing at the top.

In between sets of reps we continued to run up and down and I was shocked to find that my legs had totally turned to jelly. This has never happened to me before but they were literally buckling with every step. It sounds silly but I reckon this was a good sign. I must be working hard, right?

Tommy and BJ finished up with an evil circuit of swings and military lifts with runs in between. By the end, I was a helpless wreck.

We were warned that we would ache in the morning. Understatement! I could barely walk for two days. Would I do it again? Absolutely. In a flash. I loved it. It was the hardest 'easy workout' I've ever done. The techniques are easy to master and even The Swing isn't as bad as it looks on TV as the weight of the bell carries you through. However, it is tough, tough, tough.

Tommy and BJ hold regular workouts at parks in London and also train fitness trainers across the country. To find a session near you, visit www.optimallifefitness.com