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With each new year comes new resolutions. The most universally popular one, of course, is the goal to get in shape. Now that 2013 is in full swing, people have a renewed sense of motivation to eat better and improve their physical health through inspiring fitness regiments. One emerging trend in the world of fitness that is helping a lot of St. Louis residents get more sculpted, chiseled bodies is kettlebell training. While most gyms typically have kettlebells available for their patrons’ individual use, very few actually employ instructors certified in teaching it or offer specific kettlebell classes. Here’s a list of the top kettlebell workouts in St. Louis.

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Fortunately, St. Louis is home to one of the premier kettlebell instructors in the country, Austin Jones. For those looking to train one on one, this is the guy to pair up with. Jones and his clients train out of the studio at Complete Fitness Results in Brentwood. Besides private sessions, he also offers group training that can be more affordable and just as effective. Jones describes his kettlebell regiment as “weightlifting, yoga/pilates and cardio all wrapped into one healthy and fun workout.” He says, “with kettlebells, you train to move well, often and with resiliency.”

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Pilates + Yoga Studio
1015 McCausland Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63117
(314) 781-5050
www.pilatesyogastudio.com

Aside from offering classes with top-notch pilates and yoga instruction, the Pilates + Yoga Studio of St. Louis recognizes the importance of strength training through more traditional methods like kettlebells. This diverse fitness studio offers two kettlebell classes on a regular basis, Saturday mornings or Monday evenings, providing convenient times for kettlebell devotees. Both classes are available for drop-in students who may be curious and want to give it a try or for seasoned kettlebell veterans who’ve become addicted to the awesome workout and its fantastic results.

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FitChix Fitness makes getting in shape seriously fun. This ladies-only gym prides itself on training its clients with the most up-to-date, effective and affordable personal training just for women, and kettlebells are certainly part of the routine. Used exclusively in the studio’s regular, small-group workouts, booty camps and FitChix classes, kettlebells help clients transform their bodies. According to the FitChix website, this is because kettlebells “go back to the basics and require functional, total body fitness to burn massive amounts of fat.”

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CrossFit St. Louis has become a very popular workout destination for locals because of its high-intensity, constantly varied routines. CrossFit regulars partake in what they call “WOD’s” (Workouts of the Day), which combine metabolic conditioning, gymnastic movement and weightlifting. Kettlebell training is incorporated into this often, as it challenges multiple muscle groups simultaneously. At CrossFit, the instructors teach clients how to effectively utilize kettlebell swings, which is a key exercise to achieve maximum results. Classes are offered seven days a week at multiple times throughout the day to make sticking with the workout routines convenient for patrons. This studio also requires on-ramp classes prior to regular training to ensure each student is safely executing the movements in class. Sign up for a free introductory class on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

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