Kettlebell Fitness

Kettlebell fitness classes in Catonsville, Maryland, at Baltimore Martial Arts Academy. One hour, one piece of iron, every muscle you own: strength, cardio and core in a single workout, built from the five movements that matter — squat, press, pull, hinge and carry. Led by certified personal trainer Mitchell Peter, and designed for all fitness levels. Your first week is free.

Who teaches it

Mitchell Peter is a certified personal trainer with four years of experience, a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a black belt in Shorin-Ryu Karate. He specializes in athletic strength and conditioning, weight loss and injury prevention. He came to martial arts himself to lose weight and learn self-defense, so he knows where beginners are starting from. He coaches every rep in the room, scales the weight to the person in front of him, and keeps the pace honest.

What a class looks like

A warm-up to get the hips and shoulders moving, then rounds built around the five basic human movements:

• Squat — goblet squats and their cousins, for legs and core.
• Press — overhead and floor presses, for shoulders and arms.
• Pull — rows and high pulls, for the back.
• Hinge — deadlifts and the kettlebell swing, the move that makes kettlebells famous, for the whole back side of the body.
• Carry — loaded walks that build grip, posture and the kind of strength that shows up carrying groceries.

Rounds are timed, the weight is whatever is right for you that day, and the class finishes with a stretch. It is strength training and conditioning at the same time, which is why an hour of kettlebells does what two hours of machines cannot.

Who it is for

Anyone who wants to get stronger and leaner without a gym membership full of machines they never use. Complete beginners — the first class is spent learning to hinge and swing safely. Martial artists who want strength that transfers to the mat. Kickboxers who want more power. People over 40 who want to keep their joints, balance and bone density. If you can get up off the floor, you can start.

What to bring

• Athletic clothes and flat-soled shoes (or bare feet — many people lift barefoot here).
• Water.
• Nothing else. We provide the kettlebells, in every weight from very light up.
• Arrive ten minutes early for your first class so Mitchell can watch you move and pick your starting weight.

Questions people ask

Will kettlebells make me bulky?
No. Kettlebell training builds lean, dense strength and burns a lot of calories. It makes people look athletic, not big.

I have a bad back. Can I do this?
Tell the instructor before class. The hinge is taught slowly and from the ground up, and done properly the kettlebell swing is one of the best things you can do for a back that aches from sitting. Done badly it is not, which is why you learn it here first.

Do I need my own kettlebell?
No. We have them. If you later want one at home, we will tell you which weight to buy.

How does this fit with your other classes?
Perfectly. Many members pair Saturday kettlebells with fitness kickboxing during the week, or use it as strength work alongside Jiu-Jitsu or Muay Thai. For one-on-one work, see personal training; for everything else, the FAQ and the class schedule.