Steiner Sisters Pave the Way for the Next Generation of Kettlebell Lifters

At 14 and 16, Scarlett and Lyra Steiner are two of the youngest team members on Seattle Kettlebell Club’s Sport Team. After seeing them work hard at our KettleFIT and KettleSPORT classes on a regular basis along with hitting big numbers at SKC’s Pro-am back in December, I sat down with them to chat about their experience at SKC. 

How did you get involved with SKC?

Lyra: “Our parents. Their old gym closed, and they came here. I really didn’t want to do it at first, but then our dad kind of made us do it, and we ended up liking it more than he does.”

You both started with the KettleFIT classes. What lured you to give SPORT a try?

Lyra: “I was here on the first day of the sport cycle, and I wasn’t planning on taking the Sport class, but Nora invited me over, and encouraged me to try it, and I really liked it!” 

Scarlett: “And Lyra encouraged me to do it. I was hesitant because everyone seemed like such a team, and I didn’t think I was ready, but I tried it out, and I really liked it. I really like being part of a team.”

Photo Credit: Truong Win

You guys are some of our younger members. What is it like working out with an older crowd?

Scarlett: “At first, I felt self-conscience because I thought people would just see me as some random kid, but I like being able to do the things that they do.” 

Lyra: “I’ve never felt excluded here or anything. It’s a great atmosphere even though I’m half the age of a lot of people.”

What do you two like about the competition side of things?

Scarlett: “The competition was so fun for me. I didn’t think I could do how many reps I did, but everyone was cheering, and I was able to. That was really gratifying.” 

 What is your favorite part of coming to class every day?

 Lyra: “The community is really great. I know most people in the classes, and they’re supportive. I can see people progressing, and they can see me progressing.” 

What are your goals for future competitions?

Scarlett: “I’d love to catch up to Lyra eventually. That’s a big part of my motivation. I would like to continue doing kettlebells as long as I can.” 

Lyra: “I want to be able to lift the 16s [kilogram kettlebells].” 

How has coming here improved other aspects of your life? 

Scarlett: “I always feel good when I’m here. I feel strong, and that transfers to my home and school life.”

Have a friend are partner who wants to join SKC with you? Scarlett and Lyra are on the Kodiak Membership: two people on one payment. Sign up now! We're raising the prices soon!

-Camille Borodey

Kettlebell Sport, the Formula 1 of Kettlebell Lifting

People ask me a lot "what is kettlebell sport?"  The best way I found to explain what kettlebell sport is is to liken it to Formula 1 racing.  Formula 1 pits the very best of the auto industry against one another to prove who's best on the racetrack.  All of the latest and greatest technology is utilized; from ultra efficient hybrid engines, super lightweight yet strong materials and bodies specially designed to reduce drag yet increase down-force to provide maximum traction to the tires. The result is the best that the car manufacturers have to offer which leads to an immediate trickle down effect that we as consumers and drivers get to utilize everyday. Our cars are safer, faster and more efficient because of the work done on the racetrack. 

This is kettlebell sport. You will notice the kettlebells themselves are different. They are all uniform in size to allow for consistency when performing kettlebell maneuvers. All of the techniques are refined to the minutest detail to provide maximum efficiency and power. No effort is wasted. Any unnecessary movement negatively affects the performance so these flaws in technique are immediately eliminated.  From the breathing to the grip to the fluidity in which the movements are performed, nothing escapes the scrutinizing and uncompromising eye of competition. 

The reason why kettlebells work so well is because kettlebell sport taught you how to make them work whether you realized it or not. Kettlebell lifting was born out of competition when one farmer said to another "Hey, I can lift a heavier weight than you." Its effectiveness is why the Soviet Union nationalized it and created the official sport in the 1940's.  And the sport is the reason why every personal trainer, CrossFit gym and DIY fitness enthusiast is using them.   Just like Formula 1, kettlebell sport is the pinnacle of its field.

 www.SEATTLEKETTLEBELLCLUB.com

Nikolai Puchlov, Owner S.K.C.

Kettlebell Masterclass with Tom Corrigan

Strikerfit Trainers recently had an opportunity to buff up on their Kettlebell skills this weekend under the tutelage of the legendary kettlebell master TOM CORRIGAN.  Thank you, Tom, for an amazing workshop.