MMA Tecom Kettlebell class review

So very close to where I work in Tecom is a gym called MMA Fitness.  I thought I'd give the Kettlebell class a go on a Thursday night after work.

I arrived early to sign up to the class as apparently it's a busy one and members get first refusal. It's 100aed pay as you go, however if you speak to a membership consultant and if it's your first time in the gym then you get one class free to try it out- woohoo! 

The class started late which meant I was waiting for nearly an hour, however I massively enjoyed it once it got going. It's a proper blokes gym (although v welcoming to women) offering boxing, martial arts and kickboxing etc so the class was two thirds men and a few girls. The instructor was awesome and didn't take any prisoners- he pushed us and shouted to keep trying etc.  

There were no niceties like many classes eg asking if anyone was new or if anyone had injuries etc, he just got stuck right in and the class followed. 

Having never done kettlebells before I was a bit unsure how to hold or grip the weights but soon got the hang of it. Although the guy next to me dropped his right next to my foot!!! (Would've been a broken toe if it had landed on my foot argh!). 

We warmed up doing everyone's favourite: burpees, as well as running on the spot, squats, lunges etc and then picked up the Kettlebell to progress through a number of swinging movements that really worked your core, arms and legs.

After that was floor work, doing sit-ups keeping the weight raised up in one arm- super tough!  Then we did a series of standing movements that included swinging the weight, leaning to one side with it in the air (a killer on your abs!) and then lunging. 

Then, just when I thought it couldn't get any tougher we did a rolling movement on our backs with the weight where we flung our legs over our heads and with the momentum then stood up holding the weight in the air... Youch!!! 

There wasn't much of a warm down, the class kinda just ended but there was a great atmosphere in the room when it finished as everyone had worked hard and enjoyed the workout! 

Would I go again? Absolutely! I felt incredible after as I was happy I'd survived a tough class and I really felt like my core had got a great workout - especially down the sides which is not often an area that ever aches after exercise!

My only niggle is that I have a weak wrist and it ached big time after as you are holding the Kettlebell weights in the hand for most of the class so puts a lot of pressure of your wrists. Next time I'll know to wear my wrist support! 

Kettlebells are meant to burn more calories than a usual aerobics class due to the weight and movements you use, am sure there are more gentle classes than the MMA one I went to, however if you want to sweat in a no-nonsense environment then head to this Tecom gym!