{"id":17333,"title":"Hels Bells Member of the Month - March","description":"An amazing month for Hels Bells club members highlighting was a true community we belong to.","content":"

What a month it has been for the club members of Hels Bells. We successfully completed our kettlebell mile challenge which club members have been training for since the start of the year. We were so fortunate the weather was on our side and the sun shone! The community of Portishead came out in force to support us, as 55 of us completed the 26 laps of the marina. It was a phenomenal day, full on emotion with great strength, grit and determination shown by all the club members. I was so proud of them all.<\/p>

When we started our fundraising I would have been delighted to have raised \u00a31000 for Bowel Cancer UK, however we raised a staggering \u00a310,600. With \u00a3900 raised on the day with the cake sale! Never in my wildest dreams did I think we would raise that much to support a charity that is so close to the hearts of many of the club. It really was a day that we will never forget.<\/p>

Since the event we have eased back on our loaded carries but have continued our swings and TGU focus in class. Progress in all areas has been good and everyone is improving their technique and moving up in the weight. After the Easter break we will begin a new club focus of snatches and squats. Alongside continuing the TGU.<\/p>

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Choosing a club member of the month for March is probably one of the hardest decisions I have had to make to date, because quite frankly it could go to anyone who took part in the charity event. A special mention must go to Dan C who managed to do a TGU with a 44kg kettlebell at the start of the month. It was a pleasure to witness and just shows what can be achieved with consistency and practice. Dan worked hard to achieve such a controlled TGU.<\/p>

So the March club member goes to an individual who came to me during lockdown having self taught kettlebells. She booked in to have a couple of 1-2-1\u2019s at a time when the large group training couldn\u2019t take place. I am delighted to announce that the March club member is awarded to Elise!<\/p>

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Right from the outset Elise has been coachable, keen to understand more about how to competently use a kettlebell. She came to me with a good level of strength, wanting to get stronger and refine her technique further.\"\"
Coaching Elise is a pleasure, she works hard to implement the advice and is always happy to practice and put in the hours. Consequently her technique has improved hugely in a short space of time and her strength has rocketed. In particular watching her progress with the snatch and press has been brilliant to witness.<\/p>

Elise\u2019s love of kettlebells meant that last summer she committed to do the StrongFirst SFG1 kettlebell certification. I\u2019m not going to lie when she messaged me whilst I was on holiday I was a little apprehensive that it was late in the day to sign up. But I knew that she would give it her all. The SFG is a challenging weekend and takes preparation. However in a short space of time Elise worked hard to prepare herself. Sadly the week before the event Covid struck which meant she was unable to attend. We all know how devastating it is when you have worked hard for something to have it taken away. And sadly the event only runs once a year.\"\"
However far be it for Elise to be discouraged, she made the call to transfer her place to October 2022 and has been focused ever since. If I\u2019m honest, Covid may have been a blessing in disguise because a year on I know Elise will be thoroughly prepared this October to achieve the standards set by StrongFirst and will be able to go and learn and enjoy everything about the weekend. I have ever confidence in her abilities.<\/p>

Elise is an incredibly focused and determined individual. She likes to understand the \u2018why\u2019 and isn\u2019t scared of putting in the work. Her drive means that outside of class she is following a press programme and is confidently pressing the 18kg for multiple reps. She is also swinging a much heavier bell than a year a go now using the 28kg and 32kg.<\/p>

Elise recognises that being strong is not just physical and is finding the benefits of kettlebells are supporting her to be mentally strong too. She has a love of running and is noticing improvements in her pace as a result of the bells. Plus less niggles in the hips and knees! She is also embracing and enjoying being part of the Hels Bells community.<\/p>

Elise was key to supporting the kettlebell mile event. Training hard, supporting others along the way and she shared the sponsorship page regularly getting her workplace to support and sponsor her. For that I am very grateful.<\/p>

It is a pleasure to coach you Elise and I am excited to be supporting you towards the SFG later this year. You are one strong and determined lady and I have every confidence you will smash the standards and go on to become a quality Strong First coach. Keep being you and believe that you can do it! Congratulations on being club Member of the month, its very much deserved.<\/p>

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