Local Moms Get (Kettlebell) Fit

For kettlebell instructors Kate Lavanga and Jen Meehan of Alexandria, using kettlebells isn’t just a workout – it’s a life-changing experience.

Meehan and Lavanga, who are both mothers of young children, met while they were rehabilitating back injuries. Meehan suffered a herniated disc after attempting to run after giving birth to her second child. There was one common thread between the two women: they were both avid runners who never cross-trained. Meehan said that poor core strength contributed to her injury. Lavanga and Meehan decided to become certified personal trainers in order to gain a better understanding of how to prevent injury.

“For me, it’s understanding what my body is doing and how to prevent injuries,” said Meehan.

Lavanga was the one who introduced Meehan to kettlebell workouts to help strengthen her core muscles.

“We were hooked pretty quickly,” said Lavanga.

They were so hooked, in fact, that they decided to pursue Russian Kettlebell Certification (RKC) through Dragon Door, the company that helped launch the kettlebell fitness trend in the early 2000s. The RKC is an intensive course where candidates are tested on strength and ability. Meehan and Lavanga traveled to Minnesota to train and earned their RKC within two months of each other. Lavanga is currently pursuing her level two RKC, and Meehan is a Certified Kettlebell Functional Movement Specialist (CK-FMS).

RKC is the safest method of kettlebell trainining, emphasizing proper form resulting in a low injury rate. Lavanga says that she and Meehan are “sticklers” for proper form and they make sure that participants in their classes are educated about preventing injuries.

Lavanga and Meehan’s Kettlebell Fit classes at Fort Hunt Park mainly consist of moms, but the classes are open to people of all fitness levels. The workouts consist of both strength and cardio and are a great way for athletes — and moms — to cross-train. Meehan recalled working with a client who was a marathon runner suffering from knee pain. Meehan and her client trained with kettlebells while the client ran two or three times a week. Her client ran a marathon last fall, minus the knee pain.  

“It’s really empowering for them,” said Meehan. “They’re getting a great workout but they can see that women can be strong and lift these 25 pound weights.”

“It cuts the mindset that you have to spend five to six days in the gym each week to get fit,” added Lavanga.

For more information about Kettlebell Fit at Fort Hunt Park, email Jen Meehan.