Most Hannibal firefighters have probably never heard of Pavel Tsatsouline. They are, however, quite familiar with the exercise tool the strength and flexibility coach helped make popular in the U.S. - kettlebells.
Kettlebells, which resemble a cannonball with a handle, have been utilized as a primary exercise tool by about half the Hannibal Fire Department for the past two months under the guidance of local personal trainer Joe Johnson. Johnson leads voluntary workouts six days a week at the department’s downtown station. Each session lasts from 30 to 45 minutes
“He’s taught them the basics of kettlebells and the exercise program he promotes,” said Fire Chief Tim Carter.
Carter believes the investment of about $600 a month to bring in a personal trainer has been worthwhile.
“Here’s someone that can come in, motivate training and exercise, and ensure the proper technique is being used during the exercise,” he said.
Carter has been focused on promoting good health among firefighters since becoming chief in September 2006.
“Within my first year as chief I formed a health and safety committee to look into the health and wellbeing of firefighters and trying to come up with ideas of what we can do to promote physical fitness because in the fire service, the No. 1 cause of firefighter fatalities is heart disease ... heart attacks,” he said.
The use of kettlebells is not the department’s first stab at promoting good health.
“We’ve bought treadmills for each of the stations and we have weight equipment that personnel has brought into the stations, but those kind of turn into fads,” said Carter. “Kettlebells is something a little bit different. It works you, but it’s not like we’re trying to get buff for the beach for summertime. We’re looking to get toned, physically fit and strong at our core. That’s how Joe Johnson sold us on the kettlebell program.”
According to Carter, kettlebells target muscles firefighters frequently use.
“That’s one of the things we liked about it. It really correlates with our body functions in our normal duties like climbing ladders, picking up patients, carrying large items, or carrying hose,” he said.
Carter, who instead of joining the kettlebell workouts has been regularly swimming, is pleased with the level of participation which he says regularly totals 18 to 20 firefighters, which is about half the department’s personnel.
“We wanted to see what kind of support we were going to have as far as participants going through the program, since it is voluntary. We’ve stayed at a steady participation number. We’re happy with that,” he said, noting that it’s not uncommon for firefighters to come in on their day off to participate in workouts.
Will the level of participation grow in the future?
“There’s a lot of peer pressure trying to get other guys motivated to participate, but I can’t predict if it will grow or not. I hope it does,” said Carter.
The kettlebell program’s three-month trial period concludes at the end of September. Carter is unsure what will happen at that point.
“We’ll have to reevaluate it and see if all the participants are interested in doing it. Everyone that is participating is real positive. They’re coming up to me and saying, ‘Keep him coming.’ But our budget is limited,” he said. “Hopefully Joe Johnson will give us another proposal. I would like to see it continue. We’re going to take a look at the dollars and cents of it, too, and compare it with our line items.”
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Most Hannibal firefighters have probably never heard of Pavel Tsatsouline. They are, however, quite familiar with the exercise tool the strength and flexibility coach helped make popular in the U.S. - kettlebells.
Kettlebells, which resemble a cannonball with a handle, have been utilized as a primary exercise tool by about half the Hannibal Fire Department for the past two months under the guidance of local personal trainer Joe Johnson. Johnson leads voluntary workouts six days a week at the department’s downtown station. Each session lasts from 30 to 45 minutes
“He’s taught them the basics of kettlebells and the exercise program he promotes,” said Fire Chief Tim Carter.
Carter believes the investment of about $600 a month to bring in a personal trainer has been worthwhile.
“Here’s someone that can come in, motivate training and exercise, and ensure the proper technique is being used during the exercise,” he said.
Carter has been focused on promoting good health among firefighters since becoming chief in September 2006.
“Within my first year as chief I formed a health and safety committee to look into the health and wellbeing of firefighters and trying to come up with ideas of what we can do to promote physical fitness because in the fire service, the No. 1 cause of firefighter fatalities is heart disease ... heart attacks,” he said.
The use of kettlebells is not the department’s first stab at promoting good health.
“We’ve bought treadmills for each of the stations and we have weight equipment that personnel has brought into the stations, but those kind of turn into fads,” said Carter. “Kettlebells is something a little bit different. It works you, but it’s not like we’re trying to get buff for the beach for summertime. We’re looking to get toned, physically fit and strong at our core. That’s how Joe Johnson sold us on the kettlebell program.”
According to Carter, kettlebells target muscles firefighters frequently use.
“That’s one of the things we liked about it. It really correlates with our body functions in our normal duties like climbing ladders, picking up patients, carrying large items, or carrying hose,” he said.
Carter, who instead of joining the kettlebell workouts has been regularly swimming, is pleased with the level of participation which he says regularly totals 18 to 20 firefighters, which is about half the department’s personnel.
“We wanted to see what kind of support we were going to have as far as participants going through the program, since it is voluntary. We’ve stayed at a steady participation number. We’re happy with that,” he said, noting that it’s not uncommon for firefighters to come in on their day off to participate in workouts.
Will the level of participation grow in the future?
“There’s a lot of peer pressure trying to get other guys motivated to participate, but I can’t predict if it will grow or not. I hope it does,” said Carter.
The kettlebell program’s three-month trial period concludes at the end of September. Carter is unsure what will happen at that point.
“We’ll have to reevaluate it and see if all the participants are interested in doing it. Everyone that is participating is real positive. They’re coming up to me and saying, ‘Keep him coming.’ But our budget is limited,” he said. “Hopefully Joe Johnson will give us another proposal. I would like to see it continue. We’re going to take a look at the dollars and cents of it, too, and compare it with our line items.”
