Ladies of NZ Iron
Let's shatter the myth that ladies who work with weights will get "bulky", look like men and have giant muscles!
Lets meet the Ladies of NZ Iron, some of our certified NZ Iron Instructors, from across New Zealand who regularly train with Kettlebells.
Lets meet the Ladies of NZ Iron, some of our certified NZ Iron Instructors, from across New Zealand who regularly train with Kettlebells.
Dieneké Erazzo
Kettlebelles Auckland
NZ Iron: You're not the typical profile of a person you'd think would be swinging around heavily weighted objects. Who is Dieneké?
I'm a 27 year old Mum of four very active children, 9, 7, 5 & 21 months. I grew up and still live on the North Shore, Auckland. People would say i have a big family myself but growing up with 6 siblings I'm used to having a house that's never quiet and always someone to compete with. My husband Jose, trains at Integrated Fighting a MMA gym, where my love of Kettlebells was founded. My two oldest children Renee and Zach now train in the kids MMA classes too. You can see we're a pretty physical and active family.
NZ Iron: Let's get this question out of the way....Some people thought you were mad training so far into your pregnancy, what do have to say about it?
I was fortunate enough to have a healthy pregnancy, where I was able to train right throughout until I decided I needed a break before the due date. I was the fittest i had been before any of my pregnancies and I wasn't going to stop because of it. I was using a 16kg bell before my pregnancy and during the first few months dropped down to a 12kg bell. Everyone joked about how the baby was going to come out with a six pack and swinging a bell, but the truth is that training so late into my pregnancy helped me to prepare for labor and a quick recovery.
There was a lot of criticism around using KB's during my pregnancy, but I also left people in awe. They wanted to know more and especially if it was going to hurt the baby. I consulted many health professionals and did a lot of reading into weight training during pregnancy. Every pregnancy is different as I have experienced a few already, I know that not all women are able to train like I could. But if you are able to, the benefits outweigh sitting on your butt for 9 months. I say to do what feels right for you and your baby.
You have 4 kids - how do you manage to stay looking like you do?
I didn't always look the way i do now, in fact i gained excess weight, especially after my first 2 pregnancies. I wasn't happy with how I felt and I knew running just wasn't enough to push me physically to get to where I wanted to be. I'm so grateful for coming across Kettlebells as I haven't experienced the same results with any other exercises I've tried. I've become more flexible, stronger, fitter and improved my functional movement. I would be lying if i didn't mention that running around after 4 children doesn't play a part in keeping me active and on my feet a lot. I make the most of my opportunities when they arise like running around the rugby fields while at my sons rugby practices as I want to keep up with my growing children and continue to mobile and active when they become parents themselves.
NZ Iron: Tell us about your start , your training regime and how you fit it all in.
Being physically active has been a big part of my life for as long as i remember. I have had a love of running stemming from my Dad and wanting to keep up with my older brothers since a very young age. I still manage to find time to run at least twice a week with my youngest in the pushchair. I usually train 5-7 times a week with at least 1 day of rest in the mix. I train with Kettlebells most of the other days and like to mix it up sometimes with a weight session. It's safe to say there's almost never a day I don't have my hand on a kettlebell.
Making time for training is always a challenge with a big family. Sometimes I cope by having one kid on the hip yelling out instructions while squatting. It's not that bad but it has happened before.
Being very organised plays a big part of having an easy flowing day, while working to a very tight time schedule. Having a supportive husband that can run around after the kids and cook dinners helps. Most of my workouts take part during the school hours when I only have 1 at home and classes aren't on till the evenings. Although some days it looks like chaos in my household, it's organised chaos. My children all help out in household responsibilities so it means i get time to unwind and chill out at night.
NZ Iron: How did you first find Kettlebells?
At first I thought Kettlbells could only inflict pain after my husband first used them, and could hardly walk for a few days after his MMA conditioning training. He then somehow convinced me to join a 12 week bootcamp for ladies. It was at the very first class i swore to myself that i would not be one of the 50% that were most likely going to drop out, so I sweated it out to do my hubby proud. You may think that only males are competitive but i assure you females have that streak in them too. It's since then that the love of swinging metal has become part of my lifestyle.
NZ Iron: What's your favourite KB set/workout? I don't have a favourite as I know each have their own benefits, but I occasionally enjoy doing a 36:36 MVO2. It's 36 seconds work followed by 36 seconds rest for 36 sets. It involves having to mentally push yourself as well as physically but the rewards afterwards are worth it. I like to mix up my workouts so that each one is rarely repeated, this way it keeps them interesting and fun.
NZ Iron: We hear from many women that they don't want to get "bulky" from using Kettlebells, what would you say to them?
I'm sure the photos are evidence enough to say that after training continuously for the past 3 years with Kettlebells, that you will not get bulky. It is such a misconception that by using weights you will grow huge muscles that will make you look manly. Yes, you will strengthen and tone your muscles and they may become more visible as you shred away fat from the high calorie burning workouts, but due to the nature and type of workout you get from using Kettlebells unless taking supplements and lifting heavy weights, bulking up is not an issue.
NZ Iron: We believe that women deserve to be strong but many of then don't believe it's "their place" to use a KB, because it's a "man thing" what would you say to that?
There is a new saying around the fitness world "Strong is the new skinny". I'm sure any women would prefer to be strong than skinny and with Crossfit games taking off and becoming more known, we see how women are also taking part in making sure we are right up there with the guys competing in all sports.
What else would you like to tell people about yourself, training, nutrition, Kettlebells or anything else??
I have learned that you have to make time to workout just like you make time to cook dinner. Working out for me is the "me time" of the day although I'm usually surrounded by others or my own kids. It helps to restore sanity levels by doing something really physical. There is another great motivational quote I like to use especially for myself when I am usually reaching into the cupboard for some chocolate, "Let exercise be your stress reliever, NOT FOOD!". It takes a lot of self control and self motivation to get yourself into a routine where eating healthy and regular exercise become natural habits, and results are usually what will drive you to continue, so don't give up too early on any lifestyle changes because being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional.
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