Get Everything You Ever Wanted : Star Trek: Kettlebell Exercises

Pages

Star Trek: Kettlebell Exercises

By Greg Diener


Upon being stranded in the Delta Quadrant, beginning in 2371, the U.S.S. Voyager became one of the initial ships to carry humans into that distant section of the galaxy. They were the first to bring kettlebells to the Delta Quadrant, as there was a pair in Voyager's gym and in the closet of one Captain Kathryn Janeway. She regularly made use of kettlebell exercises in the holodecks during that incredible mission. Although Janeway had to answer the question "What are kettlebells?" to many, they became a popular form of exercise on her ship, far more popular than traditional dumbbells or weights.

Captain Janeway, although a very athletic and capable tennis player, was also committed to other ancient Earth exercise schedules. After her father, Admiral Edward Janeway, stressed that he wanted her to enter in the additional timeless sports, Kathryn Janeway systematically examined numerous of the great athletic traditions of her home planet. Thus, she learned about kettlebells and they served her well, getting her in shape to play tennis while still in high school.

Later on, Janeway would use kettlebell training programs in the holosuite as a way to both keep in shape and burn off excess stress and energy. Always keeping herself in superior physical condition, she could swing a mean kettlebell when she wanted to. During one of the Kazon invasions of Voyager, Janeway tried taking out one of their warriors with the heavy steel ball!

Janeway was the ship's champion at kettlebell lifting, even besting Tuvok in deadlifting. This remained until Seven of Nine came on board Voyager in 2374. With the superior strength of the Borg, Seven was able to best Janeway numerous times in kettlebell competition lifting. Janeway tried to vie with Seven until too many lifts landed her in sickbay with a sprained back. After struggling the pain of both a bad back and the Doctor's lectures, Janeway swore to only use kettlebells for exercising in the future.

This goes to confirm that helpful exercise traditions live on, no matter how advanced technology gets. Janeway, who had access to numerous of exercise programs from a trillion worlds, chose kettlebells, an ancient Russian idea, as one of her choice ways to keep fit. These kettlebells would see much action too, as they ventured across the Delta Quadrant on Voyager's long journey home.




About the Author: