A GROUP of Bendigo kettlebell lifters have swung their way to national title wins.
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Fourteen lifters from Rock Hard Training competed at an International Kettlebell Marathon Federation (IKMF) event in Melbourne this month.
Four of them emerged with national half marathon titles.
Melanie Harris was crowned national champion in the open 16kg class, with a record 563 repetitions in 30 minutes.
Jen Fletcher triumphed in the veteran 12kg class with 444 reps, while Maxine Smith claimed the veteran 8kg class with 645 reps.
Their instructor Don Grant came out tops in the veteran 24kg class, hoisting the kettlebell 548 times.
Grant said the four title holders had set their sights on qualifying for the Australian team for the world championships in Denmark.
"It would be our first time in an overseas event, but we are training very hard for it," he said.
"We've been acknowledged as having the strongest kettlebell team in Australia.
"As a club we have close to 20 regular lifters who go to competitions in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Sunshine Coast.
"It's a niche sport, but it's a growing sport."
Kettlebell lifting enjoys huge popularity in Russia, and in parts of Europe, North America and Asia.
The sport hits multiple fitness elements, including cardiovascular, endurance strength building, flexibility and balance.
Athletes are disqualified if they put down a kettlebell at any stage before time lapses in a half or full marathon.
Grant said kettlebell training was used by athletes in a variety of sports, in particular boxing, wrestling and martial arts.
"In fact the UFC have given kettlebell a lot of exposure because they are always showing fighters training with kettlebells," he said.
"We have footy players who train here too.
"It's very effective tool to build endurance."
Harris said her introduction to kettlebells came when she took up training at Rock Hard while taking a break from playing netball.
She said it took plenty of convincing from Grant to take up the sport.
"I have a bit of a love-hate with kettlebells - most people know that," Harris said.
"But it is very rewarding. We have a very good team here and everyone encourages each other.
"I'd only done the half marathon once in training, the Saturday of the competition was the second time.”
Harris said her next goals were to do a full marathon using 16kg kettlebells and to compete in a half marathon lifting 24kg weights.