Just Kettlebells

Testimonials

Where do I begin? Eileen is a wonderful teacher. She inspires through example, precise teaching, encouragement and humor. She is a keen observer of each student and offers helpful suggestions for improving body awareness that leads to safer and more effective movement. I love and appreciate the group atmosphere which is also very supportive and helpful. At 72 and two years of working with Eileen, I have never felt stronger and more confident in my skin. I highly endorse Eileen and Just Kettebells to anyone of any age and level of ability. You'll be amazed at what your body can do with the right support.

Kathryn Bell, February 14, 2019 (https://www.strongfirst.com/instructors/united-states/eileen-backman.001370000076Y3vAAE/)

I just finished four weeks of private sessions with Eileen. I have used kettlebells for years, but wanted to improve my form and learn some new exercises. She delivered that and much more. I have been able to correct some hitches in my form and learn new movements that will help me round out my training. Eileen knows her stuff, explains things clearly, and gives the reasoning behind what she is teaching. I now have a set of workout routines and a goal to shoot for. She made the experience rewarding and fun. I cannot recommend her instruction enough. If you are interested in kettlebell training, Just Kettlebells is the place to go.

Terry Noel, August 7, 2018 (https://www.strongfirst.com/instructors/united-states/eileen-backman.001370000076Y3vAAE/)

I retired from teaching at 60 years old & decided I needed to begin an exercise program to keep active & keep my bones strong. I joined a friend who was taking kettlebell training with Eileen. I was not confident that I would be able to keep up but soon fell in love with kettlebells & Eileen as an instructor. She helps you start where you can, encourages your every step and gently pushes you to achieve even more. Before you know it, you're doing things you never imagined you could. I stayed with it for over 2 years and only stopped because I moved. I would recommend Just Kettlebells to anyone. If I could do it, so can YOU!

Lynn Stege, July 15, 2018 (https://www.strongfirst.com/instructors/united-states/eileen-backman.001370000076Y3vAAE/)

I just finished my 3rd, 6 week session with Eileen and Just Kettlebells. I have loved it and am looking forward to starting the 4th one soon. Eileen knows her stuff and she has a great place to swing the bell. If you are curious about Kettlebells or have been looking for a way to shake up your workout routine I highly recommend signing up for Eileen's Beginner 6 week session to get you started. It gives you all the fundamentals and from there you safely build on those fundamentals and you get stronger then you ever thought possible.

Nell Wood, July 10, 2018 (https://www.strongfirst.com/instructors/united-states/eileen-backman.001370000076Y3vAAE/)

Two years of Kettlebell training has flown by with Eileen Backman as my instructor. I love her technical expertise, strength, and encouraging spirit. She allows you to start where you are in your fitness journey and guides you to improved strength and mobility. By changing the class cycle every 6 weeks, you never get bored with the training and you are always amazed at the progress you’ve made in just 6 weeks. I am thankful that I signed up for a Functional Movement Screening and took the beginner class with Eileen. Now, I make sure I sign up for every session, so I don’t lose my spot!.

Sandi Barlow, July 7, 2018 (https://www.strongfirst.com/instructors/united-states/eileen-backman.001370000076Y3vAAE/)

I attended the Learn to Swing class. Eileen is an incredible teacher! Not only did she correct my form the session was fun and I got a really good work out.

I highly recommend Just Kettlebells to anyone looking to improve their health and fitness level.

Jeff G., Bloomington, Illinois, February 27, 2017

In this season of Thanksgiving, I am thankful for Eileen Backman and her studio, Just Kettlebells. Thanks to Eileen's help, I am stronger and my fitness level has improved. I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue several years ago. My doctor told me to walk to regain my strength. I followed his directions and I walked a great deal. My husband and I have walked and successfully completed several half marathons. Walking helped me get through the worst of my illness, but it didn't make me stronger. I am currently in my 4th cycle of small group classes at Just Kettlebells. Since June, I have realized a noticeable difference in both strength and energy. Through the Functional Movement Screening, Eileen was able to identify areas of weakness and strength. With her expertise, encouragement, and gentle nudging, she has given me the tools to become strong again. But more than that, she has given me hope, and for this gift I am truly thankful!

Sandi B, Bloomington, Illinois November 16, 2016

Enjoyed the beginners class SO MUCH! Took 2 beginner sessions to get better at the skills. Eileen is great at meeting individual needs & giving specific feedback. It's an excellent form of exercise for core strength, bone density & cardio ALL on one. I recommend it for anyone. I I can do it, YOU can.

Lynn S., Bloomington, Illinois, October 30, 2016 (http://www.yelp.com/biz/just-kettlebells-bloomington)

I have tried many gyms and group fitness classes around the area & kettlebells is the first class and more importantly the first instructor that I have worked with and seen noticeable results during my 6 week session! I feel strong and I love it. I loved seeing my arms and waist develop! & Sometimes I sweat MORE during a session than I do with cardio classes. Kettlebells is a fun comprehensive workout that improves your core and challenges you to be STRONG. Eileen strives to build excellent form so you have the foundation to succeed.

M.T., Plano, Illinois, July 12, 2006 (http://www.yelp.com/biz/just-kettlebells-bloomington)

Hi Eileen,

Wanted to thank you for the kettlebell coaching you provided my wife and I. It was a tremendous experience for both of us. We were excited to find a SFG certified instructor in central Illinois. SFG certification is the gold standard of kettlebell training and you certainly are that. You were great in noticing the flaws in my technique and did an outstanding job of coaching my wife who as a beginner was naturally a little worried about hoisting a cannon ball over her head. Your teaching style lends itself beautifully to everyone from novice to intermediate based on the time we shared. We’d highly recommend you for anyone looking to have a positive kettlebell training experience.

Dave Rappa, June 19, 2016

I have been participating in the Kettlebell class twice a week since January and I love the way I feel! My back is no longer hurting, my hip pain has almost disappeared, I feel like my posture has improved and overall I am feeling much stronger and fit. Eileen is an amazing instructor! Eileen’s passion for Kettlebells is infectious and she passes it onto to her students! I love it so much that I am adding a third class to my weekly schedule! Thank you Eileen…Kettlebells will always be a part of my fitness routine!!!

Laurie Krolikowski, April 10, 2016

I have been taking classes from Eileen at Just Kettlebells and love it! Workouts are fun, productive and she really watches form and explains the WHY of doing a move. She is a great trainer who puts passion and patience into her clients getting maximum results! If you want to get strong, fit and improve functional movements this is the place and Eileen is the gal!

Debra McNealy Hoelscher, April 9, 2016

I once heard a saying by Mr. Rogers of all people!! He said that our job is to encourage each other to discover their strength and uniqueness and help them develop it's expression. For me, this is exactly what Eileen is doing by instruction through Kettlebells. I have learned more about myself, my strengths, and she teaches me that I have something no one else has - or ever will have - something inside me that is unique to all time. Thanks Eileen for being that strong force that brings out the strength in me. I never realized it was there, and I appreciate you so much!!

Maureen Lane, April 6, 2016

Great class to be apart of! Fabulous instructor with personalized instruction! Gained some strength, knowledge and new friends! recommend!

Traci Ayers, March 30, 2016

"There have been many personal trainers in my search for strength and improving my posture. The search is over!

Eileen recommended the Functional Movement Systems Screening as a starting point. That certainly made sense. She wanted to see why I was having trouble succeeding in reaching a pain free path to my goals.

Whoa! Just a few fairly common movements exposed each area of muscle weakness and the compensation mechanisms I had employed for years just to stand up right.

Here is the best part: Eileen knew how to "fix" me! She started me on a regime of simple re patterning movements. Each session is followed by individualized list of what to practice and how to reminders. My 1st reaction was skepticism...how could something this easy and basic make a difference? One week of following Eileen's plan, I was so excited and relieved to know this was going to work!

I am on session #7. Each week Eileen adds a new challenge. I have been incorporating light weights. It is wonderful to feel stronger!

Eileen is not working from a script of set exercises, as many trainers do. She developed a plan just for me. If something doesn't work, she knows a substitute or a modification to make it right for me.

AND! Videos! Eileen makes videos if I need special help remembering a sequence or proper form. Sometimes they are just for me and sometimes she already has one posted on her YouTube page, or she will send a link to another trainer's video. Eileen says it best on her Face Book Page:

"If you are just getting back in to fitness, or have hit a plateau, an FMS screen may help pinpoint the cause, and set you back on the path of better movement so you can reach your fitness goals."

Susan Spurlock, March 25, 2016

"I just completed four weeks of introductory training with Eileen at Just Kettlebells and again want to say how impressed I am with her expertise and with this form of strength training. It's not only fun to swing those bells, but I'm learning so much about body mechanics and a safe way to build strength. One of the tenets of StrongFirst is "Strength has a greater purpose". I have already begun to sense the truth of this in this short time. Thanks, Eileen!"

Kathryn Bell, February 27, 2016

"Eileen is an awesome trainer. Her passion for Kettlebells is reflected in her class. She keeps me motivated and is always encouraging me I can do more. One of the best things I enjoy about her training is she is focused on form. From my past experience with gyms I get bored very easily with a work out but this has not happened with Kettlebells. In addition, this is the first class where I have not experienced back or knee pain. Thank you Eileen for all you do!"

Michelle Porter, February 26, 2016

"Hi! I'm a 64 year old retired female and I just finished a 4 week FMS program with Eileen to help me regain the balance and strength I have lost over the years. And I got much more than I expected! I am sleeping deeper and longer, my willpower to eat healthier is stronger, I am more conscientious of my posture and movements, and I can out walk my dogs! It's amazing how quickly the body will correct itself when you teach it how to move correctly. Eileen has wonderful cues on how to do each move that are easy to remember and keep you aligned correctly as you go through your routine. She created a personalized three day circuit tailored to my specific issues, making sure that I wouldn't be putting excessive stress on my creaky knees and weak wrists! I've signed up for my next 4 week round and I'm excited to see how much more I'll improve! If you think FMS is only preparation for kettlebells, it's not! I had no idea I was walking, sitting, pretty much just moving in a way that was causing most of my issues. I am now more aware of how the body should be working, and well on my way to better daily health! Thank you, Eileen, for your dedication and genuine concern about personal health!"

Linda Willey, February 10, 2016