Kelly Manzone
It is with great pleasure that I bring you an interview with Kelly Manzone, who is actively involved in the fitness industry, as a fitness professional.
What sparked your interest in swinging the Mace?
Kelly Manzone:- My kettlebell mentor Anthony DiLuglio of Art of Strength introduced me to club and mace training in 2008. His teachings helped develop a basic understanding of club/mace training – though the mace I was using at the time was a “short” mace, more like a Bulava.
When did you become interested in Strength and Mobility?
Kelly Manzone:- My fascination with strength and mobility began in childhood, propelled by many years of gymnastics and dance, which continued to influence me heavily as a teen athlete into my adult years, and ultimately my career, as a fitness professional.
Can you explain what appeals to you in Kettlebell and Mace exercise?
Kelly Manzone:- I believe it’s important for optimal movement/physiological health to be mobile yet strong and flexible yet stable. Tools such as the Kettlebell and Mace appeal to me for this very reason. They are versatile in their applications; creating a strong, stable and resilient mind/body.
How would you describe the physical and mental benefits of the Kettlebell and Mace?
Kelly Manzone:- I love how a kettlebell/mace becomes an extension of the body, there’s a hypnotic rhythm and an internal dialogue that I find appealing… move with the bell, you win… move against the bell, the bell wins.
Can you describe your personal experience with the impact of Kettlebell and Mace training?
Kelly Manzone:- In late 2014, I became interested in expanding my knowledge of club/mace training further… I had just begun healing from a 3 year battle with colitis – I was weak and tired, desperately looking to reclaim my connection with my body; to feel strong and healthy again. Though I worked in a conventional gym environment, I began to primarily train myself at home… I wanted to be barefoot, training with my own tools while listening to my own music. The mace intrigued me with its mobility and strength benefits, which nicely complements my other training modalities.
Who was your Mace teacher when you first started or did you learn from YouTube?
Kelly Manzone:- I was first introduced to your material through a friend nearly a decade ago and your content inspired me to learn more.
Did you attend any Mace certifications and what were your first impressions?
Kelly Manzone:- A few years ago, I attended a Rik Brown certification in April of 2015 in New Jersey at the Training Room (Happy to say, I became close friends with many of the attendees) I can recall how awkward it felt to initially swinging a 7/10lb mace during the practice of 10-2’s and 360’s. The journey is quite a rewarding one… It has been a process that I have fully embraced.
How do you monitor your Mace technique?
Kelly Manzone:- It’s useful to watch and reflect on old videos as a visual aid to improving technique…from 7lb to 27.5lb for 10&2 and everything in between, for example
Women generally want to get fit, and many say they do not wish to bulk up, would you recommend their learning to swing the Mace?
Kelly Manzone:- In regards to your question about women and their resistance to the term “bulk up”… I honestly hate that term… In my personal experience, the context is often derogatory. I may be biased, as I am a muscular woman and have dealt with my fair share of people judging my physique, along with the incorrect notion that if they train the way I do, they will ultimately end up “bulky”.
How would you explain Mace training to a newcomer?
Kelly Manzone:- The preferred conversation I’d rather have with women is, are they interested in learning a new skill and the mental/psychical satisfaction that goes along with it (the process, the education, the stimulus to the brain), are they interested in the history/origin of the tool…Like I mentioned earlier; mace training can be very “zen” relaxing yet challenging.
Would you like to add anything else?
Kelly Manzone:- I would encourage women to focus on the mobility/strength benefits and how this tool can enhance their athletic performance – complement other training modalities.
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