NORTH BRANCH— Walking into the 180° Kettlebell Gym in North Branch, you are greeted by the phrase, “Leave the excuses at home!” chalked right on the wall.

Inspiring music and the scent of sweat and effort fill the air as gym members tough out an intense workout. Helping others find health and fitness is a dream come true for 180° owner Jodi Molitor.

A New Start

Just two years ago, Molitor was overweight, had an injured back and was searching for an answer to health and fitness. She had tried many different things – diets, supplements and home gym workouts but was still getting nowhere.

“I was pretty miserable about the state of my health and physical appearance,” said Molitor.

A desperate trip into a nutrition and fitness store for a supplement turned into a life changing moment when a personal trainer introduced her to kettlebells. Skeptical at first, Molitor was willing to give working out with funny looking bell weights a try. She was hooked.

Within two weeks, her back felt better. Working out with kettlebells strengthened her core in amazing ways, which translated to a stronger back.

“I could not believe what my body was doing and how much weight I was moving. I was using my entire body to move the kettlebell. I had never done something where I was using every muscle down to the grip strength in my toes!” Molitor exclaimed.

Her enthusiasm for kettlebells and commitment to get healthy paid off. In nine months, she lost over 40 inches total and 35 pounds and became stronger than she ever imagined.

From there she started reading, studying and getting as much information as possible on kettlebells and how to work out effectively with them. Molitor shared her new found excitement for kettlebells with a neighbor, showing him what she had learned. Another neighbor joined them for workouts, then another.

Molitor’s zeal for real fitness was contagious. Pretty soon, more people heard the buzz and came over to work out with Molitor and the neighbors in her garage and front yard. Word spread, and in October 2008, 180° Kettlebell Gym officially opened as a business, still using Molitor’s garage as the workout space.

By July 2009, the crowd had grown too large for her garage and 180° moved to a larger space on Highway 5 in west North Branch. Molitor became the first Art of Strength certified kettlebell instructor in the state of Minnesota in 2009 and continues to learn more

Why kettlebells?

According to the Art of Strength Web site, kettlebell workouts burn fat in less time by providing uninterrupted blood flow throughout the body while taking no rest between sets. In kettlebell training, you do four times the work in a shorter time frame. The kettlebell’s center of gravity is 6-8 inches below the center of your hand, making it more difficult and beneficial than a dumbbell can be as you lift it and perform drills.

“Your body is your machine to move the weight. All your muscles are working in concert with each other. You’re not just using one targeted muscle as you do in traditional weight lifting,” explained Molitor.

The variety and versatility of kettlebell workouts is endless. Training with kettlebells utilizes a balance of tension and relaxation to maximize skill and build strength.

“All the stuff I’ve tried in the past makes me feel like a lazy American compared to the workouts at 180°,” said Fred Johnson, North Branch firefighter and 180° gym member.

Molitor does stress the importance of learning proper kettlebell technique from a certified instructor. New students are required to attend two beginner classes to learn the drills and the correct way of handling the kettlebells.

Vision for healthier lives

Molitor has a big vision for the people that train with her.

“I want everyone to know that we’re all created in God’s image,” Molitor said. “There’s not one perfect body image— we’re all different shapes and sizes. I just want everyone to get healthy, fit and strong so that their quality of life increases.”

The mission at 180° Kettlebell Gym is to revolutionize the culture through kettlebells and functional/cross-fit style training and that vision has spread as people share their results with friends and family.

More than thirty people now work out at the gym on a weekly basis. Classes have been added and Molitor has additional instructors teaching with her.

Dan Tuomie of Lino Lakes has been working out at 180° since April 2009. “The drive up here is worth it because I know I’m going to get a good workout and in the right way. It’s nice to have the support and challenge of working out with other people,” Dan said.

No one wants to hear that they need to eat better, but proper diet is stressed at 180° too. Diet controls about 75 percent of weight loss.

“If you’re putting that much time and money into pushing yourself hard (physically), but you’re not changing your diet, stay home— you’re wasting your money,” Molitor admonished.

She encourages people to eat clean – avoiding preservative laden packaged foods, and to focus on portion control, eating 5-6 small meals throughout the day.

A new year for fitness 

The success stories among Molitor’s gym members are many— weight loss, healthier lifestyles, enthusiasm for fitness and the discovery of untapped inner strength. It’s evident that she loves her job and the people that join her for kettlebell workouts.

January always brings with it our good intentions for getting in shape, but Molitor wants to see fitness be a lifestyle, not just a month long effort.

“Finish what you started!” is also chalked on the wall at 180°, inspiring gym members to stick with it all through the year.

For class times and more information about 180° Kettlebell Gym, go to www.180kbellgym.com or call 651-230-9340.