Jad Marinovic is as strong, tough and committed as they come! She has high ambitions both as an athlete and coach. Jad has traveled to the USA and Europe to compete and also learn from the best, attending the IKSFA St. Petersburg Elite Kettlebell Training Camp in Russia becoming Australia Australia ’s first dedicated Kettlebell gym that specializes in all facets of kettlebell training illustrates her commitment to promoting quality kettlebell lifting in Australia
She is a powerful all-round GS athlete, not just adept at the traditional competition lifts. Jad recently made history becomingAustralia ’s first international Girevoy Sport Marathon Champion in Milan
She is a powerful all-round GS athlete, not just adept at the traditional competition lifts. Jad recently made history becoming
What is your training background? Were you a sporty child?
Since childhood my lifestyle has always revolved around exercise, strength training and dancing. I started conventional strength training at the age of 15. I also have ten years experience in group exercise/fitness instructing, and had dance and gymnastics training during my childhood. In addition, I also have two years Martial Arts training experience, and as a teenager joined in cross-country running. Before discovering the kettlebell my goal had been to compete in a body building competition; and I have entered Kung Fu competitions in the past, but I decided to discontinue due to the risk of injury.
It was in 2007 when I first picked up the Kettlebell I never looked back – I have always loved training with weights and with kettlebells it’s really an obsession! I made a commitment to learn everything there is to know about the kettlebell and so ever since I have been training with kettlebells and odd object lifting.
How did you get into girevoy sport?
When I started training with my coach Phil Kourbatski he always challenged me with kettlebells, and my strength and conditioning literally went through the roof in a very short period of time. I was stronger than ever swinging 56 kg and doing the Turkish Getup with 28kg. I really loved the challenges as well as the high repetition lifts for cardio. It was in early 2008 that I performed 200 repetitions with 12 kg one hand switch and also did one hour-long cycle 600 reps without putting the kettlebell down. I found out about the sport in 2007 and wanted to compete sooner but my first priority was to open up
Who is your coach?
Since July 2010 I engaged the services of my GS online coach Sergey Rachinskiy,HMS, MSWS, HCR, 9-time World Champion,12-time Champion of Russia., who prepares me for kettlebell sport competitions; and over the last four years I’ve been training with
What are some of your personal Records?
Jerk: 28 kg: 16 repetitions, 24 kg 65 repetitions, 20 kg 100 reps 10 min, 16 kg 160 reps 10 min
Snatch: 24 kg 45 reps, 20 kg 80 reps, 16 kg 160 reps 8 min
Sprint:Snatch 16 kg 61 reps in 2 minutes, Jerk 16 kg 76 reps in 2 minutes
Other Personal Records:28 kg Turkish Getup, 56 kg two hand swing for 10 reps, 60 kg barbell squat for 61 reps straight, 100 kg squat x 2, 75 kg deadlift for 35 reps straight
What do you like about GS?
Girevoy sport is the ultimate sport for me for many reasons. Training for GS is good for your health and well being and you also develop a functionally strong, lean athletic body. It was a natural progression to want to compete because GS integrates everything I have enjoyed in the past which is my passion for strength training, my aerobics instructing which focuses on conditioning, together with my mental toughness—which is a trait of my character. I am also competitive by nature and love a challenge.
What is your current GS rank / achievements ?
I competed as a professional using a 16 kg in my very first competition and won the Gold Medal in Biathlon at the AKC Classic Championship in
In Europe I made history becoming Australia 's 1st International Girevoy Sport Marathon Champion winning the highest title and setting a new record competing with the 16 kg performing a total of 546 repetitions in the 1 hr Kettlebell Marathon discipline at the Italian Girevoy Sport Federation Championships in Milan , Italy
What are your goals?
I have so many goals which include achieving Master of Sport with 20 kg, CMS ( IUKL) to name a few, and also continue to promote kettlebell lifting in fitness, sport and power juggling. In the long term MS with 24 kg, another Marathon
I have so many goals which include achieving Master of Sport with 20 kg, CMS ( IUKL) to name a few, and also continue to promote kettlebell lifting in fitness, sport and power juggling. In the long term MS with 24 kg, another Marathon
What do you like about kettlebell training?
The moment I discovered that you could train for strength as well as cardio I was very excited because the exercises and movement patterns are so much fun compared to the traditional weight training and cardio machines which I had used for years. The fact that you can train for all-round fitness, sport, and even perform power juggling to music is the reason I fell deeply in love with the kettlebell because it combines everything I enjoy into one.
Training with kettlebells delivers so many benefits including strength, fitness and flexibility which develop a functionally strong athletic body. Also, training with kettlebells works the whole body including your core, which I can really appreciate after giving birth and suffering back pain for years. In addition, because the kettlebell is portable and I can train anywhere it suits my busy lifestyle including juggling running my own gym and motherhood. I used to be a gym junkie but I found out the hard way that I don't have the time anymore to spend hours in the gym and be consistent. Although I own a kettlebell gym I still have kettlebells in my car, hallway, lounge room, bedroom, and even at my mum’s house, and I train where and when I can at home, and at the gym, beach, or park and I even travel with my bell which is awesome. Yes I live in a kettlebell world. A mother at school once called me “kettlebell” and I actually responded to her.
The moment I discovered that you could train for strength as well as cardio I was very excited because the exercises and movement patterns are so much fun compared to the traditional weight training and cardio machines which I had used for years. The fact that you can train for all-round fitness, sport, and even perform power juggling to music is the reason I fell deeply in love with the kettlebell because it combines everything I enjoy into one.
Training with kettlebells delivers so many benefits including strength, fitness and flexibility which develop a functionally strong athletic body. Also, training with kettlebells works the whole body including your core, which I can really appreciate after giving birth and suffering back pain for years. In addition, because the kettlebell is portable and I can train anywhere it suits my busy lifestyle including juggling running my own gym and motherhood. I used to be a gym junkie but I found out the hard way that I don't have the time anymore to spend hours in the gym and be consistent. Although I own a kettlebell gym I still have kettlebells in my car, hallway, lounge room, bedroom, and even at my mum’s house, and I train where and when I can at home, and at the gym, beach, or park and I even travel with my bell which is awesome. Yes I live in a kettlebell world. A mother at school once called me “kettlebell” and I actually responded to her.
How long have you been doing GS for?
Although I combined GS sets in my training as early as 2008 and got great results, I only started training very seriously and consistently for the sport in 2010 when I engaged the services of an online GS coach.
What are your worst setbacks?
In February 2010 I had an accident six weeks before I was planning to compete in my first competition which I was hosting in my own gym “Kettlebell Athletica”! I fell down causing a severe lower left-leg sprain and right-hand fractures which prevented me from training for 2 months and it took me another 3 to get back my fitness level. In addition recently, in February 2011, I had another setback following a neck manipulation by an osteopath resulting in a severe strain, limited neck mobility plus a nerve impinging down my arm, all in all preventing me from training for two months and I only started training a month before I left for Europe.
You have a lot of natural strength and ability; is this a family trait and are there other strong athletes in your family?
There’s a legacy of feats of strength on my father’s side of the family so that’s why they say it is not a surprise for a Marinovic to be very strong. For example in my dad’s town there’s a story that my relative picked up a heavy plough weighing 450 kg, and another relative had picked up a horse. My first cousin won Oceana & Australian boxing championships for the Australian Amateur Boxing Association during the 1990s. On my Mum’s side of the family my grandfather was a tennis star in
Power juggling is one of the most engaging facets of the sport. Why does this aspect intrigue you?
I believe that kettlebell juggling is an entertaining performing art in its own right, and you can have fun blending artistic expression and creative movement into workouts that combine strength, power and graceful movements to music. So, considering my range of training in all of the above from dance to fitness, it was natural for me to be intrigued by kettlebell juggling. Since I discovered kettlebell power juggling I am passionate about perfecting the art and developing it more in Australia.
In your opinion, the best GS athletes display the following qualities:
Learning the correct technique, focus, discipline, mental toughness and developing all round fitness which includes special and general physical endurance, strength, and flexibility.
There are many other sports and activities available for females, why should they consider having a go at GS?
Training for GS has many benefits for women because it focuses on learning flowing graceful movement and breathing patterns that connects mind and body to develop all round fitness, such as functional strength, aerobic fitness, flexibility and power that will improve your health. Most female GS athletes are very lean, toned and strong. What is also great about training for GS is that you can train anywhere, anytime and at any age. Also GS is both a ‘team’ sports and an individual sport offering an alternatives for women, to express their competitive edge taking up the GS challenge. The sport also includes power juggling, relay races and marathon sets which adds lots of variety as well.
Do you think GS is a good sport for teenagers?
Yes, for teenagers GS is a very good sport for many reasons. Kettlebell sport is ideal for fitness, health and improved performance that will cross over into any sport because it focuses on athletic total body movement patterns. Kettlebells are flexible and adaptable to a person’s age and weight and are gender-friendly. Girevoy sport involves technique, coordination, power, strength & aerobic endurance, agility and flexibility—a set of skills which will teach mental toughness, dedication, discipline and perseverance to take them through life.
Spending time with family, coffee with friends, listening to music, dancing, going for walks, watching a chic- flick,& ‘retail’ shopping therapy,, kettlebells, kettlebells, kettlebell...
