Stupid Question about Kettlebels
- Thread starter GMonkey
- Start date
pink_fortitude
Banned
here's a video that shows you how they work/how to use them:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lwme8rkzetg
They are the most awesomest workout tools I have ever used, my favorite fitness investment (I love it more than my treadmill even!). In one workout you get an incredible conditioning workout, using every muscle in your body and getting a fantastic cardio workout at the same time. I have gained strength faster with kbs than anything else I've done. Swinging and snatching have really kicked up my runs and stamina and I have gained a lot of core strength, plus my back looks like it never has. My legs have really tightened up, my shoulders more defined; kbs are versatile and addicting. It is just a phenomenal workout.
Missy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lwme8rkzetg
They are the most awesomest workout tools I have ever used, my favorite fitness investment (I love it more than my treadmill even!). In one workout you get an incredible conditioning workout, using every muscle in your body and getting a fantastic cardio workout at the same time. I have gained strength faster with kbs than anything else I've done. Swinging and snatching have really kicked up my runs and stamina and I have gained a lot of core strength, plus my back looks like it never has. My legs have really tightened up, my shoulders more defined; kbs are versatile and addicting. It is just a phenomenal workout.
Missy
andtckrtoo
Cathlete
I was explaining kettlebells to my Dh last night. Even with the basic moves like the swing, clean and press and snatch (*snicker* - couldn't they have come up with a different name?!) you really work a lot of different muscles. If you take the clean and press versus the military press - you start with the kettle bell on the ground and "rack it" (pull it straight up and let it roll around your wrist until your standing with your hand on your chest and the bell to the outside, then you push from that position into a shoulder press and back to rack, then back to the ground. (to see it click here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=se6MmJkx2h0&videos=Eb5ZiwoJkyM&playnext_from=TL&playnext=1) In that one move, you work your quads and hams from the squat, your core from stabilizing a heavy moving weight, your lats from the press movement, and your shoulders. A military press works mainly the shoulders (yes some core from holding the weight above your head and pushing up, but mainly shoulders). And swings and snatches work the quads, hams and core like nothing else (and I mean the entire core - not just the abs)
Kettlebells also have a much higher cardio factor than traditional weight workouts. You can do a 45 minute Kettlebell workout and burn as many calories as you would from IMax 2. Plus, they are easy to fit in to so many different workouts to up the intensity without upping the impact. Knees or feet bothering you? Do IMax 2 and sub swings for the the interval blasts. You won't reduce the intensity at all!
You get the real benefits when you really get the moves down and start to up the weight. I did a ladder of snatches (to see a snatch look here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98z6zb9Mli4) I started with 10 snatches left and right, then 12, then 14 ... up to 20 - with my 20 pound bell - only did them with the 15 before. Man, my core (the entire mid section) is feeling it today. My legs are also feeling it as is my upper back, etc. And this was in a 25 minute workout.
Kettlebells are not for everyone and they do have a learning curve to get the moves down right to avoid injury. I would recommend finding a local gym who specializes in kettlebells or a really good tutorial like "The Kettlebell Way" to get started.
Kettlebells also have a much higher cardio factor than traditional weight workouts. You can do a 45 minute Kettlebell workout and burn as many calories as you would from IMax 2. Plus, they are easy to fit in to so many different workouts to up the intensity without upping the impact. Knees or feet bothering you? Do IMax 2 and sub swings for the the interval blasts. You won't reduce the intensity at all!
You get the real benefits when you really get the moves down and start to up the weight. I did a ladder of snatches (to see a snatch look here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98z6zb9Mli4) I started with 10 snatches left and right, then 12, then 14 ... up to 20 - with my 20 pound bell - only did them with the 15 before. Man, my core (the entire mid section) is feeling it today. My legs are also feeling it as is my upper back, etc. And this was in a 25 minute workout.
Kettlebells are not for everyone and they do have a learning curve to get the moves down right to avoid injury. I would recommend finding a local gym who specializes in kettlebells or a really good tutorial like "The Kettlebell Way" to get started.
Last edited:
nightowl81
Cathlete
I wish Cathe would make a few kettlebell workouts *hint, hint*...for some reason not many of the current workouts appeal to me, and the AoS that do look alright are alot of money to pay for something that just looks alright to me.
gogigi
Cathlete
Lauren Brooks has an excellent kettlebell workout and that is the one I started with as well as Amy Bento's Absolute Beginners 3-n-1 workout. Lauren Brooks has a lengthy demonstration section and a 40 min. workout and a 12 min. workout. Kettlebells are tough and Lauren's workout really works me out. It was a great starting place for me. I did do Iron Core the Kettlebell Way worouts when I first got into kettlebells, then returned them. Now that Amy Bento started making kettlebell workouts (Kettlebell Dynamics is fabulous) I gave them a try again and someone recommended Lauren Brooks as a starting point for me. I find Lauren Brooks is good for someone new to kettlebells without being a beginner workout if that makes sense.
I haven't been at kettlebells long enough to say how they have/will benefit me, but I am loving them. I look forward to my workouts and it is nice to feel completely worked at the 40 min. mark as opposed to the 60 or 90 min. mark. I've asked Amy Bento to design a rotation using kettlebells, cardio, and traditional strength so I can't wait to see what she comes up with. She was going to try and do it this weekend.
I haven't been at kettlebells long enough to say how they have/will benefit me, but I am loving them. I look forward to my workouts and it is nice to feel completely worked at the 40 min. mark as opposed to the 60 or 90 min. mark. I've asked Amy Bento to design a rotation using kettlebells, cardio, and traditional strength so I can't wait to see what she comes up with. She was going to try and do it this weekend.
Pearlstrand
Cathlete
Do let us know what she recommends, because I've struggled with trying to categorize KB workouts and fit them in my rotation. (Cardio? Strength? Circuit?) I could use some professional advice.
gogigi
Cathlete
I sure will. She responded that she has had a busy weekend but she's working on it. I didn't realize she works full time as well as teaches at the gym and produces home workouts and she and Ross are now doing some traveling and workshops together. She is crazy busy but so attentive to her website and helping her forum members.