Am I going to hurt myself?

[sharid]

I was reading all the posts about Kettlebells and decided to get one...there is a used sports store in my area that has an 18 pounder for $35.00 and they will hold it until closing tomorrow. (None of the sporting goods stores here carry them). I don't know if that is too heavy for me, but it is such a good deal....I usually lift slightly lighter than Cathe. If squats are with 35 lbs., I usually go with 30, chest flys with 15 lb dumbells are doable, but really tough for me, 12s are a better weight for those.

I am thinking of getting a DVD to go with it that I had read about on a thread (can't remember the name at the moment), but now I am wondering if I should do this at all? Those of you who have tried this....please give me some advice!

 

[kathryn]

Get the 18#. Most RKC's (certified KB instructors) recommend 18# as a starting weight for most women, and 26# for strong women).

18# will soon seem quite light for swings (and getting too-light a weight for those can encourage bad form habits).

There will be some moves that you won't be able to do with this weight (or perhaps with ANY weight at first), like Turkish get-ups (do those with no weights at first, then use a light dumbell until you work up to a heavier weight. When first attempting with the 18#, do 'get-up sit-ups' for a while before doing full TGU's (this will make sense to you once you've gotten some tutorials or attend a workshop).

Just be aware of what you are doing, and if the 18# seems too heavy for some moves, do a variation of the move, or do fewer reps, or use a dumbell for some moves until you work up to the 18#, or omit the move for now.

I think you'll find most lower-body and full-body moves doable, it will be the upper-body emphasis moves that will be more challenging.

HTH!

 

[sharid]

Thank you Kathryn! Have you gotten good results with these type of workouts? I was looking at getting a DVD on line (The Kettlebell Way to your perfect body, or something like that)...do I need to get a tutorial as well, or do you know if this DVD will explain form and how to perform each exercise correctly? shari

 

[andtckrtoo]

I think you'll get a lot of instruction with The Kettlebell Way. Anthony is the best instructor out there IMO. And you can go wo www.artofstrength.com and view his minute of strength videos if you have any questions about form. He breaks everything down minutely. I'm with Kathryn - the 18 pound is a good starting weight. I started with a 15 and quickly bought a 20. I use my 20 the most. I also have 2 26's.

 

[sharid]

Wow Christine, that sounds like a lot of weight! I am sure you are in much better shape than I am! I have another question for you guys that use kettlebells, and this might sound dumb, but I'll ask it anyway. I keep hearing how great these workouts are, so after doing them, do you still like to do traditional weights too? I have several Cathe workouts that are pretty new to me, and am planning to buy more this week. I saw a post recently about being burned out on Cathe and I don't want trying something new and different to cause that to happen to me! Am I being irrational? Shari

 

[lioness]

Hi Shari,

I have been working out with kettlebells for almost 2 years now. I am in agreement with what every has said thus far. Recently I have upped my kettlebell workouts. A friend and I workout in the park a couple days of week and use kettlebells all the time. I still like and do traditional weights. Kettlebells add a different dynamic than traditional weights though. I find that kettlebells work the entire body and more often than not it ends up being a cardio workout. You can add kettlebells when doing abs, lunges, walking lunges and squats. You'll find that swings, which is one of the main kettlebell exercises can be done in a variety of ways as in one-handed swings, walking swings and deadlift swings.

I have seen really good results since I've added more kettlebell workouts into my rotation. Your question was not dumb nor are you being irrational. One of the best things you can do with your workouts is to add variety and kettlebell does just that. You don't have to give up what you are currently doing. Once you get going with kettlebells you will see what I mean.

Have fun!