Did My First Kettlebell Workout Yesterday!

J

jaypea

Cathlete
All I can say is "ouch"! I also think I am falling in love with kettlebells! My DH has been going to a chiro for back pain. He is much better now, and when he asked the Dr. about strength training, the Dr. recommended KB's. My DH bought one, and so I did I (I am starting out with a 15# GoFit KB). I just did the little workout that came with the KB, and WOW:eek:...major DOMS in my legs and back today. I had so much fun doing the moves, and I am looking for a KB workout or two. I've read reviews on Lauren Brooks, AOS, Amy Bento and some other ones. I am going to order one of Lauren Brooks DVDs (can't decide on Vol 1 or Vol 2) and maybe one more. I haven't read much about Lauren Brooks Vol. 2. So, my ?'s are ....if you have Vol 1 and Vol 2, which one do you recommend (or do you recommend both:p), and what other one should I try? How is the production quality of the workout you tried? I can't tell from any sites I visit, except for Amy Bento's on Collagevideo.com
What have your results been with KBs? I don't know why it took me so long to give them a try!
Also, just a side comment, I just finished MMA KB-what a fun and super workout!
Thanks for your comments/suggestions!!!
-Jen
 
Hi Jen,

I am glad that you enoy your kettlebell training. I love my kettlebells

I would recommend:
1. Lauren Brooks- Vol 1 or 2. Vol 1 would be better since you are just starting out with
kettlebell training.

Lauren Brooks has a new 2 set kettlebell workout - I don't own this one but according to the description it would be good for both beginners and advanced. It is called Lauren Kettlebell Workshop with Z-Health DVD.
You can see Video clips of Brooks DVDs (and many others) at: http://www.totalfitnessdvds.com/

2. The Art of Strength http://www.artofstrength.com has excellent Kettle bell DVDs.
For beginners I would recommend- AOS: Kettlebell Training Clinic Volume 1. You can see video clips of the workouts on their web site. As you advance in your training, I would recommend from the AOS-Newport, Santa Monica and Providence. AOS - Firepower is a killer but fun and I would recommend that you get this one when you are much more advanced.

The production quality in Lauren and AOS is good.

I have achieved great results with my KB training. I find KB to be one of the most time efficient workouts. You get your cardio and weight training together.

I love many of Amy Bento's other workouts but I would steer clear of her KB DVDs until you have more of a foundation. Her form is not great. Her form is better in Kettlebell Dynamics than it is in her 3 in 1 Kettlebell DVD. The other DVDs I mentioned above are much better to learn proper form.

I don't know if this is possible for you but I found it extremely helpful to train with a kettlebell certified instructor first. The instructor was able to correct my form and teach me proper body alignment for swings and cleans and proper grips etc, Kettlebell training and dumbbell training are very different.


I hope that this helps.
 
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I apologize if this has been asked like a zillion times. I know what KB's are/what they look like. In the opinion of those who have used them, how are they that different from regular dumb-bells? You know, cuz I need yet ANOTHER exercise addiction!! :eek::rolleyes::p

Thanks!
Pam
 
Regina, Wow! Thanks for the very informative reply. That was exactly what I was looking for. I will check out those video clips.
Pam-I am very new to KBs. But, to me the workouts are both cardio and strength training (and should be effective). I like KBs a lot!
-Jen
 
Definitely go with Lauren Brooks' Volume 1. I have both and reach for Vol. 1 more than Vol. 2 because I love it so much! Vol. 2 has a killer tabata sequence on it, "The Finisher" and also a hard ab section. Actually, if you're looking for 2 KB DVD's, the two Laurens are what I would recommend!

Pam, what makes KB's different than traditional weight training is you integrate your whole body into the routine. I'm not an expert in explaining the benefits, etc. but they are an extremely time-efficient, whole body, weights and cardio combined. Plus, the cardio is low impact, yet can be as challenging as anything else imaginable. Downside is cost. Both KB's themselves and the DVD's are quite expensive.
 
Thanks for your reply, Geomom! I appreciate it! I did my 2nd KB workout this morning-finished in 25 minutes. I only did the little wo that came with the KB, but at least it was something. I previewed the L.Brooks DVDs, and I will definitely order two of them. I've been selling some DVDs (some Cathe, other) that I don't reach for anymore on ebay, and I am saving that $ to use to buy some new KB workouts and Turbo Fire (I can't wait to get that series!). I'm contemplating selling Meso 2 and Meso 3 since I've had them for some time, but am not motivated to do them. I like Meso 1, though. So, when I get the cash, I will buy the new workouts.
Thanks again!
-Jen
p.s. Cathe, PLEASE consider creating a KB series (or at least one workout). That would be AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!
 
In KB, you get the cardio effect while strength training "without the dishonour of aerobics"! The weight distribution of a KB is very different from a dumbbell.

I found the form Lauren uses in Volume 1 to be way more precise than in Volume 2, although Volume 2 is a bit more interesting in terms of the actual workouts. I am not a fan of her production values, however.

AOS has good workouts, but I find them boring in terms of how they have filmed them and the instruction.

Between them, I prefer Lauren, but I haven't really found a KB DVD workout I really love yet. I think it's still very early on in the KB phenomenon and they haven't gotten there yet.
 
You may also want to look in to the Iron Core Way series with Sara Lurie. I have volume 1 & 2 and both come with a tuturiol and then a 45 minute circuit. She is also the author of Kettlebells for Dummies.

I have Lauren's vol 1 and I like it a lot. The problem with kb workouts is that they are so dang expensive but they are fun.

Jenn
 
AOS

May I recommend AOS? I really like the Download Vintage Providence. The KB Clinic if you need form pointers and instructions ( it's filmed well and worth the price if you collect workout systems ) and Providence. I also have Newport and Fire Power but haven't tried them yet.

I have L Brooks' 2 DVDs...and have done the 1st one a few times and it can get you really sweaty in under 45 minutes. I have been using her DVD and Vintage Providence plus the Couch 2 5K and I'm seeing some pretty fast results. My fatty arms are looking pretty good in just 3 weeks!

Don't know why it's the arms it's shrinking but I'll take anything!
 
I would recommend AOS Providence as a workout and the Clinic as a tutorial. I also have AOS Santa Monica which is good except it includes more non-kb moves which I'm not so excited about personally. I found Iron Core way to be boring, poorly structured and a waste of time. I did each one twice and haven't touched them since.

Lisa
 
Cupcake and Lisa,
Thanks for your input. I just posted some DVDs on ebay, so when they sell I will be ordering Lauren Brooks Vol 1 & 2. I will continue to check out/research the rest. Today is a KB workout day, and with just that free disc that came with the KB (that always stops and skips) I am in need of something new.
BTW, I saw that Couch to 5K workout. It looks good.
-Jen
 
C25K

Hi,

The fun part of it is the streamlining. I'm still searching for the perfect armband for the Nano and ended up just getting a tank top that has a pouch in the back.
Found those things to hold the Nike + pod in place and then the search for the right podcast.
Quite the adventure...went from Green day playlist to a C25K Christian Indie Podcast ( which was actually ok ... just odd to find myself listening to it ) then the Podrunner podcast which my niece pointed out to me sounds like electronic Porn music ...so this morning it was hard not to laugh while jogging.
Finished it off with Cardio Coach volume 2 which I love!

I have been told that C25K on its own can get you running a 5K straight, but I add on a lot of walking and recently CC volume 2. I was hesitant in doing this week because I seriously doubted it could get me from 3 minutes to 5 minutes in just a week ... but I guess it does work!

As for KB...I did Providence last night and it was a nice change from L Brooks.
Good complementary workout.

Enjoy!
 
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