Is less really more? KB WO length

eminenz2

eminenz2

Cathlete
Hello, all -

I have been playing with the KB workouts for the past few weeks.

I am really enjoying the workouts not necessarily because they are good for you, but because they simply don't take that much time to do.


I purchased Andrea DuCane's "Goddess KB workout" DVD and most of the workouts are only about 30 minutes! No fooling around, just hard work. AOS' Providence DVD takes only about 45 minutes to do.

Is it really possible to get all the benefits of a tough Cathe workout in a 30-45 minute KB workout or am I just deluding myself?

-Susan L.G.


BTW, OT - the kitty has rallied and perked up for the past few days. She must have heard us talking about her impending demise...
 
Last edited:
KB workouts are so time efficient because almost every move works the entire body, and you're working strength, cardio and flexibility all at once.

As for whether you are deluding yourself, you'll have to see how it is working for you.

Also, you can always do both types of workouts, doing 1-2 KB workouts per week as well as Cathe-type workouts.
 
eminenz2 said:
Is it really possible to get all the benefits of a tough Cathe workout in a 30-45 minute KB workout or am I just deluding myself?
Click to expand...

Yes, I really, truly believe you can. With most kettlebell workouts, you're working multiple muscle groups all the time. There's little to no use of isolation movements, and in some cases, little to no rest between moves, so you do a lot of work in a short amount time.

I think its da bomb! :)
 
It's probably my own failing, but I decided for me kettlebells are a cardio workout, with lots of swing variations, and I leave the traditional weights for my strength workouts. I enjoy doing those, and what I love about the kettlebell is the swing. It really get my heart rate up there, and it's way less hard on my body than a lot of cardio that can do comparable things with the heart rate. So, that's my compromise, and I'm happy with it......

-Beth
 
I do kettlebell workout several times a week. Last week I did Gym Style Legs (only 3/4 way through) and the next day, I have doms in my legs. I guess we still need to incorporate other strength workout into kettlebell workout too especially for lower body.

Btw, I am contemplating on getting either Keith Weber or Steve Cotter's kettlebell workout. Anyone had used the two and can recommend which is a better programme for working out? I already have Steve Cotter's encyclopedia of kettlebell lifting but not his Extreme Kettlebell Lifting. Kettlebell dvds are really expensive.

Thank you
 
Gayle said:
Yes, I really, truly believe you can. With most kettlebell workouts, you're working multiple muscle groups all the time. There's little to no use of isolation movements, and in some cases, little to no rest between moves, so you do a lot of work in a short amount time.

I think its da bomb! :)
Click to expand...

ITA!!


I have been doing 200 swings a day since January 1. I plan to do 200 swings every day until the end of the month. I have seen amazing results in my upper body and abs and I'm only on day 12. I feel so much stronger, my arms and shoulders look great and my abs never better. I'm getting a great cardio workout and I feel my endurance is getting better as well. The only thing I've been doing is kettlebells and lots of Crossfit type workouts.
 
Love those kettlebells!

Hi! I just did Lauren Brooks' kettlebell video this morning -- about 45 minutes with the joint mobility. I like that I can get a full workout done in less than an hour, but still feel a little guilty for not putting in the 60-minute minimum.

However, I would hate to do a 60-minute kettlebell workout ... I'd probably be unable to move for a week!

Gayle, why are you "not an intellectual?" Maybe you could change it to, "...not an intellectual but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night!" :D
 
Hi Clare & Kathryn - I was informed by another poster a while back that I was "apparently not an intellectual", so I felt I should include a disclaimer, so no one would feel misled by anything I wrote. ;)

LOL at the Holiday Inn add-on! :D
 
Gayle...

Feel free to use the Holiday Inn quote ...

So you're not an intellectual. Who among us really is? I'd never claim to be one either!
 
Peer Tree said:
WOW! 200!!

Is that one arm swings or both? Do you do sets with a rest moment in between or just pump 'em out?

Impressive!
Click to expand...


I'm doing 2 handed swings. Sometimes I will alternate if I get bored. I take rests in between sets. I started out swinging 30 and 35lbs but I was feeling it in shoulders a bit so I dropped to 30 and 25lbs. I usually either do 10 sets of 20 reps or 5 sets of 40 reps.

I'm seeing really good results.
 
lioness said:
ITA!!


I have been doing 200 swings a day since January 1. I plan to do 200 swings every day until the end of the month. I have seen amazing results in my upper body and abs and I'm only on day 12. I feel so much stronger, my arms and shoulders look great and my abs never better. I'm getting a great cardio workout and I feel my endurance is getting better as well. The only thing I've been doing is kettlebells and lots of Crossfit type workouts.
Click to expand...

Hallo Jane,

I was inspired by your 200 swings per day and decided to try it too.
Did too many/too heavy/too quickly (I really should have known better!) and ended up with periostitis of the thoracic vertebra.

Oops....ego can be a bad thing!!

So I've gone lighter/fewer/every second day...that helps.

Still, I hope to build up to a more serious level.

Cheers Rosemarie
 
Hi Rosemarie,

I'm glad you were inspired to do the swing challenge. I'm sorry to hear about your injury. :(

I too started out too heavy and I dropped the weight. Sometimes it's hard to listen to your body. It sounds like you are taking care of yourself now.

Take it slow and you'll be fine. I might do it again in March or April. I saw great results.

Take care,
 
Shellynfree said:
I do kettlebell workout several times a week. Last week I did Gym Style Legs (only 3/4 way through) and the next day, I have doms in my legs. I guess we still need to incorporate other strength workout into kettlebell workout too especially for lower body.

Btw, I am contemplating on getting either Keith Weber or Steve Cotter's kettlebell workout. Anyone had used the two and can recommend which is a better programme for working out? I already have Steve Cotter's encyclopedia of kettlebell lifting but not his Extreme Kettlebell Lifting. Kettlebell dvds are really expensive.

Thank you
Click to expand...
Hi! I have previewed but not done Keith Weber's Extreme KB video. It looks like it has a lot of variety in the exercises. One note: It doesn't play smoothly on my DVD player. I don't know if it is my player, the disc, or the way it was filmed.

Have you tried Art of Strength? I really like those a lot. I've been rotating Newport and Providence and feel like I get quite a workout. I thought I was in shape before, but these workouts have proven otherwise!

I still do Cathe workouts; I've just added kettlebell workouts a couple of times a week to the mix.
 
KB wo

Pearlstrand said:
Have you tried Art of Strength? I really like those a lot. I've been rotating Newport and Providence and feel like I get quite a workout. I thought I was in shape before, but these workouts have proven otherwise!

I still do Cathe workouts; I've just added kettlebell workouts a couple of times a week to the mix.
Click to expand...

Thanks to all the enablers here..... :eek: ..... I splurged and ordered the AOS KB Clinic & 2 KBs. I really like Anthony's style and in only the few times that I've used the KBs (I'm just learning), I see some nice results. :) I plan to continue my STS program with added cardio and KB work... just as you're doing Pearl. ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top