kettlebell questions

jharris

jharris

Cathlete
Hi,

I am new to kettlebells. I have a couple of dvds and a 7lb bell. This kb is way to light but I am concerned about what my next weight with one should be. Should I go to 10lb bell or jump to a 15lb bell? I would like a 12lb bell but can't find one at the moment. How often do you do your kb workouts? Do you treat them like strength workouts and give yourself a day in between or do you do them daily?

I workout regularly and considered my self an intermediate to advanced exerciser. I'm not big on lifting weights I use moderate weights for most things. 8, 10, 12, 15 lbs for most items. But would opt for a circuit workout or just plain cardio when given the option.

Any advice? I want to get into these but don't want to hurt myself.

TIA
__________________

Jenn
 
I'm new to kettlebells as well, so I don't have a lot of advice, but I first bought a 20# and it was too heavy for a lot of the moves, so I bought a 15# and I'm really glad I have both. It's usually recommended that most women start with a 15 or 18 and strong women start with a 20 lb bell. If I were you I think I would go right to the fifteen.
 
IMHO I would get both because you will gain strength fast. You will need the heavier weight for swings, cleans, etc. and you can use the 15 for presses, windmills, TGUs, etc. When I first started out I got both and I was SO happy that I did!

Melissa
 
When I started kettlebells, I thought I should go super-duper light (7lb, 10lb) at first - but I quickly discovered that you can & should go a little heavier than you think you should, even as a beginner, in order to ensure that you are using proper form.

For example, I can't do (many) traditional shoulder presses with 25 pounds, but I routinely do kettlebell clean & presses with 25 pounds because I use my whole body for that move. When I do swings, I go as heavy as possible, which ensures that I am using my hips and glutes and core to execute the swing - with a small kb, it is too easy to use my shoulders and arms for that move, and my lower body isn't challenged at all.

I started with one 8kg kettlebell (about 17.5 pounds) for all kettlebell moves. It was definitely very challenging-but-doable for me. As I started incorporating more challenging/dynamic moves into my workouts, I got a 15-pound GoFit kb for Turkish Get-Ups and to practice snatches, but I hardly use it at all any more.

Like you, I seldom lifted anything over 15 pounds during traditional weight work, and I was alarmed at the suggestion that I start with 8kg - but since so many moves combine upper & lower body, it really does help to keep your form, and provides a total body challenge during the workout.
 
Thank you for the replies. I will definetly go with the 15lb. I wish I would have done that in the first place. KB's are so dang expensive.

Jenn
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top