Anyone Does Kettlebells?

[zenbamboo]

Hey fellow shaver!

I've started using a kettlebell recently and really liked it.

Does anyone has kettlebell workouts to recommend?

Who's been getting good results from kettlebells?

In general, what are your thoughts about kettlebells?

 

[patrickmjett]

I'm personally not a real big fan. They've been really taking bjj and MMA gyms/schools by storms but I feel like they are a fad. They work well but because of the explosive movements in combination with the fact they're free weights I find them risky to the point of not wanting to do them. You drop a 35 lb kettle bell on your foot and you're in trouble. The twists and turns for some of them are a bit much for me but again this is personal preference. I'd rather just do bar weights if I have a gym near me (snatch, hang snatch, power clean etc.) for my power and regular weights for everything else. Joe rogan reccomends some work out and has some of them on his website onnit.com Thats all I know.

 

[Pebcak]

I'm personally not a real big fan. They've been really taking bjj and MMA gyms/schools by storms but I feel like they are a fad. They work well but because of the explosive movements in combination with the fact they're free weights I find them risky to the point of not wanting to do them. You drop a 35 lb kettle bell on your foot and you're in trouble. The twists and turns for some of them are a bit much for me but again this is personal preference. I'd rather just do bar weights if I have a gym near me (snatch, hang snatch, power clean etc.) for my power and regular weights for everything else. Joe rogan reccomends some work out and has some of them on his website onnit.com Thats all I know.

I'm not sure it's wise to call something that has been around since roughly the 1700's a fad. and you drop a 35lb anything on your foot you'll be in trouble. We use them occasionally at the gym I train at, mostly for turkish getups and swinging but occasionally for cleans and snatches. Not too often though as we have a full sets of olympic bars and bumper plates.

 

[jazzman]

I've been using them for about six months, and I'm very impressed. The key for me has been to receive careful instructions and guidance from trainers. The exercises that I have been doing are quite different from anything I've done with barbells or dumbbells, and the focus is on core strength, balance, and general fitness.

 

[Commander Quan]

Just like anything else good technique is the most important factor. Unfortunately most people never learn the correct way to use one and end up hurting themselves.

Kettle bells are currently a fad. Just because they've been used for a couple hundred years, doesn't negate the fact that when I can see 2 different infomercials of women dancing around with 4 pound kettle bells while flipping through the channels, something is a fad.

 

[noahpictures]

Many people are now discovering the benefits of kettle bells. One of the reasons is kettle bells' effectiveness was mentioned in Ferriss' book Four Hour Body.

Whether it is a fad or not, it is irrelevant to the discussion.

To answer OP's question. Yes I use KBs and I find them great tools to get in shape. There are plenty of books with detailed instructions by professionals. You can check out CrossFit.com and look for their videos on proper form and different exercises for free.
I mainly do kettle bell swings, and cleans. There aren't many exercises that are better than kettle bell swings for getting in shape. It works most of the muscles in the body.

 

[zenbamboo]

I feel like when you don't have access to a lot of equipment, this is a good way to get a pretty complete workout.

 

[Greengravemoss]

I am a kettlebell instructor so I'm slightly bias! They are a great way to workout without the expense of a gym. In terms of efficiency you won't really get a more efficient workout in a shorter time. I use them 6 days a week and teach classes five days a week and I have yet to have any injuries. They are quite safe, I use a 108lb bell for clean and press and feel totally safe using it! Steve Cotter's kettlebell encyclopedia dvds are the best learning resource and you can get loads of good workouts on dragonsdoor.com. Start with a 16kg bell and work your way up from there. If you need any other advice just PM me I'm always glad to help.

 

[noahpictures]

I am a kettlebell instructor so I'm slightly bias! They are a great way to workout without the expense of a gym. In terms of efficiency you won't really get a more efficient workout in a shorter time. I use them 6 days a week and teach classes five days a week and I have yet to have any injuries. They are quite safe, I use a 108lb bell for clean and press and feel totally safe using it! Steve Cotter's kettlebell encyclopedia dvds are the best learning resource and you can get loads of good workouts on dragonsdoor.com. Start with a 16kg bell and work your way up from there. If you need any other advice just PM me I'm always glad to help.

 

[zenbamboo]

Thank you very much for these tips greengravemoss!! I'm gonna check out that website and I will PM you if I have other questions

 

[TBoner]

I have used kettlebells for several years now, and while I agree there's a fad going on right now, it mostly involves improper form (I'm looking at you, Jillian Michaels) and weights that are too damn light (just like DB work that a lot of folks do at the gym). The implements themselves are terrific tools for getting in shape and maintaining a high level of strength and conditioning without a lot of equipment. I like that proper kettlebell swings, cleans, and snatches teach you to use your body as one piece, to borrow from Dan John. I have begun messing around with long cycle (clean and jerks) and would like to participate in some KB competitions someday.

Steve Cotter is an excellent resource. So is Tracy Reifkind. Search Youtube for her videos. Also Dan John (he has an excellent instructional clip up right now on learning the hip hinge movement to begin KB swinging).

Good luck and have fun!

 

[MrTGun]

Been swinging for a few years now. Pretty much what everyone above has already said. Good form is king. I thought some of the "corrections" series of videos here were well done.

http://www.youtube.com/user/averagetoelite

All told, learn to swing RKC style (Cotter, Pavel, Dragons Door) IMO, focus hard on form and if you have a local instructor I would suggest going until your basics are dialed in.

~TG

 

[zenbamboo]

Thanks a lot for all these references that I'm gonna make sure to check out.

If anyone else wants to give their thoughts on kettlebells feel free to comment!