Just to be clear; I am not actually in love with a kettlebell. But I do love them like Kel loves orange soda – I can hardly contain my excitement.
Although, now that I think about it, there is one glaring difference; this love affair is actually good for me. And it’s good for other people too. I spend a lot of time working with trainers and exercisers teaching them how they can integrate kettlebells into their fitness businesses and programs. Sure, everyone has different abilities and goals, but I’ve yet to meet someone who didn’t have something to gain from learning how to swing a kettlebell.
For starters, kettlebell training really is for everyone. Despite what you may have seen on YouTube, there’s more than one way to swing a kettlebell. It’s true that we have Pavel, Dragon Door and CrossFit to thank for bringing the kettleBELL, not BALL, into the mainstream. But, it’s also worth mentioning that their hardstyle, Russian kettlebell routines are not the only show in town.
If you’ve stumbled upon any of our Hybrid Athlete or Kettlebell Cardio videos, then you know we’re big fans of the squat swing and not too keen on moves like clean, jerk or snatch for casual participants of kettlebell exercise. With a few minor adjustments to body positioning we’re able to ease the learning curve and reduce the risk of injury. It’s like we say; 1. if you can sit into a chair, we can teach you to swing a kettlebell. Then, once you learn the ropes, be ready for physical benefits galore.
Let’s get physical, physical
With the musical styling’s of Olivia Newton John echoing in your head – you’re welcome – there’s no better time than now to explore the seemingly endless number of benefits associated with kettlebell training. 2. Learning to swing a kettlebell is a reliable way to get in touch with how your body works. Lifting with your legs is certainly an acquired skill, one that is never more obvious than when you try to swing a kettlebell without yanking your arms out of their sockets. You see; your legs, glutes and hips do the heavy lifting during a swing. 3. It’s a move that combines strength with power to generate force. Mastering this skill is like a gift from the fitness Gods. Once you get it, you can apply it to just about every other form of exercise and physical activity.
Some call it kinesthetic awareness, but that’s just a fancy way of saying you’ll begin to recognize where you body is in space. As you become acquainted with how your body moves and the order in which your muscles fire, the more athletic, coordinated and efficient you’ll be.
Speaking of efficiency…
It’s defined as achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense. Well Mr. Webster could have saved some space in his dictionary by putting a picture of a kettlebell next to that word.
4. If you’re looking to do more with less, in less time, kettlebell training delivers. Get yourself a kettlebell and you can leave the gym behind. You can also forget about missing a workout, or skipping one (yeah, I’m talking to you!). Kick your own fat burning, muscle building workouts at home; anytime. Sure, kettlebell training makes exercise more convenient, but it’s also more effective than hopping on an elliptical or exercise machine.
Seriously, I’m not just saying that – it’s science.
Working with the American Council of Exercise, a team of researchers at at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse Exercise and Health Program found put their exercise subjects through a 20-minute kettlebell workout. The [painful] outcome? Subjects burned an average of 272 calories. That’s about 20 calories per minute and is equivalent to running a six-minute mile pace, or cross-country skiing uphill at a fast pace. Yeah, I pick kettlebell training too.
Now, for the sake of full disclosure, this study used the more difficult and somewhat risky kettlebell snatch to elicit these results. However, the study still concluded that, 5. kettlebells provide a much higher-intensity workout than standard weight-training routines and offer superior results in a short amount of time – told you so!
And the list goes on
Seriously, I could keep this up all day, but I think you get the point; 6. kettlebell training is more than just another fitness fad. If you’re anything like me your tired of the endless cycle of exercise booms and busts. Bodybuilding, step aerobics, kick-boxing – you name it – have each had their moment in the spotlight. We’ve been pitched some questionable fitness products and equipment over the years. Remember the shake-weight and shock-belts? And nowadays, the average gym-goer users more technology during a single workout than Jack Lalanne used in his entire fitness centered lifetime. It’s all a bit much.
So, if you’re ready to put an end to the nonsense, it’s time to take up kettlebell training. But be warned; once you start, you’ll fall fast. And
