Kettlebells

[Harradin]

Anyone use them?

 

I'm getting a bit weak, so going to do some strength training and heard good things about them. Can never go wrong with some extra muscle too

 

I do judo, kickboxing and cycling, heard particularly good things about using kettlebells for martial arts for functional strength, grip strength and explosive power. Plus I've heard its mostly compound movements which is perfect for me.

 

I don't have gym membership, don't really see the point of paying monthly to use kettlebells when I can just buy a kettlebell and save money

[1980alence]

Anyone use them?

 

I'm getting a bit weak, so going to do some strength training and heard good things about them. Can never go wrong with some extra muscle too

 

I do judo, kickboxing and cycling, heard particularly good things about using kettlebells for martial arts for functional strength, grip strength and explosive power. Plus I've heard its mostly compound movements which is perfect for me.

 

I don't have gym membership, don't really see the point of paying monthly to use kettlebells when I can just buy a kettlebell and save money

 

Hi Harradin,

 

Kettlebells are a good way to build functional strength, but have a bit of a learning curve and won't build a lot of muscle size without moving up to very heavy ones (takes a while, expensive, still not overly effective for size). I've used them for 4 years, but only build significant size/strength with heavy dumbbell and barbell work. Go for the gym membership and try a 5x5 barbell program with deadlifts, squats, and bench presses that increases the weight steadily. Don't forget to eat, and you'll pack on some muscle and get much stronger.

 

Alence

[Ninjainpajamas]

Never used them before but I see them at the gym...and I never seen anyone using them (but there's a woman's section so who knows)...and that's more of a cross-fit type of thing.

 

Have you thought about maybe joining some classes for exercises? you might get a little bored throwing kettle bells around by yourself...but who knows, but there might be some classes that incorporate things like that into the work-out.

 

Other than that, check the web of course (youtube) and see what you can find.

[Emilia]

Hi Harradin,

 

Kettlebells are a good way to build functional strength, but have a bit of a learning curve and won't build a lot of muscle size without moving up to very heavy ones (takes a while, expensive, still not overly effective for size). I've used them for 4 years, but only build significant size/strength with heavy dumbbell and barbell work. Go for the gym membership and try a 5x5 barbell program with deadlifts, squats, and bench presses that increases the weight steadily. Don't forget to eat, and you'll pack on some muscle and get much stronger.

 

Alence

^^^ This.

 

Sometimes I look at people swinging those kettlebells and I try to imagine the damage they are doing to their tendons and back from bad form. I do use them but only for farmer walks. Otherwise good old weightlifting.

[Harradin]

Thanks for the replies

 

Hi Harradin,

 

Kettlebells are a good way to build functional strength, but have a bit of a learning curve and won't build a lot of muscle size without moving up to very heavy ones (takes a while, expensive, still not overly effective for size). I've used them for 4 years, but only build significant size/strength with heavy dumbbell and barbell work. Go for the gym membership and try a 5x5 barbell program with deadlifts, squats, and bench presses that increases the weight steadily. Don't forget to eat, and you'll pack on some muscle and get much stronger.

 

Alence

 

^^^ This.

 

Sometimes I look at people swinging those kettlebells and I try to imagine the damage they are doing to their tendons and back from bad form. I do use them but only for farmer walks. Otherwise good old weightlifting.

 

I have no issue when it comes to eating, my metabolism is always insanely high haha! I would prefer functional strength over muscle size imho, as I'd still need to keep mobile for judo/kickboxing! The only issue around where I live (I'm a student,) is that you have to pay for gym memberships annually, so it'd be pretty expensive to start with!

 

Should I get the gym membership and blend weight lifting/kettlebells? From the research I've done, I see the advantage of both and I suppose its a form of cross training too doing both!

 

My friend is a strength and conditioning coach and has offered to show me how to use kettlebells correctly so I should have good form so I won't cripple myself

 

Never used them before but I see them at the gym...and I never seen anyone using them (but there's a woman's section so who knows)...and that's more of a cross-fit type of thing.

 

Have you thought about maybe joining some classes for exercises? you might get a little bored throwing kettle bells around by yourself...but who knows, but there might be some classes that incorporate things like that into the work-out.

 

Other than that, check the web of course (youtube) and see what you can find.

 

I'd plan on using them twice a week, I do kickboxing Thursday mornings, its a "do what you want session" so I could incorporate kettlebells into my workout and I can do them Tuesday afternoons on my own which would be okay.

[Almond_Joy]

If you can maintain form on your own, I'd recommend Sarah Lurie's Iron Core Kettlebell program for home workouts. I found a 3 pack of kettlebells on Amazon for a great price, but really only use the 10 and 15 lb. ones. Here's a 6 pack set for $100.

 

 

I really have trouble sticking with exercise or enjoying it, but this was one of the few workouts I really enjoyed and felt immediately.

[martaldn]

Anyone use them?

 

I'm getting a bit weak, so going to do some strength training and heard good things about them. Can never go wrong with some extra muscle too

 

I do judo, kickboxing and cycling, heard particularly good things about using kettlebells for martial arts for functional strength, grip strength and explosive power. Plus I've heard its mostly compound movements which is perfect for me.

 

I don't have gym membership, don't really see the point of paying monthly to use kettlebells when I can just buy a kettlebell and save money

 

I use them a lot in my workout.

 

I use the 12Kg for swing and squats and 8Kg for the snatch. But there are so many different workouts you can do with them!

I have been doing cross-fit training since august and I can see lot of improvement on my upper body strength thanks also to the use of kettlebells..

Im pretty sure you can buy them online at a very cheap price ( Argos sells them! ).

[Emilia]

I have no issue when it comes to eating, my metabolism is always insanely high haha! I would prefer functional strength over muscle size imho, as I'd still need to keep mobile for judo/kickboxing! The only issue around where I live (I'm a student,) is that you have to pay for gym memberships annually, so it'd be pretty expensive to start with!

I'm not sure you know the difference between body building and strength training. Weights build 'functional' strength exactly (is there non-functional strength, where has this BS expression come from?), you can't do anything unless you are strong and the carry-over from squats, deads, bench, etc is huge. How big you get depends on how much you eat.

 

You don't really get strong without your compound lifts. Weight lifters' gyms are quite cheap.

[StandingO]

Using a kettlebell for squatting with both feet on raised platforms is like a excellent exercise. I see many women doing these and I am tempted to try them myself.

[howcouldInotknow]

I use them for squats. I am a woman and prefer a softer look. So I do a lot of yoga and strength training. But kettle bells keep my legs and butt in great shape. I picked up 5, 10, 15, and 20lb kettle bells at various Marshall's and TJ Maxx. For me they do not need to be top of the line because I don't work out at home very often

[1980alence]

Hi Harradin,

 

To answer your question, I would suggest a month or two of focusing on either kettlebells or barbells. Learning the new movements and adapting to them is important. I would get confident with each before you mix them or start building your own hybrid programs.

 

As far as what you should do - it depends on your goals. If you want to build strength and power, hit a gym with barbells for a few months and scale back your other workouts. If you just want some additional conditioning, a little shoulder & core strength, and calorie burning, you could get a 16kg kettlebell and do some intervals with swings and Turkish get-ups.

 

Alence

[Harradin]

I'm not sure you know the difference between body building and strength training. Weights build 'functional' strength exactly (is there non-functional strength, where has this BS expression come from?), you can't do anything unless you are strong and the carry-over from squats, deads, bench, etc is huge. How big you get depends on how much you eat.

 

You don't really get strong without your compound lifts. Weight lifters' gyms are quite cheap.

 

Ah I was wrong, thanks for letting me know

 

Hi Harradin,

 

To answer your question, I would suggest a month or two of focusing on either kettlebells or barbells. Learning the new movements and adapting to them is important. I would get confident with each before you mix them or start building your own hybrid programs.

 

As far as what you should do - it depends on your goals. If you want to build strength and power, hit a gym with barbells for a few months and scale back your other workouts. If you just want some additional conditioning, a little shoulder & core strength, and calorie burning, you could get a 16kg kettlebell and do some intervals with swings and Turkish get-ups.

 

Alence

 

It'd be additional conditioning more than anything, a bit of explosive power for kickboxing would be useful too! Thanks for the help

[Imported]

I have 12, 16 and 20 KG sets of kettlebells. I almost never touch them. For home, I use dumbbells and my bench which has attachments so I can do pull-ups and dips.

 

You might want to consider Ironmaster adjustable kettlebells.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Ironmaster-Quick-Lock-Kettlebell-57-5-Combo/dp/B00895AB0C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417975738&sr=8-1&keywords=ironmaster+kettlebells

 

I've owned Powerblock dumbbells, but I hated the loose feeling of the clip system. Luckily I was able to sell those for what I paid and get myself some Ironmaster dumbbells. The Ironmaster feels solid, pretty much like the hex dumbbels. I don't own their kettlebell system, but no doubt it's good quality and will feel like a solid chunk of metal once tightened down.

[Under The Radar]

Using a kettlebell for squatting with both feet on raised platforms is like a excellent exercise. I see many women doing these and I am tempted to try them myself.

 

They are called straddle lifts and are, without a doubt, one of the best ways to squat.

 

To me, it marries the best elements of the squat and deadlift.

[Cali408]

Used them for 6 years. Yes, there is a learning curve. See an instructor because they can be hard on your hands and forearms.

 

That being said.

You can go put muscle and get strong using them. As good as a barbell? No. But you can do a lot of movements with them

Presses (floor and military) Front Squats (without the discomfort of a bar), Turkish Getups, Rows.

 

For ballistics, swings, cleans, high pulls and when you get good snatches.

 

I like the fact that it is conditioned strength, meaning, all the cardio you need is doing the bells.

 

Get the bells on line at Fringe Sports. Don't go to a retail store, the handles stink and the price is over $2/lb.

 

If you're a male start with a 16kg /35 lbs. female 12 kg/26lbs.

[spanz1]

you mean like THIS guy does:

[michellew]

I use them for squatting, walking, snatching, swinging, and in place of dumbells at times. When swinging, only do a Russian Kettlebell swing (raising kettlebell to arm's length, not all the way up). You can really mess up your shoulders if you aren't careful with them.