i am considering an getting a few kettlebells to help me shed some pounds but i'm not sure if they are any good. has anyone got any experiance with them?
would they be a good investment?
what sort of weight should i consider if i go ahead and nuy them and is there any videos online instructing how to use them?
I don't own any K-bells, but I've messed with them a little bit. I'm inclined to say there's something to them. The off-centeredness of the weight challenges the muscle in way different from dumbbells; you have to strain through the whole range of motion, which is somewhat different from dumbbells. This I like, as well as many of the moves.
I'm considering getting some myself, but have similar questions. So I'll tell you what I've figured so far. It seems to me that dumbbells are the way to go for starters; as one guy mentioned, they're very versatile. (Whether they're more so than KBs is debatable, but I won't go into that.) You can do many of the same moves, and it won't put you out as much.
It's good to know that KBs are not just a kind of weight, it's a way of lifting. Since the weight categories are pretty far apart, you end up working around other parameters: technique and reps are the most obvious. So one lift will just be easier than another, and you do 25 reps when 20 is too easy.
When I get back to the States, I'd like to buy Kettlestacks, which basically are KB handles you load up with plates. They're cheaper than normal KBs, and you can incorporate them into the set you already have. And adjust the weights incrementally. I figure that if they really aren't so cool, at least I won't have lost much. But I do think they'll be effective and fun, to be honest.
As for videos, Youtube has some. I'm not terribly impressed by most of them, they're just showing off. Steve Cotter has what looks like an excellent DVD for sale, and some of the moves are available as samples. Crossfit has good videos online too.
Hope this helps.
25 Evil Drills for Radical Strength and Old School Toughness
Do you have a set of dumbells? They can be just as effective!
For some great tips, visit;
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/kettlebells.htm
References :
Push up with a band on your back- try doing a push up (it can be with your knees, but you have to complete 30, if you can do this easily, try putting a rubber band in your back and holding it between your hands to create pressure)
Jump with dumbbells grab to medium weight dumbbells in each hand, put your legs a bit apart and jump as high as you can (30)
Row with a rubber band (30) you can either use a rowing machine (its for your back) or put a band where people stretch (in between the wood) move yourself away to create pressure on the band, pull the band towards you. (You should feel it in your upper back)
Dumbbell swing (with a normal weight kettlebell) do a half squat and swing the dumbbell up to your head, while doing this also move up from the squat. This requires coordination, then come down (30)
Chest press with the rubber band again like in row with a band, but instead looking towards the wall look the other way . do (30) reps but in now chest.
Dumbbell one arm squat (kettlebells) (15each arm *2) grab a low weight on one hand (the other hand is free)
Reverse fly (arms) 30, this is for your back and shoulders,
Alternate split –30
Arnold press-30
Hip Thrust ( push your hip away from the mat, this works your lower abs, core) 30
Pull ups 30
If you want to SEE the exercises, so you have a BETTER idea, go to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4j6Z_DNLkc
References :
flavor of the month…. you can do more with dumbells
and besides i cant picture a gym with only kettlebells…. it would look weird
References :
Get a workout dvd for usin kettlebells, they are some on ebay. Igot mine but i can;t find any kettlebells anywhere!
Mail me if you know where in uk they sell them.
References :
I use kettlebells as there is a set at my gym I find them a little bit more and dynamic and free flowing than dumbells and as a result you get more "functional" strength out of using them. I tend to use the 8, 12, 16 kgs but I have been warned they are quite expensive. I find them useful but at the end of day you'll need to try them to find out.
References :
I don't own any K-bells, but I've messed with them a little bit. I'm inclined to say there's something to them. The off-centeredness of the weight challenges the muscle in way different from dumbbells; you have to strain through the whole range of motion, which is somewhat different from dumbbells. This I like, as well as many of the moves.
I'm considering getting some myself, but have similar questions. So I'll tell you what I've figured so far. It seems to me that dumbbells are the way to go for starters; as one guy mentioned, they're very versatile. (Whether they're more so than KBs is debatable, but I won't go into that.) You can do many of the same moves, and it won't put you out as much.
It's good to know that KBs are not just a kind of weight, it's a way of lifting. Since the weight categories are pretty far apart, you end up working around other parameters: technique and reps are the most obvious. So one lift will just be easier than another, and you do 25 reps when 20 is too easy.
When I get back to the States, I'd like to buy Kettlestacks, which basically are KB handles you load up with plates. They're cheaper than normal KBs, and you can incorporate them into the set you already have. And adjust the weights incrementally. I figure that if they really aren't so cool, at least I won't have lost much. But I do think they'll be effective and fun, to be honest.
As for videos, Youtube has some. I'm not terribly impressed by most of them, they're just showing off. Steve Cotter has what looks like an excellent DVD for sale, and some of the moves are available as samples. Crossfit has good videos online too.
Hope this helps.
References :
http://www.kettlestack.com/
http://www.groundfighter.com/details/prodid/202.html
http://www.crossfit.com/cf-info/excercise.html
Kettlebells are by far my favorite tool to train with. I started in July 07. Love them. Anything you can do with a dumbbell you can do with a KB, but you have the added dimension of the ballistic kettlebell exercises.
The swing, cleans, snatches, jerks, high pulls. Then there is the turkish get-up, my fav, and windmills.
I use them in my bootcamps too. Campers all love them! They’re pretty expensive but the ones I use and like are Iron woody’s and Muscledrivers. Iron woody is having close-out sale, so they will be gone soon.
http://ironwoodyfitness.com/?a_aid=eb98f82d
http://tinyurl.com/muscledriver
I’ve got a few videos on youtube using kettlebells if you want to check them out.
http://www.youtube.com/yuntraining