Kettlebell Training

Last Updated on Sunday, 11 January 2009 11:55 Written by Nicky Edwards Wednesday, 31 December 2008 21:00

Are you interested in burning fat, building muscle or increasing strength and stamina? Then kettlebell training is for you.

Women

Would you like to look and feel younger, have a  lean, graceful, athletic-looking body? Would you like to feel vigorous, feel beautiful, have more energy and more strength to get more done in your day? Then look no further than kettlebells.

Men

It is time to train like a man again and get back in touch with visceral impulse that has been locked away for years. Forge your physique along the lines of antique statues: broad shoulders with just a hint of pecs, back muscles standing out in bold relief, wiry arms, rugged forearms, a cut-up midsection, and strong legs without a hint of squatter's chafing.

There is no need to purchase a gym membership or spend thousands on expensive equipment. Two kettlebells are all that you need to increase muscular endurance, lose fat, and build size and strength giving you mental toughness that you did not know was even possible.

A kettlebell, or gira (Russian), is a round, cast iron/steel ball with a handle attached. Kettlebells have been around a lot longer than anyone reading this article. Fans of the Strong Men of the late 19th and early 20th century will recall that these amazing athletes trained with kettlebells. They were also very popular in Russia from the mid-1700’s through to the present day. The use of the kettlebell as a training tool could be considered ancient wisdom worthy of modern realisation.

Why use kettlebells? Well to be honest, entire books can be written to answer this one simple question. However, I will do my best to illuminate the most important benefits that this amazing training tool offers.

To begin with, kettlebell training systems in general are highly functional. Functional exercises are one which improve a person’s ability to cope with the demands of their work or sports environment. Kettlebell exercises focus on 'full body movements'. Remember the brain knows movements not muscles!

These exercises give you a lot of 'bang for your buck!'. They can help with simultaneous improvements in

• Strength
• Endurance
• Speed
• Coordination
• Flexibility

In addition, the combination of strength and speed results in power, while the combination of coordination and flexibility produces agility.

Total body exercise is an undeniable fact of kettlebell training. If you do any kettlebell exercise standing on your own two feet, no muscle escapes the training experience!

An excellent calorie-burner! Metabolism is quickly elevated with kettlebell training due to the fact that it concentrates on full body movements. Multiple muscle groups and your entire neuro-muscular system are active when using kettlebells. In just a short time you can get an excellent workout and keep your metabolism raised for a good while after you finish your training session, thus burning calories during and after your workout!

Time efficiency is almost guaranteed with kettlebell training. Due to the tremendous demand on your nervous system and the number of muscles used in each exercise, most people are finished with their kettlebell workout in as little as 15-25 minutes.

Easy to transport – Kettlebells can be used to workout anywhere with little other equipment needed. You can train in your apartment, backyard, garage, or go outside and get some fresh air.

Kettlebells are excellent training tools for women and children. Kettlebells come in all weights, and the lighter ones are perfect for women and children. The nature of kettlebell training makes it excellent for weight loss and body-shaping – two common goals in females – and also for preventing obesity, which is a growing problem among children today. We’ve got to get people off all the aerobic machines and fixed axis machines and into some real (kettlebell) exercise.

Who trains with kettlebells?

Everyday people who demand an efficient and extremely effective fitness program. The growing list includes:

• Strength and conditioning coaches and personal trainers all over the world
• AFL clubs Essendon, Collingwood, Melbourne & Port Adelaide
• Rugby League teams
• Australian Institute of Sport
• Boxing Champions like Kostya Tszyu
• Body Building and Martial Arts Champions
• Australian SAS, Army, Navy & Air Force
• Defence force operations all over the world.
• Physiotherapists, Osteopaths and Chiropractors

Celebrities such as Sylvester Stallone, Lance Armstrong, Matthew McConaughey Jennifer Lopez, Penelope Cruz & Angelina Jolie.

Precautions with kettlebell training

“A bad program done well is better than a good program done poorly”

Quality of movement is key to success and longevity in our chosen endeavours, so expert tuition is required to ensure optimal performance. In addition, kettlebell training requires significant core strength, which can only be developed through kettlebell training if your core musculature is functioning correctly from the beginning. Today, the majority of people attempting what they think is functional training have core deficiencies that pre-dispose them to injury when they perform such challenging and co-ordinated, full body exercises as those typically performed with kettlebells.

Conclusion

Kettlebell training is excellent for anyone who wants to get more done in less time. Guidance by a skilled professional is highly recommended until your kettlebell skill-set is developed. When you experience proper kettlebell training with your own body, your fat cells will run for cover!

I have been training with kettlebells for over 6 years and I have never been in better shape. In addition to being lean and strong, my body has learned how to work as one unit. My muscular endurance and mental toughness have improved tremendously. Best of all, I do not have to go to the gym to get an incredible workout. Give kettlebells a shot for three months and I sincerely doubt that you will ever want to go back to barbell curls and leg raises. Once you have been infected with the power of kettlebell training, there is no going back.

For some hands-on instruction from one of Australia’s most experienced kettlebell experts, contact Haydn via This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 0415392602.

Enter the kettlebell – all that you need to increase muscular endurance, lose fat, and build size and strength.