Kettlebell walking

Morning all, does anyone know if walking with Kettlebells will help me lose weight and tone up? I had the idea yesterday so went out walking with a 9kg bell for an hour switching between hands when one gets tired. I have done kettlebell training before so am sure my limbs and joints will be able to take the weight no probs but was just wondering how effective it was that I am not wasting my time.

Thanks
Jonny

Replies

  • JcMey3r
    JcMey3r Posts: 431 Member
    Never heard of this but dont see how it will be negative.

    Your body now has to drag around an extra 9kg of weight so technically it has to work harder. Keep at it if it is for you, otherwise maybe go for a shorter jog but do a high intensity kettleball workout after the jog.
  • jonny310580
    jonny310580 Posts: 190 Member
    Cheers bud, I will keep with it then as I guess it won't do any harm :)
  • kinmad4it
    kinmad4it Posts: 185 Member
    If it's just the extra weight you want while walking, how about stuffing the kettlebell inside a rucksack. That way you're not using your arms and so not tiring them out and the weight is perfectly balanced on your back.
  • jonny310580
    jonny310580 Posts: 190 Member
    I did think about that but thought the kettlebell might rip through the rucksack lol and also at some point I would want a heavier kettlebell so probably would eventually rip through!!

    I don't mind my arms getting tired as then I know it's working them :)
  • patrickfish7
    patrickfish7 Posts: 190 Member
    I do this and it works a treat. I tend to use around 15kg each arm and do lengths of 25m. Walk one way, then run back the next, walk then run, in Tabata-like drills. Legs get a serious workout, then arms also and the whole core has to stabilise the motion so its pretty much an all-body workout.
  • jonny310580
    jonny310580 Posts: 190 Member
    Hey, good to know that someone else does this and that it works so I will continue using it. I only have one kettlebell though at the moment so am just rotating each arm but yeah do feel it on my legs.. Will using just one be a problem and just be as effective? Also do you actually run with the kettlebell?
  • JcMey3r
    JcMey3r Posts: 431 Member
    Like patrick mentioned with the drills maybe think of doing your own drills as a short but high intensity workout will be more beneficial than low intensity workout.

    Find a park and measure out 25-50 steps and put objects at either end. sprint with the kettleball from one side to the other then do e.g squats take a slow jog back and rest then sprint to the other side again and use the kettle ball for push ups(since you have one rotate sides, will give you a depper push up) and then carry on.
  • ttippie2000
    ttippie2000 Posts: 412 Member
    I tend to do high intensity exercise and then do low intensity exercise specifically for recovery. Low intensity stuff is like foam rollers, stretching, walking, jogging and yoga. I'm not a real big fan of taking a low intensity exercise and adding weight. If you use a significant enough weight to make any difference then you're defeating the purpose of low intensity (recovery) exercise.
  • joolywooly33
    joolywooly33 Posts: 421 Member
    I sometimes wrap some heavy weights in a towel and stick in a rucksack when I am going out for a walk/jog. It definately makes you work harder... carrying my 2 year old on my back when walking has a similar effect and if you carry enought weight you will feeling in your legs the following day... not sure about carrying kettlebells in your hands tho - i think on the back would suit you better :wink:
  • JClark1980
    JClark1980 Posts: 30 Member
    Yes, I lost 107 lbs over the course of a year walking with a ten lb kettle bell, although I did get pregnant 18mnths ago and put back 80lbs of it I have started kettle bell walking again in hopes of the same results
  • hookilau
    hookilau Posts: 3,134 Member
    You mean as in 'farmer's walk/carry'?
    sure! why not :wink:
  • contingencyplan
    contingencyplan Posts: 3,639 Member
    The exercise you're referring to is called a farmer's walk. It is a legitimate exercise.
  • contingencyplan
    contingencyplan Posts: 3,639 Member
    I want to add though that the Farmers' Walk is traditionally done with a load that is sufficient enough to fatigue you in a matter of seconds--not minutes. I think that if you do it with a load light enough to allow you to go an extended period of time like that you won't see much benefit to it at all.
  • darrensurrey
    darrensurrey Posts: 3,942 Member
    Yep, I do it with 2 x 40kg DBs (only because that's all the gym has :( ). Can go for a minute before my grip gives up. I look like I've **** my pants, though, when I walk with the DBs.

    Carrying a heavy DB/KB in just one hand would be a great oblique workout I guess.
  • hookilau
    hookilau Posts: 3,134 Member
    I want to add though that the Farmers' Walk is traditionally done with a load that is sufficient enough to fatigue you in a matter of seconds--not minutes. I think that if you do it with a load light enough to allow you to go an extended period of time like that you won't see much benefit to it at all.

    Easy for me, I'm a small 123# woman :laugh:
    I expect that carrying for any amount of time will help increase grip strength, & strength of connective tissue though.
    Unless we're talking those pretty pink weights that make me irrational :angry: