Swapping weights for kettlebells?

JJMaritz

Hi guys

I'm at kind of a crossroad and don't know which way to go. Thought I'd put it out there and here what you guys think.

Okay, so currently this is how my day goes. I get up 4.30am go to gym which is quite a whiles drive. Train untill 6am and then leave to go to work which is also quite a far drive, I start at 7am. I do this 5 days a week and I work every 3rd weekend. This means that I basically never have the pleasure of seeing my 2 boys wake up in the morning on my current schedule.

Last night my wife told me she would like to work out with me, I'm very excited about this idea of training with her, but we can't go to the gym at the same time. So I thought about not going to the gym anymore and train at home with her. I don't have any gear, just a pull-up bar, but I thought about getting a couple of kettlebells. I would basically then just do a full body kettlebell workout and use Tabata for cardio.

What you guys think...should I stick with kettlebells or get some other type of weights? We have limited space. Any program you would recommend?

Thanks

ninerbuff

TRX suspension training. Takes up little room and is portable. Plus you can do numerous exercises with it.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

JJMaritz

Thanks Ninerbuff...will check it out.

2essie

I use kettlebells all the time. They seem to incorporate cardio and strength training. Little room is needed and I have been reading great things on the internet about them. One of the things that keeps coming up is that they burn 20 calories per minute. I take that with a pinch of salt because we can't believe everything we read on the internet.

When I do a routine I certainly know I have done one and they seem to get to every muscle. Sure makes me ache anyway.

I do Fitness Blender routines on youtube but there are loads out there to try.

Have fun. I am sure you would like it.

Givemewings

Why don't you do a combination of the two? Go to the gym some days , train at home others? I have kettlebells and it is a great workout, and I think along with the Tabata it would be fine.It sounds like a good change for you and your family. There are some good Kettlebells DVDs out there. I'm from the UK and have a Kettlercise DVD which is good.

jimmmer

Well technically kettlebells are weights.

You can get a dvd to learn the form to start with. Avoid celebrity trainer rubbish. Get something by Steve Cotter, Anthony Diluglio, Pavel - one of those guys. The Art of Strength DVD's are excellent, btw.

Learning the mechanics of a proper swing are key to the whole enterprise. High pulls, snatches, cleans are all dependant on the hip-drive you build with a good swing.

Then you'll need a progressive routine that will take you from beginner onwards. Something like Pavel's Program Minimum building up towards something like the Rite of Passage.

yogicarl

I went from weights to kettlebells and dumbbells to just kettlebells and now completely into progressive callisthenics.

The only thing I miss about not doing weights or kettlebells is the money I spent on them in the first place.

You have everything there in your own body and a bit of learning how to apply bodyweight techniques to build the body you want.

Look up You Are Your Own Gym for starters and there are many more.

crazie4lulu

perhaps a routine that incorporates kettles and weights at home. thats what i do on the off rare day that i dont get to the gym. you can really come up with a great at home routine using these types of weights along with body weight exercises. and.....Tabata style will really get the heart pumping.

steve0820

perhaps a routine that incorporates kettles and weights at home. thats what i do on the off rare day that i dont get to the gym. you can really come up with a great at home routine using these types of weights along with body weight exercises. and.....Tabata style will really get the heart pumping.

I agree! No need to stick to just one thing, resistance is resistance, tons of stuff you can do with Bodyweight exercises alone. Add Kettlbell, free weights, HIIT, Tabata, jump rope.

sijomial

One of the things that keeps coming up is that they burn 20 calories per minute. I take that with a pinch of salt because we can't believe everything we read on the internet.

Very wise to be sceptical - a very large pinch of salt required so make sure you don't go over your sodium limit....
1200 an hour for a weights routine is a joke frankly.

BerryH

Kettlebells are awesome, and my favourite money- and space-saving equipment is resistance bands. You could set up a little circuit with your wife, swapping between resistance and cardio stations, and you wouldn't need to double up on kit.