Anyone familiar with Kettlebell workouts?

goldenpawz99
goldenpawz99 Posts: 22
in Introduce Yourself
I've been doing a kettlebell workout a couple times a week along with other workouts. Just trying to mix things up to get some movement with my weight. Has anyone tried any of the work outs out there and what are your experiences with the kettlebell workouts? I'm really feeling (not yet seeing) the different muscles being worked. I wondering if I should do more days week...any advice? Thanks!!!
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Replies

  • Kennkaru
    Kennkaru Posts: 210 Member
    Bump. I'm interested in learning more about this, too. I've been eyeballing some kettlebells in the store but have put off buying them as of yet.
  • Sharyn913
    Sharyn913 Posts: 777 Member
    Was just thinking about buying a kettleball today!
  • laceylou0702
    laceylou0702 Posts: 226 Member
    Bump for info
  • trybefan
    trybefan Posts: 488 Member
    I have heard good things about them, but also heard to avoid of you have back problems due to the nature of swinging between legs and such
  • shannonperry13
    shannonperry13 Posts: 99
    i have one, but i don't really know what to do with it. so far my trainer has only shown me one exercise using it, and it was just squats, holding a kettlebell haha :)
  • MLgarcia3
    MLgarcia3 Posts: 503
    I love my kettlebell! I use it when I can't get into the gym.. I just look up videos on YouTube.. Most kettebells will come with a workout DVD though. They're not too bad :-)


    The DVDs are a good idea if you're new to kettebells, because they usually teach you how to do the exercises properly.
  • cgrout78
    cgrout78 Posts: 1,628 Member
    I do kettlebell workouts. I follow a DVD from Lauren Brooks I got on amazon.
  • lk27
    lk27 Posts: 257 Member
    I'm interested as well. I just bought a kettlebell. I have seen some lower body exercises I want to try, but am looking for others as well. I can't remember the name of the exercise right now, will have to look it up. I'm going to google it when I get home.
  • shaycat
    shaycat Posts: 980
    Jillian has a DVD Shred it with weights that you can use a kettle bell with. It is a good workout.
  • E024431
    E024431 Posts: 6
    I do kettlebell workouts and use the Jillian Michaels shredd it with weights. There is 2 levels on this DVD, so once you master Level 1 you can move on to Level 2 and/or Use a heavier weight on Level 1. I am down 25lbs in 12 weeks and really love this workout.
  • Nigerianebony
    Nigerianebony Posts: 182 Member
    To switch it up, I have been doing tabata training with kettlebells to make it more HIIT. I usually just YouTube my moves. One example is a burpee to a clean or a two jump squat into figure eights.

    But YouTube has some good workouts.
  • losingitlittlebylittle
    losingitlittlebylittle Posts: 15
    I saw someone above mention not doing kettlebells if you have back problems... If your form is correct, you shouldn't be using your back at all. Most of the philosophy behind kettlebell workouts is using your whole body to move the weight. I had back surgery a little over 2 years ago, and I had great luck with kettlebells - really increased my strength and stamina. Just make sure you are doing it right. Unless you've trained with a pro, I really don't think they are a good at-home workout. So many people do it wrong, and can really get injured. Even the videos/DVDs I've seen aren't great unless they come from Art of Strength. Just my two cents...
  • Kalebs8mom
    Kalebs8mom Posts: 42
    I use the kettlebell within my workouts at the gym. Here are a few -- love them!!! 1) you swing the kettlebell between your legs and up above your head --- you have to squat while doing this. 2) you squat to pick up off the floor with one hand and lift above your head (like you were putting something up on a shelf) and then squat back down bringing it to the floor and changing hands. If you can't lift above your head bring up to your chin. 3) holding it out in front of you while doing squats. 4) what we call "farmers walk" and you tote the kettlebell over your head (keeping your posture straight) or we have had two of them and hold down to our sides. 5) side sit-up -- lay on the floor with left knee up, kettlebell in right hand and straight above your head and then sit-up aiming to your left side while keeping your arm straight, then repeat with the other hand. Hope this helps.
  • peuglow
    peuglow Posts: 684 Member
    I can't recommend enough getting a good coach for beginners with Kettlebells. Jillian Michaels (from my understanding) is really despised by many kettlebell enthusiasts because of her poor coaching techniques.

    My muay thai coach is a kettlebell nut, and has multiple KB certifications, and he was key in straightening out my form.
  • Nigerianebony
    Nigerianebony Posts: 182 Member
    I can't recommend enough getting a good coach for beginners with Kettlebells. Jillian Michaels (from my understanding) is really despised by many kettlebell enthusiasts because of her poor coaching techniques.

    My muay thai coach is a kettlebell nut, and has multiple KB certifications, and he was key in straightening out my form.

    This is true. I heard about that. You know i had a lot of my kettlebell techniques corrected when i attended a crossfit intro class a while back. That might be a good idea. There are many crossfit locations that offer free one week passes.
  • bellawares
    bellawares Posts: 558 Member
    Love Kettlebells :heart: ! I totally agree with the other posters about learning proper form. The kettlebells are very different from free weighs. You can check out Youtube for lots of good videos. It's an amazing work out but does take time to see the results.
  • jennkain97
    jennkain97 Posts: 290 Member
    I LOVE MY KETTLEBELLS!!! Definitely keep with it -- you will love the results! I use Kettleworx (www.kettleworx.com) dvd's, which basically turns it into a combination of strength and cardio training at the same time. I highly recommend this program. It's a 6 week program, and you never do the same workout twice, so there's plenty of muscle confusion (this is a good thing - your muscles don't get accustomed to the same routine). My brother in law is a certified personal trainer, and he swears that if he'd known about kettlebells sooner, he never would have used anything else! I feel the same way. Kettlebells provide a total body workout rather than just working isolated muscle groups. Can't get any better than that!
  • jennkain97
    jennkain97 Posts: 290 Member
    I can't recommend enough getting a good coach for beginners with Kettlebells. Jillian Michaels (from my understanding) is really despised by many kettlebell enthusiasts because of her poor coaching techniques.

    My muay thai coach is a kettlebell nut, and has multiple KB certifications, and he was key in straightening out my form.


    Ryan Shannahan is a great kettlebell coach. www.kettleworx.com I love these dvd's! He stresses proper form, and although his personality is a little goofy at times, he's not nearly as annoying as JM or some others ;)
  • beth40n2
    beth40n2 Posts: 233 Member
    I love my kettlebell workout. I am using the Kettle Worx DVDs

    http://tv.kettleworx.com/
  • jennylee1219
    jennylee1219 Posts: 9
    .
  • peuglow
    peuglow Posts: 684 Member
    All I can say is be careful! I was using a kettle bell pretty steady, and hurt my back pretty bad. haven't been the same since... I honestly wouldn't suggest those workout to anyone... not really worth it. Or you will end up like me stuck walking on a treadmill. Good luck!!
    This is the problem with a lot of people, they don't learn the proper form and hurt their back. Any weight training, especially for beginners, should at least be introduced by a pro!
  • SteffieMark
    SteffieMark Posts: 1,719 Member
    Let me start by saying that I have arthritis in my lower back. A little less than 3 months ago, I couldn't stand straight up or walk for more than two minutes. I decided to change that. I started slowly using a small kettlebell and could barely do anything with it. As the time went by and my stamina increased, my pain also lessened and I got stronger. I can now do all of Gin Miller's Kettlebell workouts, back to back. That's 52 minutes total. Between using the Kettlebells and walking, I am now standing straight and can walk for an hour at a time. I walk from 4 to 6+ miles a day now! I didn't, but I recommend you checking with your doctor if you have pain and get the ok from them.

    About Kettlebells... I started out with a Danskin 5# Kettlebell. It comes with a Gin Miller workout DvD that I absolutely love! Then I graduated to Bob Harper 7# and 10#, plus his workout, which comes with his Contour Kettlebells. Gin's is easier and I think, more fun. Bob's is almost too much for me to take. lol I would definitely recommend using Kettlebells. They make me feel stronger!

    My opinions on the different ones that I own... I prefer the feel of the Danskin Kettlebells in my hand, not cold, easy to hold onto. The Bob Harper Countour Kettlebells are cool because they rest easier on your arm. But, I don't spend a ton of time with them 'resting. The handle is also cold steel and not as comfortable to hold.
  • jonski1968
    jonski1968 Posts: 4,490 Member
    have a look for this guy on the internet...Pavel Tsatsouline

    Bloody awesome..
  • trinitylyons01
    trinitylyons01 Posts: 126 Member
    I saw someone above mention not doing kettlebells if you have back problems... If your form is correct, you shouldn't be using your back at all. Most of the philosophy behind kettlebell workouts is using your whole body to move the weight. I had back surgery a little over 2 years ago, and I had great luck with kettlebells - really increased my strength and stamina. Just make sure you are doing it right. Unless you've trained with a pro, I really don't think they are a good at-home workout. So many people do it wrong, and can really get injured. Even the videos/DVDs I've seen aren't great unless they come from Art of Strength. Just my two cents...

    Actually, I bought a KettleWorx at home DVD set and a kettlebell to do the workouts. The person who created these workouts actually gives you an introduction video and explains proper form in detail. He demonstrates the different moves and what you body (butt, back, legs, etc) should be doing and how they should be positioned with every move. I am a big girl and I have not had any problems with my back. Also, I noticed my muscles responding to these workouts from day one. I can't speak for other videos but if you take time to learn how to do the moves properly and don't sacrifice form when doing them Kettleworx is an awesome way to tighten and tone muscles. I would highly recommend it. www.kettleworx.com

    Good Luck!
  • Abells
    Abells Posts: 756 Member
    super versatile weight :) if you are not feeling too much maybe use a higher weight (what size you have?)

    check out tons of lifts from

    American swings
    Russian Swings
    Squats
    squats to overhead press
    turkish get ups (works a lot of muscles)
    KB cleans
    Rows
    Windmills
    Deadlifts
    Figure 8s (awesome!)
    Man Makers
  • dsjohndrow
    dsjohndrow Posts: 1,820 Member
    I use the kettlebell within my workouts at the gym. Here are a few -- love them!!! 1) you swing the kettlebell between your legs and up above your head --- you have to squat while doing this. 2) you squat to pick up off the floor with one hand and lift above your head (like you were putting something up on a shelf) and then squat back down bringing it to the floor and changing hands. If you can't lift above your head bring up to your chin. 3) holding it out in front of you while doing squats. 4) what we call "farmers walk" and you tote the kettlebell over your head (keeping your posture straight) or we have had two of them and hold down to our sides. 5) side sit-up -- lay on the floor with left knee up, kettlebell in right hand and straight above your head and then sit-up aiming to your left side while keeping your arm straight, then repeat with the other hand. Hope this helps.

    I have done all of the above. There are lots of workouts and doing the same one week in and week out is boring, and eventually won't work as well as it did in the beginning. Look for different workout challenges. in a cardio class that meets three times a week, we only did the K-bells once. We did some other stuff with bosu balls, medicine balls and plain old calisthenics.

    The key is mixing it up as often as you can.
  • jenluvsushi
    jenluvsushi Posts: 933 Member
    Do lots of research on google (not here).....the instructor that you chose (or DVD) should be from a Russian Kettlebell certified instructor to receive proper training on form. You can really hurt yourself if your form is not on point......I love Tracy Reifkind's DVD Give and Take but it doesn't teach form. There are some decent form tutorials on youtube but a real life RKC instructor is best. Kettlebell swing is one of the hardest workouts I've done....you can burn up to 1200 calories an hour doing an intense workout. Best of luck!
  • jennylee1219
    jennylee1219 Posts: 9
    ...
  • sbeisel1
    sbeisel1 Posts: 181
    I LOVE MY Kettle bells. I ordered the KettleWorX DVD's. The coaching and videos are easy to follow and after a few weeks, Hubby reluctantly joined in, he thought they looked too easy, boy was he surprised. now he looks forward to the challenge . I find that I now need a heavier bell, so will be picking one up. make sure to follow all instructions and "squeeze" when told to. he often says every time you stand up from a squat sqeeeze those butt muscles. also squeeze the handles tightly the tighter the grip the more mucles you use in your arms.

    if you want better results make sure to use a heavy enought but not too heavy bell.

    kettle bell every other day, cardio on alternate days. that is what is reccomended by the KettleWorX. I feel it a day after for sure, if I dont then I know I diddnt work hard enough.
  • KettleBellHoe
    KettleBellHoe Posts: 161
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzo3LOwrShU


    I love kettle bell super fat burning and strengthens your entire body

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