More Kettlebell!

OK...so i had to type the title. I had a question. Looking at a cheap way to get a good workout. I hear there are some kettlebell fans on here. Anyone got good/bad results with them?

Replies

  • VegasFit
    VegasFit Posts: 1,232 Member
    I love kettlebell classes but I take them at a facility. By what I am seeing in class I would say the people are getting awesome results! Hopefully some people that do the videos will chime in.
  • mhouston2011
    mhouston2011 Posts: 155
    I remember looking at my little kettlebell and thinking, "hmmm what the heck is this really going to do???" Wow is all I could say the next day when I felt soreness all over my body. Great total body workout!!!
  • ValRAAAAY
    ValRAAAAY Posts: 270 Member
    I LOVE Kettlebells, and although I am NOT as "cut" as I want to be, I attribute all of my shoulder, back, tricep "success" to kettlebell workouts. PLUS, according to my HRM, I burn approximately 50 calories in just under 5 minutes. It's truly an AWESOME workout. Plenty of videos up on YouTube to help get you started!!!
  • Go to Crossfit.com to find videos on kettlebell demos.
  • Crystal0827
    Crystal0827 Posts: 244 Member
    bump, id love to do more with KB's
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    this is my favorite kettle bell work out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRpbM9nzDcM

    uh, don't try at that same weight or try for that time. my first time doing it took me almost a whole hour, and at only about 18kgs
  • ValRAAAAY
    ValRAAAAY Posts: 270 Member
    Go to Crossfit.com to find videos on kettlebell demos.

    Hey! Thanks for the tip! I'm always looking for more KB workouts!!! :-)
  • Strobins05
    Strobins05 Posts: 716
    Great workout just be careful with your form, can be brutal sore!
  • mcarter99
    mcarter99 Posts: 1,666 Member
    Go to Crossfit.com to find videos on kettlebell demos.

    Hey! Thanks for the tip! I'm always looking for more KB workouts!!! :-)

    Check out livefitrevolution.org for tons. You have to register, though.

    I love kettlebells.
  • danwood2
    danwood2 Posts: 291 Member
    I did Kettlebells for a while... and the first week, you won't be able to walk. I had the KettleWorx dvds (they were cheap at Sports Authority)... don't waste your money. The work outs are good, but the editing department really screwed up the counting. So, you constantly have to pause it so that you get an even workout on both sides with the weight. There is another Kettlebell training dvd called RKS I believe. I never bought it but I have a friend who swears by it...
  • jonward85
    jonward85 Posts: 534 Member
    Awesome. Thanks for the input all. Also, what size of KB should i start with? I'm not fit at all. Just started my fitness journey and have been doing mostly cardio to help me get in better shape.
  • danwood2
    danwood2 Posts: 291 Member
    I would make a trip out to Walmart and pick up the kettle bells starting at around 10lbs and if it is way too easy, slowly go upward. I started at 20lbs... and it was definitely a challenge.
  • jonward85
    jonward85 Posts: 534 Member
    I had thought about a 10 or 12 lb. I know 10 is more common ie easier to find and probably cheaper. Wanted one my wife could try to start with as well. 10 lb sounds light, but i know after 10-30 minutes or more i'll have different thoughts.
  • tocara
    tocara Posts: 81 Member
    this is my favorite kettle bell work out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRpbM9nzDcM

    uh, don't try at that same weight or try for that time. my first time doing it took me almost a whole hour, and at only about 18kgs

    awesome workout!! thanks for sharing
  • tcbutler
    tcbutler Posts: 146
    Kettlebells are an awesome workout! I love them and would use them for every workout, but I like to vary things up, so I usually use them once a week, twice at the most. There is so much you can do with them and get a good strength training and cardio workout at the same time.

    Like others have said, start lighter and then work your way up. You can try starting with a 10 lb and if it is too easy, move up a little bit. I started with a 20 lb, but had been doing other lifting before going to the kettlebells, so 20 was good for me. I ready to move up to 30 lb as soon as it gets here! I can't wait!
  • MadeInDR022
    MadeInDR022 Posts: 260
    I had thought about a 10 or 12 lb. I know 10 is more common ie easier to find and probably cheaper. Wanted one my wife could try to start with as well. 10 lb sounds light, but i know after 10-30 minutes or more i'll have different thoughts.

    I started with an 18 and I wasn't/I'm not strong.

    I'm very skeptical about all the videos and DVD's out there, but as long as you learn proper form BEFORE you try the workouts then ok. Just take care!
  • 40Marbles
    40Marbles Posts: 188 Member
    As others have said - pay attention to form.

    There is a lot of information out there - some good, some bad. An certified kettlebell trainer will give you better information than a celebrity trainer who is trying to cash in on the popularity of kettlebells.

    A few things to check out:
    artofstrength.com - lots of free videos for learning proper form
    dragondoor.com
    Tracy Reifkind's book "The Swing" - She also posts workouts and tips on youtube, and has a really good explanation video on how to choose the right size bell.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBVix24GKG0

    I started with a 10 lb. and it very quickly turned into a doorstop. My go-to bells now range from 20 to 30 lb depending on what I am doing.
  • Dot2Dots
    Dot2Dots Posts: 137 Member
    *Bump*

    I want to get some Kettlebells this week !
  • p0kers0ph
    p0kers0ph Posts: 250 Member
    I'm interested in using kettlebells, I think I will do some more research and perhaps get my first KB :)
  • jonward85
    jonward85 Posts: 534 Member
    well it looks like im gonna break down and get a kettlebell this weekend. I've looked at some videos and it looks good. Thanks everyone for your input.
  • NikoM5
    NikoM5 Posts: 488 Member
    KB's are an awesome way to help you get in shape but FOR THE LOVE OF GOD.... PLEASE get proper instruction on how to perform the various exercises. I don't think I've EVER seen one person in my gym use the kettle bells with correct form. Learn from someone who's RKC certified. Watching videos is great but you need someone to watch you and critique what you are doing wrong because you WILL do it wrong at first no matter how many videos you watch.


    Good luck!
  • KatManx
    KatManx Posts: 168 Member
    I love Kettlebells and i go to classes twice a week for 2 hours at a time. I have started doing the kettlercise classes which are brilliant.
    I started last October with a 3kg bell, i now use an 8kg bell, and started using it continously for both my classes. I can feel it today after my Monday class. Hope i can do the same again tonight with my 8 :)

    As some other members have said, get proper instruction on how to do the various excercises as it is very easy to do them wrong and hurt yourself big time!!!!
  • crazysexykoo
    crazysexykoo Posts: 129 Member
    Proper from is KEY! Focus on mastering the two-handed swing before moving forward. As others have stated, Youtube is a good source for instructional/workout out videos. Search specifically for Tracy Reifkind, Lauren Brooks, Gray Cook or Pavel Tsatsouline for proper instructions on form. As for size, I think a female should start off with no less than 15#. I started off with a 10# kb---complete waste of money!!

    Here's a great website which is full of information, an active message board and instructional videos for individual moves. It also offers a full 18-week fitness challenge (free): http://livefitrevolution.org/.

    I honestly belive that kb workouts are extremely powerful and will transform your body fairly quickly if done properly, regularly along with clean eating.
  • sthrnchick
    sthrnchick Posts: 771
    Ok...SOLD...I am signing up for a class at the gym THIS week!!! Sounds like so much fun...and a break from "just lifting" Thanks for the post!
  • DesignGuy
    DesignGuy Posts: 457 Member
    As others have said, watch your form. If ya don't, a shoulder injury is upcoming.
  • redhousecat
    redhousecat Posts: 584 Member
    since I can't quite view videos right now, how much space does one need to swing kettlebells?
  • ummommyme
    ummommyme Posts: 362 Member
    I've been wanting to get one too. I think it's time i just do it!
  • KINGoftheBUFF
    KINGoftheBUFF Posts: 67 Member
    If you want lean muscle and that shredded look, or simply that hot beach body? Kettlebells are the ultimate tool. I teach kettlebells in my club and have basic thru advanced classes..they are so effective that I currently teach 7 classes a week and have approximately 150 members in our Kettlebell Club. It has been an amazing experience to see their bodies transform to hotness. Particularly the moms who have amazing results. They tend to work your trouble areas perfectly, hamstrings and glutes. That being said....it is very important to learn how to use them. Kettlebell training is about whole body efficiency of movement. Most kettlebell moves are ballistic in nature and one can easily overtrain or injure themselves if not properly taught. Do your research before starting, or find someone to teach you....I have found it takes around 3 weeks for a beginner to become efficient with the basics. As with all great tools, form and technique is a must before you can reap the benefits.
  • jonward85
    jonward85 Posts: 534 Member
    I think im sold on Kettlebells...just gotta get paid again before i can afford one. Nothing like a tight budget.
  • 40Marbles
    40Marbles Posts: 188 Member
    since I can't quite view videos right now, how much space does one need to swing kettlebells?

    Not much. If you are tall though, you need a high enough ceiling if you are going to be doing snatches.

    I have 2 cow mats from a farm supply store in my basement for my kettlebell area. They are 4' * 6' each, and there is plenty of room for 2.