Choosing the Right Weight

amytag

Hi! I am new to the group, and was hoping someone could help me with figuring out how to select the weight that is best for me. I bought a 20 lb kettlebell that I've been using for a few weeks now, doing a KB routine that is 25 minutes long, and I'm usually a worn-out, sweating mess at the end of the 25 minutes, but am not experiencing muscle soreness the next day.

Someone told me that I was lifting too heavy and should move down to a 10lb or 15 lb weight, but I feel like the 20lb gives me both a good cardio and good strength training session.

Thoughts/opinions? I am a regular exerciser, have been running for about 7 months (do about 12-15 miles per week) and have been doing strength training about 6 months (heavy lifting) though not as consistently as I'd like.

TurangaLeela

A worn-out, sweating mess with no next day pain sounds right to me. That old saw about "no pain, no gain" is baloney.

KidP

What exercises are you doing with the kettlebell? And good on you for not starting way too light like so many folks do (i know i did!).

I wouldn't expect to experience the same kind of muscle soreness as you might get from other types of workouts. I get sore from kettlebells but not in the same way as from free weights, calesthenics, biking, etc.

If you're a worn out sweating mess, you're doing something right!

Lupercalia

I started with a heavier bell than yours--I did workouts made up entirely of swings during those early days. It all turned out great for me. Like you, I didn't have much soreness, but was definitely getting smoked in those workouts!

The only problem I encountered was when I wanted to incorporate overhead presses--I found that a bit difficult early on with my starter KB and could have used one a step down for those types of exercises. However, I ended up chipping away at those presses and can now do long sessions with my starter bell, and have moved on to something heavier for shorter sessions and another (even heavier) bell for swings and stuff. I think if you're managing ok with what you've got, why go lighter?

IronSmasher

I would've started you on a 26.4lb 'bell, but you would've only been doing swings or tgu and your longest workout would've been 12 minutes.

ItsCasey

You'd be fine with the 12 kg/26 lb bell. People who think 20 lbs is too heavy for kettlebell work for an active person ... typically don't know anything about kettlebell training. Or strength training in general.

amytag

Thanks for the responses! I've been doing swings, figure 8's between the legs, and just started doing cleans. Too unsteady to attempt anything above the head yet for fear of slapping myself.

badzoe

Are you using a DVD? If so, which one? I just bought a kettlebell (18 lbs) and want to hear what your thoughts are on your DVD.