Kettlebell

ScorpionReaver
ScorpionReaver Posts: 56
in Fitness and Exercise
Okay, I don't even know if it's one word or two hahaha

Anyways, went from being in a grocery store breaking down trucks and stocking dry groceries to produce to basically doing not much of anything for 2 years (due to injury).
Anyone who's ever done time on a grocery stock crew knows what kind of pace it is, and that defines me perfectly, I've always been really aggressive in doing things and working and such.

I've never worked out that much, weights and stuff, just worked and played a lot of sports, been pretty active all my life.
Baseball I was 2b and CF, batted leadoff or low in the order, WR/CB in football, Guard in basketball, so needless to say I am built like what you would imagine for those positions...definitely not a muscle head haha

So I'm getting myself back in shape, took up walking and hiking, threw the baseball and football with the kids, swimming, went back to it like I had never left. Same level of activity.

My wife introduces me to kettlebell, I go into the first workout all gung ho and HOLY CRAP!
I was sore for three days haha
This was last week, I'm gonna give it another go tomorrow, have to say it's more difficult than I thought it would be.
I chose it because it was suggested as something to strengthen my muscles after my neck injury, and success...my neck felt really good afterwards (I have to be careful with what I do these days, never know what the wrong thing will be to hurt it sometimes).

Anyway I'm really liking this kettlebell workout.
I've spoken to some people on twitter that do/have done the workout, and gotten some advice, just thought I would see what the MFP crew had to say about it.

That, and I've just started posting here, so I need something to talk about with you peeps :p
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Replies

  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
    I love kettlebell workouts! I have a great kettlebell DVD that is pretty cheesy, but you definitely feel it afterwards (and the next day).

    Good for you for getting started again! Make sure you stretch the next day and maybe do something low impact, like taking a walk, to loosen your muscles up!
  • ScorpionReaver
    ScorpionReaver Posts: 56
    That's some great advice :)
    I walk nearly every day, at least 30 minutes but usually an hour, got a loop I walk around the property here over and over.
    Got a big hill that's about a 45* incline for part of it, and some measure of hills on all of it. It definitely loosens me up haha
  • KatManx
    KatManx Posts: 168 Member
    It's a great workout. I go to classes twice a week at two sessions a time.
    Can't seem to get enough.
  • AmyB69
    AmyB69 Posts: 117
    LOVE kettlebell! Yea, the first couple of times I was so sore! But, just like Lora said, stretching and something low impact will help. I did stretching and stationary bike. Kettlebells do work!
  • Bealach_Bug
    Bealach_Bug Posts: 52
    Just started going Kettlebell classes a couple of weeks ago. Love it. I know I've had a workout afterwards!
  • Iceman1800
    Iceman1800 Posts: 476
    Power-systems.com has great prices on kb's and free shipping 4-5 times a year if you want to pick more up. I have sets of 25# up to 50# then a 40kg and 44kg kb. Lots of fun, wait until you find out about the 10,000 swings in 30 days challenge
  • Emeraude1983
    Emeraude1983 Posts: 9 Member
    How do you guys log your kettlebell workouts in MFP?
  • DargoMack
    DargoMack Posts: 75 Member
    I like kettlebell a lot! It's a great core work out. Now, if I can ever get the hang of the Turkish Getup, I'd be happy.

    When next day soreness settles in we call it "Toilet Sore." Disgusting I know, but it describes it perfectly since it hurts to get up and down. I guess we could call it "Office Chair Sore" too, but it wouldn't be as fun.

    I use a HRM and Calorie Burner, so I create my own workouts in MFP based on my calorie burn.
  • ScorpionReaver
    ScorpionReaver Posts: 56
    How do you guys log your kettlebell workouts in MFP?
    Someone looked up an online calculator, the numbers they came up with were comparable to what I've been doing: take the total workout time and count it as strength training with weights AND low impact aerobics.
    It works for now, but I do plan to get a heart rate monitor as soon as possible.
  • Leadfoot_Lewis
    Leadfoot_Lewis Posts: 1,623 Member
    Congratulations on getting back into shape.

    Check out http://www.dragondoor.com/ There's a ton of good info on that site. Also Steve Cotter has a bunch of great instructional videos on You Tube.
  • Lina4Lina
    Lina4Lina Posts: 712 Member
    I love kettlebells. I've also seen many newbies with really poor kettlebell form. I think a lot of it is that they act like it is an upper body workout when it is all in the hips. Definitely look at dragondoor.com and artofstrength.com.
  • jconnon
    jconnon Posts: 427 Member
    This guy has a couple of dvd's, one beginner using a single kettlebell and an advance one that uses two. I own them both and really like them. He also has a lot of youtube videos. The advance dvd is a tough challenge, at least for me.

    http://www.mbodystrength.com/
  • razzyv
    razzyv Posts: 13 Member
    What weight kettlebell would you start with??
  • runningchick70
    runningchick70 Posts: 192 Member
    I have been doing KB workouts for a couple of years now. Love it! Learning proper form is very important when starting out. Get a DVD, go to a class, or visit a KB site to learn the techniques. Have fun!
  • Lina4Lina
    Lina4Lina Posts: 712 Member
    An average woman would want to start with 15-20 lbs, a stronger woman possibly 25 lbs. I think 25 lbs is generally the starting average male weight.
  • eduardo_d
    eduardo_d Posts: 85 Member
    How do you guys log your kettlebell workouts in MFP?

    Love kettlebell and you will be VERY sore after the first 3-4 workouts. After your body adjusts it really feels great.

    I log kettlebell workouts with my HRM. Word of warning: be careful swinging the bell not to hit your watch. That has happened to me.
  • Lina4Lina
    Lina4Lina Posts: 712 Member
    And although you should learn not to bang your wrists, I found that cheap tennis wrist bands work well as a cushion. I had some bad bruises when I first started.
  • kjw1031
    kjw1031 Posts: 300 Member
    I got this contoured kettlebell that does not bang the wrists as much.

    Free shipping at Best Buy and it comes with a DVD that demonstrates good form for beginners.

    http://www.bestbuy.com/site/GoFit+-+20-Lb.+Contoured+Kettlebell/2971411.p?id=1218433079017&skuId=2971411&st=contour kettlebell&cp=2&lp=3
  • divemunkey
    divemunkey Posts: 288 Member
    Thanks for posting this. I have been thinking about picking up kettlebells for a while, since I don't have room for a weight set, and I need to augment my kickboxing with some form of weight lifting. Seems like it would be cheaper to buy one or 2 kettlebells than a second membership to some SNAP fitness or whatever so I could lift for 20-30 min twice a week. Biggest issue is I don't know what to start with.
  • ScorpionReaver
    ScorpionReaver Posts: 56
    An average woman would want to start with 15-20 lbs, a stronger woman possibly 25 lbs. I think 25 lbs is generally the starting average male weight.

    I wouldn't recommend that...did some research, found that 7lbs was a good starting weight.
    Especially for someone like me just getting back into things, & having never done a workout of this sort before.
    As sore as everything was after that first session, I think I made the right choice.
    An average person starting with 25 lbs is begging for an injury.
  • jconnon
    jconnon Posts: 427 Member
    I usually use a 35lb for singles and two 25's for the doubles. I am not in great shape at all yet.
  • lope
    lope Posts: 53 Member
    I love kettlebells! Do a google on kettlebell workout videos. CrossFit also use kettlebell workouts.
  • Depictureboy
    Depictureboy Posts: 38 Member
    An average woman would want to start with 15-20 lbs, a stronger woman possibly 25 lbs. I think 25 lbs is generally the starting average male weight.

    I wouldn't recommend that...did some research, found that 7lbs was a good starting weight.
    Especially for someone like me just getting back into things, & having never done a workout of this sort before.
    As sore as everything was after that first session, I think I made the right choice.
    An average person starting with 25 lbs is begging for an injury.

    Sorry, You are wrong. Maybe if you have an injury you should start that light, but most reputable kettlebell sites and certified instructors recommend the 18lb women 25 lb male starting weights. And actually I think pavel recommends 35 starting for men. Maybe you misread or there was a typo. I looked it up and 7kilos is about 15 lbs which could be ok for starting women.
  • ScorpionReaver
    ScorpionReaver Posts: 56
    I'm not WRONG just because I have a different opinion, or maybe different goals.

    I also have no idea who "pavel" is.
    I saw some Mahler bloke saying "a good, fit man should start with a 53lb kettlebell". I'm neither good nor fit hahaha if I was, I wouldn't be here.
    Besides, I'm doing the workout with the main goal of weight loss.
    Higher reps, lower weight, any of this sound familiar?

    I would suggest anyone that is just getting STARTED with this look up/research/consult trainers before attempting a workout, and not take the word of a bunch of strangers on some forums :)
  • MaddameKat
    MaddameKat Posts: 200 Member
    hi I have started today using KB i have a 8kg, 12kg and 16kg set. i use the 12 for lower body and the 8 for swing and presses.

    Dragonsdoor and Pavels' work are good starting points for anyone who is interested in working with KBs
  • ahavoc
    ahavoc Posts: 464 Member
    My instructor said start with 5 lb kettle bells until you have the form down. Form is more important than anything. Women should increase to 10 lbs, but unless they want to really bulk up they shouldn't go higher than 15. It's the exercises that you do that are key. The more muscle groups used during the exercise the better the results. Build everything up slowly.

    My sister started this way and has had awesome success. I'm starting on this soon.
  • Lina4Lina
    Lina4Lina Posts: 712 Member
    My instructor said start with 5 lb kettle bells until you have the form down. Form is more important than anything. Women should increase to 10 lbs, but unless they want to really bulk up they shouldn't go higher than 15. It's the exercises that you do that are key. The more muscle groups used during the exercise the better the results. Build everything up slowly.

    My sister started this way and has had awesome success. I'm starting on this soon.

    Ok, I'm going to say that your instructor is full of crap and giving you bad advice. I know plenty of fit women doing 35 lbs and they are far from bulky. Artofstrength.com has some videos of very non-bulky women doing 70 lb kettlebells. The common advice though is that there is a point of diminishing returns in weight of KBs and 35 lbs will do most fit women nicely.

    The only reason someone would start at less than 15 lbs is due to incredible muscle weakness. If you are using less than 15, you are most likely treating kettlebells like an arm workout. Using light weights actually makes it harder, I think. Kettlebells are really using your legs and a lighter weight encourages bad form.
  • Hendrix7
    Hendrix7 Posts: 1,903 Member


    I also have no idea who "pavel" is.

    I would suggest anyone that is just getting STARTED with this look up/research/consult trainers before attempting a workout, and not take the word of a bunch of strangers on some forums :)

    pavel tsatsouline is pretty much single handedly responsible for the popularity of kettle bells and kettlebell training.

    If you want to continue to use KB, you have to know who he is and read his work at some point. His books/teachings on kettlebell training are the industry standard everyone else works to.

    http://lmgtfy.com/?q=pavel+tsatsouline
  • 2hobbit1
    2hobbit1 Posts: 820 Member
    also check out "kettlebells for Dummies" has very good descriptions of good form and also how to fix your issues
  • yerfgirl
    yerfgirl Posts: 65 Member
    Congrats on getting back into fitness. I have been taking kb classes 4-5x a week for about 6 weeks now. I am hooked for sure.

    Concentrate on form, it's vital. My instructor says it takes around 1000 swings to get it down so have patience.

    Hendrix7 is correct about Pavel. There's some good material out there if you find yourself really digging it.

    And to the person who's trainer said not to go heavier for fear of getting bulky, absolutely dead wrong. Sounds like he/she isn't certified in kb.

    Feel free to add me if anyone wants to dork out over routines and personal records.

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