Kettlebells

It's the exercises you do with them. Think of it as weight circuits from hell, or aerobics with weights. Like blasting a ton of powerlifting exercises back to back to back and then shifting to a different set of exercises, except with lower weights than a powerlifter so more toning and aerobics and less "World's Strongest Man" competitor.

Here I bumped into this link while reading something else:

http://www.dietsinreview.com/diet_column/02/benefits-of-kettlebells-for-women/

It specifically refers to it as weight training and says you should couple it with cardio workouts.

if you do it right, kettlebells can be an awesome addition to a decent HIIT workout. On there own, they are limited in their functionality, but add it to a full hiit workout and they can be very dynamic.

Just chiming in to say that my boyfriend and I just signed up for a 6-week beginning kettlebell class. To keep my circuit workouts fresh I've been wanting to start incorporating kettlebells but I want to make sure that I have my form right.

Starts on Sunday, April 11th and I couldn't be more excited. I'm prepared for some DOMS and bruised wrists after my first day, though.

My husband loves them so he bought me one...I couldn't get over the fact that it hurt me physically...bruised wrists/forearms. Is that normal???

From what I've been told, yes it is normal until you perfect the form. I was told that, if I bruise easily, I should wear thick cloth wrist bands to class.

Just chiming in to say that my boyfriend and I just signed up for a 6-week beginning kettlebell class. To keep my circuit workouts fresh I've been wanting to start incorporating kettlebells but I want to make sure that I have my form right.

Starts on Sunday, April 11th and I couldn't be more excited. I'm prepared for some DOMS and bruised wrists after my first day, though.

I'd like to know how you like this after you start. Any maybe you good pass along some tips for a begginer like me after a few sessions.

Here I bumped into this link while reading something else:

http://www.dietsinreview.com/diet_column/02/benefits-of-kettlebells-for-women/

It specifically refers to it as weight training and says you should couple it with cardio workouts.

dietsinreview.com is a great source of information with highly professional staff, I also wanted to pass along a new study that ACE fitness recently did on kettlebells. I think you all will find it very helpful and interesting. When kettlebells are done at high intensity - they are absolutely considered a cardio workout, one that willl leaving you gasping for breath! I have lost 10lbs in the past six weeks - doing kettlebells exclusively! Best of luck to you in your weight loss efforts!

http://www.acefitness.org/getfit/studies/kettlebells012010.pdf

Can't wait to read, thank you.
How heavy is your kettlebell?

I use a 15lb kettlebell currently. I've read that 26lb is a good starting weight for women typically. I started lower because I'm barely 5 feet tall, it all depends on your fitness level. I might have gotten discouraged starting at a higher weight - I find the exercises very difficult. But I love it, they are so much fun!

I've been doing Andrea DuCane's Goddess DVD. I've started doing some of the routines twice through as my 15lbs becomes easier. I plan on moving up in weight sometime in the near future. dragondoor.com is a good site to check out for articles about kettlebells. I've just ordered Lauren Brooks' DVD as well, she has a great reputation!

Hey all, just joining in the convo about kettlebells since that is my very favorite tool for working out. I've been doing it for a little over a year now since my mother actually got me my first bell for my birthday as well as a 10 week class. I've lost about 30 pounds with them so far and have toned toned toned everything I've got!!

I train 4-5 days a week with 60 minute kettlbell workouts. I use one or two of the 12kg/26.5lbs and a 24kg/53lbs for swings, dead-lifts, crunches and vary the workout for strength or endurance each week. If you're looking for help with form, a class is the best way to learn but I've also been using the free videos found at Art of Strength (Anthony Dilugio's company) to continue my training. AOS also sells a great selection of videos that will kick anyone's *kitten*. Study the form in the videos several times before getting the bell out, but I recommend this to everyone out there. I play competitive Ultimate Frisbee and my speed has doubled as a result of kbells as well as my muscle reaction time since those explosive bell moves train the muscles to contract and react. My teammates, the most athletic and fitness minded people I know, are asking what I'm doing and asking if I would teach them.

I just wanted to share my love and passion for this workout tool..
Good luck training to all!!