Kettlebell Exercise

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Replies

  • GradatimFerociter
    GradatimFerociter Posts: 296 Member
    Aye I use mine quite a lot (20kg [44LB]). I wish I had a slightly lighter one for higher rep exercises as my fitness is awful and will probably buy a heavier one when I have money for strength exercises (floor press, goblet squat, OHP, row etc.) as 20kg is pretty low.

    My favourite exercise is probably the snatch even though my form is horrible.
  • pinkiemarie252
    pinkiemarie252 Posts: 222 Member
    Aye I use mine quite a lot (20kg [44LB]). I wish I had a slightly lighter one for higher rep exercises as my fitness is awful and will probably buy a heavier one when I have money for strength exercises (floor press, goblet squat, OHP, row etc.) as 20kg is pretty low.

    My favourite exercise is probably the snatch even though my form is horrible.

    I've heard it's good to do a butt ton of swings to get your form down on that lower part of the exercise before starting in on the snatch.
  • Phaedra2014
    Phaedra2014 Posts: 1,254 Member
    I have a hard time loving KBs even if I use them at the gym 3 times a week. They still hurt my lower back. I have no idea what I am doing incorrectly.

    Does anyone have a good tutorial?
  • Goal179
    Goal179 Posts: 314 Member
    I have only lost about 30 pounds, but I use kettle bells regularly as part of my routine. I started with some small 8 pounds ones that I found at Ross for about 9.oo, then I moved up to 10 then 15 pounds. Now I am shopping for a 25 pounder. It was a great way for me to ease into weight training also. Kettle bell swings are my favorite. Now when my two year old throws his tantrums, I can kettle bell swing him right off the floor with almost no effort. Sound silly I know, but I couldn't do that a few months ago. I definitely see a change, a stronger back and more defined bust line. Keep going, you will love them. :laugh:
  • Goal179
    Goal179 Posts: 314 Member
    Two important things I've learned from certified instructors(classes):

    1. Most people squat too much ... don't. This isn't a squatting exercise. Think Deadlift or bent over row. Knees should NOT go infront of toes, back should be straight, head should be linear with back.

    2. Pen in armpit..

    You should be able to put a marker inbetween both armpits and swing the kettlebell WITHOUT dropping the pen. This is how tight your shoulders /elbows should be to your core/body. Keep everything tight. This will take some getting used to.

    3. Thumbs up the *kitten******.......

    Yup. you heard me right. When you swing a kettlebell between your legs, your swing position should be so that when the 'kettlebell' goes between your leg, your thumbs should be aiming for your *kitten*****.

    I LoL'd at first but keeping this in mind works.

    Such great tips. I LOVE kettlebell swings. They are just my favorite. Keeping these tips in mind will help tremendously for folks who are new to swinging the kettle bell. The over squatting is a big problem for us newbies.
  • jsoulia06
    jsoulia06 Posts: 14 Member
    Just started a kettleball class last week!! OMG I had a hard time sitting for days...

    But going back this week.. Cant give up... Right now just doing class once a week.. but thinking of buying my own set to do some at home.

    But agree the class does push you more!
  • ccburn5
    ccburn5 Posts: 473 Member
    Use them all the time in Boot camp in various ways. Some leave you feeling like you got hit by a bus but all seem to be effective.
  • GradatimFerociter
    GradatimFerociter Posts: 296 Member
    Aye I use mine quite a lot (20kg [44LB]). I wish I had a slightly lighter one for higher rep exercises as my fitness is awful and will probably buy a heavier one when I have money for strength exercises (floor press, goblet squat, OHP, row etc.) as 20kg is pretty low.

    My favourite exercise is probably the snatch even though my form is horrible.

    I've heard it's good to do a butt ton of swings to get your form down on that lower part of the exercise before starting in on the snatch.

    My form there is pretty bad too. My body just never wants to quite be in the position I tell it to alas. I mean, I'm exaggerating a little - I have been using the kettlebell on and off for a couple of years now so I have developed my own particular style. :p
  • Kidostud
    Kidostud Posts: 307 Member
    I went to an introduction to Kettel bells class last week and could hardly walk the next day! I'm going to do it twice a week at the gym.
  • htimpaired
    htimpaired Posts: 1,404 Member
    I have a hard time loving KBs even if I use them at the gym 3 times a week. They still hurt my lower back. I have no idea what I am doing incorrectly.

    Does anyone have a good tutorial?

    Try Tracy Reifkind's "The Swing". This book has great directions on starting kettlebell workouts with just the swing and a few variations of it. It has instruction on how to set up for a proper swing, and trouble shooting for various symptoms that you might need to improve your form, like a sore lower back. She also has a DVD and a website.
  • GradatimFerociter
    GradatimFerociter Posts: 296 Member
    I have a hard time loving KBs even if I use them at the gym 3 times a week. They still hurt my lower back. I have no idea what I am doing incorrectly.

    Does anyone have a good tutorial?

    I personally like Mike Mahler and Steve Cotter. Both have various instructional videos online.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAYZ9gKZaI0
  • getfitgal123
    getfitgal123 Posts: 267 Member
    I've been training with a kettlebell trainer 3 times a week for over a year now and I love it! Huge strength gains. I can now do a Turkish Get Up with the 26 lb kettlebell and often use the 30 and 35 lb bells for other exercises.
  • sgonzalezblanco
    sgonzalezblanco Posts: 18 Member
    I've been exercising with kettlebells for around seven months now and the change that I've seen in my body is incredible. I have muscles, I feel strong, and you can see the definition all over my body. As I'm sure many others have said, I believe its worth it to work with a trainer one or two times so you can make sure you have the proper form and not injure yourself in the process of a great kettlebell workout!
  • jimmmer
    jimmmer Posts: 3,515 Member
    I have a hard time loving KBs even if I use them at the gym 3 times a week. They still hurt my lower back. I have no idea what I am doing incorrectly.

    Does anyone have a good tutorial?

    I personally like Mike Mahler and Steve Cotter. Both have various instructional videos online.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAYZ9gKZaI0

    Steve Cotter has an incredible collection of demonstrations called The Encyclopedia of Kettlebell Lifting. I think there's a couple of volumes of it. It's probably all available on Youtube nowadays.
  • jimmmer
    jimmmer Posts: 3,515 Member
    Aye I use mine quite a lot (20kg [44LB]). I wish I had a slightly lighter one for higher rep exercises as my fitness is awful and will probably buy a heavier one when I have money for strength exercises (floor press, goblet squat, OHP, row etc.) as 20kg is pretty low.

    My favourite exercise is probably the snatch even though my form is horrible.

    I've heard it's good to do a butt ton of swings to get your form down on that lower part of the exercise before starting in on the snatch.

    The swing is the cornerstone of the high-pull and snatch. Once you get a powerful hip-drive going in the swing, then you can nail an economical high-pull.

    Once you've nailed a decent high-pull, then the snatch is pretty straight-forward you basically learn not to "muscle" the kb and then "punch" the fist vertically at the end. You'll eff it up to start with and bump up your forearms a bit, you'll get past that and learn to do it with the minimum effort possible.
  • pinkiemarie252
    pinkiemarie252 Posts: 222 Member

    The swing is the cornerstone of the high-pull and snatch. Once you get a powerful hip-drive going in the swing, then you can nail an economical high-pull.

    Once you've nailed a decent high-pull, then the snatch is pretty straight-forward you basically learn not to "muscle" the kb and then "punch" the fist vertically at the end. You'll eff it up to start with and bump up your forearms a bit, you'll get past that and learn to do it with the minimum effort possible.

    Mmm hmm. I bruise really easily so I got some wrist guards and my form and ability have improved immensely just from the lack of fear.
  • Phaedra2014
    Phaedra2014 Posts: 1,254 Member
    Thank you to those who gave me directions on tutorials! I am going to check them out now.
  • anggolds
    anggolds Posts: 3 Member
    Anyone use a kettlebell(s) for exercise? Any weightloss success?

    LOVE, Love, love the results from Kettlebell interval exercises. It's great when your running short on time to get a a workout. You can get the same benefits of 30 minute jog or brisk walk in half the time. Plus the combination of strength and cardio melts the fat and tones and defines. I've lost 30 lbs. 6 just this past week ramping up my activity again and getting serious about getting off the last 30 lbs.
  • indigo827
    indigo827 Posts: 26
    I'm a big fan of kettlebell workouts. :)
  • toiletski
    toiletski Posts: 126 Member
    I do kettlebell workouts twice a week for an hour. I LOVE them. If you do them in front of the mirror you can see the muscles you're working and they burn a ton of calories and get you toned. I couldn't get over how my traps looked the last time I had gotten really fit (before I fell off the wagon :/) But they're awesome because it's strength training and cardio all rolled into one!

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