Kettlebells......Who uses them?

I got a 10 lb kettlebell with instructional DVD for Christmas, but I haven't used it yet. Have been working on cardio for the moment. I have worked with them before though, and I was doing a lot of squats using different arm movements with the kettlebell. I have also done ab work with a 25 lb bell and a fitness ball. I have no idea though how many calories I burned.

Twice a week for 30 minutes. I typically write down 2 circuits of 5 exercises which 10 or 20 reps each. I repeat these 2 circuits 3 times with 1 min break between each circuit, then finish off with some ab exercises. I've got two 8kg kettlebells and one 4kg, I use the 8kg for the circuits and the 4kg for ab exercises. I used my HRM last week to measure calorie burn and burned approx 300 calories in 30 minutes.

Have you worked out with kettlebells before or are you just starting out? I definitely recommend to have a few sessions with a personal trainer when you start to learn the exercises correctly as you could hurt your back quite badly if you don't do the exercises properly. Have fun!

I've been doing kettlebell routines for over a year now. I work out 4 days a week for about 30-50 minutes. I use Lorna Kleidman's book, Body Sculpting for Women, I use a 20 and 25lb kettlebell. I've recently started P90X and use my kettlebells on the back and bicep days now.

I started with 10 minutes solutions Kettlebell DVD, and then also like Amy Bento Kettlebells, advanced.

I haven't specifically figured out my calories burned as I just got a HRM. I know that my friends immediately notice definition in my back and shoulders as soon as I started kettlebells. I do think that it's lacking in the leg routines, not much in the way of leg exercises in any of these routines. But I was marathon training too, so that helped there.

I wear wrist wraps, and frequenly have funny bruises in odd places, like my shoulders. My downstairs with a cement floor has a low ceiling and I've thrown my kettlebell into my ceiling on more than one occassion.

I've never had a personal trainer and though just common sense worked for me on no injury. Lorna Kleidman does a super job at making certain that the small details in the book are told to avoid injury. It's great for you abs too. I was sore for the first three weeks

mlb,

Try some of Dragon Door's videos. The program Im doing has plenty of leg stuff. Squats and rev lunges come to mind right away.

Hi guys... I posted this on a different kettlebell thread on MFP but didn't get any feedback.... :happy:


I just bought a set this past weekend - it has 5lb, 15lb and 25lb... which I understand may be a bit light, but the whole set was $30.

It came with an instructional DVD (that I haven't checked out yet) but it sounds like after you learn the techniques that you don't really need a true "exercise video" to use them... ??

Which moves are best for ab workouts with the kettlebell?

bump

A friend has been using a 20# weight and uses a heart rate monitor, she shared that she has been burning about 360 or so in a 45 minute session.

I am sure it will depend on many variables, like the weight you're using, And of course what types of circuts you're doing. I was told that the reason it is not found anywhere is because there are too many individual factors to consider.

A HRM will help with this.

I did a Search and found a similar post:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/53583-kettlebell-calories-burned

I am a AFAA CPT and I agree with percy, be very careful, KBs should not be used without proper training. Huge possiblity of injury.

My wife has an 8 kg (17.6 lb) and a 12 kg (26.4 lb). I have a 16, 20, 24 kg (35, 44, 53 lb). I try to incorporate some exercises into a mix with dumbbells and bodyweight exercises. Maybe it's just me, but the KB exercises seem to attack more muscle groups simultaneously. Azdak, do you think it proper (or wise) to use KBs in this way, or are you a proponent of a more methodical approach? I appreciate you input.