Kettlebells

pefal1
pefal1 Posts: 43 Member
edited November 13 in Fitness and Exercise
Anyone doing kettlebell workouts as their main workout routine and having good/fast results?
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Replies

  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    I don't but you can get results with kettlebells. It's resistance =)

    I wouldn't expect FAST results with anything though.
  • pefal1
    pefal1 Posts: 43 Member
    Yes true. I am kinda obsessed with the kettlebell workouts. Trying to gain some
  • pefal1
    pefal1 Posts: 43 Member
  • Bluepegasus
    Bluepegasus Posts: 333 Member
    Yes I am, alongside running. Have got really good results from doing kettlebells so far!
  • tech_kitten
    tech_kitten Posts: 221 Member
    I am interested in kettlebells but they're so heavy. Do they make smaller ones, like 3 or 5 lbs. My arm strength is really weak.
  • pefal1
    pefal1 Posts: 43 Member
    Yes I am, alongside running. Have got really good results from doing kettlebells so far!

    how many days per week are you running and how many days are you using your kettlebell?
    What weight are you using?
  • pefal1
    pefal1 Posts: 43 Member
    Stevo_Ra wrote: »
    I coach kettle bell classes and couldn't recommend them highly enough. Compound dynamic lifts that are fairly easy to master. Do take time to nail the technique though. Great fat burning workout!!!

    Yes! I definitely make sure to look up proper form! I love the workouts I just don't feel quite as dead after I do a 30 min workout as I do from previous workout routines. So I was worried it wasn't enough. (Along with running twice per week)
  • dlm7507
    dlm7507 Posts: 237 Member
    They are my primary tool. Turkish get-ups, swings, squats, pressing and/or snatches are my fundamental base.
  • Himurahotaru
    Himurahotaru Posts: 29 Member
    I really want to do kettle bells more. Is there a good place that has a good routine for them?
  • pefal1
    pefal1 Posts: 43 Member
    edited July 2016
    I just use YouTube! There are a lot of different videos. As far as whether the people are actually trained in that sort of thing idk. I just look up the names of the move they're using and read up on the proper form and then follow the routine on the video. Most of them are 20-30 min long.
  • dlm7507
    dlm7507 Posts: 237 Member
    If you are looking for kettlebell instructors StrongFirst or RKC. If you are looking for a DVD for at home Andrea DuCane's material might be a good choice for a lady (no it won't be easy).
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    I am interested in kettlebells but they're so heavy. Do they make smaller ones, like 3 or 5 lbs. My arm strength is really weak.

    I've seen 5 lbs. or just use a small dumbbell.
  • pefal1
    pefal1 Posts: 43 Member
    dlm7507 wrote: »
    If you are looking for kettlebell instructors StrongFirst or RKC. If you are looking for a DVD for at home Andrea DuCane's material might be a good choice for a lady (no it won't be easy).

    Ever used any videos on YouTube? Suggestions??
  • dlm7507
    dlm7507 Posts: 237 Member
    edited July 2016
    deleted, the next reply is better.
  • dlm7507
    dlm7507 Posts: 237 Member
    edited July 2016
    You asked for video but I would be remiss if I didn't point you to this which does have links to videos in it; gold.
  • gordonkeneshia
    gordonkeneshia Posts: 2 Member
    I am interested in kettlebells but they're so heavy. Do they make smaller ones, like 3 or 5 lbs. My arm strength is really weak.

    Yes they are at Walmart
  • Ultima_Morpha
    Ultima_Morpha Posts: 892 Member
    If you're in the US, keep an eye on Groupon. I got a set of 5, 10, and 15 pound bells for $40 plus shipping. They are bulkier than steel bells but great to start out with and I like the larger than average handle.

    I like Jillian Michaels Shred It with weights. She's annoying and could do a better job describing proper form; I like her workouts because they don't take long and I find them effective.
  • dlm7507
    dlm7507 Posts: 237 Member
    Here's a article on selecting kettlebell starter weight from Kettlebells USA. Arm strength matters more with grinds.

    Kettlebell swings are a primary kettlebell exercise which properly uses the posterior chain muscle group and not the arms (provided that you don't do the so called American swing). This is why they say you'll probably want two sizes. The very light one to get your arms stronger and one a bit larger for things like swings that call upon your more powerful muscles.

    Notice that his arms just float and the work is all done with the hips (this is a kettlebell swing). Grip strength comes into play so don't do your swings where if you loose your grip it flies through the center of your TV ;0)
  • KetoneKaren
    KetoneKaren Posts: 6,412 Member
    Dicks Sporting Goods has a set with 5, 8, & 10lb kettle bells for $50.
  • pefal1
    pefal1 Posts: 43 Member
    edited July 2016
    Is doing kettlebell workouts okay as your primary workout? I have been doing them 5-6 days a week for a half hour a day. I also have researched them quite a bit and most sites say you burn 20 cal per min. During kettlebell routines do you think that is accurate?
  • dlm7507
    dlm7507 Posts: 237 Member
    edited July 2016
    I guess it depends upon what you are doing in those workouts. I'm currently focused on strength but when I've done fat loss programs in the past 30 min was about as long as you go since to go longer you must reduce intensity to save yourself. If you are doing 30 min of complexes with swings, squatting, overhead lifts with rests that keeps your heart rate high and requiring discipline to control your breath you are doing plenty. I currently train 5 days per week but Tue and Thu are grinds with no metcon; Turkish get-ups, one leg dead lifts, loaded carries with rests that keep my heart rate below aerobic levels. At age 66 I would have recovery issues with 5 days of metcon. That was a rambling way of saying yes, kettlebells can be primary.

    If you are a bit masochistic you can try this if you know what you are doing with swings. I'd recommend some coaching but the BIG THING is that there is maximum flex at the hips and minimum at the knees with a neutral spine. A swing is not a squat and if you do lots of squaty swings you'll end up hurt. [I'm not actually recommending 300 swings a day if you are a beginner (less than a year)]

    Are you doing someone's program? Which one?
  • susancudworth
    susancudworth Posts: 11 Member
    I've been running 3 times a week and using kettle bells twice a week plus yoga once a week. I've not be using them that long so I've not seen much impact muscle wise for toning yet but I am definitely getting fitter and stronger. I've been using the Body Fit by Amy HIIT routine on You Tube. It's a 25 minute workout. I love kettlebells too.
  • AMS58
    AMS58 Posts: 183 Member
    I did a kettle bell workout for the first time last week at the gym as part of a HIIT workout! Enjoyable :)
  • TheLadyBane
    TheLadyBane Posts: 299 Member
    I love my kettlebells and get a great high intensity weight workout with them. I found a great deal on a 20 and 25 lb set for $53 on amazon and they had a pretty good selection of other weights/sets, too.

    https://www.amazon.com/Cast-Iron-Kettlebell-lbs-set/dp/B00A8CCCU6/ref=sr_1_23?s=exercise-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1467534735&sr=1-23&keywords=kettlebells
  • pefal1
    pefal1 Posts: 43 Member
    dlm7507 wrote: »
    I guess it depends upon what you are doing in those workouts. I'm currently focused on strength but when I've done fat loss programs in the past 30 min was about as long as you go since to go longer you must reduce intensity to save yourself. If you are doing 30 min of complexes with swings, squatting, overhead lifts with rests that keeps your heart rate high and requiring discipline to control your breath you are doing plenty. I currently train 5 days per week but Tue and Thu are grinds with no metcon; Turkish get-ups, one leg dead lifts, loaded carries with rests that keep my heart rate below aerobic levels. At age 66 I would have recovery issues with 5 days of metcon. That was a rambling way of saying yes, kettlebells can be primary.

    If you are a bit masochistic you can try this if you know what you are doing with swings. I'd recommend some coaching but the BIG THING is that there is maximum flex at the hips and minimum at the knees with a neutral spine. A swing is not a squat and if you do lots of squaty swings you'll end up hurt. [I'm not actually recommending 300 swings a day if you are a beginner (less than a year)]

    Are you doing someone's program? Which one?

    I have been doing HIIT workouts so yes they are high intensity with little to no break and you can feel your heart rate up the whole time. I bought a 12 lb kettlebell but it just doesn't seem heavy enough for me. I feel like I get a good sweaty workout when I use the 12 lb but I don't feel like it's a major challenge. I have always had strong arms though. Think I need to up my weight?
  • dlm7507
    dlm7507 Posts: 237 Member
    "Standard" kettlebell sizes go up in 8 KG (17.6 LB) steps 16, 24, 32 KG, etc. but you can get half sizes 12, 20, 28 KG so the step from one kettlebell is 4 KG or 8.8 LBs. No adding a 1.25 LB plate. This is a significant step 12 to 16 KG is a 33% increase. To aid in keeping it progressive I use ladders. Sets of (2, 3, 5) reps repeated. When that gets easy, (3, 5, 7), then (5, 7, 8) then (5, 7, 8, 10) then bigger bell nd back to (2, 3, 5). For swings it would be (10) then (10, 15) then (10, 15, 20) etc. People who train with sandbags do this too. This method help you move up to progressively heavier bells.

    Women can be strong. If you have facebook, search for "Iron Body By Artemis" for some inspiration.
  • Bluepegasus
    Bluepegasus Posts: 333 Member
    pefal1 wrote: »
    Yes I am, alongside running. Have got really good results from doing kettlebells so far!

    how many days per week are you running and how many days are you using your kettlebell?
    What weight are you using?

    Sorry for late reply, only just seen this. I run three times a week and I do kettlebells three times a week, a proper class once a week, and the other two times following BodyFit by Amy on youtube. I use a 8kg and a 12kg(when I started I was just using a 6kg but quickly progressed).
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