Intros
ItsCasey
Posts: 4,021 Member
My name is Casey. I'm 29 years old, and I live in Austin, TX.
I first learned about kettlebells about 10 years ago when I was a freshman in college. A friend of mine who had recently graduated from college and started putting on weight began using them to get back in shape. But I didn't make kettlebells part of my training until this year. I had been doing standard heavy weight training lifts (squats, deadlifts, lunges, presses, etc.) and wanted to try something different.
I am currently on Week 6 of Master RKC Geoff Neupert's Kettlebell Burn 2.0 for fat loss, and I have made pretty serious strength and fitness gains in a relatively short amount of time. On day 1 of the program, I couldn't do even one Turkish get-up with a 16 kg bell, but by the end of the 4th week, I was doing 24 TGUs with 16 kg in 15 minutes. My current strength goal is to make 24 kg (53 lbs) my go-to working kettlebell for get-ups, which would be close to half my bodyweight.
For ballistic conditioning, I'm focusing on one-handed swings at the moment (20/10 intervals for 10 minutes), alternating between 12 kg and 16 kg. In week 9, I will be adding snatches, which are my favorite KB lift.
I really wish more people knew about or were willing to try kettlebell training for fat loss and strength gains. I'm getting better results in three 45-minute sessions per week than I got when I spent 15 to 20 hours per week in the gym, doing endless cardio and randomized weight-training workouts.
So that's a little about me and why I train with kettlebells.
I first learned about kettlebells about 10 years ago when I was a freshman in college. A friend of mine who had recently graduated from college and started putting on weight began using them to get back in shape. But I didn't make kettlebells part of my training until this year. I had been doing standard heavy weight training lifts (squats, deadlifts, lunges, presses, etc.) and wanted to try something different.
I am currently on Week 6 of Master RKC Geoff Neupert's Kettlebell Burn 2.0 for fat loss, and I have made pretty serious strength and fitness gains in a relatively short amount of time. On day 1 of the program, I couldn't do even one Turkish get-up with a 16 kg bell, but by the end of the 4th week, I was doing 24 TGUs with 16 kg in 15 minutes. My current strength goal is to make 24 kg (53 lbs) my go-to working kettlebell for get-ups, which would be close to half my bodyweight.
For ballistic conditioning, I'm focusing on one-handed swings at the moment (20/10 intervals for 10 minutes), alternating between 12 kg and 16 kg. In week 9, I will be adding snatches, which are my favorite KB lift.
I really wish more people knew about or were willing to try kettlebell training for fat loss and strength gains. I'm getting better results in three 45-minute sessions per week than I got when I spent 15 to 20 hours per week in the gym, doing endless cardio and randomized weight-training workouts.
So that's a little about me and why I train with kettlebells.
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Replies
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Hi, my name is Tia and I've only recently started working out with kettlebells so I joined this group to hopefully learn some new techniques and stay motivated. I started going to a half hour kettlebell class at my local gym back in August. I have a son who plays football so the only class I could fit in was one Wednesday class a week. Even with just one class a week I could tell that I was already gaining strength. Now since football is over hopefully I can make it to at least 3 classes a week. I know I'll definitely see better results. Everyone who I speak to who have trained with kettlebells have nothing but good things to say about it.0
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I did a little kettlebell training at the gym with my trainer a few years ago - and then kind of fell off for awhle. In Jan. I started kettleworx - which was good, but really just got me started back on a regular training schedule. I love JM's Shred It With Weights - really incorporates high intensity cardio intervals with the kettlebell itself.
I'm happy to learn some stuff from those of you that have done this longer than me, and who have a more regular schedule. I seem to fall back on running more than anything - maybe because it's easy for me and I get a good calorie burn.0 -
Hello everyone.
I always fancied trying out KB's, but wasn't sure on what weight and routine to get....
Bit the bullet, spontaneously, and bought Kettlenetics........
When I opened the box, I was all set on taking the set back.. It all looked a little too "girly".
Was I wrong!!!.... I did the disc one instructional workout, using the 4lb bell that was bundled with the DVD, and couldnt walk properly for three days!!!
After a month of using the 4lb'er I was hungry for more weight. Bought a 7.5kg bell and now looking to upgrade again to a 16kg.
LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT.....
Ive only lost a few lbs, since starting it, but my triceps, legs and shoulders are toning up nicely. It has helped massively with my weak legs (following on from L4 & L5 disc prolapse in 2007).
Now my partner does it. She's recommended it to all her friends, as I have mine....0 -
Hey All Kettlebell Fans!!! I absolutely love working out with KBs!!! I have lost 60+lbs thus far when I started this crazy journey and I think I owe a lot of credit for my love of the KB......I tried to incorporate it in all of HIIT WOs.....let's be friends if you would like!!
Cheers
Ed0 -
Hi, Im Rebekah.. Started doing KB abt a yr and a half ago.. been slacking of late and trying to get back on track! I have Lauren Brooks KB dvd's and also a friend of mine is certified so she helps me out too!0
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Casey, do you have a gym or do from home? just wondered as KB can be so pricey!0
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Hi group, I'm TJ. I have been working with kettlebells for about a year, so not that long. Started on my own by using Pavel's book & watching videos online. Joined an outdoor club last spring that was fantastic...sad that the club doesn't run through the winter months but it's Canada. I am still swinging though, but can't do much other than swings at home due to ceiling height/floor costs.
Kettlebells came along for me at a time when i was looking to "up my game" workout-wise, if you will. I found they really helped me to burn a lot of calories & smash through a weight loss plateau, and then helped me to get stronger & more fit overall. I still have a ways to go but i'm happy to have this tool at my disposal because it's a good one!0 -
Hi! I'm Tricia. I started using KB 2 years ago. I mix them in with other workouts. I started out with a trainer who taught me how to use them. Now that my current gym doesn't have them I bought my own and I use them at home. I love how when you are using them you don't really feel like you've done much until the next day when you are sore in areas you didn't know you could be sore!0
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Hi, I'm Pete. I'm a regular parkrunner (parkrun.com) and kettlebell user. Running and kettlebells work best for me for changing body composition (reducing body fat & increasing lean muscle mass).
I also find that kettlebells really help with addressing lower back pain and improving total body conditioning. I either train at home or take my kettlebells to the local running track and do high intensity circuits mixing sprints with kettlebells.0 -
Welcome all new members to the group!!! Hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday!! Picked myself up a new 50lb KB over the holidays...gift to myself along with a 40lb weighted vest. The combination of the two, really kick some serious *kitten* let me tell ya!! LOL.....Hope 2012 is nothing but success for ya....Let's do this!!!
Cheers
Ed0 -
Casey, do you have a gym or do from home? just wondered as KB can be so pricey!
I work out at home. I have 3 KBs right now (two 16 kg and a 12 kg). I will be adding another 12 kg so I can do some double KB work (don't think I'm quite ready for double 16s) and a 20 kg for get-ups. They are expensive, but other than a pull-up bar, they are all I have used for the past 3 months, and I like the results I'm getting, so I don't mind making the investment.0 -
Casey, do you have a gym or do from home? just wondered as KB can be so pricey!
I work out at home. I have 3 KBs right now (two 16 kg and a 12 kg). I will be adding another 12 kg so I can do some double KB work (don't think I'm quite ready for double 16s) and a 20 kg for get-ups. They are expensive, but other than a pull-up bar, they are all I have used for the past 3 months, and I like the results I'm getting, so I don't mind making the investment.
Hi Casey, which pull up bar do you have? Or did you build your own? I'm in the market for one...0 -
Casey, do you have a gym or do from home? just wondered as KB can be so pricey!
I work out at home. I have 3 KBs right now (two 16 kg and a 12 kg). I will be adding another 12 kg so I can do some double KB work (don't think I'm quite ready for double 16s) and a 20 kg for get-ups. They are expensive, but other than a pull-up bar, they are all I have used for the past 3 months, and I like the results I'm getting, so I don't mind making the investment.
Hi Casey, which pull up bar do you have? Or did you build your own? I'm in the market for one...
I bought a Body Champ tower a year ago that has a pull-up bar and handles for leg raises and dips. Got it for about $80 at Academy. I live in an apartment, so free-standing was really my only option.0 -
Hi All.....I started Kettlebells a few years ago and did the iron core way volume one and two for 7 months, 3 times a week and in 7 months I looked great with definition and lost 20 lbs.....I stopped due to an injury and just started back up today....I am looking forward to looking good again and feeling great!!!!0
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Hello! I'm Jordann and I have my first kettlebell class tonight! Really excited to start toning up. I joined this group to get any extra tips and advice, since its all new to me.0
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My name is Rachel. I am 27 years old. I first learned about kettlebells about 3 years ago from an article from Prevention magazine. I did some of the exercises and I fell in love with it! I started reading about the kettlebells not too long ago and found out you can become a certified kettebell instructor and that kettlebells have been around for a very long time in Russia and it was introduced just recently to the United States. One of my fitness goals ( among many others) is to be RKC certified but right now I am very out of shape to do that. But I am going to use kettlebells as well as a running program to help me get healthier and shed a bunch of weight. Right now, I am starting off with KettleWorx for now and eventually move into RKC.
Glad to be part of the team!0 -
Hi my name is jenny from New Zealand, I have just started using kettlebells, and started with the 10,000 swing challenge with Lisa shaffer (via FB)
finishes tomorrow. So after that I will be looking at Pavels ETK.
Currently sitting at 67kg and wanting to get down to about 61kg so have just started using MFP today, also interested in Primal eating which I am getting into also this week, just need to get Mark Sissons book.0 -
Hi! I'm Leah and I'm 32 years old. A friend of mine told me about what an awesome workout she gets with kettlebells, so I decided to give it a try. I'm very new to it (only done 3-4 workouts) and would love training ideas!0
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Hi, I am Karen and I just turned 50. I started getting back in shape and have lost 28 lbs in 90 days on MFP. Looking to up my exercise and the kettlebells sounded cool. I am now the proud owner of a 6kg Adler which actually may be too light but will do to get started. I am reading Pavel's ETK which has been helpful. I got a dvd by Tracy Reifkind but it is not instructional. However, I am pretty good at copying movement so it will help me. That along with the descriptions in ETK should help me get started this week. I wish I had looked for this group before - it is something trying to discern the good sources of info and which kettlebells to get.0
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Hello, My name is Jeff and I am from Massachucetts and I am trying to get back into kettlebells after using a beginner/intermediate dvd program last year. I fell back out of shape and am trying to use the newer advanced version of this kettlebell dvd and it kicks my butt. I need some advice still but I do like the kettlebell exercises over most anything else I have done. Add me as a friend if you like.0
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Hi All! My name is Shayna. Just picked up a kettle bell tonight
Super pumped to try it out. 0 -
OMG! Karenhs2, what an inspiration you are! I learned about KBs watching an infomercial while I was awake during the night and I was immediately excited about the workout that looked like an effective workout that is lots of fun. I found my KB at TJMaxx and my KB workouts online and on YouTube (too cheap to buy the ones promoted on the infomercial), but I regret to say I've had everything I need for 3 wks and haven't started yet. I'm new to MFP this week and this Group is just what I needed for motivation. You are all so inspiring! I just turned 64 years young and lost 26 lbs and maintained it for 2 years until recently when I started creeping up and I just CAN'T have any of that! I'm looking forward to building muscle too to support my seriously osteoporotic bones!0
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Hi All! My name is Mary - just turned 45 (ack!).
I'm getting back to my kettlebells after taking a break for a couple months.
I've been using the Anthony DiLuglio's Providence dvd and also Sarah Lurie's Iron Core dvds.
Now that I'm back doing it - it makes me wonder why I took the break to try something else???0 -
Hi all
My name is Fran and I'm 34 and from Manchester, UK.
I've just taken the plunge and bought a set of cast iron kettlebells (4kg + 8kg + 10kg). I bought Kettlebells for Dummies book written by RKC Instructon, Sarah Curie. It's good but a lot of info to take in for a beginner!
I'm looking at DVDs and see she has also done a set of 3 DVDs, Iron Core. Can't get them in the UK at the moment although the first 2 volumes are available in UK format on eBay. Are they the best out there or are there other equally good ones?
I've seen one on Amazon UK called Kettlercise for Women but not sure if it's well regarded. A lot of people seem to be very anti Kettleworx and Kettlenetics so wasn't sure if this falls into the same category?
Great to have a group of people who all use kettlebells to interact with :-)0 -
Hi Franny,
I'd look at Enter the Kettlebell by Pavel. There's a DVD and a book. If you can afford it get both. He covers the basics VERY well and he is one of the main guys who brought kettlebell training to the U.S., (very strong presence in the UK too).
You might also look at Keith Weber's Extreme Kettlebell Cardio Workout DVD. There's a volume 2 also and they really kick your butt. He's RKC trained by the way.
Good luck in your practice!
Peter1 -
Hi Franny,
I'd look at Enter the Kettlebell by Pavel. There's a DVD and a book. If you can afford it get both. He covers the basics VERY well and he is one of the main guys who brought kettlebell training to the U.S., (very strong presence in the UK too).
You might also look at Keith Weber's Extreme Kettlebell Cardio Workout DVD. There's a volume 2 also and they really kick your butt. He's RKC trained by the way.
Good luck in your practice!
Peter
Thanks Peter, that's really helpful. I'm keen to get a DVD from a proper RKC instructor and not just a celebrity trying to cash in on the kettlebell scene. I'll check both those DVDs out if I can get hold of them.0 -
Mastering the HardStyle Kettlebell Swing by Mark and Tracy Reifkind is a good DVD for the swing, which is the most basic of all kettlebell exercises and the place any RKC will tell you to start. Mark is a Master RKC, and Tracy is also an RKC.
The DVD is expensive on Amazon (about $35 USD), but if you can't afford to hire an RKC to teach you in person, I think this is a good substitute.
I second the Enter the Kettlebell recommendation. I have the book and DVD, and it has helped me a lot in terms form, focus, and just having the right mental attitude about training. It is frustrating at times because Pavel recommends building up your skills very slowly, and sometimes I wanted to rush through all of it. But it's definitely better in the long run to build a solid foundation.1 -
Hi Everyone! I've been using the Skogg KB system for over three weeks now and Love. It. I've done P90X before and was looking for something that was just as intense but not so dang long. Kettleworx always gets good reviews but I am not fond of the cut and paste videos..plus the guy who makes the Skogg system lives in Portland just north of me so it was nice to support the "local" guy. The progam takes basic moves and build on them which is nice..and you do a different dvd each day so its something different to look forward to every day when I get home and put the work out clothes on.
Currently I am using an 8 kg bell right now and for the time being I won't need to increase the weight...though I see this happening in about a month or so. Its nice to find a group who is posting many other suggestions, I will look into them as well as this is a 12 week course.
Cheers!
Lacey0 -
My name is Whitney. I'm 26 years old, and I live in Richmond, VA.
I first learned about kettlebells about 4 years ago when I started dating my now-fiance. He is a law enforcement officer and uses kettlebells all the time for fitness. He never told me about it until I walked into our work gym and he was swinging those things all over the place (really, just doing a basic swing) and pools of sweat were on the mat. As soon as I admitted some interest he was very excited and immediately got me a basic pair of 12kg to start.
My biggest issue is I have a bad habit of pre-existing conditions sidelining me for a long period of time and so then I am medically forced to be inactive for unknown periods of time. We are getting married this Fall, and I want to get back to my ideal weight. I know kettlebells provide a wonderful workout and it is such a good cardio routine to have.
I am currently starting back with the basics as I don't want to go too far too fast. I am reintroducing my body to the Turkish getup, swing, snatches, and squats. After doing that for a few weeks, I will pick up with Master RKC Pavel's Enter the Kettlebell book and DVD for probably a month or until I plateau, and then I will go to RKC Andrea DuCane's The Kettlebell Goddess book and DVD. I hope by then to be able to use a 16kg with no issue.
One of the things I noticed is that myfitnesspal does not have ANY kettlebell pre-entered in the exercise section for the exercise diary. That really surprised me. I guess I thought it was more mainstream by now. It is kind-of frustrating there is not more support - mainstream - for kettlebell users, especially women so I am so glad this group is on here!0 -
Pavel is so awesome. He really is my hero in many ways. I have an older military friend of my fiance's who had chronic back problems until he did Pavel's program and now he can function much better than before. It has gotten him off of pain meds! He just needed back strengthening!0
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