Anyone familiar with Kettlebell workouts?

Let me start by saying that I have arthritis in my lower back. A little less than 3 months ago, I couldn't stand straight up or walk for more than two minutes. I decided to change that. I started slowly using a small kettlebell and could barely do anything with it. As the time went by and my stamina increased, my pain also lessened and I got stronger. I can now do all of Gin Miller's Kettlebell workouts, back to back. That's 52 minutes total. Between using the Kettlebells and walking, I am now standing straight and can walk for an hour at a time. I walk from 4 to 6+ miles a day now! I didn't, but I recommend you checking with your doctor if you have pain and get the ok from them.

About Kettlebells... I started out with a Danskin 5# Kettlebell. It comes with a Gin Miller workout DvD that I absolutely love! Then I graduated to Bob Harper 7# and 10#, plus his workout, which comes with his Contour Kettlebells. Gin's is easier and I think, more fun. Bob's is almost too much for me to take. lol I would definitely recommend using Kettlebells. They make me feel stronger!

My opinions on the different ones that I own... I prefer the feel of the Danskin Kettlebells in my hand, not cold, easy to hold onto. The Bob Harper Countour Kettlebells are cool because they rest easier on your arm. But, I don't spend a ton of time with them 'resting. The handle is also cold steel and not as comfortable to hold.

I saw someone above mention not doing kettlebells if you have back problems... If your form is correct, you shouldn't be using your back at all. Most of the philosophy behind kettlebell workouts is using your whole body to move the weight. I had back surgery a little over 2 years ago, and I had great luck with kettlebells - really increased my strength and stamina. Just make sure you are doing it right. Unless you've trained with a pro, I really don't think they are a good at-home workout. So many people do it wrong, and can really get injured. Even the videos/DVDs I've seen aren't great unless they come from Art of Strength. Just my two cents...

Actually, I bought a KettleWorx at home DVD set and a kettlebell to do the workouts. The person who created these workouts actually gives you an introduction video and explains proper form in detail. He demonstrates the different moves and what you body (butt, back, legs, etc) should be doing and how they should be positioned with every move. I am a big girl and I have not had any problems with my back. Also, I noticed my muscles responding to these workouts from day one. I can't speak for other videos but if you take time to learn how to do the moves properly and don't sacrifice form when doing them Kettleworx is an awesome way to tighten and tone muscles. I would highly recommend it. www.kettleworx.com

Good Luck!

I use the kettlebell within my workouts at the gym. Here are a few -- love them!!! 1) you swing the kettlebell between your legs and up above your head --- you have to squat while doing this. 2) you squat to pick up off the floor with one hand and lift above your head (like you were putting something up on a shelf) and then squat back down bringing it to the floor and changing hands. If you can't lift above your head bring up to your chin. 3) holding it out in front of you while doing squats. 4) what we call "farmers walk" and you tote the kettlebell over your head (keeping your posture straight) or we have had two of them and hold down to our sides. 5) side sit-up -- lay on the floor with left knee up, kettlebell in right hand and straight above your head and then sit-up aiming to your left side while keeping your arm straight, then repeat with the other hand. Hope this helps.

I have done all of the above. There are lots of workouts and doing the same one week in and week out is boring, and eventually won't work as well as it did in the beginning. Look for different workout challenges. in a cardio class that meets three times a week, we only did the K-bells once. We did some other stuff with bosu balls, medicine balls and plain old calisthenics.

The key is mixing it up as often as you can.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzo3LOwrShU


I love kettle bell super fat burning and strengthens your entire body

Make sure the instructor is RKC certified or at the very least has a specialty kettlebell certification or other training. Personally, I'm not kettlebell certified but have taken a specialty CEC in using kettlebells for rehabilitation so that I can use them with some of my clients who specifically need that type of training. Unfortunately, however, there are a lot of trainers out there who think their personal training certification or group exercise certification will allow them to teach kettlebell work and it doesn't. Jillian and Bob, I know aren't specially trained in kettlebells so I would avoid anything by either of them if you want the proper form. Art of Strength is good, Pavel is the best. I wouldn't trust anything by Crossfit because they are known by actual exercise physiologists as not using proper form because of working more for speed. So, rule number 1, find an RKC certified instructor. Rule number 2, slow down and do the move properly so that you can use them to heal injuries instead of to cause them.

I bought KettleWorx and Im going to start it tonight. FYI - Target has it for $49 vs $89 + shipping from the manufacturer.