Kettlebell - Anyone doing it?

Danfoss2011 · 5 May 2011 at 20:51

I did it last summer, did an 8 week boot camp and by the end was swinging 24kg not a problem. Then i got side tracked with a woman and my time for KB went.

Tonight i got back into it. I currently hurt like hell and tonight was swinging an 18KG which i though was pretty good as when i first started i was using 12kg.

I have a 16kg in the workshop as i was doing some at home after my bootcamp

Just wandering if anyone eles has given it ago?

The snatch movement burns 21 cals a min!!

TheBrooder · 6 May 2011 at 08:47

I would love to have a go, but I just spent £70 on some new dumbbells and don't want to shell out for a few KB's just yet. I think they are my next purchase though.

Can you recommend a site or book with good exercises?

Buffman · 6 May 2011 at 09:31

Have been to exercise classes a few times with them, went once the other week and last time before that was a year ago. I used a 12kg and 16kg kettlebell the other week and 16kg wasn't too bad so I imagine I could quickly progress. Its something I definetly will try more next semester (september onwards)

Admiral Huddy · 6 May 2011 at 09:33

I have to say it looks quite an attractive form of alternative excercise but I'm not convinced it's too good for joints. Might be mistaken. Looks great for core work though.

Morba · 6 May 2011 at 10:01

The only thing that annoys me about KB's is the people that rave about them.

Yes, they are a good tool to use but they are not the magic key to exercise.

Great, 21kcal per min is burned during KB snatch!!!!!!!!! But how many different is that to a DB snatch, which people have been doing for years?
Or what about barbell snatch? or cleans etc etc.

For me, KBs seem to be a tool that people, who dont want to lift DBs and BBs, will use. Yes, i know many many people use KBs with other stuff, but the general people you see using them are people who wouldnt go near DBs and do the same exercise.

No different to some of the classes that gyms run, where people (mainly women) grab a light fixed weight barbell and do squats.
Try and get them near a squat rack though, they will look at you funny and say 'i'm not doing that'.

DanH84 · 6 May 2011 at 10:55

I have a 20k kb at home that I use for a 15minute session of swings and snatches (that sounds a bit dodgy to me) as one of my cardio bits each week.

BennyC · 6 May 2011 at 18:02

Admiral Huddy said:
I have to say it looks quite an attractive form of alternative excercise but I'm not convinced it's too good for joints. Might be mistaken. Looks great for core work though.

No worse for joints than squats or deadlifts are. Which isn't bad at all, provided they are done correctly.

KB's utilise hip drive to generate momentum to create the swing. People are often mislead in to thinking it's some sort of shoulder raise.

It's great for burning through fat because it uses the legs massively. Something people aren't happy to train unless they're swinging a cannonball about. Squatting, deadlifting or leg pressing would be just as effective and probably safer, although each will work or not work, your core differently.

They're great if people don't have a lot of time and fancy something a bit different.

Makunouchi · 6 May 2011 at 18:33

I did it a couple of summers ago as part of some 'Spartan Training' nonsense that a company used to run on Saturdays on Hove lawns that we got into for free as some deal with our boxing club.
I really enjoyed it, I liked the dynamic movement of it, and it certainly kills your thighs doing swings!

alx · 6 May 2011 at 23:32

I quite using kettlebells for a bit of conditioning and for some of the more explosive exercises as something a bit different.

As other people have said they're not some magic bit of equipment, but can be effective when incorporated with a more traditional routine.

I think it's the novelty of doing something new (and having enthusiasm for it) that sometimes makes it effective.

Danfoss2011 · 8 May 2011 at 12:38

KB is amazing for weight lose, cut, tone and burning cals as well amazing core work. I've been mixing some yoga in with mine and it's bloody hard. My abs are really coming on with it. Had a quick go last night at my PT's doubble swing of 16's, i was all over the shot more so when doing a double snatch. In a matter of mins im sweatting away.

Going to use them at home after my run or ride

Randomface74 · 8 May 2011 at 12:51

I've got a 16KG by recommendation of a friend. I tried all different kinds of excercises, and I've come to the conclusion that swinging is good, but anything else is at the risk of injury.

Danfoss2011 · 8 May 2011 at 12:55

Half the problem is everyones thats gone out and bought one will not being doing it right. I see so many people squat and bend at the knees as to hip flex and using there gluts as your ment too. Bum right out, slight bend at the knee but bend over at the hipflex. Idea is if your fingers are there it traps them.

There is KB truster, swing, alternat hands, turkish getups, situp with kb, L & V, dead lift, hatch, catch, throw, snatch, windmill, saw, press, clean, and lots lots more

icecold · 8 May 2011 at 13:50

Morba said:
The only thing that annoys me about KB's is the people that rave about them.

Yes, they are a good tool to use but they are not the magic key to exercise.

Great, 21kcal per min is burned during KB snatch!!!!!!!!! But how many different is that to a DB snatch, which people have been doing for years?
Or what about barbell snatch? or cleans etc etc.

For me, KBs seem to be a tool that people, who dont want to lift DBs and BBs, will use. Yes, i know many many people use KBs with other stuff, but the general people you see using them are people who wouldnt go near DBs and do the same exercise.

No different to some of the classes that gyms run, where people (mainly women) grab a light fixed weight barbell and do squats.
Try and get them near a squat rack though, they will look at you funny and say 'i'm not doing that'.

Danfoss2011 said:
KB is amazing for weight lose, cut, tone and burning cals as well amazing core work. I've been mixing some yoga in with mine and it's bloody hard. My abs are really coming on with it. Had a quick go last night at my PT's doubble swing of 16's, i was all over the shot more so when doing a double snatch. In a matter of mins im sweatting away.

Going to use them at home after my run or ride

I think this is Morba's point. Yes KBs are great is many ways (excellent for stability training), but there are alternatives when it comes to most things that aren't as gimmicky.

The ability to work up a sweat "in minutes" is nothing special. Doing 1 set of high rep hang clean to push press or 2 20 second sprints with 30 seconds of rest will have the same effect.

I'm not actually against the idea of KB, not at all. They are a great tool to have around the house. But don't use them at the expense of other training just because you don't want to be associated with whatever you imagine the "culture" of the gym is.

I have a friend that I trained with who flat out refused to take protein shakes because he didn't want to "go that far" or "be one of those guys". He's now very casual about whey shakes, realising they are just a cheap and convenient source of protein. Don't make the same mistake with barbell/other styles of gym training.

Danfoss2011 · 8 May 2011 at 17:06

My old man was the same on shakes. He got funny with my size yet we were doing the same in the gym. Told him 4 week drink this eat that then look at the photos we took 4 weeks before. He now agrees it's a good quick cheap input