Kettlebells are basically round weight with handles. On the off-chance that you have never seen one, try to picture a large cannonball with a handle and you are pretty much picturing a kettlebell. These things actually originated in Russia hundreds of years ago but it has only been in the last 7-8 years or so that they have really started to make a splash here in the West. Let’s take a look at 5 reasons that kettlebells are so completely awesome:
1. Kettlebells are inexpensive – Now, right off the bat, anyone who has ever purchased a kettlebell will probably disagree with this statement, but when compared to expensive gym memberships or personal trainer sessions, kettlebells still come in pretty cheap over the long haul. You can pick up a 20 pound kettlebell (a good starting weight for male beginners, women should opt for one a little lighter) for about $30 or so. That one purchase can take you through a good 3-6 months of training with a kettlebell and help you get healthier while building muscle. Joining a gym, paying for a personal trainer, or buying many other types of fitness equipment is surely gonna run you quite a bit more. But if you must join a gym, they usually have them there.
2. Kettlebells are compact – Kettlebells, while they can be pretty heavy, are still fairly compact. Compare one to a treadmill or an elliptical and the kettlebell wins every time. Just keep it behind your bed, in your closet, wherever. They are small enough to store out-of-the-way when you aren’t using them.
3. Ok, now let’s get down to it. The real reason you should want to use ANY piece of equipment is because of how effective it can be with helping you get healthier. In the case of kettlebells, they do pretty well. A 2010 study conducted by the American Council on Exercise (one of the nation’s most respected authorities on health and fitness) concluded that performing snatches with a kettlebell is about equal to someone running at a 6 minute-mile pace or cross-country skiing uphill. If you only have a little bit of time and want to experience maximum results, the kettlebell can help get you there.
4. Kettlebells build muscle – Unlike most forms of cardio work that is designed to increase health, using a kettlebell actually helps you build muscle at the same time. You are lifting a weight after all and this weight is transferred to your muscles requiring them to do extra work for each movement. When working with kettlebells on a regular basis once can expect to see larger, firmer muscles as a result. Even if you only perform the swing, the most basic of kettlebell movements, you can expect to build muscles in your legs, back, shoulders, arms and even your midsection.
5. Kettlebells are pretty fun – One thing that can ensure your workout will be effective is if you enjoy doing it. Kettlebells represent a whole different kind of activity and many people (like me) think swinging these handled weights is awesome! It is a totally different type of feeling when you are swinging a kettlebell through the air. It gets your whole body involved and it does require a little coordination as your mind works to move your body correctly and your muscles begin to fire throughout the movement. It is so much more exciting than mindlessly lifting a dumbbell then putting it back down. With kettlebells, you are really engaged in the exercise the entire time and as you begin to make progress you start to learn that there are endless variations of what you can do with these things. No question about it if you find something fun you are likely to do it more often and in the case of exercise that is as effective as kettlebells are, this can lead to health increase and getting you in better shape than you have ever been before.
So, there you go. 5 great reasons you absolutely have to workout with kettlebells. If you haven’t tried them before, the list may seem a little too good to be true…if you have already tried them, then the list is probably not long enough. These things work…go ahead and grab a bell and swing away and you may just end up getting into the best shape of your life.
The Healthy Us 