Kettlebell?

[Buck268]

Has anybody done any work with eh Kettlebell before? One of the guys at work has been talking about it for a while and offered to loan his out to me. Hoping somebody has some experience with it and can offer some incite.

For instance, how is it on your joints and is it really the workout I've heard it can be? Also any advice on excersizes or techniques to use?

 

[SIFU1A]

well my bro-in-law uses 'em all the time and swears by 'em, i have a bad back & they are simply something i cant use with all the swinging and stuff, would kill my back.

but my bro-in-law just loves 'em.

 

[Irezumi]

I use them on days I can't get to the gym. I have 2 x 16kg and 2 x 8 kg. I prefer using free weights and bench at the gym (which is really only a supplement to my boxing anyway) but they are still good. I definitely prefer to curl a dumbbell (hammer curls, zottman, forearms, preacher curls, etc) work better than the curls you can do with kettles. Tried the kettle swing but I prefer other exercises at the gym for core training plus I do a lot of medicine ball ab work at the gym. I also like the dip machine for core. One thing I like doing though is high rep shadow sparring with an 8 kg in each hand. You flip the bell onto your wrist and box. Good for biceps and forearms.

 

[din]

I have a couple of 16kg bells and one 20kg. love 'em to pieces. I don't use them for curls or anything, just swings and snatches, and they give a good workout. bodybuilding.com has a bunch of articles on them that you should check out, and some exercises.

 

[ThinkOfTheChildren]

Has anybody done any work with eh Kettlebell before?

Yep, they're about the only piece of workout equipment I have the attention span to use.

For instance, how is it on your joints

It really depends on the exercise you use, but if done properly I've found it's less stressful on the joints than more 'traditional' weights. You're using more of your body in a lot of KB exercises and working in a more natural range of motion. Depending on the workout, you're not isolating joints or working them in weird ways.

is it really the workout I've heard it can be?

Yep! It's what you make it, of course, but you can really kick your own butt quick

Google around for exercises (there are tons of online tutorials, photos, and even youtube videos) and find what works for you.

I really like these kettlebell deck squat jumps: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTeWRN3YUfY
They will quickly kick your butt!

 

[BoxANT]

I have a 16kg kettlebell that i often use. It has pretty much replaced my dumbbells for home training.

The thing I love bout kettlebells is the movements you can do with them. It is much easier to really play around and have some fun

 

[Buck268]

Wow, suprised at the responses, guess this isn't as fringe as it seems... Might have to get my hands on one now!

And "Think," those deck-jumps definately look intense, even without extra weight!!

 

[bennyG19]

kettlebell swing tabatas are one of my favorite things to do at home when i can't get to the gym. you could also do cleans, snatches, front squats, deadlifts, presses, turkish getups, and just about anything else you can think of.

 

[SIFU1A]

they have been around a while, mike graham in lockhart TX makes/sells 'em and has been touting them since the mid '80s.

 

[bammann45]

I like em as well, although I have the plate loading model from iron mind -- so not really a true kettlebell but its nice to be able to change weight on it.

 

[Kiah]

Just noticed this thread. I like using them, but haven't done so in a while. I'm cheap, so mine are just pipe fittings and spare plates.