Kettlebells and Staying Fit
Make no mistake, kettlebells aren’t entirely new. In fact, they’ve been around since the early eighteenth century according to our best approximations. Only recently have they risen to planet wide fame, and by today they are as popular as any other workout accessory.
The more straightforward moves are performable by anybody, no matter their prior fitness regime, and there shouldn’t be a need to order obscure equipment. Naturally, the advanced routines aren’t quite as straightforward. As with everything else, it is walk before you run, as your father might have said. Whatever else you do, with these kettlebells as with any weights, you should take care that you determine the right weight for your workout. As a result of the way Russian kettlebells are used, your weights needn’t be as heavy as you might expect. Ladies are probably better off with an 18lb kettlebell, and male users should typically go for the 35lb size. This may seem unlikely, but it is because the results of this style are linked much more closely to the movements practised than they are to the weights being lifted. It’s also wise to get hold of an instruction pamphlet or DVD to study and ensure you carry out the motions correctly. The key routine to work on when using the kettlebell must be the two-handed swing. It sounds simpler than it is, but it’s at the foundation of the majority of kettlebell exercises. Abrupt halts, jerky motion - these are not exactly what you want. Always make sure your lift doesn’t come from your spine: use your hips instead.
By the time you’ve perfected the double-handed swing, it’s time to progress farther - you’ll have learned enough to tackle the bulk of the movements. Keep your routine interesting by means of employing different routines and reps, accompanied perhaps by different kinds of music. Later on, as your comfort with them develops, you might vary the weights and perhaps even introduce an additional pair. Naturally, you won’t want your exercise program to become less effective, and these suggestions may help prevent the problem.
Something we really must point out while we are at it is that kettlebells aren’t designed to help you build your strength or play a role in bodybuilding. What they will do is reduce your weight, tone up, and boost all-round fitness.
We suggest folding a session with the kettlebells into a well rounded exercise regime. How regularly you turn to these techniques is obviously your decision. Stick to just pursuing them once or twice each week for general fat burning, or push it up and include them five or six times per week. You will be lean quicker than you’d expect.
