For the last several years, there has been a fitness tool out there lurking in the shadows like a lion hunting during an African night waiting to pounce upon unsuspecting victims and then quickly retreating back into the shadows.
That tool is the kettlebell.
Kettlebells have been successfully hidden from the mainstream fitness enthusiast since their re-introduction in 1997. Only recently have they started appearing in mainstream gyms and retail stores such as Play it Again Sports and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
The three main reasons that kettlebells have been hidden are:
1. Too Hard Core – Kettlebells were deemed too hardcore for the everyday gym-goer because they were initially introduced for use by truly hardcore athletes (e.g., Navy SEALs, SWAT, NFL, etc.)
2. Too Dangerous – Kettlebells were thought to be too dangerous for the recreational exerciser. The mere thought of a ball of metal being flung around by “amateurs” was too much for many of the fitness industry’s meek general managers sitting behind their big desks in their cushy offices to handle.
3. Not Different – The initial reaction to anything new, especially in the fitness industry, is to criticize and downplay it. One of the original knocks on kettlebells was that they are NO different than a dumbbell. I know this one well as I used to be one of the guys who thought that. Funny enough, it was my wife who convinced me otherwise.
Ultimately, all these initial attacks were disproved.
Ø Kettlebells are actually excellent tools for all types of training goals, especially fat-loss.
Ø They are not too dangerous. I regularly use kettlebells with my 60 yr old baby boomers.
Ø In the hands of a trained coach, the scope of what can be done with kettlebells is
seemingly endless.
What are the top benefits for kettlebell training? Well, where should we start?
4. Train the Body as One – When done correctly, exercise performed with kettlebells will quickly have your body working as a single unit. This is quite noticeable because you will have a “solid” feeling, not only during your workout but also when performing everyday tasks as well.
5. Burn Baby Burn – Weighted cardio is one of the dirty little secrets of the fat-loss game. One simple drill such as the kettlebell swing is extremely versatile and effective at amping your cardiovascular training through the roof.
6. The Ultimate Home Gym – If ever there was an all-purpose exercise enhancer that you should have in your arsenal, the kettlebell is it. This versatile, compact tool will improve the results of every aspect of your training regimen. As a matter of fact, it delivers by the bucket load. Want fat-loss? You’ve got it. Want strength? Yep, got some of that, too. How about a stronger core? No problem. Need to be more flexible and mobile? Got that covered as well.
7. Bigger, Faster, & Stronger – Kettlebells are awesome for athletic development because they help you focus on developing the posterior chain (i.e., the speed muscles – glutes, hamstrings, and back). And we all know what they say about speed in athletics, right? It KILLS.
Hopefully, this article has given you some insight into what kettlebells can do for you. So, the next time you see one on the gym floor, don’t go running for your life in the opposite direction. Instead, find a personal trainer or fitness coach proficient at kettlebell training and add one of the most powerful tools ever to your fitness arsenal.
