Kettlebell Training

[temptation]

Does anyone here do it? Have you noticed any increased gains in strength and athletic performance? I heard it was the shiznit.

[bridgetjones]

What is it?

[temptation]

Well...it's not much. Just simple kettle shaped weights that apparently lend themselves to full-body workouts. Supposedly it's good for core strength.

The exercises that you are supposed to do with kettlebells are more explosive in nature (much like the clean-and-jerk in olympic weightlifting) which are supposed to be much more similar to the explosive movements in athletics.

I'm really big on functional strength so I figured I might give this a try.

[spokes]

great another trianing method.......i'll squeeze it in before core and after pilates......

[MetFanL]

Whenever someone talks about kettlebell training I immediately think of the two weight lifter guys from Family Guy.

http://weightlifters.ytmnd.com/

[temptation]

Apparently Aleksandr Karelin trained with Kettlebells. Nicknamed "The Experiment", he was known for picking up and slamming 270+ pd. men in Greco Roman wrestling.



http://www.karelin.ru/download/video/karelin-3.asf

[MetFanL]

What does it actually do for you that regular weight training (with variety) doesn't?

To me, it just looks like an injury waiting to happen. I watch people at the gym throw weight around b/c they have bad form, or arch their back while doing bench presses and it just makes me cringe. Wouldn't this essentially just be lifting w/ bad form? Or, is this just considered an alternative once you're an "advanced" weight lifter and your core, etc. is strong enough to do these motions w/o injury? I mean, if you're naturally flexible, you could easily injure yourself, yes?

I guess it just seems to go against everything I'm trying to prevent from happening w/ Pilates...

[LakeJay]

Or, is this just considered an alternative once you're an "advanced" weight lifter and your core, etc. is strong enough to do these motions w/o injury?

I think that is the population that would be more inclined to do a workout like this. It probably would be nice to throw this in the mix if the nautilus machines, free weights, etc. have become a bore. As mentioned before, it definitely would be something geared to better athletic performance especially explosiveness. I do get weary of doing crazy-ass movements with weights but if it's a weight I know I can handle in a controlled manner, I'm not so worried.

[temptation]

What does it actually do for you that regular weight training (with variety) doesn't?




Well. I'm just looking to gain a bit of explosive/athletic type strength. I find that some guys who lift weights seem to have very tight, robotic bodies.

I know weight training helps athletic performance but not if it compromises fluidity of movement.

Plus in regular wieghts you tend to slowly push or pull at a steady pace. In athletics, you tend to accelerate.

At the same, time I hear what you're saying. I really don't want to get injured so I wanted to get some feedback before I try it.

[MetFanL]

A lot of weight lifters seem to sacrifice flexibility for definition. Any activity you would do to improve flexibility (yoga and pilates, for example) would tend to also lengthen your muscles, thereby taking away some of the definition that most lifters look for. That's why they can't move their arms properly and walk like Popeye...

If it's flexibility you want, yoga or pilates seem to be the way to go. Plus, your less likely to get injured that way. I guess it depends on what kind of body look you're going for. There is also a place around here that does old school, Rocky 4 training and I know a few people that rave about it, but I've never tried it. At least that's supervised so you can make sure your form is still good.

[temptation]

A lot of weight lifters seem to sacrifice flexibility for definition. Any activity you would do to improve flexibility (yoga and pilates, for example) would tend to also lengthen your muscles, thereby taking away some of the definition that most lifters look for. That's why they can't move their arms properly and walk like Popeye...

If it's flexibility you want, yoga or pilates seem to be the way to go. Plus, your less likely to get injured that way. I guess it depends on what kind of body look you're going for. There is also a place around here that does old school, Rocky 4 training and I know a few people that rave about it, but I've never tried it. At least that's supervised so you can make sure your form is still good.


I already do Ashtanga Yoga which is one of the more rigorous forms and it doesn't provide enough strength resistance....I'm actually pretty happy with my body...my primary focus is strength gain without loss of flexibility or explosiveness.

[MetFanL]

I already do Ashtanga Yoga which is one of the more rigorous forms and it doesn't provide enough strength resistance....I'm actually pretty happy with my body...my primary focus is strength gain without loss of flexibility or explosiveness.

what about pilates, then, with the equipment? That's what I do b/c I prefer the resistance that the machines provide.

[Ben1975]

If you're looking to increase athletic performance and core strength, you'll be hard pressed to find anything that will beat kettlebells, olympic lifts, and functional (strongman) training.

If you're interested in getting some kettlebells, go for it. They're awesome. I incorporate them into my regiment regularly. Go to www.dragondoor.com and talk to Jim Haines if you're looking for a good deal. Pavel Tsatouline runs dragondoor and he used to be the head trainer for all of the Russian Special Forces. He knows what he's talking about.

If you can't afford/don't have access to any kettlebells, you can always do one-handed dumbbell snatches. They're very similar.

If you're a serious athlete, you can't neglect anyone of the three types of training I mentioned in the first paragraph. It has brought my game to a whole new level on and off the field.

-Ben