What I like about kettlebells
Ok, it’s no surprise that I’m a big fan of kettlebells. After all, they’ve become my business and helped me get into the best shape of my life. (I’m a bit rusty at the moment but I’m getting back into it)
Here’s what I like most about kettlebells and kettlebell training:
- The workouts are fast: Train the whole body with the one tool. You can wipe yourself out (if you choose to) in an express 10 minute workout.
- I can do them anywhere. There is too much down time going to the gym. With kettlebells I can do a workout anywhere and anytime. Just give me a two square metres- outside in the fresh air preferably, and my kettlebell and I’m set.
- Fun. There’s so many exercises that I can do with kettlebells I never get bored. Kettlebells are so much more interesting than traditional forms of exercise that I’ll never go back. There is a real ‘skill’ to lifting them.
- Natural progression. When I feel I have mastered an exercise there’s always another drill or heavier weight that can push me to the limit. This keeps me motivated and moving forward with my fitness.
Tell me what you like
I’d like to hear what you think about kettlbells. Don’t hold back. Tell me your likes and dislikes. Share your favourite exercises and anything else you’d like to get off your chest.
I’m interested in hearing your opinions – whatever they may be.
A special prize
I’m going to read all your comments and get back to you with answers. I’m also going to give away some prizes for the messages I like most. These will include The Torsonator and the Old-School dumbells and barbells (another new product on the horizon).
So get going. Make your post interesting and fun – this will maximise your chances of winning a special prize. Place your comments/questions below.
I’ll talk to you soon.
Over and out,
Rick
Hey Rick,
Kettlebells are great for golf. I don’t do as much as I should but they definitely help.
I’ve found they’ve strengthened my grip, improved my back flexibility and give my hips an unbelievable workout.
I wouldn’t recommend doing a workout before golf – tried that last week and struggled to walk. Not a good thing.
Love ‘em. Keep up the good work,
Cam
i wrote this back in 2003 when i bought the ‘old edition kettlebells’ you use to have and posted it on the DD forums hehehehe
==================================
Kettlebell
Pavel: Comrades! Grab the bell by the horns!
Imposing, heavy
Wait a sec!
Bell by the horns?
Clean it!
Jerk it!
Snatch it!
Wheezing, lungs gasping for air.
Swing!
Flip!
Throw!
Feeling better now
Getting the hang of this
This is easy, working a heavier pood
Pay attention, pay attention!
Ouch!
Martone: Wanna be stupid? Then you’d better be tough!
i have recently just ourchased on and have been stydying heaps about its uses an application.
somehow this hunk of iron has done strange thigns to my mind.
i sometimes for no reason go and visit my kettlebells, like they are my pets or children to see if they are ok.
i day dream at work new exercise routines or try and find any website which may have some information i can use, my god i printed out over 200 pages of articles at work to read, thats how addictive these things have become.
i’m thinking of painting mine and giving it a name, kb just doesn’t cut it for me anymore, maybe a nice little russian name will suffice. any ideas? Ivan perhaps.
is it wrong to get a handle so i can take it around with me throughout the day to show people?
Hi Rick
i love the kettle bells – a quick, tough work out in less time. I have said good bye to the standard gym program which would see me spending a couple of hours at the gym . I can either do a short workout of 10 mins or a long workout of 40 mins including cardio and I am getting pleasing results so far. I’d just like to see more women using them- they give your legs a great shape and trim your butt! Now I intend to purchase my own bells to use at home.
Dee
i have recently just purchased one and have been stydying heaps about its uses and application.
somehow this hunk of iron has done strange things to my mind.
i sometimes for no reason, go and visit my kettlebells, like they are my pets or children to see if they are ok.
i day dream at work new exercise routines or try and find any website which may have some information i can use, my god i printed out over 200 pages of articles at work to read, thats how addictive these things have become.
i’m thinking of painting mine and giving it a name, kb just doesn’t cut it for me anymore, maybe a nice little russian name will suffice. any ideas? Ivan perhaps.
is it wrong to get a handle so i can take it around with me throughout the day to show people?
Hi Rick
I recently joined forces with some earthly people and had a stall at an environmental “greenfest” in Brisbane. I have a group workout I am preparing to launch with a plan to introduce people to fun, varied, challenging and rewarding exercises.
At the stall I had an 8kg orange kettlebell on display and it was fantastic! Lots of curiosity, which then turned to laughter from people who looked, touched, then lifted and realised it wasn’t quite as light and pretty as it looked!
The stories were awesome too. A couple from Scotland who spoke of the similarities they saw in it with their “strongmen” competition of tree throwing and another couple who took photos of themselves with it…. they then went on to tell me that they had friends who trained with these at their gym in South America.
Wonderful experience, and made me smile to remember just how far and wide and fun exercise can be too!
Can’t wait to learn more and pass on the love.
Thanks Rick
Kettlebells are AWESOME
I used kettlebells and Isagenix 30-day program to loose weight and build lean muscle tone. Check out my website to see for yourself the difference in a few short months http://www.AchievePeakPerformance.com.au. I have become competitive locally in the sport of triathlon, since I discovered the benefits of STRENGTH training with kettlebells.
I have recently sustained an injury to my right [master] hand. The flexibility of kettlebells has allowed me to continue training. What can I say? Kettlebells are awesome.
William
Hi Rick,
I’ve been using the Resistance Bands for my training and also for my exercise group sessions and the clients absolutely love them. There so small, light and versitile. The best form of training i’ve found for my mature age ladies in a long time. Best thing is there able to take them home and workout infront of the T.V. they love them no more going out to the shed and slogging it out on the weight. Well done great product.
Hi Rick
I was doing a workout the other day with my family of kettlebells (16kg, 24kg,32kg) when my 18 month old son joined in and started imitating me doing swings (together with grunts and argghhs). And of course he was trying it on the 32kg kettlebell unsuccessfully. I said to him one day these will be yours! My wife then added “You really love your kettlebells don’t you?” My reply “These will be in my will to go to our son”.
Kettlebells are a timeless piece of exercise equipment that will last you forever and generations to come! Oh and they give you a killer workout in next to no time.
Simon
Kettlebells huh?
What…that lump of black iron with the funny looking handle?
It’s not even finished properly.
Is it, like, a factory second or something?
Where’s the rubber coating, the fashionable palette of colour choices?
Where’s the salesperson talking me into a 12 to 18 month contract with expensive exit fees???
This can’t be better than going to the gym!!!
You see I know where it’s at. I’m an internet fitness expert.
(Stop laughing!)
No really, I’ve got a certificate to prove it.
I got it from Farmer Burns, by way of Matt Furey.
(Stop laughing I can still hear you!!)
I surf training related sites, watch all the infomercials about ten minutes training a day with the abs/thighs/buns/tuckshop lady arms fitness training system, and I’ve once even posted on the Australian Kettlebells forum about my high rep, 6 day split focussing primarily on isolation movements with pink and chartreuse coloured dumbbells. Besides, squats and deadlifts are bad for you…they are called dead-lifts you know?
So you mean to tell me this one piece of old school iron with a rough handle can replace all the thigh blasters, abdominizers, bun sculptors and total trainers that Joe Weider, Chuck Norris and Christie Brinkley can flog at a captive television audience mesmerized by Oprah and the meanderings of a moustachioed bald gentleman with questionable professional ethics (paging Dr Phil, paging Dr Phi)?
Guess what. It does. They work.
The Secret Ancient Kettlebell Training Secrets of Soviet Secret People is as follows…
See heavy kettlebell. Pick it up.
Move said heavy object through several different planes of motion.
Sometimes you might put it down and rest for several seconds.
Your lungs may stop burning at this point.
Other times you may choose not to rest and this will make you sweat rather profusely.
It will also make you realise that if you persist in pushing yourself through pre-conceived notions of what you’re capable of, you will discover things about yourself that you were previously not privy to. This is actually a good thing.
You will discover that doing swings, presses, clean and jerks, windmills and TGU’s makes twenty minutes on that recumbent exercise bike with fully interactive, integrated video screen and mp3 docking station kinda redundant.
That’s why I love kettlebells. They’re simple. They’re heavy.
You have to move them. They work if you do.
I’m sure another writer would end with some pithy observation at this point about kettlebell training thus being a metaphor for the travails and struggles of daily life…but for me, well I’m off to download some p*#n.
So, can I have some free stuff now????
Max
Hey Rick
As a powerlifter, Barbells will always be my number 1 training tool.
However, the stronger I get, the more gaps I find in my strength.
The only way I can describe what kettlebells do to me would be by painting a mental image.
Imagine a circle. Perfectly round circle, that would be my definition of “strength”. Barbell training would be represented as a square. It is a large square and it nearly fills up the whole circle. Each corner of the square touches the circumference of the “strength circle”.
However, we are now left with little semi circles which have been untouched by the barbell.
This is where kettlebells come in. They fill in the gaps. They make me whole as an athlete.
Adding any press, swing or cleaning action rounds me out and makes me whole.
Dean
Hi Everyone,
Recently I purchased some power rings, having decided to cross-train in regards to my martial art and rock climbing interests.
I have to say they are extremely effective. I am feeling strong in areas of my body that I hadn’t previously and am experiencing greater joint stability every time I train.
My faith in the products of Australian Kettlebells is understated and I look forward to getting my hands on some power clubs in the near future.
Best Regards,
Tashi
I realise my earlier post is not about kettlebells, but thought it might be of interest to those who enjoy your other products.
Rick,
When my husband started using a kettlebell several months ago I told him it was ridiculous. It was just another example of men releasing their desire to pick up heavy things and put them down again. Only the kettlebell was special. Sure you can pick it up and put it down, but you can also swing it around! I refused to even watch to see how it works.
After recently giving birth to my second baby I looked in the mirror properly for the first time in two years and was so horrified I had to go in search for some chocolate. I used to be fit, with muscle definition and I’m sure there were never any bits hanging down before! And as for core strength, forget it.
I sought help from my husband. He designed a little program for me and after just three weeks, I can already feel a difference. And I don’t mean the burn I get in my shoulder when I clean my teeth before bed after a workout. Although thats something new too. I can already feel a definite improvement in my core strength and now when I squat down to pick up after my toddler I can actually stand up again without having to lean on something! That may seem a small feat to some, but for me its a milestone and I can’t wait to see where my little 8kg wonder will take me over the next few months!
Now I’m proud to tell the world that I’m a woman and I like to pick up heavy things and put them down again too!
Jodi
Simply , kettlebells provide all the benefits of the proverbial 15o acre farm , before tractors were invented. No mystery , just hard physical work in an ever changing environment – without horizons!
I first discovered Kettlebells about 3 years ago and had a hard time finding where to buy them back then. I continued on my merry way slogging it out with convential weights really never increasing my core strength the way I wanted. Finally I bit the bullet & purchased kettlebells about a year ago and began to learn about primal movements and core strength benefits of the bells. I threw my barbell and dumbells away and began to really get stuck in. What I hated most about convential weights was that I would be super hungry after working out and focusing on two body parts per workout became mundane after 10 years. Recovery time was frustrating and although I had ‘big’ muscles, they weren’t strong. I found I had put on 18KG whilst going to the gym, not a lot of it was functional muscle.
Since beginning and constantly modifying my kettlebell routine I am able to work the whole body everyday without having to rest the muscles for more than 24 hours. I have lost 22KG & have reduced every body measurement by at least 25%. The muscle I have now is functional & ripped, my core is now so strong I can do things I couldn’t do when I was in my teens & early 20′s. My knees, back are super strong and feel great and my posture is even better.
I never get bored with the bells, I am constantly able to challenge myself to achieve more and more. 10 minute challenges I find are the best to check my progress, strap an ipod on my arm and go hard. I have since introduced mates to the joys of kettlebells, at first they called them sissy weights, but after putting them through one of my routines they usually lay on the floor heaving for breath absolutely buggered. These guys go to the gym at least 3-4 times per week. Impress your friends with the standing swing and be able to spin the bell, the most hilarious thing is watching a newbie try and do it for the first time thinking it will be easy only to fail in being able to swing with the correct action and then drop the weight after they attempt their first spin..
I have gone on a bit, but if you want to improve your overall strength & fitness, have amazing core strength & lose weight keeping it off, and are willing to throw away conventional weight philosophies then get yourself some kettlebells! It will start you on a path of hard-core understanding of your body which will absolutely amaze you!
Kettlebells are the new Viagra
Hi Rick,
Kettlebells are challenging and fun and i love the fact that progressions are measured in 4-8kg lots not 0.5kg as in most gyms. They don’t take much room and can be transported to a park or beach for a good outdoors workout. They are also the reason i stopped going to the gym. I should also mention that the person who introduced me to kettlebells is Commando Steve from Australia’s Biggest Loser. Back then he was my Boot Camp instructor.
The downside to kettlebells is that i can’t pack them with me when i go overseas and that has happened quite a bit this year. They are also unforgiving when you don’t exercise with them for a while, even 2 weeks ! When i’m o/s i don’t use the hotel gyms, but rely on powerbands which i got from you or just bodyweight exercises.
Things that seriously piss me off and why the KettleBell is the cure to
these diseases:
HALF-SQUATTERS
You know what I’m talking about. The guy who loads over twice his bodyweight
on the barbell, bends at the knees, upper thighs never dropping below the 45degree
angle, fake screaming his way through his attention seeking accomplishment.
Where is an AK-47 when you need one?
MIRROR COMPLEX DISEASE (yes, it’s a disease!)
That’s the guy who does nothing else than bench-presses and barbell curls,
the weight usually increasing with bad form if females are around. Will also
usually pose in front of the mirror between sets. Meanwhile his front deltoids
have become so imbalanced, the joint is kept permanently forward. That’s
the kind of guy you usually see walking around with frozen shoulders and a frozen
neck, thinking he’s the shit!
(That’s also the guy who’s never done a pull-up… …lot
of cable pull-downs though!)
LOWER BACK HYPOCONDRIAC SISSY
“Deadlifts and weights are bad for your back. Machines are a safe and
efficient way to exercise” Enough said…
ENTER THE KETTLEBELL!
If you cheat with the KettleBell, you will only get hurt.
If you use bad technique with the KettleBell, you will only get hurt.
If you lack flexibility and balance at your hips and shoulders, you can’t
lift KettleBells (Quoting Pavel: You are tight! And I will fix it!)
The mirror loses meaning to the KettleBell lifter, the snatch, the double clean
and jerk, the swing, are almost like martial arts drills
Machines (most of them anyway) turn off the most useful part of your functional
anatomy: your core muscles; the KettleBell violently switches them on!
The KettleBell will increase your performance at the most important multi-joint
exercises such as: The Pull-Up, The Deadlift, The Squat and the Push-Up.
The KettleBell, the AK-47 of the weight-lifting world, take it anywhere, low
maintenance, high-performance, understated but deadly!
I saw the ads in Blitz Magazine around 5 years ago and was intrigued by the description and benefits these so called Kettlebells could give…so i say to my wife “hey look at these things” and she just gives me that look- you know the one- the “what are you wanting this time?” sorta look, needless to say i end up getting them after some how convincing her that this will be the last time and that there wont be anymore expensive gym fees or wasted time… now im the sort of person who wants it all or nothing- so i spend $1200 (no more expensive gym fees anyone?) and get the whole set available…at the time it was 2 lots of each (16,24,32) and when i get them i can barely lift the 16 on its own haha! after trying some snatches and blistering up my hands- im wondering if this was a good idea in the first place! Anyway long story short- it’s 5 years on and i still cant get enough of my bells- nothing beats ‘em! I stopped worrying about those gym fees as well -after 5 years and counting, im well and truly getting value for money -and huge results in my workout time… if you havent got some yet- GET THEM COMRADE!
Hi all,
There’s so many reasons to love these cruel lumps of metal, it’s almost impossible to know where to start…
I’m a Transit Officer by trade (Law enforcement on the Perth Rail Network), by nature a ‘hands-on’ job a times and one where you do NOT want to look like an overweight lump or a skinny little runt. When I started working there, I was probably thought of as the latter. To the degree that a Supervisor routinely called me “Skinny White Boy” rather than by name and my nickname on the network was “Bones”, as in “Skin-an’-”.
Fast forward 18 months of lazy kettlebell training. I say lazy because for at least 12 months of that, I used no structure to my workouts, had no set amount a week and sometimes wouldn’t touch it for weeks. After 6 months of buckling down and wrestling the little black demon, other officers routinely ask me what I do, why I do it and how much muscle I’ve gained (12-13kgs lean of ‘meat I was supposed to have’).
When they call me “Bones” now (or even “Comrade Bones”) it’s a much more tongue in cheek term than before, believe me.
I blitzed many other officers at our recent Physical Technique Retraining and what’s more loved every minute.
It speaks volumes that without my “trying” to get them into it and with little to no publicity of KBs in Perth, since I started using them, now my wife, my brother-in-law and 10+ other work colleagues have started working with KBs.
The downside is that I can’t stop thinking about them! KB workouts are too much fun! Comrades, if you have found a way to placate your significant other, when you’ve just drifted off in the middle of a conversation to planning your next date with your little round black demon, please, let me know!
Bones.
Hi all,
There’s so many reasons to love these cruel lumps of metal, it’s almost impossible to know where to start…
I’m a Transit Officer by trade (Law enforcement on the Perth Rail Network), by nature a ‘hands-on’ job a times and one where you do NOT want to look like an overweight lump or a skinny little runt. When I started working there, I was probably thought of as the latter. To the degree that a Supervisor routinely called me “Skinny White Boy” rather than by name and my nickname on the network was “Bones”, as in “Skin-an’-”.
Fast forward 18 months of lazy kettlebell training. I say lazy because for at least 12 months of that, I used no structure to my workouts, had no set amount a week and sometimes wouldn’t touch it for weeks. After 6 months of buckling down and wrestling the little black demon, other officers routinely ask me what I do, why I do it and how much muscle I’ve gained (12-13kgs lean of ‘meat I was supposed to have’).
When they call me “Bones” now (or even “Comrade Bones”) it’s a much more tongue in cheek term than before, believe me.
I blitzed many other officers at our recent Physical Technique Retraining and what’s more loved every minute.
It speaks volumes that without my “trying” to get them into it and with little to no publicity of KBs in Perth, since I started using them, now my wife, my brother-in-law and 10+ other work colleagues have started working with KBs.
The downside is that I can’t stop thinking about them! KB workouts are too much fun! Comrades, if you have found a way to placate your significant other, when you’ve just drifted off in the middle of a conversation to planning your next date with your little round black demon, please, let me know!
Bones.
No need to preach about the KB benefits, all on here know that already.
My favourite thing about the ‘bells is, as a trainer, freaking people out at my workplace – a commercial gym.
I take a client who has never seen or heard of a kettlebell before, take them through a few simple progressions, and usually within 5 mins, I’ve got them swinging a ‘bell around violently, simultaneously shocking and mesmerising all onlookers, who freeze mid leg-extension and tri-pushdown and look around desperately for some sort of higher authority in the realm of fitness to be alerted of this “dangerous” exercise that represents a bastardisation of the fitness facade that Muscle & Fitness magazine had deluded them into.
Disappointed, they soon realise that in this particular gym, I am the higher authority in that realm of fitness, so my clients continue to swing away at will. Throw in a few TGU’s and KB thrusters for good measure, and most of the other members give up on their futile attempts to point out to me the obvious benefits of their chosen fitness pursuits that predominantly involve sitting in a lever & pulley operated space- waster designed for that seemingly agreed “benefit” of musclular isolation.
However a few inquisitive and ingenious individuals take the time to wander over and delve into this foreign, performance enhancing art-form a little further, and they are promptly referred on to kettlebells.com for further information.
My clients session finished, I am now out of uniform and thus no longer openly available to be haggled by my gym’s fitness sheep.
So to put a cheeky exclamation point on my day’s work, I decide to raise a few more eyebrows with my own workout.
A few rounds involving random repetitions of, say, crescent swings, ring muscle-ups, KB burpees and snatches should do the trick!
Keep the awesome products coming Rick!
while I don’t buy into the KB’s for everything like most of the above posters we have a collection of your bells at Musclepit gym in WA.
They are great for deload after powerlifting comps, DE work for deadlift and squat and general conditioning. The coating on the new bells ( not the prograde ) is excellent, and great to use.
The first Kbell I bought was a 24kg the now defunct tassie suppier and the new AusKbell ones are miles better in quality.
Now we just need some 54kg and 64kg bells to keep up with Apollo
while I don’t buy into the KB’s for everything like most of the above posters we have a collection of your bells at Musclepit gym in WA.
They are great for deload after powerlifting comps, DE work for deadlift and squat and general conditioning. The coating on the new bells ( not the prograde ) is excellent, and great to use.
The first Kbell I bought was a 24kg the now defunct tassie suppier and the new AusKbell ones are miles better in quality.
Now we just need some 54kg and 64kg bells to keep up with Apollo
Hi Rick, Wayne here (drummer from Perth). Mate I love my kettlebells, especially my 64kg! Picking this up makes picking anything up feel like fresh air. I love it so much, I cover it with a towle to keep the dust off it (including my Powerclubs). Infact I may get a tattoo of the 64kg kb and my powerclubs on my arm………..or even an earing…..or even a eyebrow club! Actually the wife can go in the gaurage and the kb’s and pc’s in stay in bed with me.
Cheers heaps
Kettlebells have totally elevated my overall fitness and taken my upper body strength to new heights. Really lovin the versatility and it has made me a much more competitive grappler. Blogs a great idea, keep crushin Rockstar.
Hi Rick,
A couple of friends at work and I just placed a large order of kettlebells through you. To make it easier and cheaper for postage we had all our 12 beautiful new kettlebells delivered to one address – our work address. Needless to say it was rather amusing to have our office mail room freak out when approximately a quarter of a tonne of gear was delivered directly to them. Comments such as “what the hell are they?” and “you’ve got to be kidding – you swing that sucker ?!?” were in abundance by the mail room staff.
Needless to say, after receiving the kettlebells, one particular work colleague (Let’s call him Shawn) was very keen to demonstrate his prowess and offer a swift demonstration of the simple kettle bell swing. A word of warning here – Don’t try the Kettlebell swing whilst wearing a pair of tight business trousers! Comments such as “go lower” by members watching this demonstration didn’t really help as his trousers finally gave way at the back and presented some tight undies to boot.
The kettlebells are worth purchasing for so many reasons but watching your mates split their pants and suffer complete humiliation is just priceless!
hi Rick
i have already contributed my thoughts here but on reading the other posts I’d like to say that I think Max’s is great. It really gave me a good laugh. Also a special mention of Jodi’s post.It’s great to see another woman not afraid of becoming a strong chick-you go girl. Also to Vladimir – Steve is my hero and the one who got me interested in cross-fit type training.You’ve worked with him – I’m jealous! I must say as an addit to my post I find it great when I’m at the gym working out with the kettlebells, the looks I get from the other women there are like – is she crazy or what? That’s okay you you just keep plodding along with the machines and we’ll judge the results later. If only they knew they could get just as good a workout with the KB and all the other benefits in less time than they are spending at the gym now. i don’t think guys are too worried by chicks that use KB – my hubby tells me he finds it quite hot – so I won’t be giving them up any time soon!
I have found that regular use of the kettlebell has infinitely assisted with my core strength and upper body definition …heaps faster than just barbells. But the product I enjoy the most is the power clubs I purchased. These are great for a change up and add strength and flexibilty through different movements. They’re fantastic for chasing off the the boys sniffing around my 15yo daughter as well.
Wow! Great comments guys and girls. This is a great start to the blog. Keep the comments coming – I’ll let you know the winners soon.
Great work Comrades!
Rick
Hi Rick.
Took delivery of a male and female starter pack on Monday and started watching the DVD with Pavel, Enter the Kettlebell. My wife Colleen and I, both personal trainers and have our own fitness centre. We have have been working with them all week and both love them, so do our clients. We cater for everyone here with machines and free weights and our own training is a big mix of crossfit style training, which we try to introduce everyone we can to. We cant wait to come and see you guys and participate in a course, hopefully we will be halfway prepared by the time we get to do it next year. I’m trying to convince the minister for finance already that I need the 32 kg kb. Thanks and look forward to seeing you next year.
I purchased the 16kg male starter pack last christmas. It has done wonders for me, i am currently interested in the Power Vest to improve my university rugby league training. I am dissapointed however that i have to waste half of summer not training with this product due to inventory issues. It would also be good if the Power Vest did not look like a bulletproof vest.
I love the fact I can go hard and do a little everyday… it doesn’t seem like much but the results are quick and my recovery and energy levels are sky high… it’s hard to miss a day because the sessions are so short… looking to learn some new drills real soon and take it to the next level!
I like kettlebells because they hark back to a time before modern life made how you look more important than how you act. They are a constant reminder that simple is good and achievement is gained by hard work.
Kettlebells aren’t impressive to look at but how you use them can be impressive. They don’t come with a promise of huge, rock solid muscle. They come with a warning they can kill you.
Using kettlebells means you are open to options, enjoy mixing up your workouts and don’t care how “ugly” or “silly” you look in public. They are so simple to use yet profoundly difficult because you are forced to listen to your body and to treat each workout as practice for the next one. There is no such thing as a mindless kettlebell workout.
Kettlebells lend themselves to a “business like” approach to workouts where you keep moving while you’re “sucking wind” and have to forcefully remind yourself of what’s next.
Kettlebells are so different they evoke a response. What starts out all jibes and wisecracks at the sight of your kettlebells turns into nods of respect as you keep working away. At the end of your workout you hear. “How heavy is that thing?” You reply. “Pick it up and find out, and then I’ll show you how to swing it.”
After twelve years of going to the gym two or three times per week, I had had enough of the same ol’ workout routines. I didn’t pay too much attention to what my body required to keep responding either: just get in, do some reps and get out. When I first found out about kettlebells three or four years ago I was intrigued immediately and looked forward to the challenge. The challenge soon turned to worry however as I went looking for reasons on the internet to explain my sudden weight loss! I had only been using the KB’s for a short time so surely it wasn’t these ‘bells’ that were being so effective. This one piece of equipment that is so versatile is now central to my workouts and I’m back to being energised and ethusiastic about my exercise regime.
My RKB Trainer
I needed something that was heavy and moveable
I needed it tobe thrown, jerked and tightly held
I needed to train for running uphill and sprints
I needed to straighten my lower spine
I wanted to increase my cardiovascular
I wanted to train any time of day and night
I wanted to be a boxer, runner and player
RKB was my coach, trainer and mentor
Four black round RKB’S sits at home
Everyday, I train with my 40, 32, 24, 12 RKB’S
As I hurl the RKB’S around, my body speakth
As the RKB ducks, dives and follows my mind’s command
I hear my body, stomach and mucscles growl, enough!
I know when to stop and round off
All they say now, you look fit and young, what’s up dog!
I run, play and smile with people half my age, what’s up dog!
I say, thank you, to RKB for changing my life
I say merci beaucoup RKB, for saving my life
I say dragon door has been inspiring
RKB don’t leave me
Stay with me RKB
Albert
So after some time spent kettlebelling, I noticed a much more Pavel-like hairy chest and Russian-style attitude to life, not to mention a general feeling of spiffiness. It was whilst standing in a long-queue for bread and vodka (Russian-style of course) that I decided to give Power Rings a try.
Looking through Rick’s website they were one of the many items that caught my eye as another piece of functional equipment. Besides which, I never turn down a chance to wear gymnastics-style lycra.
After all, as an accredited Matt Furey (™) Workout and Nutrition Kettlebell Exercise Rolemodel (WaNKER for short) I always demand the very best from my exercise choices, whether it’s machine bench presses, machine assisted squats, machine assisted dips and machine-assisted chins or Tibetan/Nepalese/Indian/Bhuddist/Hindu burpees.
So I decided to give the exercises a go and this is what I found…
The Iron Cross….no it’s not the name of one of those interminable war films that screens on network television during non-ratings periods…although after you try doing this the first couple of times you will be speaking with a funny accent, purely because your central nervous system has shut down through sheer exhaustion.
Yes, doing the Iron Cross is hard. That’s hard not in a gee I really have to work at this but I’ll finally get there sort of hard, but more like, what the bloody hell have I got myself into sort of hard.
In other words….it’s hard.
The Ring Dip…put your corn chips away people; this one hurts in so many places you need a Sat-Nav system to find them all. The day after you first try this one if you can move your arms anywhere near the vicinity of your pectoral region (that’s your man boobies area people) you’re doing okay!
The Ring Fly…is not some new-fangled zipper on your designer jeans but a method of trying to avoid face planting onto the bare concrete whilst attempting to perform this movement at your local playground. For you single blokes however, keep in mind that if you hurt yourself, some of the local yummy mummies may want to kiss your dinosaur bumps and scratches better….(who’d have thought – promoting greater social interaction through Australian Kettlebell products and/or physical injury?)
Front Lever…oh Christ…..I think my abdominal wall has been torn out.
Either that or the Alien is trying to exit my abdominal cavity.
Get the picture?
Get yourself some Power Rings.
Leotards are optional. An intense work ethic is not.
Rick…I’m still waiting for my free stuff….hello…..hello?
Where to start… so much to say about this terrific piece of equipment. My fabulous PT introduced me to a kettlebell a few months ago and I was instantly hooked! When we started planning a camping holiday on Fraser Island I decided to purchase one of my own so I could keep up my workouts. My PT set up some interesting challenges for me, like shot putting it for 50m lengths on the beach and running up sandhills with it, as well as the more normal routines including squats, windmills, swings, military presses, turkish getups, etc. I loved ‘playing’ with my kettlebell in the wilderness and on the beach but the most amazing thing was the responses I got from others witnessing my crazy antics. They were so facinated by this little cannonball and it’s amazing versatility and portability. My sister, a gym junkie, was totally converted and is now getting one for herself and her boyfriend who is into brazilian jiu jitsu in a big way. Another fellow camper and gym junkie who had been camping on the island for 4 weeks also fell in love with my kettlebell for it’s portability and outright uniqueness.
One of the great things I love about working out with my kettlebell is how quickly it has transformed my body. I have been running for a while now, but the kettlebell has really started to build muscle definition. My husband laughs at me everytime I excitingly show him a new bulging muscle that I have recently descovered. I guess blokes are used to having that kind of muscle definition, but for me, it’s amazingly exciting to see my body transforming like that right before my eyes!
My husband and I are planning on travelling around Australia next year and the first thing I will pack on board our caravan will be my kettlebell. You just can’t beat it for it’s portability and all over strength workout. I can’t wait to work out with it in the great australian outback and look forward to exposing it to more fellow travellers.
Jeannie
Hi Rick
I have recently (12 month ago) purchased a starter kit with 2 kettelbells & a DVD.I found the dvd was great easy to watch plenty of stuff to learn .After watching the DVD picked up the kettelbell and got straight into it .I found them easy to use and easy to learn most lift and swings. After using them for 3 month I was hooked I got straight on the phone and order a whole set .After a little time………………. Waiting ………..Well they all arrived safely .I was very excited when I seen all the boxes here. opened them all up and there they were all looking at me waiting to get picked up to get ,swung, cleaned, pressed, juggled, chucked .You just can’t hurt the little buggers. Anyway when I seen the MONSTER of all Kettelbells I thought to myself what am I going to do with this one ,well I have finally started using it. Just like to say your service is great Rick .I had problem with the handle of one Kettelbell when I received them .I rang Rick explained the problem and there was no question asked, there was new one sitting on my door step in a couple of days Thanks Rick .
Just like to say that keetelbells are great.
You can use them anywhere
You don’t need much space to train
You don,t need much space to store them
You don,t need much time to clean them
You can do so many different exercise with them
You can do Cadio
You can do Strength training
You can do Endurance training
You can test your Mental toughest
You can do just about anything with them
Walter
Kettlebells……where to start.
i will attempt a short list of the benefits i have received from using kettlebells.
massive increase in cardio fitness (from 10 snatches with a 16, to 200 with a 24) also add to that the mental toughness to get through without dropping the bell
a large increase in strength (from struggling to press the 16, to multiple push presses with the 48) *please note that this is “functional”real world strength so i can also carry many bags of groceries for my lovely wife, and throw young children hiiiigh into the air………and often catch them.
i hve had a dramatic decrease in body fat, (from an impressive keg to almost a 6 pak now…almost)
increased energy levels
clearer thoughts
more motivation
even more verille! i had 3 kids before discovering k.bs and since using them i have doubled that no. of children. (i expect after another year or two of training i will be able to conceive children with nothing more than a amorous glance at my wife.)
the ability to run again, even though i despise running (a long story)
the benefits are many and varried, among them the oppertunity to meet, train and talk with Steve Cotter yesterday. now if anyone is in doubt about the worth of kettlebells, and practicing with them, i hope this post has made it clear, that kettlebells are “the buisness”
and for those of us who look at training as a long term thing… expect mishaps and delays, but dont be dismayed, dust yourself off and keep on going, remind yourself “its direction, not perfection”
merry Christmas to all, and heres hoping that we all get a 32kg pro grade in our stocking from santa (or for those who werent nice, a 100kg lump of coal!)
jason little
Incredi-Bell Fitness (website non existent at this stage)
a number of years ago i hurt myself real bad doing superslow training on machines with heavy weight. I wish to god i never found out about that training let me tell you. Almost crippled me. physios never helped much at all and problems degraded from there due to not being able to move. other parts of the body started randomly injuring.
after a cpl of years of depression and barely even being able to lift a small pot of food to the stove to eat. One day while just running around the web i came across these kettlebell thingies. read about how they were good for your back, checked out some small clips on youtube of how to do the exercise and ordered a 16kb from rick after coming across his website. prior to this i had started working out with 2kilo dumbell to form my own rehab after lack of help elsewhere. I had gotten up to 8kg and my back started to improve but i also rehurt it in random occasions using both the bumbell and the the kb to which was due to my back just being messed up and most likely incorrect form aswell. bit more learning and i came across a video clip of this Rif guy with the foam roller. i was still having issues with the kbells and my back. it had been about 4 months since i used the KB as i got a bit disheartened i kept hurting my back here and there and spent that time using the roam roller
for the past 4 months i hit the foam roller every night for close to 2 hours sometimes even more. going over my whole body. Then i heard steve cotter was coming to town and i told my wife that i love her but i really need to spend $250 and see this guy. I think he will be able to help me. So here i am 4 months not using the KB and i did get some improvements from the KB dramatically as i could get around now but i was just constantly hurting myself really easily still during KB lifting and jsut my day to day work. The foam roller over that 4 months gave me a great deal of help also ironing out my muscle fascia.
so here we are the day before steve cotter arrives. i pull out the 16kg KB
and do a bit of arm swings for a warm up and 20 kb swings.
I then did 10 nervous snatches per arm. survived, phew. put the bells in the car in preperation for tomorrow. Before going to the seminar i spend 20 mins on the roller as neck a little stiff and was just super scared id hurt myslef and be embarrassed as
the seminar was amazing. steves warmup really helped me out.
so we start the workout and straight away from steves instruction i saw what i was not doing so well with my swing and it improved dramatically. shocked i managed to do them for 7 mins.
then we did the presses and im still surviving. when we got to the push press on the 3rd press i really concentrated on being explosive with it and i got a pain right on the primary spot of my back and you can imageine the word(s) that quickly hit my mind. however for the first time it instantly went away. usually ill be close to agony by now and cannot rotate my thorasic at all. im shocked and push out another push press. to cut the rest of the story short i survived teh rest of the day in disbelief and complete joy. Today im sore as hell. i feel teh sorness deep in my back and also deep within my lower back ( and arms n everywhere else ) but not like i have experienced before. I also feel stronger and more stable from that 1 training session with steve yesterday and i feel more mobile today soreness aside and have a feeling of less suceptible to hurting myself today. Steve has almost put a grown mant o tears here as his session yesterday has almost put me to tears as for the first time i see the light at the end of the tunnel to not have to cotton wool myself everyday and that i can enjoy the existance i want.
tomorrow im ready to hit the bells again with renewed confidence that i now have the more precise skill to perform them correctly which will lead to the return of my functionality and a happy future.
Well Done! I Like it!
Thanks for the talk about, and also this is definitely the top cell phone tracker