Kettlebell Strength Training: Why Do It?
There are a lot of great promises on the net about kettlebell strength training. Some people think it’s the best thing since sliced bread, others think it’s just disgusting hype and nonsense. Frankly, exercising with kettlebells can be really rewarding. It gives you a kind of dynamic strength that few other exercises can, and it’s the best tool I know of for resistance leg training. This article will outline the good and bad points of kettlebell strength training, so you can make the right decision for yourself.
The good points…
• Explosive, Dynamic Movements: More than just a simple bench press, kettlebell strength training involves fast movement that engages your entire body. This trains you in explosive movements and how to use your body as a single unit.
• Strange construction: Kettlebells are made with large handles, giving your grip a particular workout when lifting. It’s pretty hard to hold on when they swing! Also, when you hold them from below they lean to one side (since the handle is centered at the top). You have to constantly fight to keep them from falling off, and more work for your body is good news, right? 😉
• Compact: If you’re pressed for space, kettlebells are the best answer I have. You can put them at the bottom of the cabinet, in a corner, or use them as a door stopper. A barbell, weight paddles, and power rack are expensive and BIG! If you’re in a bedroom (like me) or somewhere else where space is at a premium, kettlebell strength training is great.
• Look great: OK, who doesn’t want to have an iron cannonball with a handle propped up in the corner of their room? As well as being functional, it looks great and sturdy. Need I say more?
The bad points…
• They are expensive: You can’t find kettlebells in most gyms. Therefore, you need to buy your own or weld a cannonball to a large handle. If you have a friend who is interested, they can pool your money, but it’s still an investment. And when you get stronger, most kettlebells aren’t adjustable, so you have to buy heavier ones. This is one of the biggest drawbacks to kettlebell strength training, though compared to the cost of a power rack and weight plates, it might even equal it for you.
• Difficult to find a teacher: The best way to learn any physical skill is by learning directly from a competent teacher. As kettlebell exercise becomes more popular, gyms will begin to offer it more widely, but right now it’s hard to find a trained instructor in your area.
Of course, you can get a lot of information online these days. By going slow and reading reliable books and websites, you can learn exercises and kettlebell training routines, which are great alternatives if you don’t have an instructor in the area.