2016-02-13_8-21-03Critics of the kettlebell dismiss it as a fleeting fad, but kettlebells aren’t just a fad. They offer a distinct advantage over other training tools. I have to admit, I was once one of those critics. Sure, I thought kettlebells were great to use as a weight that I could hold while squatting or lunging, but to me that was the extent of their usefulness, until… One of my small group clients, who happened to be Kettlebell certified, told me that he would sign up for the next session provided that I incorporated some of his kettlebell movements, and he offered to teach me the movements that I should incorporate. I like all things exercise so… PERFECT!!

Once I begin to learn the correct way to perform kettlebell movements, I saw the distinct advantage of training with kettlebells. There’s something about the shape of the kettlebell that offers something that no other training tool offers. It’s a constantly changing center of gravity that trains your body in a way that applies to real life.

Kettlebell training bridges the gap between cardio and strength training in a way that allows you to reduce overall training time and eliminate the need for large training spaces (think total body strength and conditioning in just a few exercises). It also increases grip strength, an area lacking for most weightlifters (ever watch American Ninja Warrior and think “I could never do that because of my grip strength?” I do). Traditional weightlifting provides little improvement to grip strength, while kettlebell training does because it builds powerful forearms.

Check out some great kettlebell movements here.

Ready to start kettlebell training? One important thing to consider is that kettlebell movements are very technical, and it’s extremely important that they are performed properly to avoid injury. Before starting a kettlebell routine, be sure to consult with a certified trainer who has experience training with kettlebells.